BUSES, TAXIS AND BIKES: Mayor of London reveals challenges faced around opening up more 24/7 bus lanes
London’s bus lanes are a crucial part of keeping the capital moving, but expanding their operating hours across the whole city remains a challenge. For black cab drivers, who rely on these lanes to navigate congested roads efficiently, any changes could have a significant impact.
Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has confirmed that increasing bus lane hours is a key measure to improving journey times. Since September 2020, almost all bus lanes on Transport for London’s road network have operated 24/7 following a successful trial. The move became permanent in October 2021.
The benefits are clear. Buses move faster, two-wheeled vehicle riders gain safer space, and taxis, along with emergency services, get priority access. However, rolling out the measure more widely has hit obstacles.
Concerns include opposition to removing parking bays, the need to protect disabled parking spaces, and fears that general traffic could face longer delays. Local support is critical, and resistance from stakeholders continues to slow progress.
For taxi drivers, access to these lanes remains a pressing issue. With congestion a constant battle, maintaining and expanding their use of priority routes is key to keeping London’s licensed black cabs operating efficiently. Whether more boroughs will follow TfL’s lead remains to be seen.
Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “Increasing the operating hours of bus lanes is a key measure to reduce passenger journey times in London. In addition to increased bus speeds, bus lanes also offer a safer space for riders of two-wheeled vehicles and help black taxis and blue-light services to get to their destinations more quickly.
“In September 2020, Transport for London trialled 24/7 operating hours on almost all bus lanes on its road network under an experimental traffic order. The decision to make the changes permanent was taken in October 2021.
“Challenges to adopting this measure across London include:
Local stakeholder opposition to removal of parking bays within bus lanes
The need to retain some disabled parking bays for those who rely on them
Perceived and actual impacts of increased journey times for general traffic which can undermine local support.”
