Transport for London (TfL) has published its long-term plan for buses, which will see the modern bus network attract more customers and help the capital become net zero by 2030. Buses are the most used form of public transport, and TfL's Bus Action Plan will create an alternative to car use by focusing on five areas:

• An inclusive customer experience - a bus network that allows for independent travel, including improved customer information and bus station refurbishment; with actions including upgrading more existing bus stops to meet the wheelchair accessible standard 
• Safety and security - a safe, secure bus network, with no one killed on or by a bus by 2030, and with all elements of the Bus Safety Standard implemented by 2024
• Faster journeys - a faster and more efficient bus network, with journeys 10 per cent quicker than in 2015, with initiatives including the aim to introduce 25km of new and improved bus lanes by 2025         
• Improved connections - a bus network better suited to longer trips with better interchanges, especially in outer London; and ensuring London residents remain close to a bus stop 
• Decarbonisation and climate resilience - a zero-emission bus fleet to tackle climate change and improve air quality, working to reduce the cost and difficulty of infrastructure upgrades needed to enable the transition of the bus fleet

The plan can be seen in action on the route 63 from King's Cross to Honor Oak, where new higher specification all-electric buses were launched last month. The buses bring together a range of features, including USB charge points and mobile phone holders, a larger wheelchair and buggy area and better real time travel information on board. A new bus lane on the New Kent Road section of the route is improving journey times and reliability in line with the plan. All vehicles meet TfL's Bus Safety Standard and feature upgraded CCTV.

After trials found that extending bus lane hours on London's busiest roads cut bus journey times and helped service reliability, TfL announced in December last year that the majority of bus lanes on London's red routes would be converted to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Louise Cheeseman, TfL's Director of Buses, said: "We are excited to set out our bus strategy for the rest of this decade, which is all about creating a bus service reflective of our customers and their evolving needs, supporting a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, making London a net zero city by 2030 and improving people's safety and wellbeing.”