London's 7.1mph average bus speed is 'no faster than average jogging pace'

"London’s buses are the workhorses of the capital, carrying millions of people every day, but they are being held back by worsening congestion and inconsistent road management. When buses are averaging little more than walking pace in some parts of the city, it is passengers, businesses and the wider economy that lose out. Slow buses are effectively expensive buses, as the longer a service takes to complete a route, the more buses, drivers, fuel, maintenance, depot space and staff are needed to maintain the same timetable."

"With labour accounting for the largest share of operating costs, even small delays can become hugely expensive across an entire network. Assuming there was a 10% increase in bus speeds across London, the CPT estimates this could save bus operators around 214 million a year. Using data from the Department for Transport’s Annual Bus Statistics, the CPT Cost Monitor and consultants KPMG, the trade body estimated the wider financial benefits of faster and more reliable bus services."

"The CPT estimates that improving bus speeds could generate an additional 3.1 billion in economic benefits for London, which is equivalent to 838 per household. Relatively straightforward measures such as stronger bus priority and better co-ordination of roadworks could make a transformational difference. Faster buses mean more reliable services, lower operating costs, and a more attractive alternativ"

London buses average 7.1mph, matching the pace of an average jogger. Bus speeds in London are 44% slower than other English metropolitan areas and 24% slower than other urban areas. Worsening congestion and inconsistent road management reduce bus speeds in parts of the city. Slow routes require more buses, drivers, fuel, maintenance, depot space, and staff to keep the same timetables, increasing operating costs. Labour forms the largest share of operating costs, so small delays can become expensive across a network. A 10% increase in bus speeds could save operators around £214 million per year. Faster, more reliable services could also add about £3.1 billion in economic benefits for London, equivalent to £838 per household, supported by measures like stronger bus priority and better roadworks coordination.

Read at www.standard.co.uk