Had this from a former colleague now at TfL.

Anyone else heard of this? Not much time to make a comment. The justifications seem rather warped and bear no comment to the thousands of people with mobility disabilities but nonetheless can get about with a simple helping hand of a conductor. Seems they too are to be denied pleasure of nostalgia.


We are proposing to make changes to the route 15 heritage vehicle service and would like to hear your views.

Currently, the 15 heritage service operates between Tower Gateway and Trafalgar Square daily between 9:30am and 6:30pm. Other buses that cover this route include the 11 and 26, as well as the main route 15 service.

We are proposing to reduce the 15 heritage service to run on summer weekends and bank holidays only.

This is due to a number of factors, including:
o Falling weekday ridership
o The bus does not allow step-free access

We would like to know what you think about our proposals. Please send your comments by Wednesday 21 November, to consultations@tfl.gov.uk marking Route 15 heritage in the subject field.

Many thanks,

Poppy

Poppy Windsor
Community Partnerships Specialist, Central | Public Affairs
Phone: 020 3054 9029 (auto 89029) | Mobile: 07720 700194
Red Zone, 9th Floor, 5 Endeavour Square, Westfield Ave, Stratford E20 1JN
PoppyWindsor@tfl.gov.uk

There's nothing on the TfL Consulations website about Heritage Route 15 - which is where this should be published.

My bus number (if any): RM597/RM1400

Yes indeed.

Something TfL have been rather deft at of late, making it very hard for ordinary people to access information like this.

One of our clients had to get his legal dept to make a Freedom of Information application for a number of issues that TfL would not answer or engage in.
When the response came back it turned out TfL claimed all the information was available online and supplied the links.
But without the links it was simply not possible to find the information.

Since recently returning to the UK, it really has become a very Topsy Turvy place. But this is drifting off the basic notice of information.

A lengthy piece on the ULEZ has just arrived on The Evening Standard web site.
It categorically states that `buses and lorries will have to pay £100 per day`. Seriously? Service buses too? Makes no mention of age exemptions.
How does that work when heritage buses come to the rescue when a tube line is out? Or for heritage private hires? And is this the excuse not to run the 15H when this comes in?
Surely there`s not about to be a massive uplift in operating costs without a proportioned planned increase in income?
I can`t believe the wording is correct - though it`s there for all to see.

I don`t think there are any operating bases within the present zone but if an expansion to an area within the North and South Circular roads follows soon as suggested, that surely catches several depots. With many staff coming from afar and having to drive in for early starts, it`s hardly going to help with recruitment or retention if an existing or prospective employee has to change their car to get to work. And if heritage buses are or are not to be exempt will that still lead to a lesser supply of `part time RM drivers` if it`s going to cost so much to get to work?

Those wanting to have their say have until Feb 28 to do so. But the new order starts on April 8. How is anyone supposed to plan ahead?

Historically you can say whatever you like in a TfL consultation, the decision has already been taken.

I`ve just put my RM`s reg number into the TFL vehicle check and it comes back as ok to be in the zone. Not that I want to be! Looks like a sloppy bit of reporting that categorically stated £100 per bus.

Sloppy reporting from the Standard Neil? How long did you work for LT?

When I was in LUL we ignored the Standard, it only commented when things went wrong, never gave LU or its staff any credit and often got things wrong. They don't even know what an RM looks like!

My bus number (if any): RTL 960, RMC 1458, RM 1585 and several RTs