Last reviewed 8 November 2023
Transport for London (TfL) has published a Bus Safety Strategy outlining specific actions to be taken to achieve its Vision Zero goals for the bus network, which aim to reduce the number of deaths caused by bus collisions and for there to be no serious injuries by 2041.
The aim of the strategy is to set out TfL's safety priorities for the bus network and ensure that buses remain the safest way to travel on the roads.
With full details available here, the programme is already delivering the greatest reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured per journey of any road-based mode of transport.
The Bus Safety Standard, which sets out the standards required for new buses in the capital's fleet, is at the heart of this programme and TfL claims that it is leading the international bus industry in requiring physical and technological safety improvements.
TfL has now reached the milestone of more than 1000 buses in London's fleet meeting the Standard.
Safety measures introduced in 2019 and 2021 included: Intelligent Speed Assistance technology, which keeps bus speeds to the speed limit; Responsive Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems, to enable zero emission vehicles to make a sound that alerts other road users of their presence; and the urban bus sound, that helps to ensure all road users are aware of quiet running buses.
Further improvements are due in 2024, such as requirements for Advanced Emergency Braking, further improvements to interiors to enhance passenger safety and vulnerable road user alerting systems.
TfL's Director of Buses, Louise Cheeseman, said: “Safety is our first consideration in all that we do to deliver bus services in London, and we're determined that it will continue to be at the heart of our transport network. This new strategy is a vital part of our approach to systematically making transport safer for everyone.”