Transport for London (TfL) has announced a trial of new bus shelter designs that aim to improve accessibility, safety and customer experience across London.
The new designs, which will be introduced at 27 locations across the capital over the coming weeks, are set to be installed at existing shelter locations by upgrading or replacing a variety of individual features.
With over five million journeys made each day on TfL’s bus network; the operator believes that its existing shelters vary in both age and condition, leading to an inconsistent customer experience. The new designs seek to introduce a new, modern, environmentally responsible and sustainable identity more aligned with TfL’s bus network.
To start; the trial will span boroughs including Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Havering, Hillingdon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth and City of Westminster. The first shelters were installed last month, with all structures set to stand for 12 months in locations selected based on the condition of existing shelters and the number of customers using each bus stop, as well as high crime locations.
Each site will utilise one of two different designs and four different configurations of features, allowing for a broad range of criteria to be assessed. Updates are set to include better lighting, improved seating, more robust seating and shelter materials, improved roof designs, priority spaces and CCTV.
In order to develop the new design features, TfL worked with a number of different campaign groups and charities to incorporate feedback, including disability focus groups, the RNIB, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and London TravelWatch.
As well as the trial of new shelter designs; additional bus shelters will also be placed at locations that previously had no provision, with approximately 20 new Landmark London shelters being installed at some of the network’s highest demand stops, many of which have not had a shelter before. 11 refurbished shelters are also being redeployed across the network to further improve waiting conditions for customers at unsheltered stops.
Carl Eddleston, TfL's Director of Streets and Network Operations, said:This initiative reflects our commitment to creating a bus network that feels safer, more welcoming and easier to use.
By modernising our infrastructure, we’re ensuring that Londoners benefit from spaces that truly support their daily journeys. These upgrades allow us to rethink how our shelters serve the city and help us shape the future of public transport. We are keen to hear directly from those who use these shelters so we can incorporate their feedback into future designs.
