Bendy Buses? Just say No

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Jul 2006

Time to call a halt to bendy buses, says Bridget

As Islington Council's environment spokeswoman, Bridget Fox fought Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone's plans to impose bendy buses on our borough. And she says it's now time for Transport for London to promise there will be no more bendy bus routes through Islington.

Bridget says, "Bendy buses were hyped as the answer to our transport problems - but they've just made things worse.

Liberal Democrat research has revealed that last year, figures for fare dodging on bendy buses were double that on conventional single or double deck buses in London.

And the Advertising Standards Agency made TfL drop claims that boarding times were faster on bendy buses.

Islington Council has resisted TfL plans for 24 hour bus lanes for the bendy buses and councillors have won concessions on parking in Essex Road & Rosebery Avenue to help local shops & residents.

Now Ken Livingstone is admitting that it's all been a big experiment. He says bendy buses are still effectively on trial and they may yet be withdrawn.

Bridget is asking Islington residents to report problems with the bendy buses - and they are flooding in.

• 38 bus blocking the junction at St Paul's Road, stopping traffic, including other buses

• 73 bus unable to negotiate parked cars in White Lion Street, causing traffic to back up Baron Street onto Pentonville Road

• bus stops suspended completely, not moved, during road works because the bendy buses are too long

• bendy buses blocking normal buses, causing chaos at busy bus stops at Angel and on Essex Road.

Bridget says,

"Enough is enough. Stop experimenting on Islington. We want better bus services - but bendy buses just don't work on our crowded streets. It's time to say no to any new bendy bus routes - and rethink the ones we already have."

ENDS