TfL Says Faster Buses Depend on Managing Roads, Not Just Running More Services

New strategy argues tackling congestion and controlling roadworks will be critical if London's buses are to reverse years of declining journey speeds.

Transport for London (TfL) has set out a new blueprint to reverse the steady decline in bus speeds across the capital, arguing that improving public transport is no longer simply about adding more buses—it requires greater control over how London's roads are managed.

The strategy, outlined in London on the Move, focuses on reducing delays caused by roadworks, improving traffic signal technology and strengthening coordination with London's boroughs, with the aim of making buses faster, more reliable and ultimately more attractive to passengers.

Bus Speeds Continue to Fall

Despite remaining the backbone of London's public transport network, buses have become progressively slower over the past decade.

Peak-time average speeds have fallen to around 8.3mph, down from more than 9mph ten years ago. While traffic levels dropped dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic—temporarily pushing average speeds above 12mph—congestion has since returned, bringing slower journey times and contributing to a gradual decline in bus patronage.

TfL believes reversing that trend will require interventions that go far beyond bus operations themselves.

Road Management Takes Centre Stage

Rather than focusing solely on timetables or fleet expansion, the strategy concentrates on improving how London's streets operate.

Three key initiatives underpin the plan:

• Expanding the lane rental scheme, which charges utilities and contractors more for carrying out roadworks on the busiest roads during peak periods.

• Increasing collaboration with London boroughs through a programme known as Bus Sense, enabling better coordination of roadworks and traffic management.

• Modernising more than 4,000 traffic signals with technology capable of giving greater priority to buses while using real-time traffic data to optimise traffic flow.

TfL estimates that together these measures could improve bus journey times by around 13% by 2030, exceeding its own target of a 10% improvement.

Lessons Beyond the Capital

The approach is attracting wider attention because similar powers are expected to become available to England's metro mayors under the proposed Devolution Bill.

The Centre for Cities believes the strategy offers an important lesson for other major urban areas seeking to improve public transport without relying solely on service enhancements.

Cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham are all pursuing integrated transport networks, but the think tank argues that better ticketing and increased bus frequencies alone will not overcome congestion unless road space is managed differently.

Research suggests that even where public transport improvements are introduced, many people will still choose to drive if buses remain caught in traffic.

Balancing Incentives with Road Priorities

The report argues that encouraging greater use of public transport requires both investment and policies that actively prioritise buses over private vehicles.

While cities have generally focused on improving services—the "carrot"—the analysis suggests measures affecting how road space is allocated will be equally important if public transport is to become the quickest and most attractive option.

TfL also maintains that reducing delays for buses can deliver wider benefits by encouraging modal shift, easing congestion and improving journey times for remaining road users, particularly freight traffic operating across outer London.

A Blueprint for Future City Transport?

As more transport powers are devolved to regional authorities, London's experience may provide a model for other city regions looking to tackle congestion while supporting economic growth and reducing emissions.

The challenge, however, is likely to be political as much as technical.

Measures that alter road priorities or restrict vehicle movements have often proved controversial, but TfL's strategy argues they are becoming increasingly necessary if buses are to remain competitive in Britain's busiest urban areas.

For cities preparing to introduce integrated transport networks over the coming decade, the message is clear: improving bus services may start with buses—but success could ultimately depend on how the roads themselves are managed.