London bus checker app launched

Bus users in London can now keep up to date on the very latest developments to their favoured routes and receive live updates at the click of a button thanks to a brand new app.

In August, Transport for London introduced its live data feed as part of its open data policy, the information from which has been used to develop the new bus checker application. TFL’s countdown site allows passengers to log on and check the progress of their chosen bus in real time, enabling them to make better use of their time in between services.

The application, which has been developed by FatAttitude, combines real time data relating to over 19,000 bus stops throughout the capital. Users can programme the app to alert them to any changes to their favoured bus route so they’ll receive information to update them on any cancelled buses or diverted routes, which could prove a godsend for busy city commuters. The app also displays the complete bus route, ideal if you’re travelling in an unfamiliar part of the city.

The bus checker application also boasts a GPS enabled map service which can direct users to their nearest bus stop, or find alternative routes in the event of a problem with their favoured bus route.

The iPhone application costs £1.49 to purchase, and can be downloaded from iTunes onto a range of devices such as iPhones and also iPads and iPod touch devices.

Student nightclub bus plans in the pipeline for Kingston University

Plans are currently being made to introduce a nightclub bus to transport students from popular night spots in Kingston back to campus.

Transport for London and bus transport provider London United are said to be involved in the talks with both the police and University with a view to introducing the new late night bus service for young party goers in the Kingston area.

The police are spearheading the new bus route as part of Operation Skyp which was set up to clean up the streets and make Kingston safer for young people by cutting down on antisocial behaviour.

Plans for the nightclub bus are thought to be fairly advanced, with the authorities planning a consultation with local residents over the proposal.

It is hoped the introduction of a bus service for late-night revellers will help get young people out of the town centre and back to their campuses quickly and safely after a night out. It’s anticipated that the nightclub bus could help reduce problems connected to drink-related antisocial behaviour by ferrying students home safely.

A spokesperson for the University said the institution is “very keen on exploring the possibility” of providing late night bus service for its students. However the idea is still in the planning stages and there’s no definite timetable in place to have the service up and running.

London’s new green buses to be shipped thousands of miles for engine installation

Transport For London have come under fire this week after it was revealed that the much celebrated hydrogen-powered buses will be shipped three-quarters of the way around the world to have their engines fitted.

The environmentally friendly fleet of London buses, which are part of a £15 million scheme, are being made in Northern Ireland. However they will then be shipped to California where they will have their specialist engines installed.

The 5 buses will be ready to join London’s bus network by November this year after their trip back from the States.

There has been much hype about the hydrogen buses as they don’t produce any pollution or carbon dioxide.

Despite their green credentials, many have questioned whether the long trip to California and back, and the massive carbon footprint this will incur, is worth it. It’s been specified that a single container ship emits more pollution than 2,000 diesel trucks, however shipping the buses is more environmentally friendly when compared to flying.

TFL have defended their decision to ship the hydrogen-powered buses saying that in the long term they will reduce their carbon footprint considerably. They say it is necessary to transport the new buses so far as they are high tech vehicles and only a handful of places in the world have the expertise to work on these buses.

Londons bus and tube passengers will be provided with the Metro newspaper for the next 7 years

The free morning newspaper the Metro has signed a deal which will see it provide London’s bus and tube stations with papers up until 2017.

The 11 year contract signed back in 1999 is due to come to an end this April. However the new deal will see the newspaper, which has become part of the furniture for London commuters, continue for the next 7 years.

It’s understood that the Metro was largely unchallenged in its bid to continue providing morning newspapers for Transport For London (TFL). The publishers behind The London Paper, which folded last year, were reported to have not been interested in securing the deal. All in all it’s believed there were 3 other interested parties, however it’s not known how many of these submitted tenders.

TFL say they have positive feedback from their commuters in regard to the free daily paper with many bus and tube passengers saying it improves their daily journey to work.

There are plans in place to provide more recycling bins at key tube and bus stations in an attempt to reduce the amount of waste produced from the daily newspaper.

The Metro currently has a daily circulation of 1.3 million across the UK, 726,000 of which is in London alone.

Fast track bus service to Heathrow set to cut out Harefield

Recent proposals show the new express bus service to Heathrow won't stop in Harefield

Residents in the village of Harefield in the London Borough of Hillingdon are up in arms after it was revealed recently that a new fast track bus service to Heathrow won’t be stopping in the village.

Some locals have expressed concerned that they are being “cut out” of the plans and feel as though they’ve been “left out in the cold.” Others have reacted angrily saying, “Do they not think people in Harefield go on holiday and want to get to Heathrow?”

Under the new plans proposed by Hillingdon Council and Transport for London, two express bus routes to Heathrow are being prepared, neither of which will run through Harefield.

The proposal is currently undergoing a consultation period through a local publication, the Hillingdon People Magazine. However at a recent resident’s meeting, many locals complained that they hadn’t received their copy of the magazine.

Although there are a number of bus services running east to west across the village of Harefield, there are scare amount running from north to south.

Local campaigners are urging the residents to join together to fight for improved public transport links through the village. It’s hoped that if these grievances are made known to the council, they can influence Transport for London to make vital changes to the bus travel in the area.

Hillingdon Council are seeking feedback from locals in regard to the proposed bus service. Those who wish to respond need to do so before February 15th either in writing to the council, or through their website.

2 year campaign to get old bus stop outside East London supermarket reinstated is successful

Transport For London have finally given into public demand and agreed to bring back a bus stop outside a supermarket in East London. For 2 years campaigners have fought to get the number 488 bus to stop outside Tescos by the Blackwall Tunnel in Bromley-By-Bow.

The problem first arose two years ago when a popular bus route, the S2 was scrapped, along with the bus stop outside the supermarket. This service had been used a great deal by elderly passengers as it allowed them to take their shopping home easily as the stop was directly outside the store.

The number 488 service replaced the S2, however the closest stop to the supermarket was a considerable walk away. Passengers need to walk up and down a steep subway, and through an underpass before reaching the new stop. For less mobile passengers carrying heavy shopping bags, it proved too much.

Local resident and councillors joined forces and put forward a number of petitions in an attempt to get the old bus stop back. The campaigners even took their grievance to the Mayor Of London, Boris Johnson, as they protested outside Bethnal Green’s York Hall last year whilst the Mayor was visiting on business.

Finally the news the locals had been waiting for arrived this week. TFL have agreed to reinstate the old bus stop outside Tescos from February 27th.