New Routemaster Buses on Local Routes to Become Single Entry
Middle and rear doors become exit only from Friday to help cut fare dodging
The middle and rear doors on New Routemaster buses on a number on local routes including 9, N9, 11, N11 and 211 become exit only from Friday 20 March, in a bid to cut down on fare evasion.
Transport for London announced in January that it would be phasing in the change on all New Routemasters, running on over 20 routes.
Buses on the remaining routes will be converted at a later date.
Claire Mann, Director of Bus Operations says: "We’ve made this change to make sure that everyone pays the right fare and to bring New Routemasters in line with how customers board other buses in London.
" You won’t be able to board using the middle or rear doors, and you won’t be able to get off at the front. The yellow card readers in the middle and back of the bus will no longer be in use.
" If you need to use the wheelchair priority space, you can still use the middle doors to board. If you’re travelling with a buggy, let the driver know you need to board through the middle doors first. Then, go to the front and touch in on the yellow card reader or show your ticket to the driver."
TfL explains the change here:
How to pay
You must board using the front door and either:
Touch in with your Oyster card, contactless card or device on the yellow card reader by the driver (this will now be the only one in use on the bus), or
Show a valid ticket to the driver
If you don’t touch in or have a valid ticket for your journey, you may be issued a £80 penalty fare or be prosecuted.
The move to convert the buses to make the doors exit only followed a successful pilot on the route 8 which suggest that fare evasion was cut by more than half without affecting the reliability of the route.
Fare evasion on New Routemasters has been more than double the rate of other buses, with TfL estimating that more than £3.6m was lost each year on New Routemasters. It also meant that customers with accessibility needs cannot always board buses first.
The New Routemasters have been nicknamed 'Boris Buses' as they were introduced by the now Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was London Mayor and modelled on traditional London buses.
They previously faced criticism when the lack of air-conditioning or opening windows subjected passengers to sweltering temperatures of 30°C and higher. Transport for
London has since retrofitted opening windows, at a cost of £2 million.
TfL says its team of more than 450 revenue inspectors operate across the whole network day and night, using new technology and intelligence to identify anyone travelling without a ticket.
Fare evasion is a serious criminal offence that could lead to prosecution, a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000. The changes being made to New Routemasters are part of a wider programme of activity designed to drive down fare evasion across the whole TfL network.
March 17, 2020
