Discussion on hospital transport and related issues with senior Transport for London officers.
Minutes:
Transport for London (TfL) officers explained that their aim was to have a bus network that was comprehensive, frequent, simple and reliable. The objective was to have waits of less than 12 minutes during the day and to have a bus stop within 400 metres of any London location although there were exceptions. Routes should not vary at different times of the day and CCTV and low floor buses had been introduced to improve safety and accessibility. Another aim for the network was to achieve value for money.
Buses calling at hospitals were mainly used by people who worked at the hospital. In TfL’s experience, patient journeys to hospital by bus were much more infrequent. There also did not tend to be large numbers of people travelling between hospitals by bus.
The 128 bus route had now been diverted into Queen’s Hospital and a similar diversion was being considered for routes 498 and 499. It was hoped to introduce this in early 2013 subject to consultation and the completion of traffic management works.
The consultation stakeholder team at TfL monitored all bus route requests that were received. Estimates were made of the number of people that would make suggested bus journeys. A letter summarising responses to suggestions re the bus network was sent every six months to stakeholders including Councillors and Assembly Members.
Members were concerned that the reorganisation of NHS services would mean more people needing to travel between Queen’s and King George Hospitals. Some services were also being moved from St. George’s in Hornchurch to King George. TfL officers accepted that there was no direct service between Romford and King George Hospital. The situation would continue to be reviewed but it was not possible to divert but route 66 into King George Hospital since to do would cost in the region of £250,000 per year. Clearer figures on the numbers of people affected by the hospital reconfiguration would be needed before more routes could be brought into one or both of the hospitals.
TfL was not responsible for Goodmayes train station but it was confirmed that the station would get step free access under the Crossrail proposals. Members pointed out that only three of the 15 Central Line Underground stations had step free access and officers responded that this would be considered as part of the Central Line upgrade works. Officers would provide more details on this.
It was also pointed out by Members that, with the exception of some limited access at Leyton, there was no step free access to any of the Underground stations in Waltham Forest. The officers emphasised that TfL did wish to have step free access at all stations but this would take time. Details of the borough liaison officers at TfL could be supplied to the Committee.
The only current bus link from Redbridge to Queen’s Hospital was route 128. There were no current plans to run further routes from Redbridge to Queen’s although the bus network was being reviewed continuously.
A further problem was the lack of transport between Naseberry Court and Goodmayes Hospital, should patients be transferred between these two facilities. The TfL officers again emphasised that they needed to know the numbers of people affected to justify introducing a bus route between these areas. TfL did use the H-Stat system to collate data with the Health Service and was also running a seminar shortly on transport and the health service. NHS NELC officers added that it was very difficult to get the type of data TfL required. The needs of hospital staff and visitors should be considered as well as those of patients. The TfL officers would confirm to Councillor Light the current best bus route between King George Hospital and central Romford.
It was confirmed that the former Mobility Bus service was now being replaced by Dial A Ride and similar services.
The Committee noted the update and the further information to be provided by TfL officers.