Declares that the Petitioners strongly believe that there needs to be a direct bus service from Hounslow West Tube Station, Bath Road, Hounslow TW4 to West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7; further that just over two years ago on 19 June 2012 the Petitioners wrote to the Operation Manager of Transport for London regarding the bus service and regret that the reply received from a Customer Service Adviser was not encouraging; further that the Petitioners provided four possible review options for one of the service routes which was turned down; further that in a reply on 11 July 2012 TfL noted that the entire bus network is reviewed on a regular basis to make sure that passengers are given the best possible service; further that the Petitioners replied to this letter of 11 July and are still awaiting a reply; and further that passengers travelling to West Middlesex Hospital have to change buses at Hounslow Bus Garage to visit admitted patients and attend appointments which the Petitioners believe can be particularly difficult for the elderly and disabled.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to liaise with the Mayor of London and Transport for London to ensure that a direct bus service from Hounslow West Tube Station, Bath Road, Hounslow TW4 to West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 is provided.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Seema Malhotra, Official Report, 22 July 2014; Vol. 584, c. 1356.]
[P001379]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
I recognise the importance of public transport for both the sustainability and independence of communities, and its valuable role in preventing isolation.
Under devolution, transport in London is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) is the organisation charged with implementing the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. TfL is responsible for planning all London Buses services. TfL plans bus routes, specifies service levels such as hours of operation, frequency, and ensures service quality and performance. Bus services are operated by privately owned operating companies, which work under contract to London Buses.
My Department provides the Greater London Authority with a substantial transport grant for TfL, amounting to £1.744 billion for the current financial year 2014-15. It is for TfL and ultimately the Mayor of London to decide how best to prioritise spending the grant.
However, I strongly encourage bus operators, authorities and local communities to work together to decide how best to provide access to services for residents. In that regard, I fully support the consultation toolkit that was published in 2012 by Passenger Focus, the independent champion for bus, coach, rail and tram passengers.