2021... Your predictions

[vjaska]

Jan 6, 2021 23:55:43 GMT Eastlondoner62 said:

Jan 6, 2021 23:40:32 GMT bustavane said:

As a driver and the (joint) owner of 2 cars, I too am more than happy at drivers paying for this privilege. Bus travel (electric, of còurse) is what we all need.

Now while you may be happy to do so, people outside London might not be interested in doing so. Could very well cause damage to the London economy. 

While I understand cars might not be the way forward, they are vital for the running of this city and just turning your back on them will result in damage to the economy. It's clear everyone knows this as this is why Khan was so against the Congestion Charge being extended to the Circulars and why the Tories even tried to pin it on Khan in the first place so that they could accuse him of damaging the economy. 

If long distance train travel was properly invested in across the board and not pinning their hopes on one particular high speed line that simply continues to escalate in costs, then such a policy could be done. The same applies for cross boundary bus services - most have been lost yet had the investment been implemented and TfL not acted like nothing should run beyond the London boundary, they'd be in a better place to dictate such a thing.

That all said, I do support a road charging scheme of sorts but it wouldn't merely hinge on people driving across one boundary - I mean, I don't think it's fair that the Inner London boroughs must suffer terrible traffic conditions when the majority have low car ownership and the congestion is generally caused by people who don't live in the boroughs.

[capitalomnibus]

Jan 6, 2021 23:40:32 GMT bustavane said:

Jan 6, 2021 23:33:45 GMT LondonNorthern said:

As a driver and the (joint) owner of 2 cars, I too am more than happy at drivers paying for this privilege. Bus travel (electric, of còurse) is what we all need.

I would NOT be happy to do so and would not wish it on anyone as it has no purpose. Electric buses is still NOT solving the problem. How long before we get told about the dangerous of electrics etc and new taxes to be bought in.

[capitalomnibus]

Jan 6, 2021 23:55:43 GMT Eastlondoner62 said:

Jan 6, 2021 23:40:32 GMT bustavane said:

As a driver and the (joint) owner of 2 cars, I too am more than happy at drivers paying for this privilege. Bus travel (electric, of còurse) is what we all need.

Now while you may be happy to do so, people outside London might not be interested in doing so. Could very well cause damage to the London economy. 

While I understand cars might not be the way forward, they are vital for the running of this city and just turning your back on them will result in damage to the economy. It's clear everyone knows this as this is why Khan was so against the Congestion Charge being extended to the Circulars and why the Tories even tried to pin it on Khan in the first place so that they could accuse him of damaging the economy. 

The main reason why Khan did not want the congestion charge extended to North and South Circular as he know it would lose him a hell of a lot of votes and could turn the tables on an election win. He would have to be nuts to impose a daily charge especially in automatic votes territory. I say this as the majority if people within there would vote for him.

[Deleted]

Here are my predictions:
Covid - still present in the UK by end of 2021. Rates will decrease as the weather gets warmer but by the end of 2021, rates start to increase (but not as much as they are now). Probably the levels that we were experiencing in September/October
Mayoral election could be cancelled because of Covid
Buses - 414 to be cut by the end of the year, possibly delayed until next year though
Trains - Northern line extension starts. Crossrail will be delayed yet again to 2024 or 2025

[TB123]

Dec 27, 2020 19:13:33 GMT TB123 said:

Right... My predictions for the London bus network in 2021

Major consultations for Harrow and Uxbridge to take place following recent publishing of network development papers. Some new links and economies alongside simplification planned.

Network development papers for Haringey, Old Oak Common and Enfield to be published outlining proposals to make bold changes, especially in the case of Haringey and Enfield

Loans take place between bus operators following delayed arrival of new electric bus orders

All new bus orders to be electric, but there to be less of these with more use of existing buses in tenders

More routes receive 2 year extensions reflecting positive performance trends in recent times

More "low-cost" bus priority measures implemented, eg 24/7 bus lanes, removal of some parking bays and perhaps some new traffic lights. Funding constraints see less 20 mph speed limits and new cycle lanes than recent times.

No changes to the operators on the TfL network. Consistent tendering performance for most operators. Uno to win a second daytime route (234?)

Croydon routes due for tender towards the end of the year recieve new electric buses (119, 198, 264, 433)

Metroline to regain the 13, the forum and Finchley Road corridor rejoices

More speculation on tenders, with more retentions confounding this hype

Sadiq Khan to be reelected with no change to transport strategy

Croydon and Sutton, South Newham and 414 changes to be implemented, perhaps with some minor tweaks.

The 413 Citaros depart off lease and the bus enthusiasts of London are devastated.

At least one operator stages a major strike. Probably Metroline, maybe RATP.

That's about it I think?

Except the 13 going to Metroline, the 413 Citaros and new consultations/network papers(bar OOC), I got nearly all these spot on. Oh and 198 got hybrids not electrics. Still partly electric right?!😉

[vjaska]

Dec 27, 2020 18:33:53 GMT vjaska said:

For the buses in particular, TfL to continue to needlessly splice the network to smithereens rather than actually introduce pro bus policies!

Mine was right though admittedly wasn't hard to predict.