Transport for London (TfL) has launched a trial of colour-coded buses as part of plans to make navigating the capital’s bus network ‘as easy as taking the Tube’.
The news comes as bus passenger numbers in the capital recorded their first fall in years in 2016, attributed to growing congestion.
One of the new colour-coded buses
Under plans set out by mayor Sadiq Khan, individual routes have been given their own distinct colour while links to other TfL services have been clearly identified.
Buses and stop signs will be marked in their identifiable colours and the main destinations and interchanges will be listed on the side of the buses.
The aim is for passengers to be able to tell at a glance where buses will go.
The buses will match colour-coded bus maps
Mr Khan, said: ‘By bringing these new distinctive route colours to areas of the network, we’re making it as easy to navigate areas of London by bus as it is by Tube.
‘It’s another key part in our efforts to encourage Londoners to take to the bus and help us tackle congestion, air pollution and make our city better for everyone.’
A trial of the new approach has begun in east London where more than 60 red buses are being given their own splash of colour to mark seven different routes.
The changes aim to simplify journeys for passengers travelling in Barkingside and across the area including journeys to and from Romford, Walthamstow, Ilford, Loughton and Barking.
A further trial is planned for the summer in Hayes, in west London. The mayor’s office said that if the new designs are successful they could spread to other parts of the capital.
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