Free bus services are not that common in the UK. But do they have a place in transport provision? Peter Bradley takes a look
In my neck of the woods in West London, an unusual bus service starts each April.
Running on Wednesdays only, the RP1 circumnavigates Richmond Park five times (with a break for the driver), linking the car parks with some of the attractions.
It is run by Richmond and Kingston Accessible Transport and the Holly Lodge Centre for the Royal Parks, and is Lottery funded. It allows those who are less mobile to enjoy this open space not far from the centre of London.
Apart from the fact that this service is not run by TfL, one of the other unusual features of the service is that it is free.
Free services
Bus services that operate for all, that do not charge a fare are not that common in the UK, but they do exist. Normally they serve some specific demand which might not otherwise be fulfilled, or with a specific aim in mind.
I first became aware of the concept of free coach and bus services in the late 1980s with the development of the out-of-town supermarkets with their large car parks, wide aisles and deep trolleys. Many of the big supermarkets put on weekly free bus services from local towns and villages to the store. However, there were some unintended consequences.
I recall that from my time in Hertfordshire that one network of free bus services to an ‘amazing’ new supermarket undermined the commercial service that ran to the traditional market town which was subsequently withdrawn.
Serving communities
A year later the free bus services disappeared. The council stepped in with a replacement service but it was more limited than either the free services or the previous commercial service. As ever, this was a learning opportunity and eventually more thought was given to the introduction of these networks on the existing transport provision and the communities they served.
Many operators of free services thought that because no fares were charged, they were not required to register them (and therefore could change and cancel them with almost no notice).
However, in London some legal advice was sought which said that if the service is sponsored and/or run on behalf of a commercial organisation which derives a commercial benefit, then a London Service Permit was necessary.
Linking hubs
Another type of free service that has increased in scope and size in recent years are those serving large employment centres. Many local authorities are putting restrictions on workplace parking. As a result, there are an increasing number of staff shuttles transporting people to and from work.
In West London alone we have networks serving Sky in Osterley run by Cobra Corporate services, Bedfont Lakes by RATP London United and BP just across the border in Sunbury.
Most of the routes link into railway stations or other transport hubs and in overall terms must remove a sizable amount of private traffic off our streets.
The free coach and bus service is an interesting concept and has its place in transport provision in London and elsewhere.
