We need more buses

18 June 2007

TRANSPORT chiefs were wrong to throw out proposals to increase the frequency of buses on a misery rush hour route.

Despite the protest of hundreds of frustrated commuters who backed this paper's campaign for extra no5 buses, Transport for London (TfL) denied there was a problem.

But we wonder how TfL drew their conclusion when a POST reporter witnessed dozens of passengers stranded outside Barking train station, last Monday, as two packed buses drove past between 8.25am and 9.25am.

Milly Gomez, 20, a dance teacher from Barking, told the POST: "There are always problems with the no 5 bus.

"I use it every single day and it's either delayed or too crowded - especially in the morning when people literally climb over each other to get on.

"I've been working at a dance college in Terling Road for four years and my journey has been a nightmare since they pulled the 87 bus.

"It's bad for business and bad for people's health - we need more buses."

Another disgruntled commuter was 30-year-old private dentist, Sam, who was facing cancelling at least two patients.

Just past 9am, he said: "I've been waiting here since 8.36am and it's upsetting to think I'm going to have to send patients home.

"The no5 is a recurring problem - I've just been here a few months but there always seems to be a problem with it.

"There are not enough buses and when they do come they are packed full.

"It's a shambles and I think TfL needs to start taking this problem seriously."

Even non-bus commuters were caught up in the mayhem on Monday - which was exacerbated by a major lorry spillage on the A13 Beckton roundabout.

A 56-year-old geography teacher at Robert Clack School, in Green Lane, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I don't use the bus but my wife got the car today.

"The buses are supposed to come every 6 or 7 minutes but we've had one in 45 minutes, which means there's a serious management problem.

"This is the fifth time I've been late in 31 years of teaching at Robert Clack School."

Voluntary worker Tom Williams, 50, added: "It seems to have gotten worse since Mayor Ken let children on for free, on top of the fact that they got rid of the 87.

"On top of all the people getting to work, the route carries at least five or six school runs and there are mums pushing buggies - TfL needs to take all of these things into consideration next time they carry out a survey."

If signatures and the words of influential London Assembly Member John Biggs did not work for TfL last time, personal stories could shame them into reconsidering their rash decision.

To all of you who have suffered at the hands of the no5 route, please let us know by writing to POST reporter Aline Nassif at 10 Whalebone Lane South, Dagenham RM8 1BJ or emailing aline.nassif@archant.co.uk.