London's transport policy is guided by publicity rather than practicality, according to a letter from V Narayanan responding to recent coverage of declining bus speeds in global cities.
Cycle lanes replace bus lanes
Buses have slowed down as dedicated bus lanes have been largely replaced by a poor choice of cycle lanes. London is an old city with narrow lanes, and with individual cycle transport given priority over mass public transport, buses have become slower and erratic in service.
Observation of cycle lane utilisation shows they are empty except during peak hours of 7.30am-9am and 4pm-5pm on weekdays. This is described as a gross waste of valuable road space that could be used by buses.
Proposed solution
Having a dedicated bus lane instead of a cycle lane would speed up buses and make them more reliable. The bus lane could be shared by cycles during peak times and dedicated to them then, while being free for buses for the rest of the day.
The letter criticises politicians for rarely looking beyond elections and failing to prioritise buses over bicycles. The authorities have wasted millions on cycle lanes while failing to improve mass public transportation.
