Coach surveys in London July/August 1986, and comparisons with 1985

This report analyses the results of surveys of non LRT buses and coaches in 1986, and compares them with similar surveys undertaken in 1985 by the Greater London Council. Passenger transport vehicles with more than 12 seats were recorded as they crossed the Central London cordon inbound in the 0700-1000 hour period, and at eight Central London sites for two hour periods in between the commuter rush hours. The results confirm reports by the coach trade, and by the London Visitors and Convention Bureau that there has been a drop in the number of coaches in 1986 compared with 1985. The reduction in the peak period is of 163 vehicles or 13.2% on 1985 and is concentrated in the general tourist market, and in the private sector operations. There appears to be a greater use made of smaller vehicles, and at the other extreme, of double deck buses and coaches. The numbers of commuter coaches has increased slightly, and is higher than recorded by British Rail/LRT and separately by the Polytechnic of Central London, May 1986. The LRB survey included works buses in the commuter category, and also some National Express coaches where they could be used by commuters, and this probably explains the difference. (A)