Transport for LondonNetwork performance
Measuring performance
We measure network performance by comparing the number of kilometres a route has done in the last quarter.
We compare each quarter to the same quarter of the previous year, rather than the last quarter of the same year.
This is because factors affecting performance, like traffic conditions, can vary depending on the time of year, so this system makes it possible to identify underlying trends.
Scheduled kilometres are often not met because journeys are cancelled or suspended due to:
- Staff availability
- Engineering problems or mechanical breakdown
- Traffic congestion
Customer satisfaction
We ask a sample of passengers to give a score out of 100 on a wide range of bus service features, based on the journey they have just made.
Passengers are carefully selected each quarter to represent all bus passengers in London.
Recent figures can be found in the latest quarter summary document below.
Defining the passenger journey
This is defined as one ride on a single vehicle - not a bus trip from A to B as this may include more than one bus ride.
Statistics include all London Buses' contracted services but exclude any non-scheduled kilometres, Airbus, London Service Permit routes and other special services.
Reports
The following reports summarise performance statistics (based on a variety of criteria):
- Annual performance summary (PDF 11KB)
- Latest quarter summary (PDF 52KB)
- Good and improved routes (PDF 86KB)
- Long-term trends (PDF 1.35MB)
Factors affecting performance - 25 June - 16 September 2011
The proportion of kilometres lost this quarter increased compared with the same quarter a year ago. Significant disruption was caused by the public disorder in early August.
Two factors helped to reduce the impact of the disorder on lost mileage. Firstly, many of the buses diverted were running in service and therefore not losing mileage. Secondly, the incidents occurred at the time of year when general traffic delays are at their lowest, so maximising the chance of diverted buses being able to reach their scheduled destination.
London Buses continues to work with the Bus Operators to improve control of services during periods of disruption due to roadworks, including introduction of more resilient schedules where necessary. The proportion of kilometres lost due to staffing reasons was very low this quarter, while mechanical losses were unchanged compared with a year ago.
Quality of Service Indicators for high frequency services were very similar to the same quarter a year ago, while punctuality on low frequency services continued to improve. The improved service control facilities available to operators through iBus has helped maintain the high levels of reliability currently being achieved.
