TfL Trials Next-Generation Bus Shelters to Boost Safety and Comfort

Transport for London (TfL) is launching a trial of upgraded bus shelters designed to improve passenger safety, comfort, and accessibility across the capital.

Over the next 12 months, 27 locations will receive new shelters as part of the initiative, which forms a key part of TfL’s Bus Action Plan to make bus travel more attractive and user-friendly.

Carl Eddleston, TfL’s director of streets and network operations, said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to creating a bus network that feels safer, more welcoming, and easier to use. By modernising our infrastructure, we’re ensuring Londoners benefit from spaces that truly support their daily journeys. We are keen to hear feedback from users so we can incorporate it into future designs.”

The trial shelters will feature improved lighting, more comfortable and accessible seating, priority waiting areas, and vandal-resistant materials. Roof designs will include reflective red vinyl to reinforce the iconic red bus brand and increase visibility, while CCTV will be installed at 10 trial locations to monitor its impact on passenger safety and crime reduction.

The trial will cover boroughs including Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Hillingdon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, and Westminster. Locations were selected based on current shelter conditions, passenger usage, and crime reports.

Two shelter designs and four feature configurations will be tested to gather user feedback and data. The project also addresses inconsistencies across TfL’s network, which includes around 14,000 bus shelters of varying ages and conditions. Customer input from the trial will help shape future designs.

TfL has collaborated with disability groups, the RNIB, London TravelWatch, and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to ensure the new shelters meet high standards for accessibility and safety. In addition, around 20 new Landmark London shelters are being installed at high-demand stops, many of which previously lacked a shelter, and 11 refurbished shelters will be redeployed to improve conditions at other locations.

Seb Dance, London’s deputy mayor for transport, said: “The Mayor and I are committed to making sure our transport network is safe and seamless for everyone. These new shelters are part of our efforts to ensure passengers have the best possible journeys while building a fairer and better London for all.”

Michael Roberts, chief executive of London TravelWatch, welcomed the upgrades, particularly for their potential to improve safety for women and girls. “Better lighting and CCTV can make passengers feel safer, encouraging more people to travel by bus,” he said. Previous trials in 2024 showed that 80 per cent of women surveyed felt safer with CCTV, and 73 per cent said they were more likely to travel by bus.