New bus shelters featuring CCTV are set to be introduced across London as part of an initiative aimed at improving safety for travelers. A 12-month trial will see these updated shelters installed at 27 locations, with some equipped with surveillance cameras.
The redesigned shelters will offer enhanced seating, improved lighting, designated priority spaces, a new roof design, and materials resistant to vandalism. Additionally, Transport for London (TfL) has stated that the new shelters will adopt a more sustainable modular design.
Implementation and Locations
The installation of these shelters will commence on January 12 and will span several boroughs, including Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Havering, Hillingdon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, and the City of Westminster. The selection of locations is based on crime statistics and the volume of passengers using each bus stop.
- 20 new bus stops will be established in areas lacking shelters.
- 11 existing shelters will be refurbished throughout the city.
Community Response
Michael Roberts, CEO of London TravelWatch, emphasized the importance of these improvements, stating, „Many people – particularly women and girls – can feel unsafe waiting at bus shelters after dark, so better lighting and CCTV will go a long way to help them feel more safe and secure.“ He noted that buses are a crucial mode of transport for many, and these enhancements will encourage increased usage.
Roberts also referenced recent research indicating that one-third of Londoners desire better resting areas, suggesting that the new, more comfortable bus shelters will be positively received, especially by individuals with mobility challenges. The organization looks forward to monitoring the trial’s outcomes. Furthermore, as temperatures plummet, there is an urgent need to activate emergency shelters for London’s homeless.
Future Goals
This initiative aligns with the Mayor’s objective for 80 percent of journeys in London to be made via public transport or active travel by 2030. In 2024, CCTV was installed at 20 bus shelters across the city, with 80 percent of 1,000 surveyed women reporting that the presence of CCTV made them feel safer, and 73 percent indicating they would be more inclined to use buses.
„`
Bildquelle: Wolfgang Weiser auf Pexels
