New Bus Shelters to Elevate Commuter Experience in Croydon
After enduring four years of rain-soaked waits at bus stops, more than 100 bus shelters are set to grace the streets of Croydon once again. In a groundbreaking move, the local authority has sealed a £3.2 million deal with Transport for London (TfL) to rectify the shelter shortage, a result of a failed council contract that left passengers exposed to the elements.
Croydon, unlike other London boroughs, managed its bus shelters independently until a disastrous 2021 deal led to the removal of around 100 shelters without replacements. Now, TfL has stepped in to shoulder the responsibility of installing, maintaining, and cleaning new shelters across 100 locations in Croydon by March. Carl Eddleston of TfL expressed enthusiasm for the project, recognizing the pivotal role of London’s bus network in keeping the capital bustling and hoping the new shelters will entice more locals to utilize public transportation.
The genesis of this initiative stems from Croydon’s ill-fated contract with Valo Smart City UK, a provider inexperienced in shelter construction, which failed to deliver on its promise of 185 new shelters equipped with Wi-Fi and CCTV. The decision to veer away from TfL-operated shelters in pursuit of financial gain backfired, leaving residents stranded without shelter for years. The council has since terminated its contract with Valo and is pursuing damages.
In response to the dire situation, TfL reinstated four shelters in Croydon last year, but a significant portion of the borough remained devoid of sheltered bus stops. The agreement with TfL materialized following concerns about dwindling passenger numbers on South London routes due to the lack of basic infrastructure. The new shelters will be strategically placed at stops lacking existing shelters, with unsuitable stops omitted from the plan.
The absence of bus shelters has significantly impacted the daily lives of the 88,000 individuals who rely on Croydon’s bus network for their commute. The image of a bus stop in Norbury, void of a shelter, captures the essence of the struggles faced by passengers during inclement weather.
