Tourist Coach Action Plan 2013
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Tourist Coach Action Plan
2013
MAYOR
Transport for London
OF LONDON
Transport for London
Foreword
Contents
3 Foreword – 18 Challenges facing the tourist
Transport for London coach industry
6 Foreword – 21 20-minute coach bays –
Confederation of Case study
Passenger Transport London’s road network is the backbone of our
24 The actions – transport system, supporting 80 per cent of
8 Introduction Providing better access for passenger journeys and more than 90 per cent
tourist coaches of freight movements in the Capital.
10 Coaches in London:
An overview Minimising the impact and As Managing Director of Surface Transport,
improving efficiency of I’m aware of the important role coaches play
17 Free coach parking tourist coaches in the transport system as well as in the
at The O2 – economy and tourist trade in London. I’m also Leon Daniels
Case study Better partnership working aware of the challenges the industry faces Managing Director
and how these may only get greater without of Surface Transport,
continued action. TfL
Looking ahead, the Capital’s population will
increase and there will be higher expectations
for reliable and safe roads, enhanced public
space as well as the efficient delivery of goods
and services.
The Mayor’s Roads Task Force (RTF) report,
published in July 2013, marked the beginning
of a new chapter in the history of London’s
roads and streets.
Tourist Coach Action Plan 3
Work is already under way of coaches and a more robust
to deliver the commitments approach to discussing the
outlined in Transport for challenges and opportunities for
London’s (TfL’s) response to coaches in the Capital.
the RTF, including the need
to develop and adopt a new TfL works closely with the coach
‘street family type’ classification industry, London boroughs
for London’s streets. This will and other key stakeholders to
provide a framework for deciding address the issues above as
how roads and streets should effectively as possible. This is a
be designed, managed and key part of this action plan. It is,
operated, depending on the therefore, vital that all partners
functions they need to perform. continue to work collaboratively
to achieve the actions over the
This Tourist Coach Action Plan coming years.
is being taken forward jointly by
TfL and the Confederation of
Passenger Transport (CPT). It sets
out clearly, achievable actions
over the next five years that will
ensure: better access to tourist Leon Daniels
coaches; more flexible/smarter Managing Director of Surface
use of stopping and parking Transport, TfL
space; improved perception
4 Foreword Tourist Coach Action Plan 5
Confederation of Passenger Transport
Foreword
Over the past 12 months CPT, the idling are all things that must be done to
industry’s trade association, has been further support our case.
working closely with many of the
organisations that directly influence In order to deliver the actions set out in
and govern UK’s coaching industry. Here this plan, it is important to ensure we
in London we have worked in partnership have the active involvement of other
with TfL to develop the Capital’s very key stakeholders; such as the boroughs
first Tourist Coach Action Plan. This five- and the tourism sector, to work with
Simon Posner year plan, which outlines many ongoing the industry alongside the CPT and TfL.
Chief Executive, issues affecting the operation of coaches
Confederation of in the Capital, clearly sets out the actions The Tourist Coach Action Plan is the first
Passenger Transport and responsibilities for those people step on a bigger journey and one thing’s for
who are making sure the coach is always sure, we will not let the coach be forgotten.
recognised and suitably accommodated.
CPT and TfL cannot resolve all day-to-day
issues by themselves. They rely instead on
the industry, and in particular its drivers,
to play a part too. Paying for the use of
facilities, adhering to rules and regulations, Simon Posner
not overstaying allowed times on bays Chief Executive,
and not annoying local residents by engine Confederation of Passenger Transport UK
6 Foreword Tourist Coach Action Plan 7
Introduction
The tourist coach industry plays an important
part in London’s transport system, providing safe
and accessible travel at a relatively low cost.
The sector accounts for Both of these challenges are some of which can often get Actions will be carried out and
around one-third of all coach likely to have an impact on overlooked in the development monitored by members of the
journeys in the Capital and is the availability of facilities for of major infrastructure and London Tourist Coach Forum.
a valuable contributor to coaches in London. transport schemes. This London-wide body brings
London’s economy. together representatives of
TfL and CPT need to continue to TfL’s role is to represent the local and national government,
Issues confronting the work with other key stakeholders interests of visitors to London the tourism and coach industries
tourist coach industry in such as the boroughs and the travelling by coach, as well as as well as other interested
London are becoming more tourism industry to ensure ensuring coaches in the Capital parties, to discuss matters
challenging, particularly: tourist coaches can operate as have a minimal impact on the relating to tourist coach
efficiently as possible in London. Transport for London Road operations in London.
• The expected rise in population Network (TLRN) and the wider
over the coming years – This action plan builds on the road network. By working in
potentially leading to TfL Coach Strategy, which partnership, the benefits of the
higher numbers of road addresses the needs of all tourist coach industry can be
users and congestion coach services in London. The maximised while any negative
plan defines and addresses the impacts on the road network
• The greater desire for enhanced key challenges affecting tourist associated with coach travel
and redistributed road coaches in the Capital – and can be reduced.
and public space to other associated actions – over the
users including pedestrians coming years. It particularly The plan highlights what
and cyclists focuses on tourist coaches as has already been achieved
passengers now have a diverse and outlines how we will
range of needs across London, work with our key stakeholders.
8 Introduction Tourist Coach Action Plan 9
Coaches in London:
An overview
Coach travel has long provided an important
component to transport and tourism in London.
It offers a dedicated, almost • Tourist coaches focuses on the tourist coach often be transporting people
door-to-door service, at a Catering for group visits to sector which, as shown in Figure 1, to different destinations across
relatively low-cost. One of its theatres, museums, hotels and accounts for around one-third of London every day. Facilities to
strengths has always been the other attractions, including these movements. pick up and set down passengers
ability to take people exactly bespoke private hire and charter and park are therefore extremely
where they want to go. And services. These are typically Tourist coach passenger needs important for the coach industry.
this is particularly important for used for leisure journeys are very diverse and drivers can
mobility impaired people, older
people, school children and • International coach services
tourists travelling in groups. Services originating from Figure 1: Volume of coach movements, by coach service type
mainland Europe. These are in London (2004 – 2011)
Three main types of coach predominantly private hire/
services operate in London: charter (tourist coach) although Other 3%
they also include some
• Scheduled domestic scheduled services. These are International 12%
coach services typically used for leisure and Tourist coach 31%
Regular, high-frequency long distance journey purposes
routes, between London and
other destinations around the Over the past few years, there
country. The majority operate has been an upward trend in
from termini in the Victoria coaches entering and leaving
area and are typically used for central London. On average, this
Scheduled 54%
commuting, airport and long equates to around 3,000 coach
distance travel purposes movements every day. This plan
10 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 11
Table 1: Definition of coach facilities in London
Type Description
Seasonality facilities including PUSD, short, Pick up and set Coaches are allowed to stop at certain locations while
There are significant seasonal medium and long-stay parking. down (PUSD) – on passengers are boarding or alighting. These sites include
variations within the tourist coach These are typically, although red routes dedicated facilities and red route bus stops where the sign
plate indicates ‘Except Buses’1.
sector where demand is driven not solely, used by the tourist
mainly by leisure, school and coach sector. PUSD – on yellow Coaches are allowed to set down and pick up passengers
lines on single and double yellow lines. Some highway
holiday trips. Demand is generally authorities allow up to 10 minutes waiting time when no
greater during the spring and A high proportion of the coach loading restrictions are in operation. Where bus stop sign
summer months, which in turn facilities are concentrated within plate indicates ‘Except Local Buses’, tourist coaches are not
permitted to stop.
puts pressure on the availability of central London, where most
Short-stay parking Mostly dedicated on-street facilities – maximum stay of
parking spaces and areas to pick coach activity takes place (see 20 to 30 minutes depending on location. Charges apply in
up and set down passengers. Figure 2, p14). These facilities are some cases.
important to the coach industry Medium-stay Mostly on-street – maximum stay of one to four hours,
Coach facilities in London owing to their proximity to parking though a few locations permit up to 12 hours. A charge
applies to the majority of these dedicated facilities.
It is essential for coaches to have major tourist attractions, hotels, Overnight parking is not generally permitted.
suitable and adequate locations to theatres and other destinations. Long-stay parking Off street coach parks – generally independently run
pick up and set down passengers. on private land. Twenty-four hour parking is commonly
Parking facilities are also required Across London coach facilities provided, though the maximum stay period is at the
owner’s discretion. These sites often provide extra driver
so drivers can take legally required have increased, for example the facilities, such as toilets.
breaks. There are many different introduction of coach parking in Coach stations Coach stations in central London (including Victoria Coach
types of coach facilities in bus garages in 2011. However, Station) are important passenger interchange points for
London, as summarised in Table 1. they may not always be in the tour companies operating excursions around London and
to UK destinations.
areas of high demand.
Across Greater London, there 1. Vehicles of more than eight seats plus driver and therefore any restriction exempting ‘buses’ can be
are around 590 dedicated coach used by such a vehicle, including bus lanes.
12 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 13Figure 2: Dedicated coach facilities in London Table 2: Current on-street coach PUSD and parking facilities in
central London, by borough
Borough Type of bay Total % on
PUSD Short stay Medium stay TLRN
Westminster 16 14 80 110 69
City of London 0 2 18 20 10
Wood Green
Camden 1 7 15 23 4
Harrow Romford
Ilford Kensington &
3 12 1 16 100
Uxbridge Chelsea
Ealing Lambeth 8 7 7 22 32
Shepherd’s
Bush Southwark 0 12 11 23 22
Hammersmith &
Hounslow
0 0 0 0 0
Fulham
Kingston
Wandsworth 0 0 0 0 0
Bromley Total 28 54 132 214 44
Croydon
Sutton Based on 2013 coach parking map
There are 214 on-street facilities revenue from coach parking on
within the central London the TLRN is kept by boroughs.
boroughs (as defined in Table 2).
Of these, 44 per cent are located There are more than 100 further
Based on the number of locations rather than the number of individual facilities on the Transport for London spaces in long-stay coach
Road Network (also known as parking in the central London
TLRN or red routes), although all area, including New Covent
14 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 15Case study
Free coach parking
at The O2
Garden Market, Bayswater Road projections show that the The O2 provides parking for up to offered if groups pre-book 20
and Tower Hill. There are an population is growing faster than 67 coaches, 24 hours a day, with or more people on the Thames
additional 90 spaces which are previously thought and will reach driver facilities including electrical Clippers Park and Glide option.
within easy reach, including 10 million by 2031. Therefore, hook up and water supply for
those at The O2 and West Ham efficient use of existing facilities vehicle wash downs. It also offers This provides drivers with safe and
bus garage. will be vital to ensure the a free parking option for group secure parking as well as facilities
industry can cater for this likely visits to on-site attractions. For to wait, removing the need to
Expected future demand in the increase in passengers. example, free coach parking is drive into central London.
coach market
Retired people represent Modern coach travel is well placed
one of the core markets for to meet this market demand,
coach tourism in London, providing a much-improved
particularly those coming from experience for passengers.
the surrounding regions. With Operators comply with the Low
the number of people aged 65 Emission Zone (LEZ) in London
and over in the UK projected and leading operators are investing
to increase from 10.3 million in in state-of-the-art vehicles that
2010 to 12.7 million in 2018, and have the latest internet access,
16.9 million by 20352, demand refreshment facilities, wheelchair
for coach travel into the Capital access, video systems and
is expected to carry on growing. comfortable seating.
For London, the latest Census
2. Office of National Statistics (ONS) 2010-based UK population projections
16 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 17Challenges facing the
tourist coach industry
While demand for coach travel •P
roviding better access for
is expected to increase over the tourist coaches
coming years, a number of issues – Planning for new developments
must be tackled to help the – Picking up and setting down
industry meet customer needs – Managing parking
and minimise the impact of its
operations on other road users. •M
inimising the impact and
improving efficiency of tourist Providing better access for • The majority of long-stay
The challenges outlined below, coaches tourist coaches coach parking (coach parks) is
and associated actions in Planning for new developments provided by private landowners.
the next section, have been • Better partnership working • In some cases, new Some locations, such as New
identified through discussions developments that generate Covent Garden Market, are in
with borough, coach and tourism In general, all parties agree that coach travel, such as hotel areas of major infrastructure
representatives. These are further research is required to and shopping centres, do not development and therefore
summarised under three key strengthen the evidence base provide suitable pick up and under threat of being removed
themes below: surrounding the key challenges. set down facilities for coaches.
Often coach parking is seen • In recent years, there have
as unprofitable and costly to been instances where existing
incorporate into developments, parking has been lost or is
owing to the access and planned to close as a result of
associated infrastructure costs re-development. For example,
when offset against potential Warwick Road coach park
parking revenue
18 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 19Case study
20-minute coach bays
Picking up and setting down The London Eye is a good London Aquarium alone. At the
• Picking up and setting down expectations on where they example of efficient tourist busiest times, there can be up
passengers can be difficult in should be dropped off coach operations. Merlin to 120 vehicles per day picking
London for a number and collected Entertainment Group marshals up and setting down passengers.
of reasons: eight coach bays at the However, congestion is minimal
– Drivers overstaying at on- – Inconsistencies between attraction on behalf of the due to the effective way in
street facilities as they are not the observation periods for London borough of Lambeth. which the facility is managed.
informed of available parking stopping on yellow lines across The bays are free to use,
and are therefore reluctant to boroughs in London although drivers must have a This example highlights how a
move on permit obtained from Merlin. relatively small kerbside space
– Reluctance of destinations, can be used and disruption to
– The facilities are not such as tourist attractions and In 2012, around 11,000 coaches the wider road network can
managed or waiting periods hotels to manage the local served the London Eye and be minimised.
are not adequately enforced impact of customers arriving
and departing by coach
– On-street facilities may not
be near the destination. This – Inconsistent approach in
is particularly a concern for how coaches should pick up
drivers with older passengers and set down passengers at
and school groups. Group destinations across the Capital
organisers and passengers
also often have specific
20 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 21Managing parking • In future, on-street parking • London’s road network is stakeholders from boroughs,
• At the busiest times of the may come under increased very busy and congestion tour guide organisations and
year, demand for parking in pressure as major transport is expected to increase as the coach industry. The forum
some areas often outstrips schemes, taken forward by the Capital’s population and has been in existence for more
supply. This can cause TfL or the boroughs, seek to employment continue to than seven years and promotes
unnecessary congestion, redistribute highway space in grow. At busy times, coaches the development of the tourist
impact on air quality and favour of other uses often have issues negotiating coach market. The lack of
increase operator costs as junctions, particularly exiting decision makers from key
drivers take time looking Minimising the impact and yellow box junctions stakeholder organisations has,
for a space to stop. It may improving efficiency of tourist however, resulted in diminished
also result in drivers coaches • TfL and CPT recognise and effectiveness of the forum.
stopping illegally •E
ngine idling causes localised share best practice across Further engagement with key
noise and air pollution that the coach industry. However, decision makers in GLA, local
• Where groups are staying in can lead to unnecessary there would be benefits to authorities and the tourism
the Capital for long periods conflict with local residents expanding this across a wider industry is therefore required
of time, coaches need access and businesses and negative range of local, national and to drive the actions in this
to safe and secure off-street perceptions of the industry international stakeholders document forward and increase
parking facilities. However, in the promotion of best practice
some instances, drivers are still •P
oor compliance by coach Better partnership working
unaware of all parking locations drivers with the rules of the • Many organisations have an
in London, particularly for road such as illegal parking and interest in coach operations in
overnight stays failure to obey traffic signs the Capital. The London Coach
affect the coach industry and Forum, which meets quarterly
other road users and is chaired by TfL, involves
22 Coaches in London Tourist Coach Action Plan 23The actions
TfL, in conjunction with CPT, the London
boroughs and other key stakeholders, has
identified a series of actions that will help the
industry overcome the challenges described in
the previous section.
All partners need to work – Strengthening the planning – Greater awareness of Better partnership working
together to ensure the actions policies to support available parking options • Wider acknowledgment and
are completed, as no single requirements of coaches involvement of organisations
organisation or sector will be able in the London Plan and – Use of smarter technology that impact on or are impacted
to resolve the issues in isolation. other supplementary for managing on-street by coach tourism in London
planning documents parking facilities
These high-level actions, which Monitoring of the action plan
are scheduled to be completed • Picking up and setting down Minimising the impacts The progress on the plan’s
over the next five years, have passengers efficiently and improving efficiency of implementation will be overseen
been grouped into three themes. – Flexible and more efficient tourist coaches by the London Tourist Coach
Each has a clear vision of what use of kerbside space • Drivers who are well informed Forum and the actions will be
it is trying to achieve over the on the rules of the road monitored and taken forward by
course of this plan. – Appropriate facilities that in London regular programme meetings.
reflect local characteristics
Providing better access for • Improving the perception of
tourist coaches – Use of smarter systems and coaches through the sharing
• Planning for new developments techniques for managing and promotion of best practice
– Greater influence over short-term, on-street facilities
developers and private • More efficient operations to
land owners through the • Managing parking save operators money, reduce
planning process, to ensure – Better data-led approach to congestion and minimise
the provision of appropriate discussing parking challenges negative environmental impact
coach facilities
24 The actions Tourist Coach Action Plan 25Outline of the actions
Providing better access for tourist coaches
Planning policy for new developments Picking up and setting down passengers efficiently
Related challenges Actions Related challenges Actions
Consideration of coaches 1. During 2013/14, TfL, the Greater London Authority Drivers over-staying and/ 4. By autumn 2013, TfL, working with London
in planning process (GLA) and the CPT will review the GLA planning or misusing bays boroughs and the CPT, will establish a priority list of
guidance for new developments that generate coach problematic pick up and set down locations, such as
activity, such as tourist attractions, hotels, swimming Dedicated facilities not in hotels and museums
pools, schools and other locations the right location
– Each year, all partners will review up to 10 locations
– TfL, GLA and partners will review future GLA and identify areas for improvement
planning guidance to ensure appropriate standards
on coach parking and provision are included 5. During 2014/15, TfL will work with partners on a
joint basis to pilot a marshalling system at a maximum
2. TfL, CPT and boroughs will work together to review of three key coach destination locations to ensure
coach parking standards within the London Plan by more effective management of bays
spring 2014
Passenger and group 6. By spring 2014, TfL and the CPT will develop
– Working with the GLA, CPT and boroughs, TfL will organiser expectations guidance for tour guides and tour group organisers
aim to adopt stronger coach parking provision within on coach operations in London. The guidance will
the London Plan by 2015/16 inform drivers of where they can and cannot stop, and
offer advice on coordinating pick-up and set-down
3. During 2014, CPT will review local planning between passengers and the driver. This guidance will
frameworks and policies to determine the level of be available online and as a leaflet
support for coaches
– Where the CPT believes support is insufficient, it will Consistency in parking 7. While recognising that ultimately parking policy
seek to work with the relevant borough to improve policy decisions are governed by local priorities, TfL will
the policies in line with the parking standards engage with all central London boroughs and London
Councils to encourage consistent approaches to
coach parking policy. Specifically, the waiting period
for stopping on borough roads, ie single and double
yellow lines, by spring 2014
– By spring 2015, TfL and the CPT will seek to gain
a joint memorandum of understanding to provide
a consistent waiting period across boroughs
26 The actions Tourist Coach Action Plan 27Managing parking
Related challenges Actions Related challenges Actions
Availability of facilities 8. TfL, working with CPT, will investigate the use of Lack of data about usage 10. By summer 2014, TfL will complete a programme
kerbside technology for pick up and set down bays of parking facilities of coach bay usage surveys to supplement the Central
on red routes to allow spaces to be booked online London Coach Survey
in advance
– The findings will be used to identify demand for the
– TfL will seek to develop a pilot system to test facilities and inform discussions on the availability
specific locations across London of coach parking in central London
9. During 2014 TfL, CPT and boroughs will identify a 11. TfL, CPT and European Tour Operators
minimum of three sites where mixed-use bays can be Association (ETOA) will carry out research into the
trialled specific needs of coach passengers. The intention
is to review whether different types of PUSD and
– Sites will be trialled during 2014/15 and parking solutions could align with specific types
monitored to identify the effectiveness of kerb of passengers
space utilisation
– The results will be presented to the London Coach
Forum by autumn 2014
Drivers unaware of 12. TfL and the CPT will develop local area parking
parking facility locations maps to improve the provision of information
for drivers
– Detailed location specific maps tackling key parking
problems will be delivered as part of the 2014
London coach parking map
13. Intelligent traffic systems and management can
help reduce the time spent driving around London for
parking spaces
– TfL and the CPT will work with and encourage
boroughs to investigate the use of dynamic
(real-time) parking technology for coach parking
by spring 2015
28 The actions Tourist Coach Action Plan 29Minimising the impact and improving efficiency of tourist coaches
Related challenges Actions Related challenges Actions
Pressure on existing 14. During 2014/15, TfL will undertake a feasibility Operator standards 17. During 2013, TfL will complete a pilot of the Fleet
facilities study on the provision of a central London strategic Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) to highlight
coach parking site. This will identify opportunities benefits and ensure suitability of the scheme for the
and costs of providing a facility specifically for coach industry
tourist coaches
– A workshop will take place by the end of 2013 to
15. On an ongoing basis, TfL and the CPT will also review the pilot and determine how FORS can be
engage with private coach park landowners to implemented throughout the coach industry
promote the importance of coach parks for the
coach industry – Actions from the workshop will be delivered by
spring 2014
Availability of overnight 16. TfL and the CPT will investigate the use of bus
facilities stations for overnight parking for coaches by – TfL and the CPT will work together to develop and
spring 2014 implement a campaign for promoting FORS
to the coach industry during 2014/15, based on
the findings
Driver behaviour and 18. As part of FORS, TfL has developed a coach
awareness driver training course on the rules and regulations of
operating coaches in London. This aims to attract
greater take up of FORS within the coach industry. TfL
aims to train 500 drivers by spring 2014
– During 2014, TfL will monitor the effectiveness of
driver training. This will look at the knowledge and
behaviour of the drivers trained
– If research suggests the training is beneficial, TfL
will continue to fund further 500 driver spaces each
year until 2018
30 The actions Tourist Coach Action Plan 31Related challenges Actions Related challenges Actions
Better and consistent 19. During 2014, TfL, the CPT and boroughs will Coach routing 23. The London Coach Forum has established a
approach to enforcement review all short-term, on-street facilities to ensure priority list of problematic yellow box junction
where it is most needed the traffic regulations are correct and that they allow locations
for enforcement to take place. Where problems are
identified, TfL, working with boroughs, will seek to – Each year, all partners will review up to 10 locations
implement solutions during 2014/15 to identify possible solutions/improvements
20. TfL, CPT and boroughs will identify locations Consistency at tourist 24. The CPT, TfL and boroughs will work with tourism
across London where antisocial driver behaviour is destinations organisations to identify and publicise consistent
having a significant problem guidance for coach travel to destinations in London
by autumn 2014
– During 2014, targeted enforcement by traffic police
will take place where disruption and greatest non-
compliance occurs
Sharing best practice 21. During 2014, TfL, CPT and boroughs will
undertake a study to identify the full costs of
Engine idling engine idling
– A campaign to promote the study will be developed
by 2014 and promoted to the coach industry,
tourism organisations and through the CPT and
TfL website
22. All partner organisations will identify and
promote best practice in the industry and to
European partner organisations, local authorities
and tour operator organisations
32 The actions Tourist Coach Action Plan 33Better partnership working
Related challenges Actions
Engagement with key 25. TfL, working with all the London Coach Forum
decision makers members, will revise governance and membership
by autumn
– TfL and the CPT will organise an annual event to
monitor the progress of the action plan and provide
an opportunity to promote best practice across a
broad network of organisations across London
Broaden partnership 26. Working with the boroughs, CPT will identify less
working well known attractions and promote these locations
to the coach industry by autumn 2014
34 The actions© Transport for London Windsor House 42 – 50 Victoria Street London SW1H 0LT November 2013 tfl.gov.uk PS13_014 Coach Doc A5 v07
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