TfL Achievements

What we've achieved

In less than four years Transport for London (TfL) has proven itself to be a public organisation that delivers. Through its hard work and record of success, TfL aims to gradually restore public confidence in London's transport system.

Congestion charging

On 17 February 2003, London became the first major city in the world to substantially reduce congestion in the city centre, through the congestion charging scheme.

  • Traffic delays in Central London have been reduced by 30%, with 65,000fewer car movements per day in the charging zone

  • Congestion levels in the zone are now the lowest they have been since current congestion surveys began in the mid-1980s

  • During its first year of operation congestion charging has generated £68m for spending on transport improvements.

The combined strategy of congestion charging and improved bus services has resulted in the first ever modal shift from private car usage to public transport, against the trend elsewhere in the UK and the World.

Road safety

In 2001 TfL published London's first Road Safety Plan, setting out how the Government's road casualty reduction targets will be achieved.

  • The number of people killed and seriously injured (KSI) on London's roads has been reduced by more than 25%, compared with the late 1990s

  • This substantial decrease in casualties puts London on course to meet the Government target for a 40% reduction in KSI by 2010.

Financial efficiency

In integrating its 15 predecessor organisations, TfL has taken the opportunity to modernise and streamline its back office business processes.

  • During the 2004 Spending Review period TfL has identified up to £70m of efficiencies per annum

  • In total some £400m in efficiency savings will be delivered by 2009/10.

Ticketing strategy

Transport for London has committed more than £1bn on introducing a revolutionary ticketing and revenue collection service known as Oystercard, with more than 1 million users already taking advantage of the service.

  • Oystercard reduces queues at Tube stations and time spent by buses at stops, speeds up bus journeys and enables the cashless operation of buses from 2005/06

  • Pre-Pay is the new pay-as-you-go option exclusive to Oystercard. Customers can charge money on their Oystercard and then use it to travel on London Underground and DLR.

Improving bus services

The expansion and enhancement of the bus network is, in the short term, the only reliable and flexible transport solution to London's problems.

  • Bus usage is growing at its fastest rate since 1945 with an increase in bus ridership of more than 31% between 1999/00 and 2003/04

  • London buses carry now the highest number of passengers since 1969, with 1.7 billion bus trips in 2003/04 alone

  • London bus occupancy is now twice the level of other English metropolitan areas

  • London buses are delivering the total Government national target for bus ridership (a 12% increase by 2010).

  • Each £1 spent on London buses results in £3 worth of transport benefits.

  • Improved bus services enhance social inclusion by improving access of all-income groups to goods, services and jobs

Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

DLR has won four National Rail awards in a row for its consistently high levels of reliability and service.

  • DLR's services have consistently achieved 98% reliability and passenger satisfaction levels have increased to more than 90%

  • More than 50m passenger journeys are expected for 2003/04, an increase of more than 65% compared with 1999/00.

  • An extension of the DLR network to London City Airport is currently under construction, and the planning approval for a further extension to Woolwich Arsenal has been recieved.

Local and environmental schemes

Over the last 4 years, TfL has substantially invested in a number of small-scale projects, which taken together have made London a better place to live.

  • The first phase of the 'World Squares for All' project at Trafalgar Square opened in July 2003. The £25m scheme created a major new pedestrian area between the Square itself and the National Gallery, linked by a new central staircase

  • Since 2000, almost £400m has been spent on Borough-led projects such as improved access to town centres and various walking and cycling schemes

  • TfL is taking part in a pioneering two-year European project to reduce air pollution by introducing three first-generation hydrogen fuel-cell buses on Bus route 25.

Transport for London has been entrusted with substantial public resources and it has used them well for the benefit of London and the UK. Its record of delivery confirms that TfL has both the know-how and the expertise to 'get London moving'.

Using public resources responsibly, TfL has proven that a public organisation can deliver on its promises. And this is perhaps the most important achievement of all.

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