All aboard East London Transit as new bus service launches
22 February 2010
Residents in Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge
to benefit from new 24-hour bus route.
A £26m high frequency bus service that will carry six million
passengers a year ran its first weekday services in east London
today (22 February).
The East London Transit (ELT) will provide a fast and direct
link between Ilford, Barking and Dagenham Dock.
Sixteen brand new buses have been manufactured exclusively for
the route, which will have ten buses an hour route.
Streetscape improvements
They have been fitted with the latest environmentally friendly
technology as well as Transport for London's (TfL's) real-time
information iBus system.
Passengers will also notice extra legroom on the buses which run
on a route that was bus lanes specifically located through the
busier parts of town.
By 2013, more than 30 per cent of the route will be
completely segregated from general traffic.
A number of streetscape improvements have also been delivered as
part of work on the new service including extra parking, road
re-surfacing, better street lighting, upgraded bus stops and
shelters and improved public spaces.
Better links
The ELT also adds to work taking place to kick-start
regeneration of the Thames Gateway.
It will provide new transport links to Tube and National Rail
stations as well as improving connections between Ilford and
Barking town centre, and providing bus services for residents on
the Barking Riverside development.
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London's transport advisor, said:
'The East London Transit delivers on the Mayor's commitment to
provide better links between local communities and jobs.
'It provides a direct bus link to Dagenham Dock, which was not
previously served by local buses, and will play a key role in the
development of the area.
Act as a catalyst
Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of London Thames Gateway
Development Corporation, said: 'Our investment in the East London
Transit signifies the intrinsic link between transport connections
and the comprehensive regeneration of the area.
'The routes will vastly improve access for residents living and
working here and will also act as a catalyst for bringing
developments out of the ground in Barking and Dagenham Dock.'
Work is now under way for the next phase of the ELT project,
which will extend the service to operate between Barking and
Dagenham Dock via the new Barking Riverside Development.
Construction work on the second phase is expected to begin in
2013.
Distinctive new buses
'Valuable improvements have been made to local roads and public
spaces as part of this project that also contributes to the Mayor's
aim of improving the public realm and the overall look and feel of
the Capital.'
David Brown, TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, said:
'The distinctive new buses operating along the East London Transit
will provide people travelling in east London with faster, more
reliable journeys with improved frequencies.
'The routes will also provide a bus service in the heart of
Barking town centre for the first time in years.'
TfL has worked closely with local residents and the two boroughs
where the new bus routes will run.
Attract inward investment
Both Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge councils have provided
strong support for the ELT in recognition of the better transport
links it will provide.
Mick McCarthy, Barking & Dagenham Councillor for
Regeneration, said: 'This is good news for the businesses and
residents of our borough.
'It will provide a quick and reliable service between Barking
town centre and the residential and industrial areas along the
route and will, we hope, help attract inward investment, promote
opportunities for local people and help drive our regeneration
projects forward.'
Nick Hayes, Redbridge Councillor Cabinet Member for Planning and
Regeneration, said: 'The East London Transit will provide useful
links to the businesses and services to Ilford Town Centre and
Ilford Lane.'
Strong transport links
A number of key partners have provided funding for the ELT
including the Homes and Communities Agency and the London Thames
Gateway Development Corporation.
Jonathan Martin, Head of Area for East London for the Homes and
Communities Agency, said: 'For anyone looking to buy a house, local
transport links will play an important part in their decision.
'With the regeneration of Barking Riverside picking up pace, the
East London Transit will open up Barking and east London to present
and future residents.
'The HCA's support for this bus route echoes our commitment to
creating not just houses but whole communities built around strong
transport links and local provisions.'