20 new hybrid buses will negate need for alterations to 94 bus terminus

A package of improvements to make Acton Green more peaceful and less polluted has been decided following last month's consultation.

Residents had voiced concerns about congestion, bus noise and pollution at Acton Green, where the number 94 bus starts and terminates.

Ealing Council worked with Transport for London and London United, the bus operators, to improve bus operation and secure the introduction of 20 new hybrid buses on the route, which are up to 60% quieter and slightly shorter than conventional buses.

A spokesperson for Ealing Council told ChiswickW4.com: "This is the biggest allocation of hybrid buses on any single route in London.

"As the 94 service runs with such high frequency, minor fluctuations in journey time along its route mean that there is often a very high demand for the limited standing space available, resulting in buses bunching around the Green and on occasions half blocking the approaches to local roads.

"Improved monitoring and a review of the operation has now reduced this problem.The success of these measures means that a proposal to re-route the bus in the opposite direction at Acton Green is now not needed, saving around £35,000 of public money."

A consultation on this issue showed the majority of residents agreed that re-route the buses was not the answer.

The council still intends to make other improvements in the next few months, such as resurfacing of the roads in the area.

Southfield Ward Councillor Harvey Rose said: “Liberal Democrats pushed for the hybrid buses to be used on the route. These reduce the noise from the buses by about half. The Council have agreed to keep the hybrid buses, make some minor improvements in the next few months, such as resurfacing of the roads.

"Bus frequencies will not change so regular 94 bus users will still have a great service. The other options in the consultation will not go ahead as many residents were not in favour of them. This result will mean that about £35,000 of tax-payers money will not be spent whilst solving the noise issues.”

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February 1, 2011