The Londonist: TfL Wants 20 Million River Passengers On The Thames By 2035

The Londonist: TfL Wants 20 Million River Passengers On The Thames By 2035

TfL has set out a bold new strategy that would see the number of annual trips taken on its Thames river services double from 10 million to 20 million by 2035.

The Pier Passenger Strategy Action Plan [pdf] sets out a return to the Thames as a main artery for the city’s transport — helping to free up roads, and achieve mayor Sadiq Khan’s target of making 80% of all trips in London by foot, bike or public transport.

What’s the big plan?

Without the Thames, there’d be no London. It’s been in use since the Romans built the Port of London here in 50AD. From the mid 20th century, there was a steep decline in its use — but still, in 2016/17, 10 million people used TfL’s river services. With the help of the Port of London Authority (PLA), boat operators and private stakeholders, TfL wants to double this number within 15 years.

Among the proposals in the new report are:

• An increase in the number of piers, especially in east London, at locations including the Isle of Dogs, Barking Riverside and Thamesmead. Some of these piers, TfL says, would be privately funded, developer-led piers
• River services that are better integrated with other transport
• Increased safety for river passengers — with a ‘Vision Zero’ (no fatalities) approach . . .

. . . . . continue reading the article on the Londonist website