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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 9 April 2009

Mayor Boris Johnson

Boris pledges 29 bus action

Mayor orders review into ‘crazy train’

LONDON Mayor Boris Johnson has ordered a review into the performance of the much-maligned 29 and N29 bus services.
Mr Johnson said the route has experienced “relatively high levels of anti-social behaviour”, following similar observations from politicians, passengers and readers of the New Journal over a number of years.
Transport for London (TfL) has in the past attempted to play down concerns about the bus, which passes through Bloomsbury and Camden Town travelling from Trafalgar Square to Wood Green, and then onto Enfield.
But Mr Johnson has now agreed to throw the spotlight on the route, specifically looking at improving conditions for passengers.
Camden and Islington’s crime chiefs brought new focus on the route when they joined forces to publicly call for a review of passenger safety and capacity.
At a meeting in January, transport police described anti-social behaviour and pick-pocketing on the route as one of their biggest concerns, while the public fear of crime on the 29 rated above any other area of life in Camden.
Police have highlighted “dipping” – stealing phones and wallets from bags and pockets – as of “particular concern”, while commuters insist that as a bendy bus, it attracts fare-dodgers who exploit easy pickings and quick exits.
The bus, notorious for its cramped conditions and late-night rowdiness, is known by passengers as “the crazy train” and “the party bus” because it leaves from central London and snakes through several night-time hotspots.
In response to written questions from Liberal Democrat Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon, who asked about levels of crime on the route, Mr Johnson said: “TfL recognises that routes 29 and N29 suffer from relatively high levels of anti-social behaviour and is working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and partner agencies to reduce the level of anti-social behaviour.”
Mr Johnson said there was a night patrol team for the N29 and already a “hub” of transport police officers ready for action at the Wood Green bus depot, and pledged to provide another “hub” at Enfield.
He added: “There will be a review of routes 29 and N29 in late summer/autumn this year.”

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