First major step in London Transport's reshaping plan
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TONDON Transport this week out lined its proposals for the first of the suburban "satellite" schemes under its big plan for reshaping the central (red) bus services. The Wood Green/Turnpike Lane area of North London has been selected for its introduction.
Stage one of the Wood Green scheme is planned for introduction towards the end of this year. It will bring about major changes to bus services in the area, which is served by two tube stations on the Piccadilly Line—Wood Green and Turnpike Lane—linked by Wood Green High Road with its busy shopping district.
In the first stage London Transport plans to bring in four flat-fare routes operated by single-deck buses with coin-operated entrance gates; at the same time a number of existing routes will be modified. The "satellite" feeder buses will each have 25 seats, with room for 48 standing passengers. These buses will provide high-frequency, short-distance journeys for commuters.
Under the scheme Turnpike Lane tube station will become the focal point for public transport in the area, and the start or finishing point for the majority of local services. It is proposed that the bus station, which lies behind the Underground station, should be remodelled and roofed over so that passengers will be able to make bus-to-bus and rail-to-bus interchange completely under cover.
The actual date for the introduction of the scheme will be announced after further discussions with local authorities and after talks with the Transport and General Workers Union on a new productivity agreement amplifying the present one which provides extra payment for one-man bus operation.
Between 40 and 50 new single-deck buses will be needed for the scheme. There will be a front entrance and centre exit, with power-operated doors controlled by the driver.
Passengers will pass through the twin coinoperated gates on payment of their fare-6d. for adults, 3d. for children. Special provision will be made for children with scholars' term tickets to use the buses.