I can’t say I’m a fan of it, I think it’s cop out rather then a true attempt to improve public transport around the Greater London area, but at least it’s something (unless it gets cancelled or only partially completed which is always something you shouldn’t count out with TFL)? Will you see yourself using it? What’s your thoughts?
Bringing in new bus routes is an order of magnitude simpler, quicker and cheaper than introducing trams or new underground lines (the Elizabeth line took, what, two decades?) If it proves there’s a demand for a better solution between those locations then fantastic, the wheels can be set in motion, but in a major C21st metropolis you can’t just go “bing bang Birdseye, let’s make this one puce” and throw up a new piece of major infrastructure.
My issue though is that I don’t know if it’s doing enough to justify it’s own existence. If the journey from one town in Greater London to another takes twice as long from express buses vs getting trains in and out of London then I can’t in all honestly seeing people preferring the bus option.
You would have to at least make it so the buses itself isn’t as affected by traffic, which would mean Express Bus Routes and for the Express Bus itself to be more comfortable for longer distances.