A river tube line – the untapped potential of the Thames
Channel: London Assembly
Date: 07/08/2018

The River Thames is an underutilised transport goldmine that cuts through the heart of the capital.

The London Assembly Transport Committee has written to the Mayor of London to champion the waterway and urge him to give more thought to the expansion of river transport services.

Though passenger journeys have been increasing, the committee believes a number of issues need to be addressed urgently to achieve the Mayor’s and Port of London Authority’s (PLA) ambitious target of doubling passenger journeys on the Thames.  Regular and commuter journeys on the River Bus account for only 20 to 30 per cent of total passenger journeys on the Thames.

Given the importance of the river and the pressure on other modes, the Committee thinks it is essential for River Bus services to be given more support.
The letter recommends:
A River Ambassador to provide the leadership required to promote river passenger transport.
The importance of improving publicity, passenger information and accessibility.
TfL should address congestion around piers in central London.
The need to reduce harmful emissions from river vessels.