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Issue 63 ON THE MOVE March 2019 PENSIONERS’ EDITION DLR BOOSTS HOUSING n the Autumn increased capacity on I Budget the the DLR means planning government permission has been pledged £291m to granted for 18,000 upgrade the Docklands new homes in east Light Railway (DLR), London, intensifying the CHANGING WITH THE TIMES making us the first, and regeneration of Tower decline in bus some central routes by as so far only, recipient Hamlets and Newham. A usage is prompting much as 12 per cent.” of the Housing “We made a clear the business to Principal Planner Angela Infrastructure Fund. and compelling case reasess where and how Martin added that buses The grant will fund to the government our buses will operate, are currently experiencing 14 new DLR trains that if the DLR wasn’t particularly in central ‘a perfect storm’ of socio- and the expansion of upgraded, many sites London, to simplify the economic factors, including Beckton depot and that could provide the bus network and ensure people having less money will also contribute to homes Londoners need our resources are invested to travel, switches to the redevelopment of wouldn’t be developed,” in the right locations. healthy modes of transport Poplar depot and a new said the bid leader, A recent consultation and falling bus speeds due DLR station at Thames Principal City Planner proposed changes to 33 bus to congestion. Wharf. The resulting Claudia Peñaranda. routes, including alterations “It’s more evident during to night services and the off-peak times for casual introduction of a new route, journeys like shopping. while other routes may be During the peaks, our buses JOINING FORCES restructured, shortened or tend to be full,” she said. As part of our commitment to withdrawn. Any changes The effect of the A helping armed forces veterans and will take place this spring. proposals should be a reservists gain employment, a TfL Bus Network Planning reduction in bus route Ex-Military and Reservists Careers Day was Manager Bob Blitz kilometres of nine per cent held earlier this month. This was our sixth explained: “We increased in central London. But that annual industry day, providing a valuable the size and scope of the doesn’t mean streets will opportunity to learn what roles are available bus network considerably be left unserved by bus and which military skills are transferable. 15 to 20 years ago. Today, services. Overall, the routes We also introduced a new ID card for armed because of improvements we propose changing cover forces veterans that will help them access to the London Overground nearly 500km, but of this, specialist support and services from charities, and Tube, and a shift to only 0.4 per cent of roads the NHS and their local authority. Any current other modes such as – around 2km – would no TfL staff who left the military after December cycling and walking, bus longer be served by buses 2018 will automatically be given one of the new patronage has tailed off on as part of the changes. ID cards, allowing them to maintain a tangible link to their career in the forces. otm PENSIONER NEWS otm PENSIONER NEWS join we use to fuse rails together) and speeds up the cooling process from 30 to 15 minutes. This extra time ensures teams can get more done in an evening and finish quickly – crucial when working overnight. Project Engineer George Hennessy said: “We’ve been using it recently at Chesham. We’re allowed on track at 01:45 and have to be finished by 04:00. With the new kit we’ve been able to go on track, install a new rail and do two welds. “Before, we’d have installed the rail one night and then gone back the next night to do the welds. That would mean having to pay a whole gang of signal, track and welding new piece of kit, the Smart colleagues again.” A Weld Ace, is helping our The Smart Weld Ace was trialled BRIGHT welding teams repair our late last year in eight locations. tracks in double quick time, saving It’s hoped that it can be rolled out SPARKS money and vital minutes. across the network this year, with a The equipment sprays a fine mist particular focus on deep Tube parts of water onto a thermic weld (the of the network. CUSTOMER CARE caring pair of LU daughter-in-law Jo. Speaking of A colleagues have been Michael and Lynne, she added: recognised for going “We were so grateful to have the extra mile to look after an someone so caring in Dad’s local elderly customer. community, keeping an eye on him Debden resident Bob Hindley between our weekend visits.” got to know Customer Service HELPING THE Supervisor Michael St George and Customer Service Assistant HOMELESS Lynne Harvie over several years rontline LU staff are now as he passed through the station. F able to report rough sleepers But after Bob was diagnosed with at their station via an app Alzheimer’s, the two noticed on their iPads, allowing us to build a sharp deterioration in his a clear picture of what’s happening condition. on the ground and give homeless They cared for him every time people access to the right support. he fell or became confused Charing Cross staff were and helped him with his Oyster encouraged to make use of the app card, which he would often lose. as they had problems with large The pair become so involved in numbers of rough sleepers and assisting Bob they were consulted incidents of antisocial behaviour. by social services to help him Area Manager Darren Burrows said: get a place at a care home in “Reporting it meant that everything Warwickshire, near his family. was documented, which forced the Bob is now enjoying spending various agencies to take action and more time with his family, said patrol the area.” 2 otm PENSIONER NEWS The app asks users to take SWEET a two-minute sleep test with IN BRIEF: questions that include, ‘how often do you wake up in the night?’ DREAMS and ‘do you wake worrying about ROUX BREW e worked with NHS the future?’ to help pinpoint the A coffee kiosk staffed by former W London and non-profit source of their sleep problems. homeless people was opened at organisation Good Users receive a score, followed Clapham Common station by local Thinking to develop an app by advice (based on a cognitive resident and celebrity chef, Michel called Sleepio, which was rolled behavioural therapy programme) Roux Jnr. He is a supporter of out across the business in on how to improve their overall ‘Change Please’, a social enterprise January. The app gives advice health. After clicking a ‘tailored that helps homeless people get back on sleep health and will be advice’ button, they can answer on their feet by training them to particularly relevant to shift a second series of questions to be coffee baristas. It also provides workers who may struggle with narrow down issues specific to housing and mental health support broken sleep. their line of work. in a ‘hands up, not a hand out’ system. It’s hoped that the Clapham Common kiosk will be the first of many branches at LU stations. GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND Ten of 15 schemes aimed at reducing sources of road danger and creating environments that foster increased walking and cycling have now been delivered. They form part of our Healthy Streets Local Schemes – an annual programme that addresses local issues, such as pedestrian crossings near schools and shops, and widening and decluttering John Caygill and Alf White, the crew on the pathways to create a more pleasant final RT journey, sign autographs for the street environment and communal hundreds of people attending the ‘last rites’ areas. The aim is to complete the remaining five schemes before the end of the financial year. Networks A BUSMAN’S Portfolio Sponsor Dani Rooney said: “They’re a really great example of HOLIDAY how the Mayor’s Transport Strategy arking Garage will be is delivered quickly.” B opened to the public later David Jones, Stagecoach London’s this month to mark the Assistant Communications Manager. NEW RECRUITS NEEDED 40th anniversary of the last “They were the best of 1940s We’re on the lookout for new RT-type bus leaving service. engineering. They had really good air- talent with more than 130 Former drivers, conductors and powered brakes and an air-operated apprenticeships up for grabs. all bus enthusiasts are invited to gearbox that allowed you to select Engineering, quantity surveying and reacquaint themselves with the gears in advance. The steering project management are among iconic vehicles as they recreate the was light even with a full load on. the areas where apprenticeships old route between Chadwell Heath The cab had everything the driver are available. We’re also launching and Creekmouth. needed, which wasn’t much in those two new schemes in building The RT bus ran from 1939 to 1979, days compared to all the dials and services and vehicle maintenance, and to this day is still considered by buttons you get now. It was just an and in some areas we’re offering many to be the ‘classic’ London bus. easy bus to drive.” degree apprenticeships. If you know At its peak the RT fleet numbered The event will be held at Barking someone who’d be interested in around 6,000 vehicles, making it the Garage on 30 March from 11am- applying, please visit tfl.gov.uk/ largest standardised bus fleet in the 4pm, and features RF buses too.