A bus station in Kingston has reopened after a complete transformation.
The newly refurbished Cromwell Road bus station in Kingston reopened on Saturday, November 16.
The work began last summer by Transport for London (TfL) and has seen the addition of a customer toilet, improved safety features such as CCTV, and measures to improve the building’s efficiency.
The station now boasts enhanced LED lighting, better information screens, and CCTV to improve safety and help people feel more confident when using public transport.
TfL said these improvements will make the bus station an energy-efficient building.
The station is also now equipped with a new canopy in the waiting area to keep passengers warm and dry throughout the seasons.
The pavements have been resurfaced and drainage improved with the installation of a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS).
SuDS help to prevent the increasing risk of flooding by managing water runoff in a way that mimics natural processes, using extra vegetation and rain gardens.
Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport, said: "When the mayor was elected for a third term he committed to strengthening public transport options in outer London to help build a better and fairer city for all Londoners.
"The transformation of Kingston bus station will be a gamechanger, with improved customer waiting areas, a toilet and new safety features to improve the customer experience and help people feel more confident when travelling by public transport."
The station will serve a total of 32 bus routes, including Superloop service SL7, several night buses, and a school and university bus.
Lorna Murphy, TfL's director of buses, said: "We’re determined to make it even easier to use public transport in the capital and our work to transform Cromwell Road bus station has been a key part of our plans to strengthen the network in Kingston.
"The new bus station has been designed with customers in mind and we hope customers will be able to take advantage of the new and improved station and encourage more people to use local bus services.
"We thank the local community for their patience during the works and hope they enjoy their new station."
Councillor Nicola Nardelli, portfolio holder for transport and highways at Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, said: "We are delighted to see the opening of our new state-of-the-art bus station in Kingston.
"Cromwell Road is a key piece of infrastructure in our transport network and the new bus station will make journeys easier, safer, more comfortable and more attractive for travellers.
"Buses remain the most affordable, accessible, and available form of public transport in Kingston, providing vital mobility for our residents and enhancing our connections across London.
"We are especially delighted that it delivers on so many of the priorities important to our borough, with leading sustainable design that incorporates safety, accessibility, energy efficiency and flood prevention during heavy rain."
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