Haveing jsut spent the best part of a Saturday (I know I shouldn't but
need's must) doing Oxford Street and witnessing the nightmare of buses and
traffic I have a posssible solution.

Firstly, shutting half of OS from Oxford Circus to TCR due to a large crane
that caused all buses to be rerouted down Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury
Avene, Haymarket, Regent Street, these sort of works should be done at
night, NOT during a busy day.

Apart from that and the fact that there are too many busses, mostly with
empty seats I have noticed the following.

Causes of the problems.
Too many busses
Too many bus stops/laybys which despite busses pulling in, others can't
overtake and then the ones that do, block the ones that pulled in from
escaping.
Too many tourists not understanding 'pay before entry' and unable to read
the English only instructions on the roadside ticket machines.
Drivers telling passengers they can't take money, then waiting at the stop
while the passenger tries to figure out the machine.

My possible solution.
Trams have been talked about for years but too expensive to introduce.
Why not make the busses solve the very problems they are causing.
The street should be zoned off to Busses only, not cabs or bikes or anything
else, from Orchard Street (Selfridges) to TCR
The road should be single lane only in each direction, (this still leaves
space for emergency vehicles to pass in the now redundant road space).
All central islands should be removed.
All traffic lights at roads crossing or joining OS should be phased
together.
All bus stops removed.
When buses enter OS they become part of a shuttle, travelling in single file
and not overtaking or needing to pull in.
All traffice lights crossing the street will turn red together stopping
movement on the whole of OS while traffic crosses. Meanwhile all the busses
will open doors and allow entry or egress to passengers at the same time.
Lights turn red/amber and doors close.
Lights turn green and all buses move at once at a dictated speed suggest 5
or 10mph
Lights turn red, all busses stop (off a junction).
Repeat

This means that firstly the buses are all moving together and all stopping
together. No overtaking, pulling in etc.
All cross traffic moves at the same time.
No more wasted time with non moving vehicles that have their doors shut,
then moving 10 feet to the stop then holding up more traffic while they then
open for passengers.

Perhaps no charges to use the bus while in shuttle mode, (it's probably
costing them more at present in wasted fuel and wages than they are earning
from the few people that are on the busses)

Possibility perhaps of creating a terminus at Marble Arch and Centrepoint
for busses to turn, therefore reducing the number of busses on the streets.

Maybe also introducing JayWalking byelaws on the length of the zone except
when all busses are at a standstill allowing people to cross anywhere.
Remember half the people on the street appear to be Americans who are fully
aware of Jaywalking laws to the point they won't cross even when it's safe
to do so!

Admittedly, this plan is a little rough round the edges and some tightening
up may be needed, but your comments would be most welcome.

Perhaps resulting discussion could be submitted to TfL or Wesminster Road
Management Dept.

Steve