TfL confirms bus route changes in central London

TFL had a public consultation earlier this year about potential changes to the 30, 205 and 27 bus routes

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it will be restructuring routes of some of its bus services in central London after "careful consideration".

These affect the 30, 205 and 27 routes and follows a public consultation held earlier this year which was held in a bid to make the services more efficient.

This will impact trips on the 30 and 205 between Paddington, Marble Arch and Euston, while additional journeys will be added for the bus 27 to "mitigate" the changes.

TfL acknowledged the majority of the feedback "did not endorse the proposals", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The changes will require passengers to switch buses based on their destination - for example, those travelling on the Number 30 from east London who wish to continue west of Euston will now need to transfer to the 205.

A total of 1,359 responses were received to the consultation - 1,337 from members of the public and 22 from stakeholders.

More than half of respondents who clarified their status were local residents with 20% commuters to the area.

The key concerns raised included the loss of direct connections and that some journeys may get longer.

In response to concerns about longer trips, TfL said it has recommended "convenient locations" along the routes where passengers can change buses at the same or adjacent stops.

Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said to LDRS: "We are very disappointed to see these cuts to local bus services that our residents rely on to get around.

"The bus network is the largest public transport mode in Central London, and these changes will particularly hit shift workers at St Mary's Hospital as well as Underground and rail workers who need to get to Paddington Station.

"However, we accept that Transport for London's hand has been forced by years of underfunding."

A total of 1,359 responses were received to the bus consultation

At present, the Number 30 runs between Marble Arch and Hackney Wick; 205 between Bow Church and Paddington; and 27 Hammersmith Grove and Chalk Farm.

In Transport for London's consultation document it was stated that while more passengers are using the routes 30 and 205 when compared with 2021, they remain 25% and 15% down on pre-pandemic levels across a typical week.

TfL's director of public transport service planning, Geoff Hobbs, said: "These changes are necessary in reflecting the changing usage of routes customers by and will mean more buses can run across both routes.

"As with all changes, we will continue to monitor the bus network to make sure we deliver a comprehensive public transport offering as well as it being value for money."

These changes will be implemented from 21 June.