Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it will be withdrawing sections of two of its bus services in central London.
The 30 and 205 routes will both be restructured affecting trips between Paddington, Marble Arch and Euston, while additional journeys will be added for the 27 in a bid to mitigate the changes.
Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s Director of Public Transport Service Planning, said the network will continue to be monitored “to make sure we deliver a comprehensive public transport offering as well as it being value for money”.
TfL’s decision follows a public consultation concluded earlier this year into potential changes to the 30, 205 and 27 routes.
Driven by a need to make the services more efficient with passenger numbers yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, TfL laid out plans to remove the section of route 30 between Marble Arch and Euston Bus Station, the 205 between Paddington and Baker Street Station while extending the service to Marble Arch, and adding more journeys to route 27.
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 TfL’s consultation document it was stated that while more passengers are using the routes 30 and 205 when compared with 2021, they remain 25 per cent and 15 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels across a typical week.
The changes will require travellers to change buses depending on their destinations. For example, those journeying on the 30 from east London looking to go west of Euston will now need to swap onto the 205.
In a consultation document published on May 16, TfL confirmed it will be moving ahead with the plans. They are to be implemented from June 21.
A total of 1,359 responses were received to the consultation, 1,337 from members of the public and 22 from stakeholders.
TfL acknowledged the majority of the feedback “did not endorse the proposals”, with key concerns raised including the loss of direct connections and that some journeys may get longer.
More than half of respondents who clarified their status were local residents (52 per cent), with 20 per cent commuters to the area.
When asked whether the proposed changes to the routes would affect them, respondents in both instances indicated the impacts would be negative, in particular those using the 205.
In response to concerns about longer trips, TfL wrote: “As noted in the consultation, we recognise that some passengers may need to change bus to travel as a result of these changes and have recommended convenient locations along the bus routes where interchange could take place at the same/adjacent bus stop. As a result some journeys will get longer.”
Opposition was also aired to the proposal by a range of stakeholders including Westminster City Council.
Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (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.
“By working with TfL we will continue to push for a fairer settlement for Central London transport that reflects the needs of local people. And through our Sustainable Transport Strategy, we aim to support and grow a sustainable network of buses across our city.”
Mr Hobbs said: “We are committed to providing the best bus network possible for Londoners and we regularly review our services according to current customer demand. After careful consideration, following a public consultation publicised to residents, adjustments to bus routes 30 and 205 will go ahead allowing us to operate a more efficient bus service.
“Route 30 will operate between Hackney Wick and Euston Bus Station instead of Hackney Wick and Marble Arch, and route 205 will operate between Marble Arch and Bow Church via Baker Street instead of Bow Church and Paddington, replacing the route 30. We understand the concerns raised in the consultation and have taken mitigations to address them.
“These changes are necessary in reflecting the changing usage of routes by customers 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.”
