Cuts to two central London bus services provokes misgivings in Westminster

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it will be withdrawing sections of two of its bus services in central London – affecting the areas around Paddington, Marble Arch and Euston.

The 30 and 205 routes will both be restructured, 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 Friday, 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, said: “We are very disappointed to see these cuts to local bus services that our residents rely on to get around.

“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.”

Mr Hobbs added: “We are committed to providing the best bus network possible for Londoners and we regularly review our services according to current customer demand.

“These changes are necessary in reflecting the changing usage of routes by customers and will mean more buses can run across both routes.”

Pictured too: A map detailing proposed changes (Picture: TfL)