Hackney Council urges TfL to scrap bus route changes
The council argues proposed alterations to six bus routes would disproportionately affect vulnerable residents.
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Hackney Council has formally urged Transport for London (TfL) to abandon proposed alterations to six bus routes that serve the borough. The council argues that the cumulative effect of these and previous reductions significantly diminishes the quality of the bus network.
The council has specifically asked TfL to reconsider changes affecting routes 42, 67, 106, 149, 253, and 254. A primary concern is that the proposed modifications would disproportionately affect lower-income households, women, and global majority communities. The council is particularly worried about the planned withdrawal of route 254, which would leave route 106 as the sole direct service on certain sections of the Whitechapel to Hackney corridor.
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Council's Proposed Alternative
In place of the 254's withdrawal, Hackney Council has proposed that TfL convert it into an inner London Superloop route. This would create a faster express service with fewer stops, aiming to maintain connectivity while improving efficiency.
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Councillor Jacob Cable, cabinet member for climate, clean air, energy and transport, stated that the council is advocating for a dependable, high-quality bus network to support the borough's growth and ensure accessible, affordable travel for residents. He highlighted existing council measures, such as bus gates on Church Street, Stoke Newington, and Amhurst Road, and the borough's extensive bus lane coverage, designed to help buses move efficiently.
Councillor Cable encouraged residents to share their views with TfL regarding the proposed changes. This intervention follows criticism from Hackney's Labour opposition, who had previously accused the Green administration of not speaking out about potential bus service cuts.
Questions on Rationale
Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Labour's group leader in Hackney, wrote to TfL last month to question the rationale behind the proposals. Her letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, raised concerns about how the changes would reduce duplication and pointed out a potential contradiction within the proposal itself. She noted that while the proposal states frequencies would change to accommodate the loss of route 254, it also places frequency changes outside the scope of the current consultation.
Councillor Bramble requested that TfL definitively state the new frequencies and suggested holding public meetings and additional consultation events along the affected routes. This, she argued, would allow more people to discuss the proposals directly with TfL officers and make a more informed decision.
TfL's Perspective
Geoff Hobbs, TfL's director of public transport service planning, explained that the organisation regularly reviews its services to ensure they meet customer demand and utilise resources effectively. He stated that the proposed changes are intended to better match services to current customer demand while maintaining the necessary capacity across the affected corridors. TfL has indicated that the changes are designed to match capacity with passenger demand and provide a clear, reliable service, having identified surplus capacity between Edmonton Green and Stamford Hill.
Specific changes under the proposals include the 42 route terminating south of Tower Bridge, ending its north-south link between Shoreditch and south London. The 67 route between Wood Green and Dalston Junction would be withdrawn, and the 149 route would be restructured, offering some replacement links but reducing frequency on parts of its existing path. The 254 would be discontinued entirely, with route 106 extended to Aldgate and its frequencies increased, alongside an increase for the 253, though not for the 253 night bus service.
Next Steps
Consultations on the proposed bus route changes are due to close on Sunday, September 20. Residents can submit their feedback through the dedicated pages for each route on the TfL website.
Questions this report answers
+What changes are proposed for Hackney's bus routes?
Transport for London (TfL) has proposed changes to six bus routes serving Hackney: 42, 67, 106, 149, 253, and 254. These include route withdrawals, restructuring, and frequency adjustments, with route 254 set to be discontinued entirely.
+Why is Hackney Council opposing the proposed changes?
Hackney Council argues the proposals would disproportionately affect lower-income households, women, and global majority communities. They also state the cumulative effect of reductions significantly diminishes the quality of the bus network and hinders residents' ability to travel easily and affordably.
+What does TfL say about the proposed changes?
Geoff Hobbs of TfL stated the proposals aim to match services to current customer demand and make the best use of available resources. TfL believes the changes will better align services with passenger needs while maintaining necessary capacity across the affected corridors.
+How can residents make their views known on the proposed changes?
The public consultation on the proposed bus route changes closes on Sunday, September 20. Residents can submit their feedback directly through the individual route pages on the TfL website.
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