TfL bus cuts make Hopper fare essential as 135 signal schemes roll out
Ten‑year anniversary of the Hopper fare coincides with reduced service on 40 routes, increased service on 71 routes and a city‑wide traffic‑signal upgrade programme.
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Names Sadiq Khan and TfL, cites London Assembly figures and TfL data with origins.
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TfL announced that its programme of traffic‑signal upgrades will reach 135 schemes across the capital by the end of March 2027. The work is intended to speed up buses on busy corridors, a priority as the network adapts to recent service adjustments.
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The Hopper fare was launched on 12 September 2016, allowing Oyster or contactless users to make additional bus or tram journeys without extra charge if they tap in within an hour of the first boarding. The original single‑transfer rule was expanded in January 2018 to permit unlimited journeys within the hour. ianVisits reported that more than 1.43 billion free changes have been made since the fare began.
Bus frequency changes between 2024 and 2026
London Assembly figures show that TfL reduced the number of buses on 40 routes during the two‑year period from April 2024 to March 2026. In the same timeframe, the authority increased service levels on 71 routes. TfL said the adjustments respond to slower traffic speeds and shifting passenger demand, while it continues to monitor the impact on journey times.
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Signal timing upgrades to support bus flow
TfL is conducting 500 bus‑priority traffic‑signal timing reviews as part of its effort to alleviate pinch‑points on the network. The authority expects the 135 new schemes to be operational by March 2027, which should reduce waiting times at junctions and improve reliability for routes that have seen frequency cuts.
The permanent Hopper fare has made bus travel simpler, more affordable and fairer.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
The weekend extension, introduced by City Hall, allowed unlimited bus and tram travel for £1.75 on Saturdays, Sundays and the August bank holiday. TfL said 6.8 million passengers took advantage of the offer, generating an estimated £15 million in household savings.
Residents on routes with reduced frequencies are advised to check the latest timetables and consider using the Hopper fare to combine services where direct connections have been altered. TfL will continue to publish updates on the progress of signal‑timing projects through its open data portal.
Questions this report answers
+How many bus routes had their frequencies reduced between 2024 and 2026?
London Assembly data show that TfL cut the number of buses on 40 routes from April 2024 to March 2026. The reductions were part of a broader network adjustment aimed at matching service levels to traffic conditions and passenger demand.
+What is the total number of free Hopper fare changes recorded since 2016?
Since its launch on 12 September 2016, the Hopper fare has facilitated more than 1.43 billion free bus or tram changes, according to ianVisits. The figure reflects the fare’s role in enabling multiple journeys within a one‑hour window.
+When will TfL complete its traffic‑signal upgrade programme?
TfL plans to finish 135 traffic‑signal timing schemes across London by 31 March 2027. The upgrades are intended to improve bus flow at busy junctions and are part of a wider effort that includes 500 bus‑priority signal reviews.
+How much money did passengers save during the summer weekend Hopper extension?
TfL estimated that the eight‑week weekend Hopper extension saved households about £15 million. The offer, priced at £1.75 for unlimited travel on Saturdays, Sundays and the August bank holiday, was used by 6.8 million passengers.
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