Extra Buses Do Little to Soothe Congestion Charge Anger


TfL introduce additional rush hour services on local routes

Transport for London has introduced extra buses for the West London area in a move designed to encourage more people to use public transport when the western extension to the Congestion Charge starts on Monday February 19th.


David Brown, managing director, Surface Transport, said, “We aim to improve and expand the transport network, making it more reliable and encouraging more people to use public transport. London is the only major city in the world to have achieved a significant shift from private car use to buses and other modes of transport. We intend to build on this success through continued investment.”


Unsurprisingly not everyone is as positive about the zone’s extension. In a last-ditch demonstration organised by Hammersmith and Kensington's local authorities in partnership with the West London Residents' Association, more than 100 vehicles will take part in a go slow protest this weekend.


Chairman of the WLRA, Dr Gordon Taylor, said, "Although the new extension is rolled out in Kensington, many residents and businesses in neighbouring boroughs will ultimately suffer as well. There is overall anger in West London that the extension of this crude and expensive zone charging system, which will adversely affect people's lives and livelihoods, is still being pushed by the mayor."


Local changes to bus services include:

  • Route 9 (Aldwych to Hammersmith), Route 10 (Hammersmith to King’s Cross) and Route 11 (Fulham Broadway to Liverpool Street) now have an additional morning peak journey
  • Route 14 from Putney Heath to Tottenham Court Road has been extended to Warren Street and runs more frequently throughout the week
  • Routes 22 (Putney Common to Piccadilly Circus) and 27 (Turnham Green to Chalk Farm) run more frequently throughout the week
  • Route 31 Camden Town to Notting Hill Gate has been extended to Shepherd’s Bush Green
  • Route 94 (Acton Green to Piccadilly Circus) now has an additional eastbound morning peak time journey
  • Route 452 is a new bus route now running from Wandsworth Road station to Kensal Rise

February 15, 2007