London's buses are in trouble, and it's a downward spiral! 🚍💨
The London Assembly has been alerted to a concerning trend: bus speeds are at their lowest in years, and this is driving away passengers. Data from City Hall reveals that the average speed on London's bus network has decreased significantly, from 10.27 mph in 2020-21 to 9.17 mph in 2024-25. And it's not just a one-off—August's data shows buses crawling at an average of 9.06 mph.
But here's where it gets controversial: this slowdown is directly linked to a drop in passenger numbers. Last year, for the first time since the pandemic, bus journeys took a hit, falling from 1.869 billion to 1.842 billion. That's a lot of lost passengers!
Transport for London (TfL) has a plan to get buses moving faster, promising new bus lanes, signal prioritization, and extended operating hours for existing lanes. But is it enough?
Industry insiders are concerned. Paul Lynch, from Stagecoach London, paints a dire picture, stating that conditions have deteriorated to the point where even long-time employees are shocked. He believes the declining speeds and reliability are key factors in the drop in passenger numbers.
And this is the part most people miss: slower buses aren't just an inconvenience. They have a ripple effect. Michael Roberts, CEO of London TravelWatch, warns that slower journey times lead to reduced patronage, which translates to less income for TfL. But it doesn't stop there. Slower speeds mean more buses are needed to maintain service levels, increasing operating costs. It's a vicious cycle.
The numbers don't lie: a 10% reduction in journey speeds results in a 6% drop in demand, according to Roberts. To meet the mayor's ambitious target of 80% of trips by walking, cycling, or public transport by 2041, bus journeys would need to increase by a whopping 40%, according to London TravelWatch estimates. TfL's analysis suggests a daily trip growth from 5.1 million to 9 million.
So, what's the solution? The challenge is complex, especially with some boroughs experiencing much slower services than others. While areas like Bexley, Hillingdon, and Havering enjoy average speeds above 11 mph, the City of London, Camden, and Westminster struggle with speeds under 7 mph.
The question remains: can TfL's plan turn this bus crisis around, or is a more radical approach needed?
