TfL bus cuts: School bus removed in Lewisham
TfL have announced the latest changes to bus times with a cut to a bus serving school closing time in Lewisham.
The change actually happened on 25 April but TfL did not update their online web page in advance which is quite odd. Normally details are given some time before. There’s nothing listed for future weeks either.
The bus that’s cut is the 75 with TfL stating “The PM peak schooldays only journey at 1510 (1445 on Mondays) from Forest Hill School to Lewisham Station is withdrawn from this date.”
School bus cuts
While this is just one bus TfL have recently reduced services at other schools in south east London with one of the starkest being the entire 472 bus route being axed for the Superloop route SL11.
That meant a big drop in buses serving schools in Charlton including the Royal Greenwich Trust school and Windrush Primary School.
In recent months ever more pressure has been placed on services such as the 177 and 180 to pick up the clack. As a regular user I’ve seen children left behind and buses packed to the gills. It isn’t pleasant but is certainly one way to encourage parents to drive and add to congested streets.
Longer gaps
Coinciding with the 472 cut is cycle lane works around Charlton impacting remaining routes. TfL have also now increased intervals between buses on the 180 according to the most recent update.
Beforehand the 472 could’ve assisted in picking up the slack. Not anymore. The SL11 is no use as it doesn’t stop at all here.
It’s almost as if there was little forward thinking by TfL when it came to the 472 cut, doing so with 18 months of cycle lane roadworks underway but implementing it just a week before the new college opened in Plumstead and thousands of new homes become occupied in Thamesmead, Plumstead, Woolwich, Charlton and Greenwich along the old 472 route which is skipped by the SL11.
A bizarre move by TfL aided by Greenwich Council who encouraged the changes which stands in contrast to stated aims of encouraging public transport.
As stated on this site a fair few times a faster Superloop in the area is great. However entirely cutting a very busy bus route in the 472 and leaving remaining routes serving schools, colleges and new homes to struggle isn’t – and not something the rest of London has seen.
It’s something a local council would be expected to challenge and fight against – rather than be a cheerleader for. Why on earth Labour-run Greenwich Council didn’t is a mystery.
I wonder if existing bus routes in and around London that could be axed or replaced by Superloop that TfL wants more Superloop buses running across Greater London. Or would it not change that much.
Another bus service to be axed and to be taken out of service or to be replaced by another Superloop “SLxx” service.
Hands off our bus services. Instead of axing them or reducing their frequencies. TFL anf thr Saduq Khan Mayor of London need to invest in improving local bus services.
Superloop are not the answer alone
Suoerloop routes need to run in addition to existing bus routes not replace then.
Bring back the 472. and increase frequencies to routes that have seen frequency cuts including routes 51 178 229 291 386 486 and cancel the frequency cut due on route 286 from July 2026.
From Saturday 2nd May 2026 route 54 is seeing its frequency to Friday day time service to every 12 minutes. Cuts to local .bus services are becoming a joke. Many people rely on local bus services on a daily basis to get to work, school, going to appointments or yo go shopping or meet friends or family..
What is happening at TFL?
Rouyr 54 Woolwich to Elmers End via Lewisham is set to see its frequency cut to every 12 minutes from Saturday 2nd May 2026.
When are TFL going to stop cutting bus services across Greater London and start investing in local bus services? People rely on their loxal bus setvices to get around.
Sadiq Khan Mayor of London promised he would improve bus services in Outer London in fact he had done the complete opposite and reduced them..
He has definitely reduced bus setvices in Ouer London with many of the routes set i f hospitals including routes 54 178 229 291 386 484 486 and route 286 which sees ot frequency reduced from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes a cut of two buses every hour from 6 to 4 busez. Staff patients and visitors rely heavily on these bus services.
There are no need for cuts to our bus services. The Mayor of London and TFL need to learn to manage budgets better and start listening to passengers who use the services. Instead of constantly cutting them. So I agree with others hands of our bus services.
He has definitely reduced bus setvices in Ouer London with many of the routes set i f hospitals including routes 54 178 229 291 386 484 486 and route 286 which sees ot frequency reduced from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes a cut of two buses every hour from 6 to 4 busez. Staff patients and visitors rely heavily on these bus services.
There are no need for cuts to our bus services. The Mayor of London and TFL need to learn to manage budgets better and start listening to passengers who use the services. Instead of constantly cutting them. So I agree with others hands of our bus services.
I agree witb the comments made by CDT above. Christine and Carlos Garcia.
People will still boycott TfL for cutting bus routes and axing bus services across London. Can’t wait for the 7th May.