FAQs
What changes are proposed for routes 106, 253 and 254?
We are proposing to withdraw route 254 (which operates between Holloway, Nag’s Head and Aldgate) and restructuring route 106 to retain all current links on route 254 to/from Whitechapel/Aldgate to Cambridge Heath Road/Hackney Central/Clapton Station. We would also increase the frequency of routes 106 and 253 at certain times to ensure demand is met.
If the proposals went ahead how would affected customers complete their journeys?
The route 254 withdrawal means there would be a loss of direct links between Finsbury Park and Hackney Central and areas south of Hackney. However, a restructured route 106 would retain all current links on route 254 to/from Whitechapel/Aldgate to Cambridge Heath Road/Hackney Central/Clapton Station.
We recognise that the changes will mean that some customers will need to change buses to complete their journeys. Same-stop interchange would be available between routes 106 and 253 at Clapton station, where shelters, good lighting and real time information are available. The Mayor’s Hopper Fare allows customers to change buses for no extra charge within an hour of first touching in.
What would the revised frequencies be if the proposals went ahead?
Withdrawing route 254 and increasing frequency on route 253 with buses operating every 6 minutes instead of every 8 minutes Monday to Sunday daytimes would better match capacity to demand on the corridor between Holloway and Hackney Central, where routes 253 and 254 currently operate in parallel. It would also simplify the network by reducing the number of parallel routes running on the corridor while retaining key links and introducing new links.
Increasing the frequency of route 106 from buses running every 10 minutes to every 8 minutes provides sufficient capacity on the southern end of the route 254 corridor. Increasing off-peak frequencies at various times of day and week will ensure high frequency interchange is provided for all broken links.
Why are you cutting bus routes?
Travel patterns have changed in recent years, with overall bus demand falling by a quarter since 2015 – mainly due to economic and social factors. This is particularly true in central and inner London. At the same time, operating costs have nearly doubled in the last ten years, with the annual public funding required rising from £0.6bn in 2017/18 to an estimated £1.7bn by 2030. This means we are looking to simplify routes in central and inner London, by running a smaller number of high-frequency, more reliable routes, so customers have an attractive service which is still comprehensive and frequent but has less duplication and excess capacity.
I heard that route 310 changing, is this correct?
The 310 bus route is changing but not until September 2026, we considered that showing the new route could be confusing to people looking at the map before the route changes.
