Lib Dem MP Luke Taylor leads party voices across the capital in condemning sweeping bus service cuts

Liberal Democrat MPs and campaigners from across London have today (25 March) hit out at major bus service reductions across the capital as some routes prepare to move to a less frequent timetable as early as this Saturday- with the party’s London spokesperson Luke Taylor describing it as “managed decline” and the “reality of Labour in London”.

It follows weeks of speculation about the potential reduction in service, with some operators such as Go-Ahead signalling their intention to retender their routes to account for the increased costs they are facing, including the higher financial burden placed on them following the Government’s NICs tax hike. In January, TfL confirmed a reduction in service would soon come into effect on several routes.

Luke Taylor MP said: "Labour messed up their times tables and now we’re seeing it hit our timetables.

“It was plain for anyone to see that their foolish decision to hike NICs would force bus operators to slash costs and, as a result, force TfL to downgrade service.

“People across the capital who rely on bus routes that have been put in similar jeopardy by Labour’s actions will now be worried about the rot spreading further. “When services are reduced, even where TfL claims that demand is low, we see huge problems with overcrowding and unreliability.

“In effect, TfL is claiming that demand is lower but refusing to admit that it is because, in so many parts of London, they have made the experience of getting a bus so difficult and painful that commuters have simply given up altogether.

“Londoners can see it for what it is - managed decline.

“That is the reality of London under Labour - a consistent record of making things worse, not better. On May 7th, Londoners will remember that when they go the polls”

Hina Bokhari, leader of the Lib Dem group on the London Assembly, highlighted the impact this will have on disabled and older Londoners:

“Once again, Sadiq Khan has broken his promise that a Labour government would be good for London. It isn’t. 

“So many people rely on these buses, particularly disabled and older Londoners.

“These cuts will impact our most vulnerable who need an affordable and accessible transport system, and this is simply unacceptable.”

Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, echoed the sentiment and highlights that one local bus in her constituency facing cuts is the only direct route to a local hospital:

“TfL are reducing the service of the 493 and 371 bus, while completely slashing the 533.

“Cutting the 371 will leave Ham without a reliable service, while the 493 provides the only direct route from Richmond to St George’s Hospital.

“What is the Mayor doing to support London? Our buses are being slashed, our police front counters are being closed, while potholes riddle TfL owned roads. Enough is enough.”

One of the routes most dramatically impacted will be the 484 - which runs from Lewisham Station to Denmark Hill. Luke McSorley, local Lib Dem campaigner in Goose Green, Southwark, said:

"Local people in East Dulwich rely on the 484 bus to get to work, do their shopping, or just stay in touch with their friends and family. I know I do!

"It beggars belief that Labour have allowed routes like this to come under threat and face cuts, and are now pretending they couldn't see it coming. 

“It's a slap in the face and just goes to show that Labour in Southwark aren't willing to admit that they're throwing local people under the bus"

In East London, where the D3 bus is also among those facing cuts, Lib Dem campaigners Guy Benson and Seb Villars have also expressed their anger:

"We are right to feel let down by TfL at the news of yet another cut to the frequency of the D3. 

“With neither Wapping or Shadwell overground stations providing step-free access, the D3 is the only way for local residents with mobility issues to travel between the Royal London Hospital and Wapping. 

“We have also previously raised with TfL problems associated with the regularity of service on this route. A less frequent service means that disappointingly this problem may worsen."

The problem extends to north London, where Brent Lib Dem campaigner Anton Georgiou said that local residents will feel “betrayed” by reductions to the 204 bus:

“This is totally unacceptable and a reminder that London run by Labour is going in the wrong direction.

“When I knock on doors in my area I meet so many people who rely on the 204 bus. They will feel betrayed by these cuts.”

And in Ealing, where the 207 bus runs a vital route from Hayes to White City, Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Ealing Council Gary Malcolm levelled the blame squarely with Sadiq Khan: 

"Commuters in West London deserve so much better than let down after let down from this Labour Mayor, and the cuts to the 207 bus just go to show that he doesn't have their best interests at heart. 

“These cuts will just mean more Ealing residents will struggle to get to work or get to the shops, and considering how tough the times we're living through are, that just isn't acceptable"