Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed changes to two major bus routes in central London, prompting concerns about longer journeys and reduced direct connections for passengers.
From June 21, sections of the 30 and 205 routes will be withdrawn or altered, affecting travel between Paddington, Marble Arch, and Euston. These adjustments follow a public consultation concluded earlier this year.
Route 30 will now run only between Hackney Wick and Euston, cutting its previous westward stretch to Marble Arch.
Route 205 will be rerouted to serve Marble Arch to Bow Church via Baker Street, instead of running between Bow Church and Paddington.
To offset some of the disruption, additional services will be added to Route 27.
TfL said the decision is driven by the need for efficiency, with passenger numbers still below pre-pandemic levels — Route 30 is down 25%, and Route 205 is down 15% on average compared to pre-Covid figures.
The restructuring means some passengers will now need to change buses mid-journey, such as those traveling west of Euston on the 30 who will have to switch to the 205.
Out of 1,359 consultation responses, the majority opposed the proposals. Concerns included the loss of direct links and increased travel times, particularly affecting local residents and commuters. 52% of respondents were residents, and 20% were regular commuters to the affected areas.
Westminster City Council also voiced opposition. Council leader Cllr Adam Hug called the cuts "disappointing" and highlighted their impact on shift workers, including staff at St Mary’s Hospital and rail workers traveling to Paddington.
In response, TfL stated that they have identified convenient interchange points to ease the inconvenience and will continue monitoring the network.
Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s Director of Public Transport Service Planning, said:
“We understand the concerns raised and have taken steps to mitigate them. These changes reflect current travel patterns and will allow more buses to run on the adjusted routes. We remain committed to a comprehensive and value-for-money public transport network.” Photo by Oxyman, Wikimedia commons.