West End bus is facing cuts

South London Press

West End bus is facing cuts

Mar 11 2005
By Clare Casey

A SHOCK proposal to reduce the number of buses on a well-used route has sparked anger.

Hundreds have signed a petition calling for bus chiefs to re-think plans for a cutback on the number 3 route.

It is one of only a few buses that go from Crystal Palace to the West End and is hailed by many as a lifeline.

It stops at West Dulwich, Herne Hill, Brixton and Kennington before crossing the river at Lambeth Bridge.

Lambeth councillor Russell A'Court said it would be a terrible loss.

"Residents of both Lambeth and Southwark have been outraged by this proposal," he said.

"Many people see the number 3 as a lifeline and want to see more of them, not fewer. To cut back on a route like this where there aren't many buses anyway would be a silly decision."

Transport for London (TfL) proposed a cut of 20 per cent to improve the service. That would mean buses every eight to 10 minutes rather than every four to six at peak times.

People living in South Croxted Road, West Dulwich, said they feared fewer buses would also mean they would travel at even greater speeds, something they have complained of for years.

Resident Ann Shaw, 61, said: "We have all complained about how fast they come down this road, often overtaking each other.

"I believe that if there are fewer buses they will come faster to try to get through the timetable and back to the depot more quickly.

"There are already great problems with them. We don't see one for about 20 minutes and then four will show at once."

Southwark councillor Kim Humphreys is one of those who has been collecting signatures for the petition.

He said: "People feel strongly about the loss of such a major bus and are hoping TfL sees sense."

A TfL spokesman said: "From April the number 3 will be reduced from Monday to Friday peak hours only, from a bus every six minutes to eight minutes.

"Our survey work shows that the service levels will still be sufficient for the number of passengers using the service. In addition we are introducing a number of other measures designed to improve service reliability on the number 3 which has, on occasions, been below the level TfL expects."

There will be an extra number 59 and 159 an hour to compensate. Anyone worried about the speed of buses should contact TfL customer services.

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