City Hall transport bosses at have rejected public demands and pressure from the local authority against cutting back a vital bus route linking the East End to Central London.
The shortened route 100 that serves the isolated waterfront area along the Thames at Wapping could have “a damaging impact on the elderly and other passengers” making connections to other services, Tower Hamlets council warned TfL.
“We tried to get TfL to change its mind,” Cllr Denise Jones, who represents Wapping, said. “But sadly they haven’t listened.
“We expressed our concern at the way TfL consulted people. The bus is a really important route, particularly for the elderly and disabled.”
The single-decker from Shadwell station running through Wapping to Tower Hill, Aldgate and the City had previously finished up at Elephant & Castle, but now terminates half-way along at London Wall.
Consultations showed most were opposed—but TfL admits it went ahead anyway.
The Council had made representations against the changes before they went ahead.
Mayor John Biggs, who had written to TfL’s Surface Transport managing director Leon Daniels when the change was first proposed, said: “I’m disappointed that TfL failed to see sense and fully address our concerns.
“Many people rely on these buses, but cutting back the route means people have fewer interchange options, which particularly hits the elderly and less physically able.
“Shortening the route limits connections which are accessible to passengers.”
TfL had 513 replies from the public, showing 45 per cent opposed and only 38pc in favour, but said it was going ahead with the changes to both the 100 and the 388 services after considering the responses.
The 100 now terminates at a new turn-round next to the Museum of London.
A TfL spokesman revealed: “The results of consultations are just one factor we consider with new schemes. We also look at detailed feedback and the resources we have available.
“We appreciate this means some passengers have to change buses to complete their journey, but it also provides a more reliable service into the City.”
That hasn’t gone down well with regular passengers relying on the 100, like Di Roome from Wapping, who said: “We don’t have many buses as it is, so shortening the 100 makes it harder for people like me to get around as it’s more difficult changing onto other buses.”
The new ‘Hopper Fare’ recently introduced on buses by the Mayor of London means passengers in less accessible areas like Wapping can change from bus to bus without being charged twice, Tower Hamlets council points out. Shortening the 100 route reduces those connections.
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