Greenwich Council is set to lobby Transport for London (TfL) over concerns regarding recent bus route cuts and timetable changes that are impacting residents across the borough.
The decision to lobby TfL was made during a Council meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The motion, proposed by Councillors Charlie Davis, Matt Hartley, Roger Tester, and Pat Greenwell, highlighted specific concerns over reductions in frequency for routes including the 178, 291, 386, and 486, all of which serve Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Additionally, the 51 bus route from Woolwich has also seen its frequency reduced.
The motion further expressed concern over proposed further reductions to the 286 route, which connects Greenwich Town Centre to Eltham and serves as a vital link between the north and south of the borough, as well as providing a direct connection to Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup.
Council members believe these changes negatively impact residents, particularly vulnerable individuals who rely on these routes for hospital visits. They also noted that the reductions make it more difficult to achieve the council's strategic objective of increasing north-south transport connections and encouraging active travel.
The Council resolved to write to the Mayor of London and the Deputy Mayor for Transport requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the recent bus timetable changes and the perceived lack of communication from TfL. They also plan to request that TfL appear before the Council's Transport Scrutiny Committee to discuss the impact of these changes on residents. Furthermore, the Council will publicly lobby against and oppose any attempts to reduce the frequency of the 286 bus route and will bring forward detailed plans for routes of strategic importance within the borough that require additional frequency or new services.
