Bus speeds in London have reached their lowest point in years, leading to a decline in passenger numbers, as reported to the London Assembly.
Data from City Hall reveals that the average speed across the city’s bus network decreased to 9.17 mph in 2024-25, compared to 10.27 mph four years prior. In August, the most recent month for which data is available, the average speed was even lower at 9.06 mph.
For the first time since the pandemic, the number of bus passengers fell last year, declining from 1.869 billion journeys to 1.842 billion.
Transport for London (TfL) has stated that its Bus Action Plan aims to improve travel times, proposing the addition of 15.5 miles (25 km) of new bus lanes, the installation of 1,900 traffic signals that prioritize buses, and the operation of 52.8 miles (85 km) of existing lanes around the clock.
During a recent meeting of the assembly’s transport committee, it was highlighted that reduced service speeds and “constant traffic” are diminishing the appeal of bus travel.
Paul Lynch, the managing director of Stagecoach London, noted that conditions have “deteriorated over the last few years” to such an extent that a longtime bus operator he works with described the current situation as the worst he has witnessed in his 40-year career.
He remarked, “The decline in attractiveness and reliability is likely one of the factors contributing to the decrease in bus passengers, coinciding with the drop in bus speeds.”
According to TfL’s most recent Travel in London report, bus journeys have decreased by 1.5% compared to the previous year, despite increases in ridership on the Underground and Elizabeth line.
Michael Roberts, the chief executive of London TravelWatch, informed members that extended journey times lead to lower patronage, which consequently reduces income for TfL.
He explained that slower speeds also elevate operational costs since more buses are necessary to maintain a specific level of service, emphasizing that buses are an efficient use of road space and a decline in ridership is detrimental to London.
“For every 10% drop in journey speeds, demand decreases by 6%,” he stated.
London TravelWatch has projected that for the mayor’s goal of 80% of trips to be made by walking, cycling, or public transport by 2041, bus journeys would need to increase by 40%.
TfL’s analysis indicates that daily bus trips need to rise from 5.1 million to 9 million.
Variability exists among boroughs, with some areas, including the City of London, Camden, and Westminster, experiencing average speeds below 7 mph, whereas Bexley, Hillingdon, and Havering reported average speeds exceeding 11 mph.
