The new Route 6 is to start in late 2027 [Metroline 6 VWH2371 wikimedia (CC 0 1.0 Universal)]

AFTER more than 30 years of privatisation, one of Westminster’s most popular bus routes is being brought back under public control.

Metroline’s Number 6 – which runs from Kensal Rise down Edgware Road to Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner and down to Victoria station – is the first of the capital’s routes to be “renationalised”. Transport for London’s Buses for London, which will operate out of a depot in Park Royal in west London, was set up to break the stranglehold of profit-making companies on publicly-funded transport services.

Eight private operators currently run all buses on more than 700 routes across the capital, but City Hall is still has to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Union leaders, who have been campaigning against poor conditions for drivers, say the Mayor of London can go further and bring the entire network back into public ownership.

Unite national officer for passenger transport Wayne King said: “Unite has been heavily involved in the plans for Buses for London and we have long backed public ownership of bus services.

“This is only the beginning. We’re determined to make sure Buses for London is a success, capable of winning more routes and growing its network. We also expect it to lead the way in workers’ pay, terms and conditions and treatment and will hold TfL and the mayor to account on this. While this is an important step forward for London’s bus network, there are still issues in London buses generally that need to be resolved. We will not stop until all our members are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve for keeping the capital moving.”

Unite says that City Hall spends almost £1.2billion a year subsidising the fleets due to people turning their backs on the privatised bus service in recent years. Slower speeds of buses have led to a decline in passenger numbers while many people are choosing to cycle instead.

TfL said: “Route 6 will become the first service to operate as part of ‘Buses for London’ from late 2027…”

Passenger groups have questioned whether the new publicly-run service will improve speeds and reliability.

Confederation of Passenger Transport UK chief executive Graham Vidler said the priority should be improving journey speeds and reliability rather than establishing a new public operator.

He said: “Passengers don’t need a new public bus operator. They need faster, more reliable, journeys and investment should be made where passengers will actually feel the difference: tackling congestion, giving buses priority, and getting London moving.

“Regardless of who operates the service, buses typically travel at just 9mph in London, slower than the average cyclist. Nothing in the announcement will tackle this chronic issue and get Londoners to their destinations more quickly.

“Tackling unplanned, uncoordinated streetworks and giving buses priority at junctions is essential for improving passenger journeys.

“Making buses 10 per cent faster in London would improve the lives of all those who rely on them, increase passenger numbers and unlock around £284million for investment in better services.”

Mayor Sir Sadiq, Lord Khan said: “This is an opportunity to reimagine our bus network so that it provides better value for money, supports our climate goals, makes our roads safer, and overall just works better for passengers and drivers alike.”