Sadiq Khan Gives Hope On 533 Bus Service
Instructs Deputy Mayor to have meeting to look at reinstating stops
Bus route 533. Picture: YouTube
Bus users on the 533 route have renewed hope that the three stops along the A316 in Chiswick may be restored after a recent Mayor’s Question Time at the London Assembly.
The issue was raised by local Assembly Member Nick Rogers. He told the Mayor, “At the heart of this issue really is engagement. It’s about engagement with the community. On Monday at his confirmation hearing your new Deputy Mayor for Transport told me that he thinks it’s essential to engage with local residents and I absolutely agree with him. So many local residents in Chiswick appreciate those stops on the 533 and I’m sure you’ll be aware there’s quite a sensitive discussion at the moment in that part of London about transport and public transport and getting people out of their cars which is something we want to encourage. They would very much like those stops reinstated and they feel that TfL made in mistake in withdrawing them.
“So, my request to you would be, perhaps through Seb Dance, whether you could meet or Seb could meet with some of those residents, so they could outline their position and perhaps ask if TfL could reconsider?”
A previous request made by Nick Rogers, local councillors, Chiswick House staff, Chiswick School pupils and parents to the former Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander, was rejected but the Mayor’s response suggested the possibility of a rethink.
Sadiq Khan responded to Mr Rogers’ question by saying, “I’m well aware that you know that patch far better than I do but also, that the briefing I have is written by people who may not know as well as you do either. So although my briefing says there are very good reasons why the 533 can’t stop at all stops on the route, I respect your knowledge of the area. Can I instruct my Deputy Mayor to meet with you? See if there is a way through this, in relation to meeting the wishes of your constituents. But also you make a powerful point, I can’t on the one hand encourage them to leave their cars at home and, on the other hand, when there is a bus and there is a potential way of helping your constituents not drive their cars, not do what I can to help. So, ignoring my civil servant’s advice can I suggest Chair, the Deputy Mayor for Transport meets with Nick and sees if there’s a solution to try and address the very good points you’re raising to me.”
I’ve had dozens of constituents contact me disappointed at TfL’s removal of the Chiswick stops on the 533 bus route. After much back-and-forth with TfL, I challenged the Mayor about this at Mayor’s Question Time. pic.twitter.com/YSGTTvKfuU
— Nick Rogers AM (@NJROnline) January 25, 2022
Transport for London (TfL) has previously argued that the service needs to run on an express basis from Hammersmith Bridge Road to Mortlake Cemetery because it is primarily intended to cater to people inconvenienced by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge. It is added that 533 bus users have the option of using the 190 bus which duplicates the route of the 533 at this point.
TfL has reduced the regularity of the 533 service which now running every 15 minutes at all times instead of every 10 at peak times and every 12 minutes off peak. It says that this was due to a reduction in demand after Hammersmith Bridge reopened to pedestrians and cyclists.
Despite this it has been decided to continue running the service non-stop between Mortlake and Hammersmith. The explanation was that it was necessary to ensure a quick and reliable service for passengers wanting to travel between Barnes and Hammersmith for passengers who could not easily walk or cycle across the bridge.
Nick Rogers said, "I’m delighted that we’ve now been able to secure a meeting with the Deputy Mayor in order to look at reinstating the Chiswick stops. I’ll continue to work with local residents and local Chiswick councillors to ensure we have a public transport network in Chiswick that works for the community.”
Local councillor John Todd says that any contributions of evidence on how valuable the stops were to local people would be appreciated and can be sent to john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk.
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January 30, 2022
