• I WAS saddened to read Tomasz Sepetkowski’s October 4 letter about the stealth cuts which have been made to the bus network by Transport for London, (The salami slicing of our bus services must stop, October 4).

I was shocked to read that this cut was made as a result of an online only consultation by TfL as they have been committed in the past to advertising all consultations very widely and allowing responses by post and phone as well as online.

By restricting consultations to online only this effectively disenfranchises those who cannot use the internet as well as anyone, like myself, who does not look at the TfL website regularly. It is something I had been assured would not happen.

Sadiq Khan’s London plan, published last year, proposed major cuts to all the bus services in central London which would adversely affect hundreds of thousands of people like myself who rely on the bus network totally to get around the city. I no longer have a car and I cannot use most of the tube network because of my disability. So buses are my lifeline.

Cuts to the bus network have been partly justified by the start of the Elizabeth line, now scheduled for next autumn. This will be of no help to me as the nearest stations would need a bus journey to get to them even if access is possible when I get there.

This is an east – west line which will not provide the access to people in the north of the city which is used as part of the explanation for major cuts to the buses in London.

Many people find using the tube difficult or impossible, for example, the elderly, people with mobility issues, parents with young children in pushchairs, people with large amounts of shopping or luggage etc. We are also unable to cycle or walk long distances so our only option would be to use cars, taxis or minicabs.

Apart from the increased costs, which many would be unable to afford, this would add to the number of vehicles on our roads at a time when it is a stated aim of the mayor to improve air quality and cut pollution. Cutting the bus network will do the exact reverse.

The other justification for reducing buses is that fewer people are now using them. The buses using Oxford Street have already been cut by almost 50 per cent which must reduce revenues but it is worth noting that while bus revenues are down on last year by £21million they are up on budget by £17million.

At the same time tube revenues are down by £37million on the previous year and £121million below budget (not including any figures for the Elizabeth line, as it was not due to start until December).

TfL say the decline in the use of both buses and tube services was due to “a decline in off-peak leisure trips”, while rush hour services were as crowded as ever. Major cuts to the bus network will affect many people very badly.

This could lead to more loneliness and isolation where people are unable to get about as much as they are able to do now and ignores the very real problems which will be caused for them.

Like the previous correspondent I would ask local MPs, GLA members, amenity societies and pressure groups to respond to the consultation paper when it is published later this year. And to oppose the cuts vigorously.

SUSAN KAYE
Grove End Road, NW8