Petition to Bring TFL London Buses Back to Cheshunt, Borough of Broxbourne:

 

We, the residents of Cheshunt in the Borough of Broxbourne, are deeply concerned about the current lack of Transport for London (TFL) London bus services in our area. This issue has significantly impacted our community, and we believe it is essential to address it promptly.

 

Cheshunt is a bustling town with a diverse population, including families, students, and senior citizens on the fringe of London easily being in the green belt. Historically, Cheshunt had the possibility of being in the Greater London we know & love today. It is worth noting that Sir Edwin Herbert, a prominent figure in our town's history, initially proposed the inclusion of the urban district of Cheshunt within London. While this proposal was not ultimately realized, it underscores the historical significance of Cheshunt as part of the Greater London area.

 

The withdrawal of TFL London buses, including several old bus routes that previously served our area, has created substantial challenges for many residents. Among these routes were the 279, 310, and 317, which provided essential connections to central London, Tottenham, Enfield, Waltham Cross, and beyond. These bus routes were lifelines for our community, facilitating access to employment hubs, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and leisure destinations.

 

Furthermore, delays and inconsistencies in service from non-TFL London buses, such as the 310, 66, and 251, have exacerbated the transportation challenges faced by residents. These delays have made it increasingly difficult for commuters to reach their destinations on time, impacting employment opportunities, educational attainment, and overall quality of life.

 

Moreover, the cost of non-TFL London bus fares is significantly higher compared to TFL London bus fares, as children with a zip card under-16 in London have free transport on buses and people with zip cards outside London only have to pay £0.85 per journey (adults or people without an oyster pay £1.75 per journey) . where as the non- TFL London buses charge £2.00 per journey for everyone even after the inconsistencies & delays. this places an additional financial burden on residents. This discrepancy in fare prices further exacerbates the inequities in access to affordable transportation options for our community.

 

Theres about 20 bus routes in total that go outside the M25.

 

https://www.mylondon.news/news/transport/19-london-bus-routes-take-27423482

 

Some of them go very far out to places like Shenfield, Dorking, Slough etc. Cheshunt in contrast makes a lot more sense.

I can't speak for the other two as I don't know anything about them, but in the case of the 465 to Dorking, that is partly funded by Surrey County Council. If I had to guess, there is likely a similar funding arrangement between the respective county councils and TfL to keep the otber routes open?

 

246 to Westerham (or sometimes chartwell)

405 to redhill

465 to Dorking

81 to slough

298, 313, 626 (yes, this is a school bus, but counting it anyway) to potters bar

217, 279, 317, 327, 491, N279 to waltham cross

498 to Brentwood

608 to shenfield (another school bus)

347 to South Ockendon

370 and 372 to lakeside

96, 428, 492 to bluewater

 

Areas like Cheshunt were always effectively part of London, forming part of the London Transport network long before the M25 or Greater London were devised. Only recently that routes were cut back to Waltham Cross.

There are TfL buses that serve areas much further out than Cheshunt.

 

TfL's services have never been confined to Greater London. Public transport on what are now the fringes of Greater London was always, and in many places is still, well integrated with the rest of London's transport network, with many of these routes long predating Greater London.

 

Cheshunt continued to receive red buses for decades after 1965. Other areas much further out than Cheshunt still continue to receive TfL services.

Cross-border services need to be restored. Yes, the local county councils need to play their part.

 

People do not need the Greater London boundary to serve as a Berlin Wall of buses. In the case of Cheshunt, it should be easy to get to Enfield without changing at Waltham Cross.

 

Hammond Street used to be a terminus for TfL routes from Enfield; these routes have been cut to Waltham Cross. Routes from Enfield terminating in Waltham Abbey were similarly to Waltham Cross

 

In addition to reinstating old bus routes and addressing delays, we urge the relevant authorities to consider adding a new bus route to address the lack of connections between Cheshunt and Chingford. The absence of a direct bus link between these areas has created significant inconvenience for residents and limited access to essential services.

 

Bringing back TFL London buses, including reinstating old bus routes and introducing new ones, would not only address these pressing issues but also promote economic growth and social inclusion. Improved public transportation would attract businesses, stimulate local tourism, and strengthen community ties.

 

We acknowledge the challenges involved in reinstating these old bus routes and adding new ones, but we firmly believe that the benefits far outweigh the obstacles. Therefore, we urge the relevant authorities to consider our petition and work towards reintroducing TFL London buses to Cheshunt, including addressing delays from non-TFL buses and adding new routes, as soon as possible.

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter