My name is  Manuela Cardoso and like many residents of North London, the recent alteration of the 279 bus route has deeply affected me. Since the change, my commutes to critical appointments, including several medical visits, have been significantly delayed. The rerouting has added unnecessary stress to an already hectic life.

The exclusion of the 279 from its usual path forcing commuters to rely solely on the overcrowded 259, especially via Manor House station, has created chaos. Commuters are experiencing severe delays and excessive waiting times, which in turn affects punctuality for work, educational commitments, and other essential activities. The 259 alone cannot accommodate the volume of passengers, leading to cramped conditions and increased stress levels for all individuals involved.

Manor House station is an essential hub for many in our community, facilitating access to jobs, schools, hospitals, and day-to-day activities. A single bus route is insufficient to meet these demands effectively. In a city as vibrant and bustling as London, public transport should be convenient and reliable, ensuring that everyone can reach their destinations efficiently and without unnecessary hindrance.

Restoring the 279 bus route via Manor House will alleviate this commuting crisis. It will provide much-needed relief to the current overburdened system and ensure that commuters can travel in a manner that is viable and sustainable once more.

We propose that Transport for London (TfL) consider reinstating this route promptly to restore the vital link that Manor House station provides. This change will improve the quality of life for thousands of Londoners who rely on dependable public transit every day. Moreover, such a restoration aligns with TfL’s mission to provide an “affordable and sustainable transport network for London."

“TfL’s own consultation on the 259/279/349 changes recorded very strong local opposition to losing direct access via Manor House: 75% of respondents expected a negative personal impact from the 279 reroute, and ‘losing direct link to Seven Sisters Road/Manor House on 279’ was a top coded concern (65 mentions). 

Respondents also repeatedly flagged overcrowding and insufficient capacity on key routes (132 mentions of routes already overcrowded/infrequent; 127 of general capacity shortfalls) and highlighted impacts on disabled, elderly, low‑income and other vulnerable users (156 mentions). Since the changes have now been implemented, the most practical way to address these documented problems is to increase the frequency and capacity of route 259 via Manor House, so it can reliably absorb the displaced demand, reduce waiting times and crushing at stops, and maintain access to jobs, schools and medical appointments for thousands of North London residents. ”

By bringing back the 279 route, we can help ease overcrowding, reduce delays, and ensure our community can keep functioning efficiently. Your support is crucial in making this change happen. Please sign this petition to urge TfL to take immediate action and restore the 279 bus route via Manor House station. Thank you for your support.