This was started by John Smith, a resident in Thamesmead.

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The introduction of the SL11 bus route has severely impacted the daily commute of many residents from North Greenwich to Abbey Wood. The SL11 has replaced the reliable daytime schedule of the old 472 bus route. Transport for London (TfL) has ramped up the frequency of the SL11, which now runs every six minutes during peak weekday and Saturday hours. However, this frequent service is unnecessary and inefficient, as the buses often travel nearly empty, creating a wasteful sight of back-to-back double-decker buses with almost no passengers.

The displacement of the 472 has significantly affected the accessibility and convenience formerly enjoyed by the community along the North Greenwich to Abbey Wood corridor. The 472 provided a vital link that catered more closely to the actual needs and schedules of residents. Many feel stranded or inconvenienced due to the current SL11 configuration, which does not align with the commuting patterns and preferences of the local population.

Statistics and on-ground observations have shown that the 472 was a more suitable option for the area. While the SL11 might have been introduced with the intent of improving transport services, the actual result has been a surplus of buses where they are not needed and a deficiency where they truly are. The 472 was designed based on years of feedback and practical use by the local community, something the new SL11 has failed to consider adequately.

This petition calls upon TfL to listen to the voices of the North Greenwich and Abbey Wood residents and re-evaluate their decision to replace the 472 with the SL11. Reinstating the 472 would not only make transportation more efficient and practical but also address the needs of the residents, who rely on public transport for their daily lives.

These buses might be slower than the express SL11, but they are actually used by local residents because they do not skip 25 stops:

1. Route 161 (North Greenwich to Chislehurst): If you are heading from North Greenwich toward Woolwich, this is a massive commuter workhorse. It covers the same ground down Woolwich Road but stops everywhere, meaning it stays consistently packed with local shoppers and schoolchildren.
2. Route 177 (Thamesmead to Peckham): This is the lifeline for Thamesmead and Plumstead residents. It runs parallel to the SL11’s eastern stretch and is notoriously busy because it serves the high-density residential streets that the Superloop now flies right past.
3. Route 180 (Erith to North Greenwich): This route connects Erith, Abbey Wood, and Thamesmead directly to North Greenwich. It tracks almost the exact same start-and-end footprint as the SL11 but handles the massive local foot traffic by serving all the standard street stops.
4. Route 244 (Abbey Wood to Queen Elizabeth Hospital): The 244 serves a crucial role connecting Abbey Wood Station through Thamesmead up to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It captures all the local foot traffic that the express SL11 completely ignores. Because it stops frequently at the exact spots the SL11 skips, it handles a far more consistent stream of local daily commuters.
5. Route 301 (Woolwich to Bexleyheath):  The 301 is a vital link through the high-density residential areas of Thamesmead and Plumstead. Since the SL11 now flies right past many local streets, residents heavily rely on the 301 for localized school runs, shopping trips, and getting to Woolwich Station for the Elizabeth line.

It is completely unfair to local commuters. Anyone watching local transport can see this is the exact reason why the SL11 rollout faced such fierce local opposition, which most don't notice. By axing the daytime (and 24hr) 472 and replacing it with an express Superloop, TfL essentially stripped away a massive amount of local, everyday capacity. They expected routes like the 177 and 161 to simply absorb those passengers, but instead, it has created a miserable, overcrowded bottleneck for regular commuters.

While the SL11 double-deckers drive past half-empty every 6 minutes, the people trying to make normal, everyday trips are paying the price:

• The Route 177 Nightmare: This route was already a critical lifeline for Thamesmead and Plumstead. Pushing the old 472's local passengers onto the 177 has pushed it past breaking point, leading to packed buses where people are regularly left stranded at the pavement during school hours and rush hour.
• The Route 161 Squeeze: Because the 161 covers the vital Woolwich Road corridor to North Greenwich, it is now bearing the brunt of everyone who needs to get to the Jubilee line but doesn't live right next to one of the SL11's few designated express hubs.

It is a classic example of a transport authority prioritising "express" statistics over actual community needs.

Residents are calling on Transport for London (TfL) to reinstate the 472 bus route and review the SL11 express service, citing significant overcrowding on local routes 177 and 161. The petition argues that the SL11 skips 25 local stops and runs empty, failing to meet the community's commuting needs between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood.

By signing this petition, you support the return of a bus service that accurately reflects the community's needs and usage patterns. Let’s bring back the sensible and community-oriented 472 bus route for better accessibility and efficiency. Join us in urging TfL to make the necessary changes that will positively impact the daily commute of many. Sign this petition to make our voices heard and to bring back the 472!