Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it will restructure bus routes 19 and 38 from November 2026, alongside introducing a new route 10, despite significant public opposition. The changes follow a consultation where a majority of respondents rejected the proposals, with 64% of route 19 users and 72% of route 38 users stating the changes would make their trips less convenient.
Details of the Changes
Route 19, currently running between Finsbury Park and Battersea Bridge, will divert at Hyde Park Corner and terminate at Victoria instead. Early morning Sunday services will become more frequent, running every 12 minutes. Route 38, which runs between Clapton and Victoria, will now terminate at New Oxford Street in Holborn, with its Saturday frequency halved from every 5 minutes to every 10 minutes. Services on Sundays, early mornings, and evenings will also be reduced to every 10 minutes.
A new route 10 will be introduced to maintain capacity between Essex Road and Holborn and preserve direct links between Battersea Bridge and Central London. Following feedback, its terminus was extended from Mildmay Park to Newington Green on the Hackney-Islington border due to space concerns.
Opposition from Councils and MP
Islington Council and Westminster City Council opposed the plans, warning that elderly, vulnerable, and low-income residents would be disproportionately affected. Hackney South & Shoreditch MP Dame Meg Hillier argued that buses are a “de facto Tube network” for Hackney residents, who lack convenient London Underground access. She urged TfL to address congestion from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and cycle lanes instead of cutting the 38 route’s service to Victoria.
Camden Council broadly welcomed the strategy but raised concerns about the 38 bus terminus on New Oxford Street potentially overloading Bury Place and interfering with its £40m Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project.
TfL’s Response and Amendments
In response to concerns about lost early morning and late evening direct services from Hackney to Victoria, TfL extended the N38 night bus service to start an hour earlier and finish an hour later all week. TfL stated it will keep all changes under review and conduct passenger loading surveys after implementation.
