On Saturday, 9 May, Transport for London (TfL) implemented unannounced changes to several bus routes serving Ruislip Station. Citing “operational and safety considerations,” TfL has advised that these changes will operate as a “summer trial.”
The changes mean that routes H13 and U10 no longer serve the bus stops directly at Ruislip Station (Stops A and B). Instead, passengers travelling towards Ruislip Lido or Heathfield Rise must use Stop C on the High Street. Passengers travelling towards Northwood Hills or Uxbridge must use Stop D, also on the High Street. Additionally, routes 398 and N118 now start from alternative Stop B on Station Approach.
This yellow poster has appeared at some bus stops in Ruislip
The Ruislip Residents’ Association has significant concerns regarding both the implementation of this trial and its immediate impact on residents:
- Lack of Consultation: There was no prior notification or public consultation regarding these changes.
- Accessibility Impacts: Moving the H13 and U10 to the High Street removes the easiest step-free access for elderly residents and families transferring from the Tube to visit the Lido. This issue was compounded by roadworks immediately outside the station closing the pedestrian crossing. Update: As of Wednesday morning (13 May), contractors appear close to completing the new surface and we are hopeful the pavement and access to the crossing will fully reopen shortly.
- Misleading Information: The live LED countdown screens at the station (Stops A and B) are still displaying the H13 and U10 routes, actively misleading passengers into waiting for buses that will not arrive.
- Poor Signage: The newly designated stops are inadequately prepared. Stop C (outside Wimpy) has completely empty display cases with no timetables, while Stop D features an outdated consultation poster from 2023.
What the RRA is doing
- Seeking GLA Intervention: We have written to our London Assembly Member, Bassam Mahfouz, to ask him to investigate the specific safety and operational data TfL is using to justify this move. We have also asked how TfL intends to measure the success of a trial when no baseline data was gathered from passengers beforehand.
- Contacting TfL Directly: We have written to TfL’s Local Communities & Partnerships team to express our disappointment at the lack of notice, highlighting that the RRA’s newsletter (which reaches over 1,250 local subscribers) and website could have been utilized to properly inform residents beforehand.
- Engaging Local Councillors: We have contacted our five local Ruislip and Ruislip Manor ward councillors to request that they intervene regarding the LED screens and timetable display cases. One ward councillor has already responded, confirming that they received no prior briefing or consultation from TfL regarding these changes.
We will keep residents updated as we receive further responses from our representatives or see practical improvements on the ground.
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