London Bus Speeds Sink to 9.18mph as Annual Ridership Falls to 1.8 Billion

1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 23

London’s bus network averaged 9.18mph in 2025-26, its slowest pace since comparable records began in 2013-14, while annual journeys fell to 1.8 billion in 2024 after topping 2 billion throughout 2010-19.
578 of roughly 700 routes have slowed over the past decade, with congestion, more than 1,000 daily roadworks and reduced road space for buses cited as the main causes.
TfL says the slowdown is feeding unreliability: waits on high-frequency routes now run 22% longer than expected, up from 18% in 2018, and research suggests a 10% speed drop cuts demand by 6%.
The decline also raises costs because slower buses need more vehicles and drivers to maintain service; industry analysis says making buses 10% faster could add £70 million in fares and save £214 million a year.
London’s struggle mirrors a wider global trend, but city officials are betting traffic-signal upgrades, faster roadworks coordination and successful outer-borough Superloop routes can arrest a wider cycle of decline.

Sources

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