218 and 306 will be in service by the end of the year

Transport for London (TfL) have announced that two bus routes serving the Acton area will be launched before the end of the year.

The 218 will commence operation on 7 December 2using single decker buses operated by Tower Transit. It would run every 10 minutes during Monday to Saturday day time, and every 15 minutes during Sundays and all evenings using single-deck buses. It would follow the existing alignment of route 440 between North Acton, Gypsy Corner and Acton High Street via West Acton. It would then follow the existing alignment of route 266 between Acton High Street and Hammersmith via Askew Road.

Route 306 also is due to start operation in December and would run between Acton Vale, Bromyard Avenue and Fulham, Sand’s End running every 12 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime and every 15 minutes during Sunday and all evenings using double-deck vehicles. It would follow the existing alignment of route 266 between Acton Vale and Hammersmith Bus Station via Askew Road. It would then follow the existing alignment of route 391 between Hammersmith town centre and Fulham, Sand’s End.

TfL say these new routes are part of a major programme of improvements to outer London bus services in what they describe as the biggest investment in over a decade. Alongside the 218 and 306, TfL intends to introduce five new routes in outer London before the end of the year.

The new routes aim to help achieve the Mayor’s ambition of 80 per cent of trips made by bicycle, on foot or by public transport by 2041.

Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “This boost to outer London routes, together with more frequent, direct services, is all part of the Mayor’s commitment to provide a good public transport experience for all Londoners.”

Reallocating resources from central London can take time, so the Mayor says he is providing additional funding from London's business rates to speed up investment in outer London.

September 11, 2019