Andrew Dismore

Local London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore AM has raised problems  with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s office about the  lack of capacity on school bus routes in Barnet. Due to restrictions in the number of passengers allowed on the 606 bus between Queensbury and the Totteridge Academy, students were not able to get on board.

The removal of the 611 bus from Stonegrove to East Finchley has also left pupils at Bishop Douglass  School unable to access the 112 and 232 bus, which are often at capacity by the time they get to the bus stop on the North Circular near East End Road.

London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore said:

“The Mayor’s office have told me TfL were expecting problems as schools went back, as TfL were not sure what to expect, post lockdown. After my intervention, a TfL monitoring team went to observe the 606 route at the Totteridge Academy last Wednesday. They reported that all students were now able to board a bus. They spoke to the school who will ensure a teacher is there at the bus stop, also to make sure face coverings are worn. TfL have asked the school to tell them direct if there are problems so they can deal with them promptly; and they will try to get to the bottom of what went wrong.

“On the 611, I am expecting a response shortly-  TfL will investigate and report back on what can be done if problems haven’t resolved.”

Anne Clarke, Labour candidate for Barnet and Camden in the London Assembly Elections next year added:

“It is really important that TfL get school bus services right. Parents are already uncertain and worried about sending their children back to school with COVID still around, and children not being able to board  over capacity buses is a worry they just don’t need.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

• Andrew Dismore is the London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden.
• Anne Clarke is the Labour candidate for Barnet and Camden at the London Assembly Elections in 2021