Bus passengers across south east London could see major changes to their journeys under a series of Transport for London consultations — including one route facing the axe entirely.
TfL has opened public consultations on several bus network changes affecting south London, with proposals ranging from route withdrawals and extensions to Superloop diversions and street improvements.
Route 415 facing withdrawal
The most dramatic proposal concerns Route 415, which runs between Old Kent Road (Tesco) and Tulse Hill Station. TfL is proposing to withdraw the route entirely, saying passenger numbers have fallen since the pandemic.
If the withdrawal goes ahead, some passengers would lose direct journeys and may need to change buses — including for trips between Old Kent Road, Oval, Brixton and Tulse Hill.
Route 333 extension
Route 333, which currently runs between Tooting Broadway Station and Elephant & Castle, would be extended to Old Kent Road (Tesco) — taking over the section currently served by the 415. TfL says this would create new direct links between Old Kent Road and Stockwell, Streatham and Tooting.
The consultation on the 415 and 333 changes closes on Sunday, 15 November 2026, with responses invited via TfL’s Have Your Say website.
Superloop SL4 reroute
The SL4 Superloop service between Grove Park and Canary Wharf would be rerouted through Wood Wharf at the Canary Wharf end as part of TfL’s Isle of Dogs bus restructure plans. That consultation closes on Monday, 16 November 2026.
Wandsworth improvements
Route 37 between Putney Heath and Peckham would see no route change, but TfL says the Wandsworth Town Centre improvement scheme could make westbound journeys through Wandsworth two to four minutes faster in the morning peak. The wider plans include bus lanes, bus stop improvements and road layout changes. Consultation closes Friday, 6 November 2026.
Have your say
Bus network changes often provoke strong reactions from regular passengers, particularly where direct journeys are lost. TfL says falling passenger numbers since the pandemic are behind the 415 proposal, but critics of bus cuts argue that withdrawing services risks pushing more people into cars.
The 415 has served the Old Kent Road corridor for years, connecting shoppers at the Tesco superstore with communities along the route through Oval and Brixton to Tulse Hill. For elderly passengers and those with mobility issues, the loss of a direct bus can mean the difference between an independent trip and staying home.
Superloop’s growing network
The SL4 is part of TfL’s Superloop network of express bus routes, designed to provide faster orbital journeys around outer London. The proposed diversion through Wood Wharf reflects the rapid development of the Isle of Dogs area, where new residential towers have brought thousands of new residents.
Superloop routes have generally been well received, with TfL reporting strong passenger numbers on the express services. The Isle of Dogs restructure aims to better match bus provision to where people actually live and work.
Wandsworth town centre
The Wandsworth Town Centre scheme affecting Route 37 is part of a wider programme of street improvements. Bus priority measures — including dedicated lanes and improved stops — are designed to make bus journeys more reliable, though they often involve trade-offs with general traffic and parking.
A two-to-four-minute saving in the morning peak may sound modest, but across thousands of daily journeys it adds up to significant time savings for commuters.
South Londoners who use these routes have until mid-November to make their views known. The consultations are open now on TfL’s Have Your Say platform.
For more on London’s transport network, see our coverage of the Rotherhithe Tunnel closure and the Loampit Hill crash.
