S4 bus route in Sutton to add four extra weekday journeys

Transport for London (TfL) will introduce four additional weekday journeys on the S4 bus route, which serves passengers travelling between Waddon Marsh and Sutton. The enhanced service is scheduled to begin on November 1, following the autumn half-term break. These extra trips are designed to alleviate pressure on services during peak hours, specifically to support schoolchildren.

The decision follows months of passenger concerns regarding overcrowding and inconsistent service reliability. These issues intensified after TfL reduced daytime frequencies last year, extending the waiting time between buses from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. Residents reported that schoolchildren, elderly passengers, and other vulnerable individuals faced extended waits, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

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Sutton MP Bobby Dean led a campaign advocating for the reinstatement of services, gathering over 400 signatures on a petition. He stated that the previous service reductions caused significant frustration for children travelling to and from school, with many being unable to board overcrowded buses. Local schools, including Oaks Park High School, also reported pupils experiencing considerable delays.

In response to the concerns, TfL's Local Communities and Partnerships team met with the borough and the Partnership of Sutton Secondary Schools to assess capacity shortfalls. The transport authority also conducted roadside and on-bus surveys during school hours to gauge passenger numbers on the S4 route. These surveys confirmed the necessity for increased capacity to accommodate student travel.

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TfL acknowledged in correspondence with Mr Dean that mechanical issues had contributed to the overcrowding experienced on the route. However, the authority stated that no broader capacity problems were identified at other times of the day. TfL has committed to ongoing monitoring of the S4's performance to ensure a dependable service for its passengers.