Forum Topic

Bus route from Hammersmith to Heathrow

I have raised this problem with the TFL for several years without any real response, I recently tried again.QuoteTalking of which, as an elderly person relying on Public Transport, I have for several years requested TFL to look into the possibility of extending the Number 9 bus route to a 24 hour service and extend it to Heathrow all the time. This would assist people on the Hammersmith, Chiswick, Brentford, and Isleworth corridor to enable them to get to the airport without the hassle of struggling to access the Piccadilly line, with heavy baggage, which does not have any escalator SERVICE FROM STREET LEVEL AT MOST OF THEIR STATIONS.UnquoteI also said that with the increase in accommodation coming on-line in this corridor during the next year or two there would be a terrible short fall in the ability to travel on the existing bus service.Their first response was totally negative and I pursued the matter further on the telephone. I have now received their latest response and it would appear that if they get enough people raising the problem they may address it again, so please help in getting this thing rolling by supporting this initiative and  writing TFL or call their hot line at 03432221234.Their recent reply to me is: Our ref:Date:1014037866/43947744-Jun-14 TfL Customer Services4th Floor14 Pier WalkLondon SEI 0 OESwww.tfl.gov.ukDear Captain WeaverThank you for your further correspondence with us on 19 May regarding busservices from Hounslow to Heathrow.I appreciate your comments regarding the current bus routes causingdifficulties for those less able who wish to make this journey. Therefore yourcomments have been passed on for evaluation and future consideration.However any changes that could be potentially made will only be considered ifthere is considerable demand for this.Should you have any further comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.Alternatively our call centre can be reached on the low cost number 0343 2221234. Signed by Emma Bradley, Customer Services Advisor. TFL Customer ServicesSo please guys get on the phone send those emails and see if we can make some progress.

Philip Weaver ● 4373d6 Comments

Paul. Thanks, but the whole essence of this  posting from the beginning was to serve the densely populated route from Hammersmith -Chiwwick-Brentford-Isleworth-Hounslow corridor. The solution to put the 237 to Hounslow west would solve both problems by giving the elderly, those travelling with Children and heavy baggage an alternate to what is currently available as discussed,.The Chiswick forum under same subject heading came up with what I believe could be the answer  QUOTE Alternatively I would suggest to TfL that they divert route 237 at Hounslow 'Bell' to run to Hounslow West Station instead of Hounslow Heath thereby providing direct interchange with the Piccadilly Line and avoiding the walk between Hounslow Bus Station and Hounslow East Station. Could even be a financially neutral option and therefore much cheaper than a brand new route which would duplicate existing bus services and which TfL would never have the money to fund in the current circumstances. Unquote.Hope this now makes sense.

Philip Weaver ● 4368d

The old 91 bus used to terminate at Heathrow Airport. Now renumbered the H91 it stops at Hounslow West, why cant that service be extended back to Heathrow?

Paul Allen ● 4369d

Hi Philippa.Thanks for the input, it looks a very interesting site,and had I not already been direct to TFL and our MP, it would have been an avenue to follow. Maybe if after pursuing this also with Hounslow Council and still getting no results, will have a go on that route.The important thing is to get support from you directly to the TFL as per the first post. Many Thanks

Philip Weaver ● 4370d

Have you seen this website:  www.fixmytransport.comIt is another way of drawing attention to this.

Philippa Bond ● 4371d

Hi Raymond,WOW what a terribly bleak picture you paint of Democracy in action. I am very sad to read your take on the problem. But if they can extend the 235 into GWQ to cope with just those residents then I am sure, hopefully, they could do the same for the elderly,children etc on the HCBIHc. Please have a look in the Chiswick Forum, under a similar subject heading, where I tried to interest those in Chiswick of the problem. In there the positive input has now been acted upon and hopefully, we might get what we really need.

Philip Weaver ● 4371d

Sadly you are completely wasting your time.TfL operate to an agenda and the whole thing of "listening to passengers or customers" is a complete charade.Even local authorities get short shrift.It makes perfect sense to have a limited stop service from Hammersmith to Heathrow or at least to Hatton Cross connecting with the free services to terminals and into the main airport terminals during small hours.Rather like the 607 with stops just at other bus route and key interchanges and locations en route.It would be vulnerable to traffic delays during the day time especially London Bound. But it would be useful. Especially as the 237 is almost always full all day and weekends , The 267 much busier and the 65 busy and delay vulnerable.With the local population almost doubling in less than 7 years it's only a third of the way to that figure and already the cracks are showing.But the present way TfL is run is almost contempt for ordinary passengers.Only politically funded disability groups get any sort of say and that's tokenism for what they consider good PR.As an example TfL conducted a public consultation on whether to end the heritage Routemaster service on part of Route 9. No publicity but those who did participate totalled 83% against.  None of the strong rational and researched mitigations were even considered in the report. Especially to the huge invisible income that these buses generate indirectly through tourism, much as telephone boxes do. However, the Routemaster bus is still a very useful bus and far from outmoded in this city's streets.Before the consultation was even issued, crews had been informed of the termination and TfLs own chief gave the end of operation date in his blog!85%  is a far higher percentage than they had for the extension of tube hours which had huge blanket publicity.But it is simply a pure sham and simply underlines the lack of democracy in this public body.

Raymond Havelock ● 4372d