It’s quicker to walk than to get the Number 14 bus

One of London’s slowest bus is set to become even slower.

The number 14 bus, which runs from Putney Heath to Russell Square, already travels at a walking pace for parts of its route because of heavy traffic.

But from February 12, Transport for London (TfL) plans to cut the frequency of the service, slowing down the key route to spots such as Putney Bridge Station, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and South Kensington Tube station.

TfL’s bus speed figures show in the four weeks from May 29 to June 26, the average speed on route 14 was just 6.2mph – roughly a medium jogging pace.

At 9am, the new bus service will make even slower progress and is predicted to take an hour and a half to make its eight-mile journey.

Between Russell Square and Green Park, the timetable allows 25 minutes to make the 1.8-mile journey, which means it crawls along at just 4.3mph over this section.

A brisk walking pace is 5mph, meaning it’s quicker to get out and walk than take the No 14 across central London.

Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands said: “It’s a really important route. It’s one of London’s oldest. There are a lot of vulnerable users going to and from the hospital.

“TfL’s decision to reduce the service will make London’s slowest bus route even slower, as more and more passengers cram in.”

The new timetable would mean the bus would run every ten minutes instead of every seven minutes.

Transport for London has been contacted for comment.