TfL headquarters in Waterloo taken over by protesters
The Transport for London (TfL) headquarters in Waterloo has been taken over by protesters today after proposals to cut bus routes in the city.
Protesters from the Unite Union gathered at Camberwell bus garage and then marched to the offices in Blackfriars Road.
The headquarters of @TfL has been taken over by bus workers and supporters opposing plans to make huge cuts to London’s bus routes. pic.twitter.com/4gRaLeaak4
— Shelly Asquith (@ShellyAsquith) August 3, 2022
TfL is currently holding a public consultation on plans to cut 16 bus routes and change 78 more to make savings.
Unite’s lead for bus services, John Murphy, said: “London bus workers met in Waterloo today to demonstrate against these proposed cuts. They marched to TfL offices to make sure that they are being listened to. This action was supported by people from all sorts of groups, who depend on London buses.
“The people of London depend on a good properly funded and supported transport network, especially with the escalating cost of fuel.
“These people and the bus workers, who we all applauded through covid, need to be given proper consideration, rather than used as a political football.”
TfL have been locked in a funding dispute with the Government since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and have needed emergency funding many times as neither can agree a long-term funding deal.
Shelly Asquith, one of the protesters, said 25 per cent of all cuts being made affect Southwark.
She said: “I rely on buses to get around, as do thousands of others who don’t drive, especially disabled and elderly people and those on the lowest incomes.
“The Government talks about using green transport, and limiting car use, and then hits people with massive cuts to public transport. We have no option but to fight it.”
The first routes are expected to be axed by the end of the year, with all 16 gone by the end of 2023. The move could see hundreds of drivers displaced across the city.
TfL said the proposed cuts to bus services will lead to savings of £35m per year. The consultation period on the proposals has been extended by almost a month to August 7.
TfL is required to make savings of £730m per year to achieve financial sustainability, according to the Government’s bailout terms.
Tfl has been approached for comment.
Picture top: Protesters at TfL headquarters (Picture: Shelly Asquith)