Meg's Hackney Gazette Column: Act now to save Hackney's vital 38 bus route

Hackney knows the value of a good bus route. First introduced 100 years ago, the 38 bus has been a lifeline for generations – sometimes nicknamed the ‘Hackney tube’ – carrying everyone from Dalston, Hackney Central, and Clapton through the heart of London to Victoria. And many of us remember the singing bus conductor, Duke Baysee, bringing a musical interlude to our commute.

The 38 bus is indispensable. And that’s why I can’t support Transport for London’s proposal to cut short the route so it terminates at Holborn.

As well as Victoria, it links Hackney directly to Green Park, Covent Garden, and Hyde Park – some of the most iconic and vibrant hubs of our capital. It is the bus that gets care workers to early shifts, retail workers into the West End, and theatre-goers safely home. And it provides a direct route with minimal fuss for families wanting a day out in central London. For many, it is the difference between a straightforward journey and a long multi-change slog.

Hackney is not connected directly to the Underground (although we do love our Overground stations on the Mildmay, Weaver, and Windrush lines). But the easiest and fuss-free way into central London is the bus. And for some, buses are their Underground. The 38 bus, in particular, is a workhorse route stitching Hackney into the life of central London. Shortening it might look neat on a spreadsheet but on the ground it means more changes, more waiting, and more hassle – especially for those least able to absorb it.

For those struggling to make ends meet, buses are not a luxury. They are the cheapest form of public transport. The option people rely on when every pound matters. It is why the Mayor of London’s fare freeze for buses this year is so welcome. But cutting back this key is the wrong direction of travel. 

Fortunately these are only proposals for now and the consultation is still open so you can have your say. I’m urging everyone that has ever used the 38, or whose friends or family members rely on it, to feed into the consultation. But please hurry, you only have until Friday 23 January to respond. For further details and to feed in your views, visit https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/bus-routes-19-38 or type into any search engine ‘TfL route 38 bus consultation’.

Let TfL know that Hackney’s tube should not be cut off at Holborn.