Transport for London726 bus route could have the X factor
A new express service, 'X26', could be introduced to improve the reliability of the 726 bus route and speed up journeys from south London to Heathrow. Transport for London (TfL) is consulting on proposals for the new service which would run between Heathrow Airport and East Croydon, stopping at Hatton Cross, Kingston, New Malden, Sutton, Wallington Green and West Croydon only.
The route currently suffers from substantial delays, largely due to its length. TfL is therefore considering measures to improve services for passengers along the busiest part of the current route.
This would involve a shortening of the 726 and converting the route to a limited stop express service, meeting the demand for a faster service to Heathrow and improving orbital links between major town centres in south west London.
Clare Kavanagh, TfL Direct of Performance, Surface Transport, said:
'We want to provide a fast and high quality service that our customers can rely on, providing valuable links between the busiest town centres along the route and to Heathrow Airport. The existing 726 service is all too often unreliable, largely due to the route's length.'
Comments about the proposal should be returned by 7January 2005. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, it is proposed to introduce the service in Spring 2005.
TfL has made improvements to existing services that cover the current 726 corridor. The high frequency and fully accessible routes below are an alternative for those requiring intermediate points not served by the X26 proposals.
| Route | Between | Basic frequency | Approx Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 285 | Heathrow - Kingston Heathrow - Kingston | 10 mins 30 mins night | 65 mins 50 mins |
| 213 N213 | Kingston - Sutton Kingston - Sutton - Croydon | 10 mins 30 mins | 50 mins 30 mins to Sutton 60 mins to Croydon |
| 407 | Sutton - Croydon | 15 mins | 33 mins |
| 154 | Sutton - Croydon (via Roundshaw) | 12 mins | 40 mins 30 mins (N213) |
| Tram | Croydon - Beckenham | 10 mins | 20 mins |
| 367 | Croydon - Beckenham - Bromley | 20 mins | 30 mins to Beckh'm 54 mins to Bromley |
| 227 | Beckenham - Bromley | 8 mins | 13 mins |
| 119 | Croydon - Bromley (via West Wickham) | 10 mins 30 mins night | 35 mins 30 mins |
