Call for 603 bus route extension outside Highgate schools

Parents want Transport for London (TfL) to change the timetable of the 603 bus, which stops outside Highgate and Channing schools.

The bus currently only runs twice in the morning, arriving in Highgate Village at 7.45am and 8.05am, and twice in the afternoon at 4.36pm and 4.46pm "allowing time for pupils to reach the bus stop following the end of the school day" TfL said. 

Groups want the service to "better match the start and finish times of the schools along its route". 

They argue it would help reduce traffic, congestion, and muggings.

Last month the Ham&High reported that Highgate School had issued a warning to parents after pupils were threatened with a knife in one of a spate of muggings.

"The current 603 bus might have helped to prevent some of the muggings," parent Christine Mckenzie said.

"If it passed school around 4.15pm instead of at 3.45pm when Highgate is still in school and if it arrived at Highgate school before 8.30am [it would be better] - it currently arrives there a half hour after school starts.

"The bus stops directly outside Highgate School – so it is really shocking that it doesn’t come when the students can use it."

More 603 buses may reduce muggings outside Highgate schools (Image: Green School Runs)

Mum-of-three Alessandra Giuliani, who is part of campaign group Green School Runs, said: "This is an area with an extremely high density of schools and we believe the 603 bus could be a great option for hundreds of children and school staff to get to their school every day.

"It provides a vital link between Muswell Hill, Highgate, Hampstead, Belsize Park and Swiss Cottage, but at times that don't coincide with the school run."

The group of parents are concerned about the air pollution caused by traffic jams, particularly during the school run, when, she said, children are exposed to five times more air pollution than at any other time of the day.

Recent estimates suggest that around 15,000 pupils and 1,000 staff travel to Hampstead daily.

According to government research, Camden has five times the national average of independent school pupils. 

"This lack of a catchment area means that many of these pupils have to travel long distances," Alessandra added.

"At the moment the bus runs at the wrong times. It is often late and unreliable. 
This combination of bad timing and unreliability means that very few people use the bus at all, preferring to drive. 

"This exacerbates traffic and air pollution in the area, resulting in empty buses on most days.

"Unfortunately, without this context, it could be assumed that empty buses are a sign that the route is no longer needed, when in fact the opposite is true." 

Scott Emery, Liberal Democrat councillor for Highgate Ward, said the 603 bus route was "a valuable link for students and other community members".

"In its current state it is failing residents," he said. "It is imperative that TFL initiates a collaborative dialogue with local people to explore the most effective measures to align this service with the needs of its users."

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport planning, said: “There are no plans to re-time the morning or afternoon journeys on the 603 route, but we will continue to consider options for bus links in the Hampstead and Highgate areas and welcome feedback and suggestions from customers."

He said other bus routes were available including the 210 route which runs "every 10 minutes".

"We continually review London’s bus network, and as with all of our activities, value for money is a key consideration for any proposed changes.”