Campaigners say there is still an urgent need for more peak time buses on a “ghost” bus route, as TfL works to link other areas.
Hundreds of people have backed calls for more 603 buses, which currently run between Princes Avenue in Muswell Hill and Swiss Cottage only twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
They claim the buses - arriving in Highgate Village at 7.45am and 8.05am and 4.36pm and 4.46pm - would help schoolchildren and commuters forced to wait at remote stops.
The demand has been echoed in the Ham&High a few times, most recently in July after one person, Yuva Gurbaxani, claimed she believes Transport for London (TfL) “thinks it is above" the issue.
And while TfL has been improving services in other areas, such as a new 310 bus route between Golders Green and Stamford Hill from August 31, campaigners say more 603 buses are still needed.
Christine McKenzie, who is part of the 603 Watch Group, said: “While I am sure it is needed by commuters from Golders Green and Stamford Hill - it doesn’t extinguish the need for more 603 buses.
“From our survey respondents’ eyes, it is just an extended 210 bus.
“It still doesn't address that there is not a direct route from Swiss Cottage, Belsize Park, Hampstead, Highgate to Muswell Hill that the majority of desired commuters can take - as it doesn't provide a safe transition at Whitestone Pond, particularly during the fall and winter when it dark for commuters.”
She added: “We can’t understand how TfL can trial the 310 and not trial the 603 bus we have been asking for 20 years at the same time.”
When the 310 bus is introduced, it will be the first time the two areas will be connected with a direct bus service and will serve people in Hackney, Barnet, Islington, Camden and Haringey – including stops at Highgate Village, Whittington Hospital and Finsbury Park.
It follows a campaign by the Jewish community asking for a bus to connect the two neighbourhoods – as part of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s efforts to tackle a “terrible rise in antisemitism”.
A TfL spokesperson said: “London’s bus network plays a vital role in enabling people to travel sustainably and we regularly improve and adapt the network.
“It’s important that any changes are made according to customer demand.
“We continue to speak to representatives of the community in Hampstead and their suggestions for changes to the 603 route.”
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