Councillors have backed calls for a bus route described as a “ghost” service to run more often.

For years parents have said that the 603 bus between Swiss Cottage and Muswell Hill is “misaligned” with school start and end times.

This is despite the fact the route, which generally only runs on school days, is used primarily by students.

The first bus of the day departs from Muswell Hill Broadway at 7.25am, and does not leave from Swiss Cottage Station on its return journey until 8.30am.

Arriving in Highgate and Muswell Hill at around 9am, schools have already started before students are dropped off.

Campaigners have urged Transport for London (TfL) to expand the service so that regular buses run in both directions earlier in the morning, as well as until later into the afternoon.

On Monday (November 11), Camden councillors committed to lobbying TfL to increase the frequency of the route after hearing from concerned parents.

Belsize Park mum Christina McKenzie told the council’s culture and environment scrutiny committee: “The 603 route has never adequately met its intended purpose.

“The early morning bus from Muswell Hill is not effective for the majority of children attending schools along the route.

“By the time it reaches Swiss Cottage, it is essentially empty and serves no practical purpose.

“On its return journey back to Muswell Hill it is a hindrance to traffic, increases pollution and is nothing more than a wasted, empty resource – a ghost bus.”

She added that her own daughter has only been able to make use of the route four times in the five years she has attended school in Highgate.

“A more frequent 603 service would reduce the reliance on cars for school drop-offs, alleviating traffic and minimising the environmental footprint in these densely populated areas,” Christina said.

“[It] would importantly help our children get to school as directly, quickly and safely as possible.”

Camden’s director of environment and sustainability Richard Bradbury said the council would push for TfL to increase the route’s frequency.

He added that Camden would also be applying for £10m from TfL’s better bus partnership fund, which could be used to increase the 603’s hours of operation.

Belsize councillor Matthew Kirk welcomed the commitment, adding: “There is a clear need to have a bus that was always designed to get kids to school going at times that actually mean kids can get to school.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “Feedback is hugely important to us and we have engaged with parents and the local community for some time about their aspirations for the route. 

"We are happy to discuss the operation of route 603 with Camden Council and other local stakeholders, to ensure we’re providing the best bus network possible for Londoners.”