An FOI request has found that almost 700,000 bus journeys were cut by TfL between 2022 and 2023. 

Previous figures have shown the extent of bus miles cuts, while this new data shows the number of journeys which have been slashed by TfL themselves.

The research also showed that in 2023, 1.5 million bus services were cancelled mid-journey – a 30% rise on the year before.

The figures from TfL further revealed 428,293 planned journeys were cancelled ahead of departure, wreaking yet more havoc for passengers trying to plan journeys.

Data from the Lib Dem's Freedom of Information request (Photo: Sarah Olney)

The request was made by Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney, who has been fighting against bus cuts in outer London since she uncovered that the Mayor of London had cut 22 million miles of journeys from bus routes last year. 

Ms. Olney has slammed the Mayor and Conservative Government over the cuts, saying: "The Mayor of London promised he would get London moving.

"Instead, he's cutting infrastructure in boroughs such as Richmond, Kingston, Merton and Sutton piece by piece [...] he needs to provide a reliable alternative to those living in the outer boroughs".

She added: "Conservative Ministers have turned TfL's funding into a political football, forcing cuts to essential services and delaying support until the last possible moment."

The MP has also launched a petition signed by almost a thousand local residents calling for the 213 and 57 buses to be returned to their original timetable after the services were reduced by one bus an hour.