Hundreds of people have called for more peak time buses for schoolchildren and commuters on a service described as a “ghost” route.
The 603 bus between Princes Avenue in Muswell Hill and Swiss Cottage 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.
Hundreds have responded to surveys by the 603 Watch group of bus users calling for more rush hour services.
One question with 175 respondents found that 90 per cent would be interested in a bus departing from Swiss Cottage to Muswell Hill around 7.40am, arriving at Highgate around 8.15am.
Likewise, 94% of 177 respondents said they would be in favour of a bus returning to Swiss Cottage at around 4pm, passing Highgate around 4.15pm.
Yuva Gurbaxani, who has lived in Swiss Cottage all her life, said she is angered Transport for London (TfL) “thinks it is above this” issue.
She said: “We have presented statistic after statistic, proving without a shadow of doubt that the route of the 603 bus merits a full-time service.
"This would be for the older generation who cannot go to Hampstead, and also those close enough to the Royal Free where many get medical attention.
“And for the many children of families who are crushed under the cost of living in this neighbourhood, for all the real people who like myself do not have a car and are at the mercy of public transport to get their children to school everyday.”
The mother, who says her phone was stolen at the College Crescent bus stop last week, says the poor current schooltime services leave children at risk of mugging at some remote stops.
She added: “The bus stop outside Parliament Hill has miscreants around it preying on impressionable children. I use these buses on a daily basis for my commute, I have seen all forms of petty crime that prevent me from allowing my 15-year-old to become independent and use the bus.”
Cllr Linda Chung, who represents Hampstead Town, described the service as “nonsensical, irregular, unreliable and infrequent” in her Ham&High column earlier this month.
Calling for more morning and afternoon services, she suggested the 603 was ideal for children using the many private schools in the area.
Christine McKenzie, who has spoken to the Ham&High before about youth muggings and the need to increase bus services, echoed these views.
Following Cllr Chung’s column, she said: “The 603 bus provides a connection between both branches of the Northern and Jubilee lines, and is a great school bus for some commuters who travel down toward NW3.
“It arrives too late for the majority of students, staff and commuters who travel to Highgate’s and Muswell Hill schools in the morning and afternoon.”
She believes that there is a demand for increased services, which would be busy if implemented.
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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