271 bus route between Highgate and Moorgate set to be axed

The 271 route, which runs between Highgate and Moorgate, is set to be axed from Saturday (February 4).

The decision comes following a consultation into the proposed changes, which will also reroute the 21, 143 and 263.

• Route 21 will now run between Lewisham and Holloway, not Newington Green.
• Route 263 will run through Highgate Village, instead of via Archway Road.
• Route 143 will be changed to run via Archway Road.  

TfL has decided to restructure some bus routes across the capital where capacity exceeds passenger demand.

The cuts were proposed due to a lack of funding from central government and a fall in passenger numbers since the start of the pandemic.

TfL said that the changes aimed to simplify the bus network, while “retaining key bus links…and even providing new links between some areas”.

Route 271 will still exist in the form of a night service (N271), running from Moorgate to Highgate and on to North Finchley.

There will be a new school route, 620, between Archway Station and East Finchley Cemetery, which will run at school start and end times.

TfL map showing current bus routes 21, 143, 263 and 271 (Image: TfL)

TfL map showing new routes 21, 143 and 263, and new school bus route 620 (Image: TfL)

In November, it was announced that a range of proposed cuts to north London bus routes, including the axeing of route 4, would no longer go ahead.

This was after London Mayor Sadiq Khan agreed to provide additional annual funding of £25 million for buses.

At the time, Mr Khan said: “I was furious on behalf of Londoners that TfL was having to consider reducing the bus network due to conditions attached by the government to the funding deal.

“The strength of feeling across the capital was clear to me, and I was adamant that I would explore every avenue available to me to save as many buses as possible.

“This will mean tough decisions elsewhere, but I am very pleased that the vast majority of bus routes proposed to be cut due to the government’s funding conditions can now be saved.”

For more information about the changes to TfL bus routes from Saturday, visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/bus-changes.