Transport for London will discontinue the Route 414 bus in February. Instead, they will run extra buses on Route 14.
TfL says the two routes largely use the same roads through Fulham and Parsons Green, and that passengers board either bus. Route 74 can help shoulder the load, they added.
The decision to scrap the 414 from Saturday 22 February follows a six-week consultation in which 75 per cent of more than 900 responders (mostly from Fulham postcodes) said it would have a negative impact and lead to overcrowding on other buses.
Many said that axing the 414 (which was only launched in November 2002) would impact patients going to the Chelsea & Westminster, Royal Brompton and Royal Marsden hospitals.
TfL analysis shows that use of the 414 bus has halved in six years. TfL says that expanding the frequency of Route 14 will help ease congestion on the roads.
Council opposed
H&F Council opposed the change, arguing it would adversely affect vulnerable and Disabled people.
However, TfL spokesman Andrew Hatch said: "Route 414 currently operates a similar route to the 14 between central London and Putney Bridge. To help better match bus capacity with customer needs and to simplify the bus network, Route 414 will no longer operate, and Route 14 will operate more often."
Route 14, from Putney Heath's Green Man pub to Russell Square, will now run every eight minutes instead of every 10, and every quarter of an hour through the night.
Passengers who used the 414 to get to Marble Arch must now change at Hyde Park Corner and take a 74 or 137 for the final leg, with the £1.75 'Hopper' fare covering the switch, provided they have boarded in the previous hour.
"Operating a more efficient bus service helps us make financial savings that can be reinvested in other parts of the bus network," added Mr Hatch.
What you said
We spoke to local residents and bus users at the stop outside Fulham Library.
Here's what they said about the changes on Route 414:
Walham Grove resident Baigal (pictured) said she wasn't a regular user of the route, but she does hop on the bus when she's running late. She added:
I don't think the change in service will particularly affect me. In my opinion, reducing pollution and congestion in the area is really important. So if cutting this service can help with that then I support the decision from TfL."
Busy mum and Parsons Green resident, Abbey, quickly exclaimed: "Don't do it!" when she heard TfL were cutting the 414 route. She said:
"I rely on this bus route to get me and my little one to the museums in South Kensington. The lack of lift at Parsons Green tube station makes using the District line a real challenge with a buggy, so I prefer to catch the bus. I'd be very disappointed if this service was cut."
While Parsons Green resident Jane told us: "I'm not particularly concerned about the change to the service. I tend to use the 14 and 414 interchangeably. If I was going as far as Marble Arch, I'd probably get the tube, but I appreciate this might not be accessible for others."
And nearby Chelsea resident Nadia, who uses the bus route approximately once a week between Putney bridge and Chelsea, said: "I use either the 414 or 14 routes, whichever bus arrives first, as I can make my journey on either service. I don't think the change will impact me much. However, I would be frustrated if I have to wait longer for busier services."
