Sadiq Khan and the government have been in a war of words over the funding for London’s transport system

TRANSPORT chiefs are yet to confirm which bus cuts will go ahead, after Transport for London secured cash from the government until 2024.

The talks were the latest in a series that originated at the start of the pandemic when TfL’s revenue streams collapsed as the vast majority of passengers worked from home during lockdown. It is the longest-funding deal since then expiring in March 2024.

However, a funding gap still remains, and it is unclear whether mooted cuts to bus services – including the 24 and 31 will be carried out.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that “devastating cuts to vital transport services previously proposed” would be avoided, but added “we will likely have to increase fares in the future and still proceed with some cuts to bus services”.

A consultation closed in August on axing the 24, the longest continually running bus route in the capital, which runs from Hampstead Heath to Pimlico. A replacement service will be less frequent and chop the route in half.

The 31 from Camden Town to White City would face a similar fate, with a replacement service only running as far as Swiss Cottage, where passengers would need to change. A protest last week saw dozens of bus drivers, passengers and union members march through central London demanding the cuts be stopped.

A spokesman for TfL said: “This funding agreement means that the 18 per cent reduction in bus services, which as outlined previously would have been required had we continued to face a managed decline scenario, no longer is required to happen. “However, the funding agreement does mean we are likely to proceed with some reductions to bus services.

“The Central London bus review consultation closed on August 8 and we are still reviewing the responses for that.”