Barnes TfL Bus Consultation
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on bus routes in Barnes which closes on Wednesday 22 October. Please respond to the proposals and have your say. Here’s a summary of the proposals and some background information to help you understand the changes.
Summary
In 2019, following the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, TfL introduced some emergency changes to local bus services which are still in place today.
Routes that had previously travelled across the Hammersmith Bridge were instead diverted to terminate on Castelnau resulting in hundreds of buses running empty, so-called ‘dead-running’, along Barnes’ residential streets and having an unacceptable impact on residents in the area.
With Hammersmith Bridge still closed to motor traffic and no further plans for the bridge to reopen, TfL is now looking at longer-term arrangement for bus routes in Barnes and proposing the following changes:
The 533 will be discontinued.
The 209 will be extended to cover the 533’s route from Mortlake to Hammersmith and will retain its current service from Mortlake to Barnes. Frequency of the 209 will be increased to match what 533 currently offers: every 15 minutes (4 buses/hour) and (every 17 mins) during weekday peak times.
The 378 will also serve the London Wetlands Centre with the same frequency.
The 485 will no longer serve Castelnau or Church Road, but will serve Barnes High Street, The Terrace, Mortlake High Street and terminate at Mortlake (Avondale Road). Frequency remains at 2 buses/hour.
There are no changes to the 419, 33 or N22 services. There is a separate consultation for 419 bus stops.
Changes in more detail
Route 533
This emergency measure service will be discontinued.
Route 209
The current 209 route will be extended to cover 533’s route from Mortlake to Hammersmith (retaining its current service from Mortlake to Barnes).
Frequency of the 209 will be increased to match what 533 currently offers: every 15 minutes (4 buses/hour) and (every 17 mins) during weekday peaks.
Buses will run between Hammersmith and Barnes Pond, via Chiswick Bridge, Lonsdale Road and Castelnau, creating a looped route much as the 533 did.
Route 378
This service will continue from Mortlake to Putney Bridge. The only change is that it would also serve the London Wetlands Centre. This route remains the same outside of this small additional addition.
Route 485
The 485 will no longer service Castelnau or Church Road, but will serve Barnes High Street, The Terrace, Mortlake High Street and terminate at Mortlake (Avondale Road).
Frequency remains at two buses/hr.
There are changes in stop arrangements and walks / bus-changes required in some cases. Also, reductions in total bus frequency in parts of Barnes (on Church Road, Castelnau etc.). The 419/209 can be used to pick up this service at Barnes High Street.
Overall, for Barnes residents we recognise that
If you live in or around areas currently served by 533 (especially in Castelnau), you may likely see better frequency and more regular service under the 209. But you may also have to accept taking a slightly longer route, walking more, or changing buses for certain journeys.
The 485 will no longer serve Castelnau. Those residents trying to reach Putney from Castelanu would need to use the 419 or 33 to Barnes Bridge to continue this route.
The consultation
TfL has organised some drop-in sessions so you can discuss the proposals with a member of their team on the following dates:
Tuesday 30 September, 16:00 - 19:00, Rose House((Barnes Community Association), 70 Barnes High Street, SW13 9LD
Tuesday 7 October, 14:00 - 19:00, St Mary the Virgin Church, Mortlake High Street SW14 8JA
Saturday 11 October, 11:00 - 14:00, Main Hall, Barnes Methodist Church, Station Road, Barnes, SW13 0NH
How to respond
TfL’s survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete or if you are short on time, you can submit a quick response. The closing date for comments is Wednesday 22 October 2025.
To take part in the TfL online survey you will need to register with your email address. Your details will be kept secure.
Take the survey: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/barnes-bus-services
Email/Postal/Phone
Email: haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 3054 6037 to leave your name and contact number and we will call you back. Please quote 'Barnes bus changes' when leaving your message
In writing to: FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (no postage stamp required)
Further information
We recommend you listen this audio transcript from TfL which describes the changes (seven and half minutes long): https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/43786/widgets/133345/documents/90911
Route 209
Route 378
Route 485