It is faster to to walk than take London ‘slowest bus’ through the city centre – and it’s about to get even slower.

The 14 from Putney Heath to Russell Square takes an hour and a half to make the short eight-mile journey during rush hour.

Transport for London figures showed last year that its average speed across its entire route was just 6.2mph in the four weeks from May 29 to June 26.

Between Russell Square and Green Park – a 1.8mile distance – it slowed to 4.3mph and took 24 minutes.

Most people walk at around 4mph while someone doing a medium-paced jog would likely keep up with the 14 throughout its route.

The frequency of the bus is now being cut to once every ten minutes, meaning it will take beleaguered commuters even longer to get to work.

It used to arrive once every eight minutes at the busiest times.

Local MP, Greg Hands, is campaigning against the changes and has set up a petition to try to get them reversed.

He told MyLondon: ‘It’s a really important route. It’s one of London’s oldest. There are a lot of vulnerable users going to and from the hospital.

‘TfL’s decision to reduce the service will make London’s slowest bus route even slower, as more and more passengers cram in.’

A raft of cuts and fare rises are being introduced across London’s transport network as it tries to recover from the pandemic.

Mayor Sadiq Khan announced this week that the cost of an average journey will rise by an average of nearly 5% – the biggest price hike in a decade.

Bus fares will rise by 6% – up by 10p to £1.65 – as part of moves that will collectively raise an estimated £151m more for the coffers this year.

TfL had to be bailed out twice during lockdown as passenger numbers shrunk to a fraction of what they were in 2019.

Many predict they will never return to normal due to the increased prevalence of working from home.

But the Government has tasked TfL with generating at least £500 million more a year to achieve its target of breaking even by April 2023.

Geoff Hobbs, Director of Public Transport Service Planning at TfL, said: ‘We are always reviewing the bus network to ensure we are in touch with changing customer demand and deliver value for money.

‘This slightly reduced frequency ensures that there is still space for everyone who wants to use the route 14, while helping to reduce operating costs and allowing us to continue to invest in the services that customers rely on.

‘The route will continue to deliver a regular service and provide vital links to transport hubs and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.’

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