Why does TfL consider the 44% drop in passenger numbers (adjusted for pandemic travelling numbers) travelling on the 384 east of Barnet Everyman Cinema since the changes, to be a success that doesn't need changing/revisiting? The High Barnet to Edgware section is doing well in terms of numbers - surely TfL want this for High Barnet to Cockfosters too?

Usage on the new service is up overall by 10 per cent, whereas usage was declining on the old route, with an average of only four passengers carried on each 50-capacity bus. TfL believe that this decline is likely to have continued without the change.

The 384 routeing was changed in August 2020, reducing the distance travelled by the route from 4.4 to 2.7 miles between the Everyman Cinema and Cockfosters station. The shorter routeing saved resources that were redeployed to fund its extension, providing a new and more direct link across Barnet serving Edgware, Barnet Hospital, High Barnet, New Barnet and Cockfosters, while continuing to serve areas otherwise remote from the bus network such as Westbrook Crescent and Bevan Estate.

A reduction in usage on the eastern section of route 384 was expected due to the much shorter routeing, with some passengers using alternative higher frequency routes in the area that have spare capacity. In particular, route 326 duplicates many links, serving Lyonsdown Road, East Barnet, New Barnet and High Barnet. The 44 per cent quoted omits the passengers who have transferred to route 326 and other local routes.

Overall, these changes were designed to provide a more attractive bus network and meet my Transport Strategy’s objective of an increase in travel by sustainable modes.