C10 Bus Travel Slower Than Walking in Central London

A recent test of London’s C10 bus route, connecting Victoria Station to Canada Water, has shown how central congestion continues to affect travel times across the city. The roughly four-mile route, which passes through Pimlico, Westminster, and Bermondsey, was completed faster on foot than by bus. Results from the trial showed that TfL continues to face challenges in providing consistent bus service through busy inner-city areas.

Included in TfL’s latest updates, the C10 route has been modified to provide more efficient and dependable journeys for riders. It connects one of the capital’s busiest rail hubs, Victoria, with major interchange points, including:

• Waterloo Station, served by Underground and National Rail services;
• Canada Water, providing links to the Jubilee line and the London Overground.

The trial revealed that, despite recent adjustments, traffic and ongoing roadworks near the Rotherhithe peninsula continue to slow down this important route.

Passengers and visitors may find the results particularly relevant, as they illustrate how unpredictable surface journeys can be during peak hours. For journeys between central transport hubs and popular destinations, combining brief walks with Tube lines may offer a quicker route. Passengers travelling from Victoria to Canada Water may find it quicker to use the District and Jubilee lines, highlighting the advantage of adjusting routes in a busy city like London.

TfL has acknowledged the performance issues and introduced measures aimed at improving reliability. TfL’s head of bus performance, Phil Gerhardt, said the C10 is vital for connecting local neighborhoods with major transport links. The agency has implemented a new timetable for the route and plans to add updated vehicles. Furthermore, fifteen miles of new bus lanes are expected to be completed by the end of the year to help reduce congestion and enhance punctuality.

For passengers and visitors, these changes may gradually improve the travel experience across London. The C10 remains a useful link between central districts and the Docklands, despite current delays. The recent findings serve as a reminder of how infrastructure updates and traffic management continue to shape the efficiency of public transport in the capital. As TfL advances its modernization plans, travellers can expect more predictable and connected journeys in the future.