TfL Makes Route 310 Bus Permanent and Extends Hours: North London 2026

Key Points

• Permanent Status: Transport for London (TfL) has officially confirmed that the 310 bus route will remain a permanent fixture of the north London transport network.
• Operating Hours: Following public feedback, the service will now run until midnight, seven days a week, providing better connectivity for late-shift workers and residents.
• Route Extension: The service will be re-routed to include stops at Holloway and Nag’s Head, improving access to local shopping and transport hubs.
• Capacity Increase: Service frequency is set to remain at a bus every 20 minutes, though TfL will continue to monitor demand.
• Contract Extension: A one-year contract extension has been granted to current operators to facilitate further data gathering on ridership patterns.
• Community Impact: The route serves as a vital direct link between the Jewish communities of Golders Green and Stamford Hill, a connection previously requiring multiple transfers.

Stamford Hill (North London News) May 21, 2026 — Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the 310 bus route, which links Golders Green and Stamford Hill, will be retained as a permanent service. Following a successful trial period and an extensive public consultation, transport officials confirmed not only the survival of the route but a significant expansion of its operating hours. The service, which was initially introduced as a temporary measure to improve north London connectivity, will now operate until midnight daily. To further integrate the service into the existing network, the route will be modified to serve Holloway and Nag’s Head, addressing long-standing requests from local commuters and businesses for better access to these key North London junctions.

Why did TfL decide to make the 310 bus route permanent?

The decision to solidify the 310’s place in the London bus network follows a year of monitoring that showed a clear demand for a direct link between the north-west and north-east of the city.

As reported by the TfL Media Relations Team, the service has successfully provided a “missing link” in the transport web.

Prior to the 310’s introduction in 2024, passengers travelling between the Stamford Hill and Golders Green corridors were often forced to change buses at Finsbury Park or Manor House, or rely on a combination of bus and London Overground services.

According to a spokesperson for Transport for London, the consultation process revealed a high level of support for the route, particularly regarding its social utility. “The feedback from the community was overwhelmingly clear:

this route provides a sense of security and efficiency that was previously lacking for residents in these areas,” the spokesperson stated.

The permanent status is backed by a one-year contract extension for the service operator, which TfL officials say will allow for “rigorous data collection” to fine-tune future frequency and capacity requirements.

How will the new route changes and midnight extension affect passengers?

The most immediate change for commuters will be the extension of the service day. Previously, the trial service had more restricted hours;

however, the new mandate ensures buses will run until midnight. This change is specifically targeted at evening workers and those attending religious or social events in the Golders Green and Stamford Hill areas.

Furthermore, the re-routing to serve Holloway and Nag’s Head marks a strategic shift to boost the route’s commercial viability.

By including Nag’s Head, one of Islington’s busiest shopping districts, TfL expects a significant uptick in “off-peak” users—shoppers and local visitors who would otherwise use private vehicles or multiple bus legs.

As noted by Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, in an official statement regarding the consultation results:

“I am delighted that the 310 bus route will not only stay but will be improved. By extending the hours to midnight and serving Holloway, we are making it easier, cheaper, and more sustainable for Londoners to move between these historic communities.”

What were the key findings of the 310 bus consultation?

The public consultation, which ran for several months, allowed residents, business owners, and local authorities to weigh in on the trial. Data released by TfL indicates that the 310 has become a critical asset for the Orthodox Jewish communities in both Stamford Hill and Golders Green.

Journalists covering the development for The Jewish Chronicle have highlighted that the direct link has been a “game-changer” for families and students who frequently travel between these two hubs.

As reported by Josh Kaplan of The Jewish Chronicle, the London Assembly’s transport committee had previously received numerous representations regarding the “transport desert” between these two specific locations.

The consultation proved that the 310 did more than just move people; it reduced the reliance on the 253 and 254 routes, which often suffer from congestion during peak hours.

However, the consultation wasn’t without its critiques. Some respondents noted that while the 20-minute frequency was acceptable for a trial, a permanent service might eventually require a “12-minute or 15-minute headway” to be truly competitive with other transport modes.

TfL has acknowledged these suggestions, stating that the one-year data-gathering extension will specifically look at “overcrowding risks” during school run hours and Friday afternoons.

Who are the primary stakeholders involved in the 310 service?

The maintenance of this route is a collaborative effort between TfL, local boroughs (Barnet, Haringey, and Hackney), and the Mayor’s Office.

According to Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, the 310 is a prime example of the “Superloop” philosophy—creating orbital links that don’t necessarily require a trip into Zone 1.

Writing for MyLondon, transport correspondent Callum Marius observed that the 310’s success is part of a broader strategy to “de-radialise” London’s transport system. Marius noted that

“by keeping the 310, TfL is signalling that north London’s east-west connectivity is just as important as the commute into the City or the West End.”

The local authorities in Hackney and Barnet have also expressed their approval. Statements from Hackney Council leaders emphasised that the route supports the borough’s “Fairer, Greener Hackney” initiative by encouraging residents to swap car journeys for bus trips, particularly for short-to-medium distance cross-borough travel.

Background of the Route 310 Development

The 310 bus route was born out of a long-standing community campaign. For over a decade, residents in the Golders Green and Stamford Hill areas—two of Europe’s largest Jewish communities—had petitioned for a direct bus link.

Before 2024, a journey between the two required navigating the complex interchange at Finsbury Park, which many elderly residents and families with young children found difficult and time-consuming.

The route was launched as a pilot scheme in 2024 by Mayor Sadiq Khan as part of a commitment to improve transport safety and social inclusion. The trial was initially met with some skepticism regarding its potential ridership numbers, but it quickly gained traction.

The 310 follows a path through Highgate and Whittington Hospital, making it a vital link for healthcare workers and patients as well.

This background of community-led advocacy played a massive role in the recent consultation, as the high volume of positive responses was largely attributed to the organised efforts of local community groups who had lobbied for the service for years.

Prediction: How will this development affect North London residents?

The permanent establishment of Route 310 is expected to have a “stabilising effect” on North London’s local economy and social fabric. For residents, the midnight extension will likely reduce the “isolation factor” for late-night commuters, potentially leading to a decrease in the use of unlicensed minicabs and an increase in the evening economy in areas like Nag’s Head.

For local businesses in Holloway and Golders Green, the increased footfall from the re-routing could provide a much-needed boost. We can predict that as the route becomes more established, property demand in the mid-route areas—such as parts of Archway and Highgate—may see a slight increase from renters who value the dual-connectivity to both the Northern and Piccadilly line corridors.

Furthermore, if the data gathering over the next year shows a continued upward trend in passenger numbers, it is highly probable that TfL will increase the frequency of the 310 to every 12-15 minutes by 2027. This would transform the 310 from a “niche community link” into a “high-frequency corridor,” fundamentally changing how North Londoners perceive east-west travel.