Dear Transport for London, Can you confirm the future of the 718 bus. The service was introduced as a temporary route after Merton Council contractors managed to destroy Mitcham Bridge. The original bus was scheduled to run until July 2020, has this been extended and until when? Has a larger bus (double decker) or addition vehicles (even just for school times) been planned (for COVID distancing and also due to the extra expected passengers from students attending Harris Morden School as the new Harris Wimbledon School will miss it's planned Sept opening, resulting in a whole year group travelling across Merton to/from Lilleshall Road.

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TfL Ref: 0449-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 June 2020 asking for information about the 718 bus route.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

We will continue to run the route 718 bus service until the bridge re-opens.  Our understanding is that this would be in Spring 2021; however Merton Council may be able to give more details. You can contact them at https://www.merton.gov.uk/council-and-local-democracy/data-protection-and-freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information

We have no current plans to operate the route with double deck vehicles but we will continue to look at options for when schools return in September 2020.

Please note the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the Coronavirus. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to.

In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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