Transport for London has sought to reassure commuters about proposed changes to buses serving a hospital.

Bus users have expressed fears about changes to the 186 route, which links Harrow town centre to Northwick Park Hospital.

As part of the changes, the route will now terminate at the town centre.

Pensioner Jack Welby fears people will now have to change buses twice to get to the hospital, which is difficult for people with mobility problems.

He said: “I’m not happy with these changes, and a lot of local residents aren’t either. TfL are doing it all over London, carving up bus routes.”

The Edgware retiree also voiced concerns about people having to pay more for the route and the inconvenience caused to people trying to get to the hospital.

TfL admits this will mean people travelling to the hospital will have to change buses, but argue that this will not mean longer journeys.

The company stressed it will not mean they have to pay more, as the Hopper fare enables people to make several bus journeys in one hour at no extra cost.

A TfL spokesman said: “Several bus routes run between Harrow bus station and Northwick Park Hospital, resulting in too many buses for the amount of passengers who travel between these locations. To better match capacity with demand, we are proposing to terminate route 186 at Harrow bus station.

“The proposed change to route 186 would remove a direct link for around 400 passengers per weekday who currently travel between stops east of Wealdstone and stops south of Harrow bus station. 300 of these passengers travel to hospitals.

"These passengers could still complete their journeys by changing buses at Harrow bus station, with a bus to / from the hospital about every two minutes.”

TfL also claims the proposed changes will help reduce air pollution and congestion in Harrow town centre.

Anyone concerned about the proposed changes to the 186 route, or other changes, can make comments and suggestions online at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/bus-changes-harrow/consultation.

People can also write to TfL at: FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS

The deadline for comments is Wednesday, July 31.