London Mayor Launches Bus Route Pilot to Protect Orthodox Jews

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a new experimental bus route in north London to help Jewish Londoners feel “safe when travelling”, according to the BBC. The move responds to a long-standing demand from the Jewish community for a direct service between the Stamford Hill and Golders Green neighbourhoods.

The 310 line will run every 20 minutes between the two neighborhoods. “I’ve been struck by conversations I’ve had with the Jewish community over the last few months. They’re frightened because of a massive increase in anti-Semitism since October 7 last year,” Khan said. “We’ve heard stories of Jewish Londoners being verbally abused. We’ve also heard stories of Jewish Londoners not leaving their homes … because they’re worried about their safety.”

London Metropolitan Police statistics confirm this worrying trend: 2,065 incidents of anti-Semitic hate crime were recorded between October and July. The 310 route, which costs Transport for London (TfL) more than £3,160,000, is on trial for the next 12 months.