The Mayor of London believes that a new bus route linking two Jewish neighbourhoods should be an effective “solution” to reduce antisemitic attacks.
The Jewish community has campaigned for 16 years to introduce the 310 bus between Golders Green and Stamford Hill, which is now operating after a commitment made by Sadiq Khan earlier this year.
This is the first time the two major Jewish communities have been connected by a direct bus service, which serves people in Hackney, Barnet, Islington, Camden and Haringey – including stops at Highgate Village, Whittington Hospital and Finsbury Park.
Mr Khan rode on the new bus today (September 2) to discuss its importance in reducing abuse towards the Jewish community.
He said: “I’ve spoken to many Jewish Londoners who expressed their concerns post October 7, not just on being on the receiving end of antisemitism, but being scared to leave their home, being scared to look visibly Jewish because of what that means.
“When I heard stories about those who live in Stamford Hill not being able to see their friends at Golders Green because they have to change buses at Finsbury Park – when I heard stories from people in Golders Green saying they can’t go to their places of worship, that broke my heart.
“That meant that these Londoners - and they are Londoners first and foremost - couldn’t experience being a Londoner because they’re Jewish, and it’s actually a simple solution, having a bus link between Stamford Hill and Golders Green.”
He added: “I’d encourage your readers to use this bus, to give feedback on the consultation, for more people to use this bus. The more people that talk about it the more successful it will be.
“Buses provide a really important service. Yes they enable people to get to work, to get to the synagogue and places of worship, to get to school and college to connect families, but also they’re a sense of community, belonging and place.
“I want all Londoners to enjoy this great city and I also want Londoners to use their car less if possible, use public transport, cycle or walk. And that’s why we introduced this direct bus link between Golders Green and Stamford Hill.
“It connects five boroughs to Haringey, Camden, Islington, Barnet, Hackney, but also it connects communities.”
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