THE PUNCTUALITY of timetabled buses in Bexley has improved this year.

Of the 13 timetabled routes running in the borough, 86.8 per cent of buses were on time between April 1 and June 22 according to figures from Transport for London.

This is an improvement on the same period last year, when only 82.5 per cent of buses arrived on time.

The 401, which runs between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath, was the most reliable according to the data, with 93.4 per cent of buses on schedule.

Nearly as punctual were the B13 service between Bexleyheath and New Eltham and the 428 running from Erith to Bluewater.

But the B16 route, running between Kidbrooke and Bexleyheath, was on time the least with only 80.6 per cent of buses arriving to time and 11.8 per cent of buses running between five and 15 minutes late.

Bus-user Terry Middleditch, of Christ Church Avenue in Erith, travels on the untimetabled 229 service when he visits Bexleyheath.

According to the figures, the 229 – which travels between Sidcup and Thamesmead – has an average waiting time of more than six and a half minutes.

The 63-year-old said: “I think the fact they have improved is questionable.

“They’re very hit and miss, especially in the morning and when it is peak period.”

Of TFL’s non-timetabled routes - which operate a set number of buses every hour rather than a timetable – the 472 from Thamesmead to North Greenwich was most reliable with passengers having to wait an average of just 4.5 minutes.

Meanwhile, the 89 service from Slade Green to Lewisham suffered the most delays with 3.5 per cent of buses running between 20 and 30 minutes late.