London launches bus line to reassure Orthodox Jews

Excited children ran to check the bus schedule. “It’ll be here in 23
minutes,” they told their mother in Yiddish. The family, part of the Hasidic
Jewish community, eagerly awaited the new 310 bus. On September 1, Transport
for London (TfL) introduced this line, fulfilling years of requests for a
direct route between Stamford Hill and Golders Green.

Golders Green, along with Finchley and Hampstead, is home to a
well-established, affluent Jewish community. In contrast, Stamford Hill,
located in Hackney, is a poorer area known for its large Orthodox Hasidic
population.

The 310 bus is not exclusive to the Jewish community, but London Mayor
Sadiq Khan acknowledged that the line was created with them in mind. The mayor,
of Pakistani Muslim origin, shared that he was deeply impacted by conversations
with Jewish families who expressed fear over the surge in antisemitic incidents
since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacks reignited tensions.

1,000% increase in antisemitic acts by late 2023

Antisemitic crimes in London skyrocketed following the October 7
massacres carried out by Hamas. Between October and December 2023, Scotland
Yard reported 1,156 incidents, a staggering 1,000% increase compared to the
same period in 2022. Though the number has since slowed, 998 incidents were
recorded between January and August 2024, compared to 424 during the same
months in 2023.

Mayor Khan noted that some Jewish families shared their fear of verbal
abuse while transferring between buses at Finsbury Park, an area with a large
Muslim population. Finsbury Park, once associated with radical Islamist
preaching, has since undergone significant reform, with authorities praising
its efforts to engage with other local communities.

A one-year trial

During the 50-minute journey to Golders Green, no other Hasidic Jews
boarded the bus. Instead, it was used by various locals, including several
veiled women. The London Jewish Forum and the Board of Deputies of British Jews
welcomed the new line, which they say will provide significant benefits to the
Orthodox Jewish community. However, Hasidic passengers on the bus were hesitant
to comment, except to mention that they were heading to spend the Shabbat with
relatives.

TfL stated that the 310 line will be trialed for 12 months to assess
whether it serves the community effectively. Local passengers were not opposed
to the initiative. “If it saves time and reassures Jews traveling between these
two neighborhoods, all the better,” said Margaret, a local retiree. “And it’s a
change from all the bus line closures we’ve seen in recent years!”