I find the 176 a bit stressful at peak times, too. It's often so crowded that a few buses go past me before I get on. Even if I wake up and leave earlier than a sane person should, it still takes me a good hour door to door (office is Holborn), sometimes more. The traffic along Camberwell Green/Walworth Rd is shocking. I used to live in the suburbs and I'm loving how regular the buses are in comparison, but I can't believe my commute now takes as long (from zone 2), if not longer! So maybe something like the DLR model would be good. In the meantime, more buses, please! Saying that, if you can get a seat, it's a nice way to settle down with a good book :-) If you're looking for speed into central London, though, the Brixton/Elephant routes are probably best! ( Phew, can't believe I just wrote so much about bloody buses...that's what south-east London does to you - turns everyone into a bus spotter! ;-) )