London Buses route 497 was a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. It ran between Harold Hill and Harold Wood station, and was operated by Stagecoach London.
| 497 | |
|---|---|
_Harold_Hill_03.07.2023.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | Stagecoach London |
| Garage | Romford |
| Vehicle | Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC |
| Peak vehicle requirement | 2 |
| Status | Defunct |
| Began service | 25 January 2020 |
| Ended service | 9 March 2024 |
| Night-time | No night service |
| Route | |
| Start | Harold Hill |
| Via | Gallows Corner |
| End | Harold Wood station |
| Length | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
| Service | |
| Level | Monday to Saturday |
| Frequency | About every 30-60 minutes |
| Journey time | 18 minutes |
| Operates | 05:40 until 00:18 |
History edit
The route was first proposed in a review by Transport for London published in September 2016. A two-month consultation was held in 2017.[1] It had been expected to start service in May 2019, however it was delayed.[2] It began service on 25 January 2020.[3][4] A review found that passenger numbers were insufficient for the route to be sustainable. In autumn 2021, Transport for London opened a consultation requesting opinions on if the route should be extended, or withdrawn.[5][6][7]
In March 2022, Transport for London confirmed that the Sunday service would be withdrawn in the summer and that the route would be extended to Dagnam Park Square.[8]
In January 2024, following a public consultation, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be withdrawn on 9 March 2024. It was replaced by an extension of route 346 that now serves all the same roads and stops formerly served by route 497.[9]
On 9 March 2024, the route was withdrawn.[10]
Former route edit
Route 497 operated via these primary locations:[11]
- Harold Wood station
- Gallows Corner Tesco
- Harold Hill Hilldene Avenue
- Harold Hill Dagnam Park Square
References edit
- ^ Roach, April (13 September 2019). "TfL confirms new bus route 497 from Harold Wood to Harold Hill will be coming to the borough". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Elizabeth Line changes will see more cross-border cuts". Buses Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Over three years on … new route 497 begins". BusAndTrainUser. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "New bus route starts running in Harold Hill". Time 107.5 fm. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Boyle, Caislin (8 September 2021). "Harold Wood to Harold Hill bus at risk as consultation opens on its future". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Billson, Chantelle (19 October 2021). "Future of bus route hangs in the balance as consultation ends". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Are TfL about to ditch new route 497?". BusAndTrainUser. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Marius, Callum (22 March 2022). "Iconic London bus route 1 saved as TfL announces service changes across capital". MyLondon. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Route 497 Map Transport for London
External links edit
Media related to London Buses route 497 at Wikimedia Commons