London Buses route 497

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497
Overview
OperatorStagecoach London
GarageRomford
VehicleAlexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC
Peak vehicle requirement2
StatusDefunct
Began service25 January 2020 (2020-01-25)
Ended service9 March 2024 (2024-03-09)
Night-timeNo night service
Route
StartHarold Hill
ViaGallows Corner
EndHarold Wood station
Length3 miles (4.8 km)
Service
LevelMonday to Saturday
FrequencyAbout every 30-60 minutes
Journey time18 minutes
Operates05:40 until 00:18

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.

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 In autumn 2021, Transport for London opened a consultation requesting opinions on if the route should be extended, or withdrawn.[5][6][7]

In March 2022, Transport for London confirmed that the Sunday service would be withdrawn in the summer and that the route would be extended to Dagnam Park Square.[8]

In January 2024, following a public consultation, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be withdrawn on 9 March 2024.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On 9 March 2024, the route was withdrawn.[10]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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Elizabeth Line changes will see more cross-border cuts". Buses Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Over three years on … new route 497 begins". BusAndTrainUser. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  4. ^ "New bus route starts running in Harold Hill". Time 107.5 fm. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Billson, Chantelle (19 October 2021). "Future of bus route hangs in the balance as consultation ends". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Are TfL about to ditch new route 497?". BusAndTrainUser. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  8. ^ Marius, Callum (22 March 2022). "Iconic London bus route 1 saved as TfL announces service changes across capital". MyLondon. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  11. ^ Route 497 Map Transport for London

External links[edit]

Media related to London Buses route 497 at Wikimedia Commons