London Buses route 207

207
Overview
Operator Metroline
Night-time Night Bus N207
Route
Start Southall
End White City bus station
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London Buses route 207 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Southall and White City bus station, it is operated by Metroline.

History

First London Mercedes-Benz O530G in Shepherd's Bush in June 2009

Route 207 originates from London United Tramways route 7 which ran between Uxbridge and Shepherd's Bush Green. In 1936 this route was replaced by a trolleybus route 607 which ran until 1960. Route 207 was introduced on 9 November 1960 as part of the trolleybus replacement program stage 8, replacing trolleybus route 607 between Uxbridge and Shepherd's Bush Green, using AEC Routemasters. The route was converted to crew operated Daimler Fleetlines in 1976, reverted to Routemasters in 1980 due to unreliability. One man operation followed in 1987 using MCW Metrobuses. In 1990 limited stops route 607 began, paralleling route 207 .[1]

The route, which runs along the entire length of the Uxbridge Road, was operated as two overlapping sections in the late 1990s, with a peak vehicle requirement of 35 double-deckers.[2] The proposed West London Tram paralleled much of the 207.[3]

Low floor buses replaced the MCW Metrobuses in 2001, along with six articulated buses which were on trial on the route for six months, running between Hayes-by-Pass and Shepherd's Bush Green, from First London's Greenford garage. The trial was a success and on 9 April 2005 the route was split into two sections; the Hayes-by-Pass to Shepherd's Bush Green section retained the number 207 and was converted to single deck articlated bus operation with Mercedes-Benz O530Gs. The section between Uxbridge and Acton was renumbered 427 using Dennis Trident 2s. A new base opened at Hayes for the 207; the Uxbridge and Acton allocations were withdrawn.[4]

In October and November 2004 the route was found to have the highest level of police callouts of any service in London.[5] Fare evasion following the conversion to bendy bus operation is also perceived to be a problem by local transport user group EPTUG.[6]

Route 207 was extended from Shepherd's Bush Green to White City bus station when Westfield London opened in November 2008.[7][8] A month earlier, passengers' organisation London TravelWatch had claimed that the route carried more passengers than any other route in Europe, although this was disputed by some commentators.[9] In 2009 it was announced by new Mayor of London Boris Johnson that articulated buses would be replaced by the end of 2011; it was initially expected that the 207 would be converted to rigid single-deck operation.[6]

In February 2011, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be converted to double-deck vehicles in December 2011, and that the frequency of the route would be increased. Similar changes were planned for night bus variant N207. The proposals were criticised by local Liberal Democrat politicians for failing to increase the seating capacity of the route while increasing the number of vehicles on the Uxbridge Road.[10]

On 10 December 2011, route 207 was converted back to double deck using Scania OmniCity double deckers. It was the last bus route in London to be operated by articulated buses.[11]

On 22 June 2013, route 207 was included in the sale of First London's Hayes garage to Metroline.[12][13][14]

Current route

Route 207 operates via these primary locations:[15]

References

  1. ↑ Aldridge, John (November 1999). "Low-floor double-deckers flood in". Buses (Ian Allan Publishing) (536): 14.
  2. ↑ European Transport Conference: Uxbridge Road bus priority demonstration project
  3. ↑ Lydall, Ross (8 October 2004). "Rough ride for tram line". Evening Standard.
  4. ↑ Aldridge, John (June 2009). "Artics run at last on the 207". Buses (Ian Allan Publishing) (603): 19.
  5. ↑ Lydall, Ross (25 January 2005). "Capital's most dangerous bus routes". Evening Standard.
  6. 1 2 Kubiak, Paloma (24 June 2009). "Ealing's bendy buses to disappear by 2011". Ealing Gazette.
  7. ↑ Westfield London - Bus Routes and Directions
  8. ↑ New White City bus station will cater for 10,000 passengers a day Transport for London 25 November 2008
  9. ↑ Aldridge, John (November 2008). "London TravelWatch says artic replacement will cost £48 million a year". Buses (Ian Allan Publishing) (644): 20.
  10. ↑ Burns, Greg (8 February 2011). "Lib Dems hit out at 207 bus service increases". Fulham Chronicle.
  11. ↑ Bendy bus makes final journey for Transport for London BBC News 10 November 2011
  12. ↑ FirstGroup Announces Sale of Eight London Bus Depots FirstGroup 9 April 2013
  13. ↑ Aberdeen firm FirstGroup sells off depots for £80m BBC News 9 April 2013
  14. ↑ First quits London bus business Bus & Coach Professional 9 April 2013
  15. ↑ Route 207 Map Transport for London

External links

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