London Buses route 271 was a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England.[1] It ran between Highgate Village and Finsbury Square, and was last operated by Metroline.
| 271 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | Metroline |
| Garage | Holloway |
| Vehicle | Volvo B5LH Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 |
| Peak vehicle requirement | Day: 13 Night: 2 |
| Status | Defunct |
| Began service | 20 July 1960 |
| Ended service | 4 February 2023 |
| Night-time | 24-hour service |
| Route | |
| Start | Highgate Village |
| Via | Archway Holloway Islington Hoxton |
| End | Finsbury Square |
| Length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Service | |
| Level | 24-hour service |
| Frequency | About every 9-15 minutes |
| Journey time | 23-43 minutes |
| Operates | 24-hour service |
History
editRoute 271 commenced operating on 20 July 1960 running between Highgate Village and Finsbury Square to replace trolleybus route 611 with AEC Routemasters. The route was initially operated out of Holloway garage and has changed little since its introduction.[citation needed]
On 7 November 1965, new Leyland Atlanteans commenced a six-month trial on route 271.[2][3] On 17 April 1966, eight XF-class Daimler Fleetlines were transferred from London Country Bus Services's East Grinstead garage to Holloway and replaced by XA-class Leyland Atlanteans. After the fuel consumption of the two vehicles was compared, the eight XF-class buses returned to East Grinstead.[4]
On 10 July 1966, route 271 returned to AEC Routemaster operation. On 16 January 1971, it was converted to one-man operation with Daimler Fleetlines.[citation needed]
On 6 June 1987 the route was extended on Sundays from Highgate Village to Hendon Central station to cover the withdrawn part of route 143, although this extension only lasted until 2 February 1991.[citation needed]
For an eight-month period from September 1990, the route was based at Chalk Farm garage, before returning to Holloway.[citation needed]
On 16 May 1992 the route received a weekend extension to Liverpool Street station.[citation needed]
Upon tendering in September 1993, the route transferred to London Suburban Bus, operated from a garage in Edmonton, using red, brown and cream livered Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympians.[citation needed]
Route 271 was included in the April 1996 sale of London Suburban Bus to MTL London and transferred back to Holloway, with the existing buses repainted in MTL's red livery. MTL London in turn was sold in August 1998 to Metroline.[5] The route received low-floor buses in 1999.[citation needed]
Upon being re-tendered, the route was retained by Metroline with a new contract commencing on 30 September 2005.[6]
On 18 June 2011, route 271 was withdrawn between Finsbury Square and Liverpool Street station due to Crossrail works. When re-tendered, it was retained by Metroline with a new contract commencing on 29 September 2012 with existing double deckers.[7][8]
In 2018, Transport for London consulted on proposals to withdraw the N271 night bus route. In April 2019, it announced that it would not go ahead with the proposals and that the N271 route would continue to operate.[9]
Withdrawal
editOn 4 February 2023, route 271 was withdrawn during the daytime following a successful consultation in early 2022.[10] The night service was re-numbered route N271 and extended to North Finchley. Routes 21 and 263 were revised to replace it either side of Holloway during the day.[11][12]
Former route
editRoute 271 operated via these primary locations:[13]
References
edit- ^ Blake, Imogen (3 February 2016). "Campaigners celebrate bid to move 271 bus terminus from Highgate Village centre". Hampstead Highgate Express. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Graeme, Bruce J.; Curtis, Colin (1977). The London Motor Bus: Its Origins and Development. London Transport. p. 109. ISBN 0853290830.
- ^ Day, John (1973). The Story of the London Bus. London Regional Transport. ISBN 9780853290377.
- ^ Graeme, Bruce J.; Curtis, Colin (1977). The London Motor Bus: Its Origins and Development. London Transport. p. 112. ISBN 0853290830.
- ^ History Metroline
- ^ Bus tender results Route 271/N271 Transport for London 20 December 2004
- ^ Bus tender results Route 271 Transport for London 28 October 2011
- ^ Tender News BusTalk (Go-Ahead London) issue 13 December 2011
- ^ Gelder, Sam (12 April 2019). "Plans to scrap N271 bus to Whittington Hospital dumped by TfL after campaign". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "Proposed changes to routes 21, 143, 263 and 271" (PDF). TfL Have Your Say. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Changes to buses in North London from 4 February 2023" (PDF). Transport for London. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ ""It will be missed dearly" - bus users say goodbye as popular route is axed". Hackney Gazette. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Route 271 Map Transport for London
External links
edit
Media related to London Buses route 271 at Wikimedia Commons