London Buses route 2
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 2 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, England
. The service is currently contracted to Arriva London
.
s. Like most low numbered routes, it was originally a cross-London service, which ran from Crystal Palace
to North Finchley, later cut back to Golders Green
. During peak hours it extended to Arnos Grove
via Whetstone
.
At the time, route 2 ran via Herne Hill
and Railton Road
, whereas the current service bypasses the area, running instead along the Tulse Hill
road over Brixton Hill
. In the 1950s the a Mondays to Saturdays service numbered 2A was introduced, which diverted from the north at West Norwood
to the Rosendale (as route 2 had in the 1930s) and running via Brixton Road
rather than Railton Road. On Sundays, service 2B from Golders Green to Crystal Palace ran, but via Tulse Hill to cover route 186, which did not run on that day. Later, route 186 was withdrawn completely route 2B operated daily. The 2 was also restored to North Finchley, however the 2A lost its Saturday service.
The 2/2A/2B used London's first bus lane, southbound on Vauxhall Bridge
, coming into operation on 26 February 1968.
By the 1980s the 2A had been withdrawn completely, and route 2 was increasingly sidelined, being withdrawn north of Baker Street from the changes in September 1982, albeit with a summer Sundays extension from there to London Zoo
. The 2B, which was more direct, took on the prominent role, although in 1986 was split with new route
82 replacing it between Baker Street and North Finchley. So the 2B had room at Baker Street, the 2 was further cut from the south to Victoria, losing its Sunday service shortly afterwards. From 1988 part of the 2B service was renumbered 2A.
In 1990 service 2 was rerouted in Stockwell via Lansdowne Way. By 1992 the 2A/2B has become more logical, the 2A running from Crystal Palace to Brixton, the 2B West Norwood to Baker Street. The evening and Sunday service ran through under the 2A number. In October that year, route 2 was re-numbered 322 and converted to minibus
operation, and the 2B and evening/Sunday 2A became route 2. The northern terminus was altered to Marylebone Station
at the same time. The use of the number 2A was dropped completely around a year later.
In 2003 new route 432 took over the Crystal Palace to Brixton section on a daily basis, in connection with the introduction of the central London congestion charge
, and the main part of route 2 was increased in frequency. At the same time the northern terminus was cut back to Baker Street
to make room for route 453
. On 24 March 2007, after much delay, the terminus was once again altered to Marylebone, with Hayes Place a new terminal point.
Arriva London
bought VLA-class Volvo B7TL
/Alexander ALX400
s for the route, now present in large numbers at Norwood garage, where route 2 is operated from. Conversion to the type took place a few months before the contract was renewed.
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
contracted bus route in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The service is currently contracted to Arriva London
Arriva London
Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green...
.
History
Route 2 was the last West End bus route that was operated by step-entrance buses other than RoutemasterRoutemaster
The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company in 1954 and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open-platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances...
s. Like most low numbered routes, it was originally a cross-London service, which ran from Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, London
Crystal Palace is a residential area in south London, England named from the former local landmark, The Crystal Palace, which occupied the area from 1854 to 1936. The area is located approximately 8 miles south east of Charing Cross, and offers impressive views over the capital...
to North Finchley, later cut back to Golders Green
Golders Green
Golders Green is an area in the London Borough of Barnet in London, England. Although having some earlier history, it is essentially a 19th century suburban development situated about 5.3 miles north west of Charing Cross and centred on the crossroads of Golders Green Road and Finchley Road.In the...
. During peak hours it extended to Arnos Grove
Arnos Grove tube station
Arnos Grove is a London Underground station on the Piccadilly line between Bounds Green and Southgate. It is in Travelcard Zone 4 and is located in Arnos Grove, near Arnos Park on Bowes Road, London. The station and surrounding neighbourhood of Arnos Grove take their names from the Arnos Grove...
via Whetstone
Whetstone, London
-Buses:* 34 - Barnet Church to Walthamstow Central bus/tube/railway station* 125 - Winchmore Hill to Finchley Central* 234 - Barnet to Highgate Wood * 251 - Edgware bus/tube station to Arnos Grove tube station...
.
At the time, route 2 ran via Herne Hill
Herne Hill
Herne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. There is a road of the same name which continues the A215 north of Norwood Road and was called Herne Hill Road.-History:...
and Railton Road
Railton Road
Railton Road runs between Brixton and Herne Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth.In the 1970s, Railton Road was a run down area that was known as "The Frontline" locally. The 1981 Brixton riot, the most serious riot in the United Kingdom during the 20th century, started here...
, whereas the current service bypasses the area, running instead along the Tulse Hill
Tulse Hill
Tulse Hill is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in South London, England. It lies to the south of Brixton, east of Brixton Hill, north of West Norwood and west of West Dulwich.-History:...
road over Brixton Hill
Brixton Hill
Brixton Hill is the name given to a 1 km section of road between Brixton and Streatham Hill in south London, England. It slopes downhill towards central London.Brixton Hill and Streatham Hill form part of the traditional main London to Brighton road...
. In the 1950s the a Mondays to Saturdays service numbered 2A was introduced, which diverted from the north at West Norwood
West Norwood
West Norwood is a place in the London Borough of Lambeth.It is primarily a residential suburb of south London but with some light industry near Knights Hill in the south....
to the Rosendale (as route 2 had in the 1930s) and running via Brixton Road
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
rather than Railton Road. On Sundays, service 2B from Golders Green to Crystal Palace ran, but via Tulse Hill to cover route 186, which did not run on that day. Later, route 186 was withdrawn completely route 2B operated daily. The 2 was also restored to North Finchley, however the 2A lost its Saturday service.
The 2/2A/2B used London's first bus lane, southbound on Vauxhall Bridge
Vauxhall Bridge
Vauxhall Bridge is a Grade II* listed steel and granite deck arch bridge in central London. It crosses the River Thames in a south–east north–west direction between Vauxhall on the south bank and Pimlico on the north bank...
, coming into operation on 26 February 1968.
By the 1980s the 2A had been withdrawn completely, and route 2 was increasingly sidelined, being withdrawn north of Baker Street from the changes in September 1982, albeit with a summer Sundays extension from there to London Zoo
London Zoo
London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847...
. The 2B, which was more direct, took on the prominent role, although in 1986 was split with new route
London Buses route 82
London Buses route 82 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.-History:...
82 replacing it between Baker Street and North Finchley. So the 2B had room at Baker Street, the 2 was further cut from the south to Victoria, losing its Sunday service shortly afterwards. From 1988 part of the 2B service was renumbered 2A.
In 1990 service 2 was rerouted in Stockwell via Lansdowne Way. By 1992 the 2A/2B has become more logical, the 2A running from Crystal Palace to Brixton, the 2B West Norwood to Baker Street. The evening and Sunday service ran through under the 2A number. In October that year, route 2 was re-numbered 322 and converted to minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
operation, and the 2B and evening/Sunday 2A became route 2. The northern terminus was altered to Marylebone Station
Marylebone station
Marylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
at the same time. The use of the number 2A was dropped completely around a year later.
In 2003 new route 432 took over the Crystal Palace to Brixton section on a daily basis, in connection with the introduction of the central London congestion charge
London congestion charge
The London congestion charge is a fee charged for some categories of motor vehicle to travel at certain times within the Congestion Charge Zone , a traffic area in London. The charge aims to reduce congestion, and raise investment funds for London's transport system...
, and the main part of route 2 was increased in frequency. At the same time the northern terminus was cut back to Baker Street
Baker Street
Baker Street is a street in the Marylebone district of the City of Westminster in London. It is named after builder William Baker, who laid the street out in the 18th century. The street is most famous for its connection to the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who lived at a fictional 221B...
to make room for route 453
London Buses route 453
London Buses route 453 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Go-Ahead London.-History:...
. On 24 March 2007, after much delay, the terminus was once again altered to Marylebone, with Hayes Place a new terminal point.
Arriva London
Arriva London
Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green...
bought VLA-class Volvo B7TL
Volvo B7TL
Volvo B7TL is a low-floor double-decker bus which was launched in 1999 and replaced the 2-axle version of Volvo Olympian...
/Alexander ALX400
Alexander ALX400
The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
s for the route, now present in large numbers at Norwood garage, where route 2 is operated from. Conversion to the type took place a few months before the contract was renewed.
Current route
- Marylebone StationMarylebone stationMarylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
- Baker Street StationBaker Street tube stationBaker Street tube station is a station on the London Underground at the junction of Baker Street and the Marylebone Road. The station lies in Travelcard Zone 1 and is served by five different lines...
- Marble Arch StationMarble Arch tube stationMarble Arch is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster. The station is between Lancaster Gate and Bond Street stations on the Central line, and is in Travelcard Zone 1.-History:...
- Hyde Park Corner StationHyde Park Corner tube stationHyde Park Corner is a London Underground station near Hyde Park Corner in Hyde Park. It is in Travelcard Zone 1, between Knightsbridge and Green Park on the Piccadilly Line.-History:...
- Victoria Station
- Bessborough Gardens (for Pimlico StationPimlico tube stationPimlico is a London Underground station in Pimlico, City of Westminster. It is on the Victoria line between Victoria and Vauxhall in Zone 1. The station opened on 14 September 1972 more than a year after the rest of the line had become fully operational....
) - Vauxhall Station Bus StationVauxhall bus stationVauxhall Bus Station serves the area of Vauxhall in the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The station is owned and maintained by Transport for London and is the second busiest in London...
- Stockwell StationStockwell tube stationStockwell tube station is a London Underground station in Stockwell, in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is located on the Northern Line between Oval and Clapham North, and on the Victoria Line between Brixton and Vauxhall. It is the southernmost station on the London Undergound that serves more...
- Brixton StationBrixton tube stationBrixton tube station, a station on the London Underground opened on July 23, 1971, is the southern terminus of the Victoria line.It is located in Brixton Road, and is about 100m from Brixton railway station . From the ticket hall, three escalators take passengers to and from the platforms...
- Tulse Hill StationTulse Hill railway stationTulse Hill railway station is in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, between railway bridges over the A205, South Circular Road and the A215, Norwood Road...
- West Norwood StationWest Norwood railway stationWest Norwood railway station is in the London Borough of Lambeth in West Norwood, south London. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southern, and it is in Travelcard Zone 3. Services from Platform 1 go to London Victoria and London Bridge via Tulse Hill...
- West NorwoodWest NorwoodWest Norwood is a place in the London Borough of Lambeth.It is primarily a residential suburb of south London but with some light industry near Knights Hill in the south....
Bus Garage