London Buses route 37 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Peckham and Putney Heath, it is operated by London Central.
History[]
This route dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when it ran between Peckham and Isleworth. Five STL-type buses with open tops were ordered by Charles Pickup for route 37 on weekdays, now running between Peckham and Richmond. It was later extended to Hounslow, and during World War I was operated with naptha powered vehicles. For a short period, there was a very long Summer Sunday extension to Maidenhead. For many years buses on this route would frequently terminate at either Richmond or Isleworth instead of completing the trip to Hounslow.
On 25 April 1981, serious disruptions to the service caused by increasing congestion and other operating difficulties resulted in the splitting of the route into two overlapping sections, Peckham to Putney or Richmond and Clapham Common to Hounslow. It was run by AEC Routemasters.
On 25 May 1991, the route was withdrawn between Putney and Hounslow, with new route 337 covering the section from Clapham Junction to Richmond and the midibus route H37 covering Richmond to Hounslow.
On 26 April 1997, the route gained a night bus variant, route N37. It was the 50th- night bus route to begin operation in London. The 'N' prefix has since been dropped.
On 29 May 1999, the route was retained by London General.
On 6 January 2001, the route was converted to low floor operation using Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs.
On 2 April 2004, the route became a 24-hour service.
On 9 October 2004, the operation was transferred to London Central operating from their Peckham (PM) garage with Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TLs introduced.
On 6 May 2006, the route was re-routed in East Dulwich via East Dulwich Grove and Lordship Lane instead of Melbourne Grove and Grove Vale.
On 21 May 2006, brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s were introduced.
On 3 June 2006, the route was retained by London Central.
On 17 February 2007, the route was rerouted eastbound at Clapham Common via Long Road to Clapham Common Station instead of via North Side and The Pavement.
On 21 April 2007, the route was extended from Putney Station to Putney Heath Green Man.
On 1 June 2013, the route was retained by London Central.
On 2 June 2018, the route was retained by London Central using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
In August 2018, brand new Wright SRM bodied Volvo B5LHCs were introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
In February 2022, existing MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B5LHs were introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s and Wright SRM bodied Volvo B5LHCs.
On 18 June 2022, the route Wright SRM bodied Volvo B5LHCs were withdrawn and converted to full Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 and MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B5LHs.
On 19 January 2023, existing Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs were introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s and MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B5LHs.
On 28 February 2023, the route was converted to a full Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40H and MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B5LH operation.
Current Route[]
Route 37 operates via these primary locations:
- Putney Heath Green Man
- Putney Station
- East Putney
- Wandsworth High Street
- Clapham Junction
- Long Road
- Clapham Common
- Acre Lane
- Brixton Lambeth Town Hall
- Effra Road
- Herne Hill
- Half Moon Lane
- North Dulwich
- East Dulwich Grove
- Dulwich Hospital
- East Dulwich Goose Green
- Peckham Rye
- Peckham Bus Station
External Links[]
Gallery[]
_-_Wrightbus_SRM_B5LHC.png "37 bus route BV18YAE (VHP2) - Wrightbus SRM B5LHC.png (920 KB)")
