London Buses route 21 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Lewisham and Holloway, Nags Head, it is operated by London Central.
History
Today's route 21, the second service in London to use this route number, started as such on 6 April 1911, as a daily motor-bus route between Newington Green and Old Kent Road (Canal Bridge), replacing the withdrawn horse-bus service 40. By the end of the First World War, the 21 operated between Wood Green (Fishmongers Arms) and Sidcup or Foots Cray.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the 21 as well as its sister 20 (later 21A), connected Wood Green and Sidcup, Swanley and Farningham, as well as Brockley Rise. During World War II, in an effort to save on diesel and rubber, the 21 was cut back from Wood Green to Moorgate (Finsbury Square), this section had been duplicated by trolleybus route 641, which used "homegrown" electricity.
From the late 1950s onwards, the 21 was gradually reduced, parts of its route hived off to other services for example the eastern end past Lewisham became a new route 321.
On 12 October 2002, the route was retained by London Central and the Saturday and Sunday service was extended from London Bridge to Moorgate.
On 22 February 2003, the route was converted to low floor operation using existing Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs.
On 14 January 2006, during the period of increased bus passenger use in London, after 65 years of absence, the 21 had once again been extended, paralleling route 141 to Newington Green.
On 10 October 2009, the route was retained by London Central using brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs.
On 8 October 2016, the route was retained by London Central.
On 5 December 2016, the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs were replaced by brand New Routemasters.
On 27 November 2021, the PVR was reduced from 27 to 21.
On 4 February 2023, the route was withdrawn between Newington Green and Baring Street and was diverted to Holloway, Nags Head via Highbury & Islington to partly replace route 271 which was discontinued. At the same time, the PVR was increased from 21 to 24.
On 7 October 2023, the route was retained by London Central.
Current Route
Route 21 operates via these primary locations:
- Lewisham Shopping Centre (Molesworth Street)
- Lewisham Station
- Lewisham College (For St John's Station)
- New Cross Gate
- Old Kent Road
- Bricklayer's Arms
- Great Dover Street
- Borough
- London Bridge (For Guy's Hospital and Southwark Cathedral)
- Monument
- Bank
- Moorgate
- Old Street
- Hoxton Baring Street
- Highbury & Islington
- Holloway Nags Head