London Buses Route 406 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Kingston and Epsom, it is operated by London United RATP.
History[]
Route 406 started in 1920 as route S6 between Kingston and Redhill, and was renumbered as 406 in 1924.
In 1957, the second prototype AEC Routemaster ran on route 406 between Redhill and Kingston. It was later shortened to operate just between Kingston and Epsom. Following the Privatisation of London bus services the route became part of London Country South West.
In 1991, the route was diverted at Surbiton Hill Road via Surbiton Station to Kingston.
On 27 January 2001, it became a tendered Transport for London route and the route passed to London United operating from their Hounslow (AV) garage using Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs. A proposal to extend the 406 to Teddington in 2001 was not received favouably by residents and did not proceed.
On 31 March 2001, the route was converted to double deck operation using MCW Metrobuses.
On 30 June 2001, the allocation was transferred from Hounslow (AV) to Kingston (K) garages.
On 3 November 2001, Kingston (K) garage was announced closed and the allocation was transferred to Tolworth (TV) garage. Volvo Olympians were introduced at the same time.
On 29 June 2002, the route was retained by London United.
In 2005, the route was converted to low floor operation using Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 30 June 2007, the route passed to Quality Line with brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s introduced, At the same time, the route was diverted via Surbiton Hill Road instead of Claremont Road and Surbiton Station at the same time. Thus the route was restored to its original routing.
On 30 June 2012, the route was retained by Quality Line.
On 29 June 2019, the route was retained by Quality Line RATP.
On 25 April 2020, the operation was transferred back to London United RATP operating from their Tolworth (TV) garage. At the same time, the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s were replaced by existing Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.
The route will be retained by London United RATP from 29 June 2024.
Current Route[]
Route 406 operates via these primary locations:
- Kingston Cromwell Road Bus Station
- Surbiton Hollyfield School
- Tolworth Broadway
- Tolworth Station
- Ewell High Street
- High Street for Epsom Station
- Epsom Clock Tower
- Epsom Hospital Rosebery School (School Journeys)
External links[]
Gallery[]