London Buses route 168 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Hampstead Heath and Old Kent Road, it is operated by Metroline.
History
Route 168 commenced operation on 25 October 1986 between Hampstead Heath and Waterloo via Rosslyn Hill - Haverstock Hill - Chalk Farm Stn - Camden Town - Eversholt Street - Euston - Russelll Square - Holborn - Aldwych replacing Route 68 as a Monday to Saturday route with Leyland Titans from Chalk Farm (CF) garage.
On 26 March 1988 , the Evening service was withdrawn.
On 22 March 1989, the route was converted to single deck using Leyland Nationals.
On 22 September 1990, route 168 was passed to Grey Green operating from Stamford Hill Garage (SH). The evening service was reintroduced and also the route was converted back to Double Deck operation.
On 12 March 1994 the route was extended from Waterloo to Elephant and Castle, and a Sunday service was introduced.
On 26 September 1998, route 168 passed to Arriva London operating from their Stamford Hill (SF) garage.
On 30 January 1999, the route was converted to low floor operation using Alexander ALX400 bodied DAF DB250LFs.
On 25 March 2000, the allocation was transferred to Tottenham Garage (AR).
On 6 January 2001, the contract was reassigned with Arriva London North which ended the sub contract.
On 15 January 2005, the 168 was extended from The Elephant and Castle to The Old Kent Road Tesco.
On 25 September 2010, route 168 was retained by Arriva London with brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s introduced and the allocation was transferred to Ash Grove (AE) garage.
On 26 September 2015, route 168 was passed to Metroline operating from their Cricklewood (W) garage with Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs introducted.
In December 2015, the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs were replaced by New Routemasters.
On 1 April 2017, the allocation was transferred to Holloway (HT) garage.
On 13 October 2018, the allocation was transferred back to Cricklewood (W) garage.
Current Route
Route 168 operates via these primary locations:
- Hampstead Heath South End Green
- Royal Free Hospital
- Chalk Farm Station
- Camden Town
- Mornington Crescent
- Euston
- Russell Square
- Aldwych
- Waterloo
- Elephant & Castle
- Old Kent Road Dunton Road, Tesco