London Buses route 207 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Hayes By-Pass and White City, it is operated by Transport UK London Bus.
It has a limited stop equivalent route, numbered SL8.
History[]
Route 207 originates from London United Tramways route 7 which ran between Uxbridge and Shepherd's Bush Green.
In 1936, this route was replaced by a trolleybus route 607 which ran until 1960.
On 9 November 1960, the route was introduced as part of the trolleybus replacement program stage 8, replacing trolleybus route 607 between Uxbridge and Shepherd's Bush Green using AEC Routemasters. The route was converted to crew operated Daimler Fleetlines on 28 February 1976.
On 28 March 1987, one man operation was introduced using MCW Metrobuses.
On 21 July 1990, limited stops route 607 began, paralleling route 207.
The route runs along the entire length of the Uxbridge Road, was operated as two overlapping sections in the late 1990s, with a peak vehicle requirement of 35 double deckers. The proposed West London Tram paralleled much of the 207.
In February 2000, the MCW Metrobuses were replaced by Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 15 October 2001, 6 articulated buses which were on trial on the route for 6 months, ran between Hayes-by-Pass and Shepherd's Bush Green operating from First London's Greenford (G) garage. The trial was a success.
On 9 April 2005, the route was split into two sections: The section between Hayes-by-Pass and Shepherd's Bush Green retained the number 207 and was converted to single deck artic operation using Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses and the section between Uxbridge and Acton High Street renumbered 427 using Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents. A new base opened at Hayes for the 207 and the Uxbridge and Acton allocations were withdrawn. The route was retained by First London at the same time.
In October and November 2004, the route was found to have the highest level of police callouts of any service in London. Fare evasion following the conversion to bendy bus operation is also perceived to be a problem by local transport user group EPTUG.
The route was extended from Shepherd's Bush Green to White City Bus Station when Westfield London opened on 29 November 2008. A month earlier, passengers' organisation London TravelWatch had claimed that the route carried more passengers than any other route in Europe, although this was disputed by some commentators.
In 2009, it was announced by new Mayor of London Boris Johnson that articulated buses would be replaced by the end of 2011. It was expected that the route would be converted to single deck articulated bus operation.
In February 2011, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be converted to double deck vehicles in December 2011, and that the frequency of the route would be increased. Similar changes were planned for night bus variant N207. The proposals were criticised by local Liberal Democrat politicians for failing to increase the seating capacity of the route while increasing the number of vehicles on the Uxbridge Road.
On 10 December 2011, the route was converted back to double deck operation using brand new Scania OmniCitys. It was the last bus route in London to be operated by articulated buses.
On 7 April 2012, the route was retained by First London.
On 22 June 2013, the route was included in the sale of First London's Hayes (HS) garage to Metroline.
On 12 February 2017, part of the allocation was transferred to Uxbridge (UX) garage. Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s and Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs were introduced at the same time.
On 8 April 2017, the Hayes (HS) allocation was transferred to Greenford (G) garage and the Scania OmniCitys were replaced by Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs.
In June 2017, the Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs were replaced by brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.
On 6 April 2019, the route passed to Abellio London operating from their Hayes (WS) garage using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s, Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander E40Hs and brand new Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Ds. The afternoon school trips from Twyford School to Southall was withdrawn at the same time.
On 27 July 2019, the allocation was transferred to Armstrong Way (GW) garage.
On 2 March 2024, Abellio London was rebranded to Transport UK London Bus.
The route will be withdrawn between White City and Shepherds Bush from TBC. At the same time, the PVR will be cut to 28.
Current Route[]
Route 207 operates via these primary locations:
- Hayes By-Pass Ossie Garvin Roundabout
- Southall High Street
- Southall Park
- Ealing Hospital
- Hanwell Broadway
- West Ealing
- Ealing Broadway
- Ealing Common Station
- Acton Town Hall
- Acton Vale
- Shepherd's Bush Market Station
- Shepherd's Bush Stations
- White City Bus Station