London Buses route 274 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Islington and Lancaster Gate, it is operated by Metroline.
History
Route 274 commenced operation on 25 May 1991 between Marble Arch and Camden Town Greenland Road via Baker Street - The Zoo. The route was introduced replacing the withdrawn section of route 74 between Camden Town and Baker Street. The route was initially operated by London Northern from their Chalk Farm (CF) garage using Leyland Titans.
On 10 September 1992, the route was converted to midibus operation using Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Darts.
On 31 July 1993, Chalk Farm (CF) garage was announced closed and the allocation transferred to Holloway (HT) garage.
On 26 October 1994, the route was included in the sale of London Northern to MTL.
On 1 March 1997, the route was extended from Camden Town to Islington Angel.
On 3 July 1998, the route was included in the sale of MTL London to Metroline.
On 23 June 2001, the route was retained by Metroline and was converted to low floor operation using Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 1 February 2003, the route was extended from Marble Arch to Lancaster Gate Station in preparation for the introduction of the London congestion charge.
On 26 July 2003, the allocation was transferred from the overcrowded Holloway (HT) garage to King's Cross (KX) garage.
On 20 March 2004, the route was converted to a 24-hour service.
On 5 February 2005, the night service was transferred to King's Cross (KX) garage.
On 24 June 2006, the route was retained by Metroline.
On 10 July 2010, King's Cross (KX) garage was announced closed and the allocation was transferred to King's Cross (KC) garage.
On 25 June 2011, the route was retained by Metroline with Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts introduced, and the night service was withdrawn.
On 15 May 2017, the route was temporarily withdrawn between Marble Arch (Oxford Street) and Lancaster Gate due to resurfacing works and the build of the East-West Cycle Superhighway. It resumed operating to Lancaster Gate on 22 June 2017.
On 23 June 2018, the route was retained by Metroline using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts and temporarily using Alexander Dennis Pointer bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 2 October 2018, the route was converted to double deck operation using brand new MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B5LHs.
On 10 June 2023, King’s Cross (KC) garage was announced closed and the allocation was transfered back to Holloway (HT) garage.
Current Route
Route 274 operates via these primary locations:
- Islington Goswell Road
- Angel Station
- Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Station
- Camden Road Station
- Camden Town Station
- London Zoo
- Baker Street Station
- Marble Arch Station
- Lancaster Gate Station Lancaster Terrace