London Buses route 344 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street, it is operated by Transport UK London Bus.
History[]
Route 344 commenced operation on 25 May 1991 ran between Clapham Junction and London Bridge stations. Operating from Victoria (GM) and Merton (AL) garages using MCW Metrobuses, the route was introduced as a replacement for the withdrawn section of route 44 as part of the Wandsworth area scheme.
On 29 November 1992, the Sunday allocation was transferred to Gillingham Street Basement (GB) garage. The Sunday service was converted to minibus operation using Optare StarRiders.
On 13 June 1993, the Sunday allocation was transferred to Battersea (BB) garage and the Optare StarRiders were replaced by Optare MetroRiders and Alexander bodied Mercedes 811D's.
On 17 July 1993, Gillingham Street (GM) garage was announced closed and the Monday to Saturday allocation was transferred to Stockwell (SW) garage. The route was fully converted to Optare MetroRider operation on Sundays.
On 9 September 1996, the Sunday allocation once again moved, this time back to Merton (AL) garage and the Optare MetroRiders were replaced by Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Darts.
On 14 September 1997, the whole allocation was transferred to Stockwell (SW) garage.
On 29 May 1999, the route passed to Limebourne Buses operating from their Battersea (QB) garage using low floor Caetano Compass bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 28 August 1999, the route was diverted at Southwark Bridge to Liverpool Street station, as a partial replacement for a withdrawn peak hours extension on route 149. Route 344 is the only London Bus route to cross Southwark Bridge.
On 3 February 2001, the Liverpool Street terminal was changed to Bishopsgate.
In July 2001, the route was included in the sale of Limebourne Buses to Connex.
On 6 June 2002, the route was converted back to double deck operation using Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 26 February 2004, the route was included in the sale of Connex to Travel London.
On 21 August 2004, the route was retained by Travel London
On 4 December 2004, the route was rerouted via Vauxhall Bus Station.
On 11 November 2006, the route became a 24-hour service.
On 10 February 2007, brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s were introduced alongside the existing Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 21 May 2009, the route was included in the sale of Travel London to Abellio London.
On 22 August 2009, the route was retained by Abellio London with brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
On 14 March 2015, the northbound routing of the route was diverted via Southwark Street and London Bridge instead of its usual Southwark Bridge Routing.
In August 2016, brand new Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs were introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
On 20 August 2016, the route was retained by Abellio London using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs and brand new Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs.
On 30 November 2019, the route was withdrawn between Liverpool Street Station and Shoreditch and re-routed to Liverpool Street Bus Station via Wormwood Street.
On 21 August 2021, the route was retained by Abellio London.
On 13 November 2021, the route was temporarily converted to a full Alexander Dennis Enviro 400H operation.
In December 2021, existing Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs were reintroduced alongside existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs.
On 27 February 2023, a consultation was opened regarding the permanent re-routing of 344 away from Southwark Bridge and via Southwark Street and London Bridge, the Northbound routing already follows this diversion.
On 2 March 2024, Abellio London was rebranded to Transport UK London Bus.
Current Route[]
Route 344 operates via these primary locations:
- Clapham Junction Station
- Battersea High Street
- Battersea The Latchmere
- Battersea Park Station
- Battersea Power Station
- Vauxhall Bus Station
- Albert Embankment
- Lambeth Bridge
- Imperial War Museum
- Elephant & Castle Station
- Southwark Street (for Southwark Bridge)
- London Bridge
- Monument Station
- Liverpool Street Bus Station
Gallery[]
