London Buses route 626 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Finchley and Dame Alice Owen's School, it is operated by Metroline.
History[]
Route 626 commenced operation on 25 July 1998. It is a renumbering of route 326S. It was initially operated by Thorpes from their Perivale West (PA) garage using MCW Metrobuses.
On 30 August 2003, the route passed to Metroline operating from their Potters Bar (PB) garage using low floor Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 30 August 2008, the route was retained by Metroline.
On 31 August 2013, the route passed to Sullivan Buses operating from their South Mimms (SM) garage with existing East Lancs Myllennium Vyking bodied Volvo B7TLs introduced.
On 1 September 2018, the route was retained by Sullivan Buses using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
On 2 September 2023, the route passed back to Metroline operating from Potters Bar (PB) garage using existing Optare MetroDecker EVs. At the same time, a crosslink with route 134 was formed.
On 22 November 2023, the Optare MetroDecker EVs were temporarily replaced by existing Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.
On 29 November 2023, the Optare MetroDecker EVs were reintroduced alongside the Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.
On 1 December 2023, route reverted to a full Optare MetroDecker EV operation.
Current Route[]
Route 626 operates via these primary locations:
- Finchley Central Station Dollis Park
- North Finchley Tally Ho Corner
- Whetstone High Road
- East Barnet Village
- New Barnet Station
- High Barnet Station
- Hadley Highstone
- Potters Bar Dame Alice Owen's School (Dugdale Hill Lane)