London Buses route 88 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Camden Town and Clapham Common, it is operated by London General.
History
Route 88 was the first "Metropolitan" route to receive AEC NS-Type buses, running between Acton Green and Mitcham. Route 88 ran from Acton Green to Mitcham (Mon-Fri)/St Helier (Mon-Fri peaks/Sat)/Belmont (Sundays) in 1950. It was extended further to Banstead Hospital (Sundays pm journeys) in 1961, It was withdrawn from Belmont in 1974 and extended Sunday journeys to Merton garage in 1981.
Route 88 was rerouted to Turnham Green in 1988. It was withdrawn between Turnham Green and Marble Arch in 1990 and replaced by new route 94. It was withdrawn between Clapham Common and Mitcham in late 1990 and Oxford Circus and Marble Arch in 1992.
Between 1993 and 1997, Volvos were used to run the route. For some time, the route was the only one to use the buses.
Because of a lack of stand space at Oxford Circus, the route was extended to Camden Town after the withdrawn of route 135 in 2000.
In 2000, the route was conveted to low floor operation using Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents.
In May 2009, the Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents were replaced by Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs.
On 11 December 2010, the route was retained by London General with Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s and Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs introduced.
On 1 June 2013, brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs were introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s and Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs.
On 22 August 2015, the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s and Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs were replaced by brand new New Routemasters.
On 9 December 2017, the route was retained by London General.
On 8 August 2018, TFL released a consultation in which they propose rerouting the 88 between Great Portland Street and Camden Town via Albany Street and withdrawing Route C2 altogether. Should the change be implmented in early 2019, route 88 would no longer Mornington Crescent, Hampstead Road, Warren Street or Euston Road.
Current Route
Route 88 operates via these primary locations:
- Camden Town Camden Gardens
- Mornington Crescent
- Warren Street
- Great Portland Street
- Oxford Circus
- Piccadilly Circus
- Trafalgar Square
- Westminster
- Tate Britain
- Vauxhall Bus Station
- Stockwell
- Clapham Common Old Town
External links
Gallery
