London Buses route N87 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Aldwych and Kingston, it is operated by London General.
History[]
The N87 was a long-standing night-route with its origins as an all-night tram service. Introduced as route 287 after the withdrawal of the trams in 1952, it ran in both directions around a circular route in a figure of “8” from Victoria Embankment via Westminster, Kennington, Balham, Clapham, Tooting, Streatham, Brixton, Stockwell, Kennington, Elephant & Castle and Blackfriars back to Victoria Embankment. It was renumbered N87 in 1960 in order to free up its original number for the new bus routes which were replacing the trolleybus services from the late 1950s. In later years it was rerouted to serve Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Strand and Fleet Street instead of Victoria Embankment. Buses ran both ways around the loops every 24 minutes, which in those days made it the most frequent (and regular) night bus. It was replaced in the mid-1990s by a number of other routes when the reorganization and enhancement of the night bus network took place and is now covered mainly by the 88, today’s N44 and the N133.
On 3 June 2006, route N77 was renumbered N87. At the same time route, N87 was withdrawn between Kingston and Tolworth.
On 1 June 2013, the route was retained by London General with brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs introduced alongside the existing Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs.
On 2 June 2018, the Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs were replaced by brand new Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs.
On 30 March 2019, the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs and Enviro 400 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs were replaced by existing New Routemasters.
Current Route[]
Route N87 operates via these primary locations:
- Aldwych St Mary's Church
- Charing Cross Station
- Trafalgar Square
- Westminster Station
- Parliament Square
- Tate Gallery
- Vauxhall Bus Station
- Nine Elms Station
- Wandsworth Road Station
- Clapham Junction Station
- Wandsworth High Street
- Wimbledon Bus Station
- Raynes Park Station
- New Malden
- Kingston Fairfield Bus Station