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London Buses route N97 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Trafalgar Square and Hammersmith, it is operated by London General.

History[]

Night Bus Route N97 has the distinction of being the shortest dedicated Night Bus Route at only 6 miles (10 km) long. However, the route began as the 297 in October 1934 (itself being renumbered from route 614) and ran between Liverpool Street and Turnham Green. It was renumbered as N97 on 28 September 1960. It ran between Liverpool Street and Turnham Green Garage via Bank, St. Paul’s, Ludgate Circus, Fleet Street, Strand, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, South Kensington, Fulham Broadway, Dawes Road, Hammersmith, and Stamford Brook. It was subsequently rerouted to serve Earl’s Court. In 1977, when the Piccadilly line was extended to Heathrow, the N97 underwent a major change when it was extended to Heathrow Airport via Chiswick, Gunnersbury, Brentford, Isleworth, Hounslow, Hounslow West, Cranford, and Harlington Corner, and at the same time was introduced on Saturday night/Sunday morning and substantially increased in frequency. There is no day counterpart to the route, and to travel along this route during the day from Hammersmith one would need to take route 190 to West Brompton, route 74 to Hyde Park Corner, and route 9 to Trafalgar Square.

The route is primarily used as a night replacement for the Piccadilly line between Piccadilly Circus and Hammersmith stations. Passengers can then continue their journey using night routes N91 (to Cockfosters) or N9 (to Heathrow). There is currently no night service for the Uxbridge branch.

On 6 March 1999, the route was retained by London United.

On 4 March 2006, the route was retained by London United.

On 5 March 2011, the route was retained by London United.

On 5 March 2016, route N97 passed to Tower Transit operating from their Atlas Road (AS) garage using existing Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs and existing Wright Gemini 2 bodied VDL DB300s.

In March 2016, the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs and Wright Gemini 2 bodied VDL DB300s were replaced by brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.

On 1 July 2017, Atlas Road (AS) garage was announced closed and the allocation was transferred to Westbourne Park (X) garage.

On 1 May 2021, the Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs were replaced by Alexander Dennis Enviro 400H's.

On 11 December 2021, the route was included in the sale of Tower Transit's Westbourne Park (X) Garage to London Transit.

On 4 March 2023, The route passed to London General operating from Putney (AF) garage using existing Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.

Current Route[]

Route N97 operates via these primary locations:

  • Trafalgar Square Northumberland Avenue
  • Piccadilly Circus Station
  • Green Park Station
  • Hyde Park Corner Station
  • Knightsbridge Station
  • Harrods
  • South Kensington Station
  • Gloucester Road Station
  • Earl's Court Station
  • West Brompton Station
  • Charing Cross Hospital
  • Hammersmith Upper Bus Station

External links[]

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