97
Stagecoach London Scania OmniCity at Stratford City bus station in April 2015
Overview
OperatorStagecoach London
GarageWest Ham
VehicleScania OmniCity
Peak vehicle requirement21
PredecessorsRoute 69
Route
StartChingford station
ViaChingford Mount
Walthamstow
Leyton Green
Leyton
Stratford International station
EndStratford City bus station
Length11 miles (18 km)
Service
LevelDaily
FrequencyAbout every 8-15 minutes

London Buses route 97 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Chingford station and Stratford City bus station, it is operated by Stagecoach London.

History

Leyland Titan at Chingford station in March 1985
East London Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident 2 at Chingford station in October 2008

On 31 January 1981 Route 97 was introduced to replace the northern leg of Route 69 between Leyton and Chingford, replacing Routemasters on that section. It was withdrawn temporarily between June 1987 and November 1988 when it was covered by the 69 again. The 97 was operated by London Forest until 1991, when that company was wound up.[1] The route passed to Capital Citybus on 23 November 1991.[2] Route 97 was included in the July 1998 sale of Capital Citybus to First London.[3][4]

Upon being re-tendered, it was retained by First London with a new contract commencing on 26 February 2000. When next tendered, it passed to Stagecoach London's Leyton garage with a new contract commencing on 5 March 2005.[5] Stagecoach London commenced a further contract on 6 March 2010.[6]

On 10 September 2011, route 97 was extended from Leyton to Stratford City bus station to coincide with the opening of Westfield Stratford City.[7] On 31 August 2013, the route was diverted to serve the new residential precinct around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.[8] Sister Route 97A operated from 1981 and 2000 between Chingford and Walthamstow Central with various extensions to Leyton, Hackney and latterly Whipps Cross. It was replaced by Route 357.

Current route

Route 97 operates via these primary locations:[9]

References

  1. ↑ McLachlan, Tom (1995). London Buses 1985-1995: Managing The Change. Venture Publications. p. 33.
  2. ↑ Waterhouse, R J (December 1991). "Londoner's Omnibus - Walthamstow latest". Buses. 43 (441): 547.
  3. ↑ Tendered Bus Services Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs March 1999
  4. ↑ Annual Report Year Ended 31 March 1999 FirstGroup
  5. ↑ Bus tender results Transport for London 13 July 2004
  6. ↑ Bus tender results Transport for London 14 September 2009
  7. ↑ Going to Westfield Stratford City Transport for London 12 September 2011
  8. ↑ Have your say on proposals for bus services to serve the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Transport for London August 2013
  9. ↑ Route 97 Map Transport for London
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