London Buses route 4
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|---|---|
| Management | |
| Operated by | Metroline |
| Garage | Holloway |
| Vehicle | {{{vehicle}}} |
| Route | |
| Start | Archway |
| Via | Holloway Finsbury Park Islington St Paul's |
| End | Waterloo |
| Length | 8 miles (13 km) |
| Service | |
| Level | Daily (5:00am until 1:00am) |
| Frequency | About every 10 minutes |
| Journey time | 41-76 minutes |
| Night | None |
| Adult single fares | |
| Cash | £1.50 |
| Oyster | 80p (£1 Mon-Fri 7-9.30am) |
| Transport for London | |
London Buses route 4 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.
Contents |
[edit] History
The history of the current route 4 dates back to 26 August 1912, when a route 4 was introduced between Finsbury Park station and Elephant & Castle via Highbury, St Pauls and Blackfriars Bridge. This was the fourth time the route number 4 had been carried by a motorbus route.
At the end of World War I, the route had settled down to operate between Finsbury Park and Bermondsey (Queen Charlotte), to where it had been extended on 27 January 1913.
During the 1920s, the 4 was further extended from Bermondsey to Greenwich (Church Street), but this did not last and the southern terminus of the route had reverted to Bermondsey by the early 1930s. Between 1924 and 1934, a 4A and 4B were in operation, but only as short workings of the whole route which used the plain 4.
On 29 October 1941 a Monday to Saturday route 4A was introduced between Finsbury Park and Camberwell Green.
East and south east London had seen severe bombing during 1940 and 1941. This had led to decline in demand for buses in that area. London Transport responded by withdrawing the 4 after service on 27 October 1942. Leaving the 4A on its own until 11 October 1950 when the 4 was re-introduced between Finsbury Park and Bermondsey, being extended to Surrey Docks in 1951.
The "busmans Strike of 1958" was responsible for the loss of very large numbers of passengers on London's buses. London Transport reacted to this situation and the looming financial losses by withdrawing many routes, in a three staged plan during 1958/59. The 4A was one of many routes withdrawn after service on 19 August 1958.
The replacement of London trolleybuses got underway in 1959. On 8 November 1961 the 4 became involved, when as stage 12 of the "buses for trolleybuses" scheme, a new 4A was introduced on Monday to Friday between Finsbury Park and Waterloo. The new route didn't directly replace trolleybuses, but covered sections of two withdrawn routes, the 48 and 179. By the mid-1960s, the 4 and 4A together, actually provided a service over and above what was needed on most sections. The 4 was gradually reduced, being totally withdrawn on 31 December 1966, leaving the 4A alone once more.
On 4 September 1971 the 4 was re-instated, replacing the 4A as well as being further extended to Tufnell Park. On 31 January 1981, it was further extended from Tufnell Park to Archway.
On 25 September 1993 London Suburban Bus took over all operation of this route with Leyland Titans.
On 27 April 1996 MTL London (Metroline) took over all operation of this route, and have done so ever since.
[edit] Current route
[edit] Gallery
All pictures courtesy of London Bus Routes.
 An AEC Regent III RT seen in Aldersgate Street, September 1971 |
 A Routemaster seen in Waterloo |
 A MCW Metrobus seen in Waterloo |
 Metroline operation of route 4 seen in Highbury Corner |
 Metroline Plaxton President operation of route 4 seen in Archway |
[edit] Previous route 4's in London
The route number 4 had been used three times prior to its current use.
- In 1906 - 1909 for a Gospel Oak,* Oxford Circus,* King's Cross,* Wormwood Scrubs,* Shepherds Bush,* to Putney,* Tooting,* Wandsworth, Brixton,* Herne Hill* route. *Termini varied
- In 1910 - 1911 for a Stonebridge Park to Elephant & Castle route.
- In 1911 for a Holloway to Elephant & Castle route.
There were also in London :-
- Between 1913 - 1951 a Victoria Embankment - Wimbledon Tram route 4.
- During the General Strike in May 1926 a circular route 4 which operated Harlesden - Tottenham Court Road - Bank - Marble Arch - Harlesden.
- Between 1932 - 1935 a Wimbledon - Hampton Court Trolleybus route 4.
[edit] External links
| List of bus routes in London |
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1-99 | 100-199 | 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-499 | 500-599 | 600-699 | Letter prefix | Night only |
