London Buses route 4
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 4 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline
.
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, route numbers 4A and 4B were used for short workings of the full route. 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. The 4A suffixed route worked on its own until 11 October 1950, when a route 4 was re-introduced between Finsbury Park and Bermondsey, from which point it was extended to Surrey Docks in 1951.
The "Busman's Strike of 1958" caused the loss of very large numbers of passengers on London's buses. London Transport reacted to the resulting financial losses by withdrawing many routes. The 4A was one, being withdrawn on 19 August 1958.
The replacement of London trolleybuses began in 1959. On 8 November 1961 a new route 4A was introduced on Monday to Friday between Finsbury Park and Waterloo
. It covered sections of two other withdrawn routes, the 48 and 179. By the mid-1960s, the 4 and 4A together provided a more frequent service than was needed on most sections. The 4 was gradually reduced, being totally withdrawn on 31 December 1966.
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 the contract for route 4 was won by London Suburban Bus, who operated the route with Leyland Titans
.
On 27 April 1995 MTL London bought London Suburban Bus and took over operation of the route. They were then themselves bought by Metroline, who continue to operate the route. New Dennis Tridents
were bought for the route in 2001.
There were also in London :
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline
Metroline
Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:...
.
History
The history of the current route 4 dates back to 26 August 1912, when a route 4 was introduced between Finsbury Park stationFinsbury Park station
Finsbury Park Station is a busy transport interchange in North London. The interchange consists of an interconnected National Rail station, London Underground station and two bus stations. The main entrances are by the eastern bus station on Station Place...
and Elephant & Castle via Highbury
Highbury
- Early Highbury :The area now known as Islington was part of the larger manor of Tolentone, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Tolentone was owned by Ranulf brother of Ilger and included all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road. The manor house was situated by what is now...
, St Pauls
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
and Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames in London, between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge, carrying the A201 road. The north end is near the Inns of Court and Temple Church, along with Blackfriars station...
. 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
Bermondsey
Bermondsey is an area in London on the south bank of the river Thames, and is part of the London Borough of Southwark. To the west lies Southwark, to the east Rotherhithe, and to the south, Walworth and Peckham.-Toponomy:...
(Queen Charlotte), to where it had been extended on 27 January 1913. During the 1920s, the 4 was further extended from Bermondsey to Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
(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, route numbers 4A and 4B were used for short workings of the full route. On 29 October 1941 a Monday to Saturday route 4A was introduced between Finsbury Park and Camberwell Green
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
.
East and south east London had seen severe bombing
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
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. The 4A suffixed route worked on its own until 11 October 1950, when a route 4 was re-introduced between Finsbury Park and Bermondsey, from which point it was extended to Surrey Docks in 1951.
The "Busman's Strike of 1958" caused the loss of very large numbers of passengers on London's buses. London Transport reacted to the resulting financial losses by withdrawing many routes. The 4A was one, being withdrawn on 19 August 1958.
The replacement of London trolleybuses began in 1959. On 8 November 1961 a new route 4A was introduced on Monday to Friday between Finsbury Park and Waterloo
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
. It covered sections of two other withdrawn routes, the 48 and 179. By the mid-1960s, the 4 and 4A together provided a more frequent service than was needed on most sections. The 4 was gradually reduced, being totally withdrawn on 31 December 1966.
On 4 September 1971 the 4 was re-instated, replacing the 4A as well as being further extended to Tufnell Park
Tufnell Park
Tufnell Park is an area of north London, England which straddles the border of the London Borough of Islington and the London Borough of Camden.-Origins:...
. On 31 January 1981, it was further extended from Tufnell Park to Archway.
On 25 September 1993 the contract for route 4 was won by London Suburban Bus, who operated the route with Leyland Titans
Leyland Titan (B15)
The Leyland Titan was a model of double-decker bus produced by the Leyland Truck & Bus division of British Leyland from 1977 until 1984, almost exclusively for London Transport.-Development:...
.
On 27 April 1995 MTL London bought London Suburban Bus and took over operation of the route. They were then themselves bought by Metroline, who continue to operate the route. New Dennis Tridents
Dennis Trident 2
Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
were bought for the route in 2001.
Current route
- Archway StationArchway tube stationArchway tube station is a London Underground station in north London, underneath the Archway Tower, at the intersection of Holloway Road, Highgate Hill and Junction Road in the area known as Archway....
Junction Road - Tufnell Park StationTufnell Park tube stationTufnell Park tube station is a London Underground station in Islington close to its boundary with Camden . It is on the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line, between Archway and Kentish Town, and in Travelcard Zone 2. It has distinctive Edwardian red tiling and has two lifts between the street...
- HollowayHolloway, LondonHolloway is an inner-city district in the London Borough of Islington located north of Charing Cross and follows for the most part, the line of the Holloway Road . At the centre of Holloway is the Nag's Head area...
- Finsbury Park StationFinsbury Park stationFinsbury Park Station is a busy transport interchange in North London. The interchange consists of an interconnected National Rail station, London Underground station and two bus stations. The main entrances are by the eastern bus station on Station Place...
- HighburyHighbury- Early Highbury :The area now known as Islington was part of the larger manor of Tolentone, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Tolentone was owned by Ranulf brother of Ilger and included all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road. The manor house was situated by what is now...
- Highbury & Islington StationHighbury & Islington stationHighbury & Islington station is a London Underground and National Rail station in the London Borough of Islington in north London. It is served by the Victoria line, London Overground's East and North London Lines and First Capital Connect's Northern City Line....
- Islington High Street
- Angel StationAngel tube stationAngel tube station is a London Underground station in The Angel, Islington. It is on the Bank branch of the Northern Line, between Old Street and King's Cross St. Pancras stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 1. The tube stop serves as a portal to several Off West End, or fringe theatre, venues,...
- St Paul's StationSt. Paul's tube stationSt. Paul's tube station is a London Underground station in the City of London on the Central Line, between Bank and Chancery Lane stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 1....
- St Paul'sSt Paul's CathedralSt Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
Churchyard - City Thameslink Station
- AldwychAldwychAldwych is a place and road in the City of Westminster in London, England.-Description:Aldwych, the road, is a crescent, connected to the Strand at both ends. At its centre, it meets the Kingsway...
- Waterloo StationWaterloo stationWaterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
Waterloo Road
Previous route 4s in London
The route number 4 had been used three times prior to its current use.- In 1906 - 1909 for a Gospel OakGospel OakGospel Oak is an inner urban area of north London in the London Borough of Camden below Hampstead Heath. It is bordered by the more affluent areas of Belsize Park to the west, Kentish Town to the south, Eastern Hampstead to the North and Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park to the east...
, Oxford CircusOxford CircusOxford Circus is the area of London at the busy intersection of Regent Street and Oxford Street, in the West End. It is served by Oxford Circus tube station, which is directly beneath the junction itself.- History :...
, King's Cross, Wormwood ScrubsWormwood ScrubsWormwood Scrubs, known locally as The Scrubs, is an open space located in the north-eastern corner of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London. It is the largest open space in the Borough, at 80 ha , and one of the largest areas of common land in London...
or Shepherds Bush - PutneyPutneyPutney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, TootingTootingTooting is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, WandsworthWandsworthWandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
, BrixtonBrixtonBrixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
or Herne HillHerne HillHerne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. There is a road of the same name which continues the A215 north of Norwood Road and was called Herne Hill Road.-History:...
route. - In 1910 - 1911 for a Stonebridge ParkStonebridge ParkStonebridge Park could refer to:*Stonebridge Park, Liverpool, a new business centre in Liverpool*Stonebidge Park junction, a major junction in North-West London*Stonebridge Park station, a tube station in Tokyngton, London...
- Elephant & Castle route. - In 1911 for a HollowayHolloway, LondonHolloway is an inner-city district in the London Borough of Islington located north of Charing Cross and follows for the most part, the line of the Holloway Road . At the centre of Holloway is the Nag's Head area...
- Elephant & Castle route.
There were also in London :
- Between 1913 - 1951 a Victoria EmbankmentVictoria EmbankmentThe Victoria Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and river walk along the north bank of the River Thames in London. Victoria Embankment extends from the City of Westminster into the City of London.-Construction:...
- WimbledonThe Championships, WimbledonThe Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
Tram route 4. - During the General StrikeGeneral strikeA general strike is a strike action by a critical mass of the labour force in a city, region, or country. While a general strike can be for political goals, economic goals, or both, it tends to gain its momentum from the ideological or class sympathies of the participants...
in May 1926 a circular route 4 which operated HarlesdenHarlesdenHarlesden is an area in the London Borough of Brent, northwest London, UK. Its main focal point is the Jubilee Clock which commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee....
- Tottenham Court RoadTottenham Court RoadTottenham Court Road is a major road in central London, United Kingdom, running from St Giles Circus north to Euston Road, near the border of the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Camden, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile...
- Bank - Marble ArchMarble ArchMarble Arch is a white Carrara marble monument that now stands on a large traffic island at the junction of Oxford Street, Park Lane, and Edgware Road, almost directly opposite Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park in London, England...
- Harlesden. - Between 1932 - 1935 a WimbledonThe Championships, WimbledonThe Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
- Hampton Court Trolleybus route 4.