London Buses route 54
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 54 is a Transport for London
bus route in the United Kingdom, it is now contracted to Metrobus
.
, the 54 was based based at Catford garage, although other depots, notably Plumstead
, have assisted from time to time for logistical reasons, as Plumstead was less than 2 miles away from the terminus at Woolwich.. The route operated from Plumstead from November 1988 to August 1989, again from April to November 1991 and gained the route outright from 24 July 1993 in to allow room for the large 208 at Catford. The service remained there until January 1999, when it was moved back to Catford so that Plumstead could accommodate the 96
, 99 and 178. The loss of route P3 (now 343) and gain of work at Catford through routes 181 and 284 saw part of the allocation moved back to Plumstead from March 2001. A move back to Catford, along with the 202 service, occurred in March 2003 to make room at Plumstead for new articulated bus route 453.
, Lewisham
, Beckenham
and Croydon
.
In 1934 it ran between Plumstead Common and Selsdon
but in 1963 was withdrawn between Woolwich
and Plumstead Common. Rush hour
journeys were extended from Woolwich
to the then embryonic Woolwich Industrial Estate between 1965 and the 1970s, and at the other end the route was extended from Selsdon to Riddlesdown
to accommodate school journeys. These latter adjustments disappeared in 1972, along with the service between Croydon
and Selsdon/Riddlesdown. Despite these changes, the trunk section of the route had survived virtually as it was in the 1920s until 2000, aside from minor adjustments due to the introduction of one-way systems at a few places.
. It was inevitable that when trams started running there would be some changes to local buses and the 54 was one of those affected. The Tramlink network includes a branch that goes to and from Croydon in vaguely the same direction as the 54 did, towards Elmers End
and Beckenham
. In order to remove any possibility of buses undermining Tramlink's success, the 54 was withdrawn between Elmers End
and central Croydon
. Tramlink terminates at Elmers End and consequently there is no local transport overlap. However, passengers from places such as Bellingham
no longer enjoyed a direct transport service into Croydon.
In additiona, Tramlink follows a substantially different route to that which the 54 operated between Elmers End and Croydon, running via Addiscombe
instead of Shirley Park. Bus route 289, the only other route along Long Lane between Elmers End and Ashburton Park, continues via Addiscombe into central Croydon.
The bus route operator, Stagecoach Selkent
, publicly objected to the change imposed by London Transport
. During the consultation period, notices were placed on buses to the effect that the 54 would be curtailed to Elmers End, and that anyone affected should object in writing. Many did, but without much success., However, the original proposal to terminate buses at Elmers End Green, which would have left passengers having to walk some distance to the tram stop, was not proceeded with. Instead it was decided to build a small interchange in a triangle of waste land beside the Elmers End Tramlink terminus, which is within the railway station.
Many problems arose with the new arrangements. Tramlink is not a frequent service, operating half hourly in the evenings and on Sundays, and it was necessary that public transport timetables were co-ordinated. This was done initially, although if either the bus or the tram was late then passengers were left with a 30 minute wait. Frequent timetable changes in the early months of Tramlink were not matched by changes to the bus timetable, and indeed on one occasion the 54 timetable was altered to match the latest Tramlink times only two weeks before the next Tramlink change.
It also proved impossible to achieve the evening timetable co-ordination in a cost effective way, leading to 30 minutes' stand time having to be allowed at each end of the 54 route. On Sundays buses on the 54 had run every 20 minutes, so to co-ordinate it was a choice between running buses every 30 minutes or every 15. The former would not be acceptable to passengers and so the frequency had to be increased.
Residents on what had been quiet side roads around Anerley
cross-roads were upset to have buses passing every 12 minutes. There was also no proper stand on the road outside Elmers End station, leading to buses blocking the carriageway.
As few passengers were changing to the trams at Elmers End, it was decided to abandon the terminal working loop and instead terminate buses outside the nearby Tesco
store. This enabled buses to use a roundabout in order to stand on Elmers End Green. Passengers wanting to travel to Croydon
were advised to change at Beckenham Junction.
On 2nd May 2009, Metrobus
gained the contract of route 54 at their Orpington
garage, using Dennis Trident 2
/ Alexander ALX400
on loan from Selkent
until their own Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus
vehicles were delivered.
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...
bus route in the United Kingdom, it is now contracted to Metrobus
Metrobus (Go-Ahead Group)
Metrobus is a bus operator with routes in south and south-east London, and parts of Surrey, Kent, West and East Sussex. The company operates many routes on tender from Transport for London. Formed through a management buyout of Tillingbourne Ltd...
.
Bases
Before 2009, when Stagecoach Selkent ran the route under tender from Transport for LondonTransport 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...
, the 54 was based based at Catford garage, although other depots, notably Plumstead
Plumstead
Plumstead is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. Plumstead is a multi cultural area with large Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, in similarity to local areas such as Woolwich and Thamesmead...
, have assisted from time to time for logistical reasons, as Plumstead was less than 2 miles away from the terminus at Woolwich.. The route operated from Plumstead from November 1988 to August 1989, again from April to November 1991 and gained the route outright from 24 July 1993 in to allow room for the large 208 at Catford. The service remained there until January 1999, when it was moved back to Catford so that Plumstead could accommodate the 96
London Buses route 96
London Buses route 96 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 99 and 178. The loss of route P3 (now 343) and gain of work at Catford through routes 181 and 284 saw part of the allocation moved back to Plumstead from March 2001. A move back to Catford, along with the 202 service, occurred in March 2003 to make room at Plumstead for new articulated bus route 453.
Route adjustments
The 54 route had since the 1920s been the trunk route linking WoolwichWoolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
, Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, Beckenham
Beckenham
Beckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
and Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
.
In 1934 it ran between Plumstead Common and Selsdon
Selsdon
Selsdon is an area located in the southern suburbs of the London Borough of Croydon. The suburb was developed during the inter-war period during the 1920s and 1930s, and is remarkable for its many Art Deco houses...
but in 1963 was withdrawn between Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
and Plumstead Common. Rush hour
Rush hour
A rush hour or peak hour is a part of the day during which traffic congestion on roads and crowding on public transport is at its highest. Normally, this happens twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, the times during when the most people commute...
journeys were extended from Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
to the then embryonic Woolwich Industrial Estate between 1965 and the 1970s, and at the other end the route was extended from Selsdon to Riddlesdown
Riddlesdown
Riddlesdown is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, one mile east from the centre of Purley. The name applies both to an area of chalk downland, which is maintained by the City of London Corporation as common land, and to the nearby residential district....
to accommodate school journeys. These latter adjustments disappeared in 1972, along with the service between Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
and Selsdon/Riddlesdown. Despite these changes, the trunk section of the route had survived virtually as it was in the 1920s until 2000, aside from minor adjustments due to the introduction of one-way systems at a few places.
Tramlink controversy
A controversy arose as a consequence of the introduction of Croydon's new Tramlink systemTramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
. It was inevitable that when trams started running there would be some changes to local buses and the 54 was one of those affected. The Tramlink network includes a branch that goes to and from Croydon in vaguely the same direction as the 54 did, towards Elmers End
Elmers End station
Elmers End station is a railway station and tram terminus in Elmers End, South London, England. It is in the London Borough of Bromley, and Travelcard Zone 4 south of London Charing Cross....
and Beckenham
Beckenham Junction station
Beckenham Junction is a railway station and a tram terminus in Beckenham, south east London. It is in the London Borough of Bromley and Travelcard Zone 4, 8.6 miles from London Victoria....
. In order to remove any possibility of buses undermining Tramlink's success, the 54 was withdrawn between Elmers End
Elmers End
Elmers End is a place in London Borough of Bromley, England. It has a large green space which is the centre of a gyratory. Very close to the combined railway station and Tramlink terminus bearing its name is the old sewage farm. The remains of this industrial site can still be seen...
and central Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. Tramlink terminates at Elmers End and consequently there is no local transport overlap. However, passengers from places such as Bellingham
Bellingham, London
Bellingham is a neighbourhood and electoral ward in the London Borough of Lewisham, and consists mainly of social/council housing built in the 1920s on what was then farm land. Many houses have been bought by the tenants under the Right to Buy Scheme. However, the majority are still rented out to...
no longer enjoyed a direct transport service into Croydon.
In additiona, Tramlink follows a substantially different route to that which the 54 operated between Elmers End and Croydon, running via Addiscombe
Addiscombe
Addiscombe is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Croydon. It is situated south of Charing Cross.It is situated just to the northeast of central Croydon, and is home to a high proportion of people who commute to Central London, owing to its proximity to the busy...
instead of Shirley Park. Bus route 289, the only other route along Long Lane between Elmers End and Ashburton Park, continues via Addiscombe into central Croydon.
The bus route operator, Stagecoach Selkent
Selkent
Selkent, or the South East London & Kent Bus Company Ltd, is one of many operators of bus services contracted to Transport for London. It is currently owned by Stagecoach Group, as part of Stagecoach London....
, publicly objected to the change imposed by London Transport
London Regional Transport
London Regional Transport was the organisation responsible for the public transport network in Greater London, UK from 1984-2000. In common with all London transport authorities from 1933 to 2000, the public name and operational brand of the organisation was London Transport.The organisation was...
. During the consultation period, notices were placed on buses to the effect that the 54 would be curtailed to Elmers End, and that anyone affected should object in writing. Many did, but without much success., However, the original proposal to terminate buses at Elmers End Green, which would have left passengers having to walk some distance to the tram stop, was not proceeded with. Instead it was decided to build a small interchange in a triangle of waste land beside the Elmers End Tramlink terminus, which is within the railway station.
Many problems arose with the new arrangements. Tramlink is not a frequent service, operating half hourly in the evenings and on Sundays, and it was necessary that public transport timetables were co-ordinated. This was done initially, although if either the bus or the tram was late then passengers were left with a 30 minute wait. Frequent timetable changes in the early months of Tramlink were not matched by changes to the bus timetable, and indeed on one occasion the 54 timetable was altered to match the latest Tramlink times only two weeks before the next Tramlink change.
It also proved impossible to achieve the evening timetable co-ordination in a cost effective way, leading to 30 minutes' stand time having to be allowed at each end of the 54 route. On Sundays buses on the 54 had run every 20 minutes, so to co-ordinate it was a choice between running buses every 30 minutes or every 15. The former would not be acceptable to passengers and so the frequency had to be increased.
Residents on what had been quiet side roads around Anerley
Anerley
Anerley is a district of South London, England, located in the London Borough of Bromley. It is situated south south-east of Charing Cross. Anerley is geographically an outer lying area of London, although it is considered to have characteristics of an Inner city suburb...
cross-roads were upset to have buses passing every 12 minutes. There was also no proper stand on the road outside Elmers End station, leading to buses blocking the carriageway.
As few passengers were changing to the trams at Elmers End, it was decided to abandon the terminal working loop and instead terminate buses outside the nearby Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
store. This enabled buses to use a roundabout in order to stand on Elmers End Green. Passengers wanting to travel to Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
were advised to change at Beckenham Junction.
On 2nd May 2009, Metrobus
Metrobus (Go-Ahead Group)
Metrobus is a bus operator with routes in south and south-east London, and parts of Surrey, Kent, West and East Sussex. The company operates many routes on tender from Transport for London. Formed through a management buyout of Tillingbourne Ltd...
gained the contract of route 54 at their Orpington
Orpington
Orpington is a suburban town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bromley. It forms the southeastern edge of London's urban sprawl and is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
garage, using Dennis Trident 2
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...
/ Alexander ALX400
Alexander ALX400
The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
on loan from Selkent
Selkent
Selkent, or the South East London & Kent Bus Company Ltd, is one of many operators of bus services contracted to Transport for London. It is currently owned by Stagecoach Group, as part of Stagecoach London....
until their own Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus
Optare Olympus
The Optare Olympus is a double-decker bus built by Optare...
vehicles were delivered.
Current route
- WoolwichWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
Calderwood Street - Thomas StreetWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- Green's EndWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- General Gordon PlaceWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- Woolwich Arsenal StationWoolwich Arsenal railway stationWoolwich Arsenal station is a National Rail and Docklands Light Railway interchange station located in Woolwich in the London Borough of Greenwich. It acts as a local station on the North Kent Line between London and Gillingham, served by Southeastern, and is the southern terminus of the Woolwich...
- Woolwich New RoadWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- Thomas StreetWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- Wellington StreetWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- Artillery PlaceWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
- HillreachCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
- Little HeathCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
- Charlton Park RoadCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
- The VillageCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
- CharltonCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
- Charlton RoadCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
- BlackheathBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
Royal Standard - Vanbrugh ParkBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Charlton WayBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Prince Charles RoadBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Montpelier RowBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Montpelier ValeBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Blackheath StationBlackheath railway stationBlackheath railway station is situated in the heart of Blackheath village in London at . The track passes through the village and is crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand....
- Blackheath VillageBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Lee TerraceBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Belmont HillBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
- Lewis GroveLewishamLewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
- LewishamLewishamLewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
High Street - Rushey GreenRushey GreenRushey Green is an electoral ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. The ward covers most of central, northern and western Catford.-External links:*...
- CatfordCatfordCatford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
- Bromley RoadCatfordCatford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
- Beckenham Hill RoadBeckenhamBeckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
- Beckenham Hill StationBeckenham Hill railway stationBeckenham Hill railway station is in the London Borough of Lewisham in south London, very close to the border with Bromley. It is in Travelcard Zone 4, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern...
- Beckenham Hill RoadBeckenhamBeckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
- Southend Road
- Beckenham JunctionBeckenham Junction stationBeckenham Junction is a railway station and a tram terminus in Beckenham, south east London. It is in the London Borough of Bromley and Travelcard Zone 4, 8.6 miles from London Victoria....
- High StreetBeckenhamBeckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
- Croydon Road
- Elmers End Green
- Croydon RoadElmers EndElmers End is a place in London Borough of Bromley, England. It has a large green space which is the centre of a gyratory. Very close to the combined railway station and Tramlink terminus bearing its name is the old sewage farm. The remains of this industrial site can still be seen...
- Elmers EndElmers EndElmers End is a place in London Borough of Bromley, England. It has a large green space which is the centre of a gyratory. Very close to the combined railway station and Tramlink terminus bearing its name is the old sewage farm. The remains of this industrial site can still be seen...
TescoTescoTesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...