London Buses route K3
Encyclopedia
London Buses route K3 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, United Kingdom
. The service is currently contracted to London United.
, introduced in 1987.
Since its introduction, route K3 has been operated by companies related to London United. At first Westlink, who they purchased, then by London United themselves. It is now run by its direct successor, Transdev London
. Westlink used a variety of minibuses, predominately MCW Metrorider
s. When London United took over, the service was run by Plaxton Pointer
1 bodied Dennis Dart
s. Low floor vehicles were introduced following the new contract in 2001, with a batch of Dennis Dart SLF
/Plaxton Pointer
2s introduced to the service.
The route has remained much in its current format between Esher
and Roehampton Vale
since its introduction. In 1993 however, saw some routes switch between Surbiton and Kingston, K3 swapping its route with the more direct K4
. Another route change was from November 1997, when the Sunday service was extended much further into Surrey
, running every two hours from Esher via Hersham
and Weybridge
to Byfleet
. This extension lasted a couple of years until its withdrawal.
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
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The service is currently contracted to London United.
History
Route K3 is part of the K-prefix network of services run around Kingston upon ThamesKingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
, introduced in 1987.
Since its introduction, route K3 has been operated by companies related to London United. At first Westlink, who they purchased, then by London United themselves. It is now run by its direct successor, Transdev London
Transdev London
London United is one of many operators of London Buses and is owned by the RATP Group, an international public transport operator owned by the government of France...
. Westlink used a variety of minibuses, predominately MCW Metrorider
MCW Metrorider
The MCW Metrorider, launched by MCW at the 1986 Motor Show, was a midibus designed built by Metro Cammell Weymann between 1986 and 1989. Constructed in two lengths, 7.0 m and 8.4 m, the Metrorider was an integral bus, marking it out from its van-based rivals of the time.It was the second...
s. When London United took over, the service was run by Plaxton Pointer
Plaxton Pointer
The Plaxton Pointer is a successful single-decker bus body manufactured during the 1990s by Plaxton and latterly built by Alexander Dennis.With the launch of the Dennis Dart in 1989, Plaxton's subsidiary Reeve Burgess made the Pointer body on the short 8.5 m...
1 bodied Dennis Dart
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
s. Low floor vehicles were introduced following the new contract in 2001, with a batch of Dennis Dart SLF
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
/Plaxton Pointer
Plaxton Pointer
The Plaxton Pointer is a successful single-decker bus body manufactured during the 1990s by Plaxton and latterly built by Alexander Dennis.With the launch of the Dennis Dart in 1989, Plaxton's subsidiary Reeve Burgess made the Pointer body on the short 8.5 m...
2s introduced to the service.
The route has remained much in its current format between Esher
Esher
Esher is a town in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge in South East England near the River Mole. It is a very prosperous part of the Greater London Urban Area, largely suburban in character, and is situated 14.1 miles south west of Charing Cross....
and Roehampton Vale
Roehampton
Roehampton is a district in south-west London, forming the western end of the London Borough of Wandsworth. It lies between the town of Barnes to the north, Putney to the east and Wimbledon Common to the south. The Richmond Park golf courses are west of the neighbourhood, and just south of these is...
since its introduction. In 1993 however, saw some routes switch between Surbiton and Kingston, K3 swapping its route with the more direct K4
London Buses route K4
London Buses route K4 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London United.-History:...
. Another route change was from November 1997, when the Sunday service was extended much further into Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, running every two hours from Esher via Hersham
Hersham
Hersham is a village in Surrey, within the M25 boundary. It is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The main A3 London to Portsmouth road runs through its boundaries...
and Weybridge
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
to Byfleet
Byfleet
Byfleet is an inland island village forming a suburb of Woking in Surrey, England. It is in the east of the borough between the River Wey and the River Mole, and is within the M25 motorway....
. This extension lasted a couple of years until its withdrawal.
Current route
- EsherEsherEsher is a town in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge in South East England near the River Mole. It is a very prosperous part of the Greater London Urban Area, largely suburban in character, and is situated 14.1 miles south west of Charing Cross....
High Street - ClaygateClaygateClaygate is a village in the English county of Surrey, approximately south west of London and within the Metropolitan Green Belt.It is primarily a residential area but with offices, farms and two shopping areas with a supermarket, five pubs and numerous restaurants...
The Parade - Hinchley WoodHinchley WoodHinchley Wood is a residential community approximately south-west of London, England. At the 2001 census it consisted of 1,429 households with a population of 3,674. It developed largely because of the railway line which passes through the area, and many of its residents are commuters to London. ...
Station Approach - Long DittonLong DittonLong Ditton is a village in Surrey, England lying on the boundary with Greater London. Neighbouring settlements include Thames Ditton, Surbiton, Tolworth and Chessington.-History:...
Ewell Road - Surbiton StationSurbiton railway stationSurbiton railway station is a National Rail station in Surbiton, south west London, in the Kingston upon Thames. The station is managed and served by South West Trains, and is in Travelcard Zone 6...
Claremont Road - KingstonKingston upon ThamesKingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
Eden Street - KingstonKingston upon ThamesKingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
Cromwell Road bus station - Kingston HospitalKingston HospitalKingston Hospital is an acute NHS hospital in Kingston upon Thames, South West London. It has an Accident & Emergency Unit, a popular midwife-led Maternity unit, and an STD clinic known as the Wolverton Centre...
Galsworthy Road - Kingston ValeKingston ValeKingston Vale is a district in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in the south west of London. It is a leafy residential area nestling between Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common and Coombe Hill. The main road is the A308 which is a common through route for traffic passing to and from Kingston...
Robin Hood Way - Roehampton Vale Asda
See also
- List of bus routes in London
- London United
- London Buses route K1London Buses route K1London Buses route K1 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London United.-History:...
- London Buses route K2London Buses route K2London Buses route K2 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London United.-History:...
- London Buses route K4London Buses route K4London Buses route K4 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London United.-History:...