London Buses route 17
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 17 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline
.
, with a Monday to Friday extension to London Bridge Station, as a replacement for sections of routes 18
, 45 and 104. This was the fifth time that the route number 17 had been used on a London bus route.
Although a relatively new route, the route number 17 actually has a very long history over sections of today's route. The 17 can trace its history back to a tram route 17 which commenced on 1 January 1913, when a previously unnumbered service between Archway and Farringdon Street was given the route number 17. It was a very busy and stable service serving the Caledonian Market and saw no changes in the period 1913 until 1933, when the London Passenger Transport Board
was created.
London Transport as it became known, soon set about replacing tram
s with trolleybus
es and as from 6 March 1938 tram route 17 was replaced by trolleybus routes 517 and 617, the use of 517 and 617 denoted in which direction the buses traversed the "Holborn Loop". 517 anti-clockwise from Kings Cross via Gray's Inn Road
to Holborn Circus returning via Farringdon Street, the 617's clockwise. Both routes were also extended to North Finchley.
On 1 February 1961, in Stage 9 of the Buses for Trolleybuses scheme, trolleybus routes 517 and 617 were replaced by a new bus route 17, operating daily between North Finchley and Kings Cross with a Saturday extension to Farringdon Street, being further extended to Camberwell Green
to bolster route 45 via Elephant & Castle. As from January 1967, the 17 was extended on Sundays from Kings Cross to South Kensington Station
via Camberwell Green, Brixton
, Stockwell
, Clapham Junction, Battersea Bridge
and Chelsea
, the 45 being withdrawn completely on Sundays.
As from 16 January 1971, the 17 became a Monday to Friday, Archway to Camberwell Green service. It was replaced by changes to route 45 and a new Route 263
. Seven years later, as part of the "Busplan 78" scheme, the 17 was withdrawn completely after service on 27 October 1978, route 45 being increased and extended to Archway as a replacement.
On 3 August 1985, a "new" route 17 was introduced after nearly seven years, in which time there was no route 17 in London. The re-incarnated 17 was a Monday to Saturday route between North Finchley and Kings Cross with a Monday to Friday (except evenings) extension to London Bridge replacing the long-standing 18
between Kings Cross and London Bridge. On 11 November 1990 a Sunday service was also introduced between North Finchley and Kings Cross, replacing the 45 between Kings Cross and Archway, making the 17 a daily operation between these points. This situation was not long lived, as three months later the 17 was withdrawn between North Finchley and Archway as from 2 February 1991. Lastly, a small re-routing occurred on 24 April 1993 between Mansion House
and London Bridge via Cannon Street
instead of via Southwark Bridge
, since which time the route has been a stable operation. The route originally used MCW Metrobuses when it was operated by MTL London Northern until Metroline took over and the route was converted to low floor Trident operation.
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
Today's route 17 commenced operation on 3 August 1985 as a Monday to Saturday crew operated route between North Finchley and Kings CrossKings Cross, London
King's Cross is an area of London partly in the London Borough of Camden and partly in the London Borough of Islington. It is an inner-city district located 2.5 miles north of Charing Cross. The area formerly had a reputation for being a red light district and run-down. However, rapid regeneration...
, with a Monday to Friday extension to London Bridge Station, as a replacement for sections of routes 18
London Buses route 18
London Buses route 18 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:...
, 45 and 104. This was the fifth time that the route number 17 had been used on a London bus route.
Although a relatively new route, the route number 17 actually has a very long history over sections of today's route. The 17 can trace its history back to a tram route 17 which commenced on 1 January 1913, when a previously unnumbered service between Archway and Farringdon Street was given the route number 17. It was a very busy and stable service serving the Caledonian Market and saw no changes in the period 1913 until 1933, when the London Passenger Transport Board
London Passenger Transport Board
The London Passenger Transport Board was the organisation responsible for public transport in London, UK, and its environs from 1933 to 1948...
was created.
London Transport as it became known, soon set about replacing tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s with trolleybus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
es and as from 6 March 1938 tram route 17 was replaced by trolleybus routes 517 and 617, the use of 517 and 617 denoted in which direction the buses traversed the "Holborn Loop". 517 anti-clockwise from Kings Cross via Gray's Inn Road
Gray's Inn Road
Gray's Inn Road, formerly Gray's Inn Lane, is a major road in central London, in the London Borough of Camden. It is named after Gray's Inn, one of the main Inns of Court. The road starts in Holborn, near Chancery Lane tube station and the boundaries of the City of London and the London Borough...
to Holborn Circus returning via Farringdon Street, the 617's clockwise. Both routes were also extended to North Finchley.
On 1 February 1961, in Stage 9 of the Buses for Trolleybuses scheme, trolleybus routes 517 and 617 were replaced by a new bus route 17, operating daily between North Finchley and Kings Cross with a Saturday extension to Farringdon Street, being further extended to Camberwell Green
Camberwell Green
Camberwell Green is a small area of common land in Camberwell, South London. It lies at the intersection of Camberwell Road and Camberwell New Road/Camberwell Church Street. At the North-East of the green is Camberwell Magistrate's Court, and at the North West is a home for the elderly...
to bolster route 45 via Elephant & Castle. As from January 1967, the 17 was extended on Sundays from Kings Cross to South Kensington Station
South Kensington tube station
South Kensington is a London Underground station in Kensington, west London. It is served by the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. On the District and Circle lines, the station is between Gloucester Road and Sloane Square, and on the Piccadilly Line, it is between Gloucester Road and...
via Camberwell Green, Brixton
Brixton
Brixton 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....
, Stockwell
Stockwell
Stockwell is a district in inner south west London, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth.It is situated south south-east of Charing Cross. Brixton, Clapham, Vauxhall and Kennington all border Stockwell...
, Clapham Junction, Battersea Bridge
Battersea Bridge
Battersea Bridge is a cast-iron and granite five-span cantilever bridge crossing the River Thames in London, England. It is situated on a sharp bend in the river, and links Battersea south of the river with Chelsea to the north...
and Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, the 45 being withdrawn completely on Sundays.
As from 16 January 1971, the 17 became a Monday to Friday, Archway to Camberwell Green service. It was replaced by changes to route 45 and a new Route 263
London Buses route 263
London Buses route 263 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.-History:...
. Seven years later, as part of the "Busplan 78" scheme, the 17 was withdrawn completely after service on 27 October 1978, route 45 being increased and extended to Archway as a replacement.
On 3 August 1985, a "new" route 17 was introduced after nearly seven years, in which time there was no route 17 in London. The re-incarnated 17 was a Monday to Saturday route between North Finchley and Kings Cross with a Monday to Friday (except evenings) extension to London Bridge replacing the long-standing 18
London Buses route 18
London Buses route 18 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:...
between Kings Cross and London Bridge. On 11 November 1990 a Sunday service was also introduced between North Finchley and Kings Cross, replacing the 45 between Kings Cross and Archway, making the 17 a daily operation between these points. This situation was not long lived, as three months later the 17 was withdrawn between North Finchley and Archway as from 2 February 1991. Lastly, a small re-routing occurred on 24 April 1993 between Mansion House
Mansion House tube station
Mansion House is a London Underground station in the City of London, near Mansion House . It is a sub-surface station served by trains on the Circle and District Lines. It is between Blackfriars and Cannon Street stations. The station is located at the junction of Queen Victoria Street and Cannon...
and London Bridge via Cannon Street
Cannon Street
Cannon Street is a road in the south of the City of London. It runs roughly parallel with the River Thames, and about 250 metres north of it. It is the site of the ancient London Stone.-Etymology:...
instead of via Southwark Bridge
Southwark Bridge
Southwark Bridge is an arch bridge for traffic linking Southwark and the City across the River Thames, in London, England. It was designed by Ernest George and Basil Mott. It was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. and opened in 1921...
, since which time the route has been a stable operation. The route originally used MCW Metrobuses when it was operated by MTL London Northern until Metroline took over and the route was converted to low floor Trident operation.
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 - Highgate Hill
- Tollhouse Way
- Archway Road
- Sandridge Street
- Holloway Road
- 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...
- Camden RoadCamden RoadCamden Road is a main road running from the junction of Camden Town and Camden Town tube station up to Holloway Road....
- Caledonian RoadCaledonian RoadCaledonian Road could refer to:*Caledonian Road , a road in North London*Caledonian Road tube station, a tube station in North London*Caledonian Road and Barnsbury station, a nearby railway station in North London...
- King's Cross Station
- Pentonville Road
- King's Cross Road
- Acton Street
- Gray's Inn RoadGray's Inn RoadGray's Inn Road, formerly Gray's Inn Lane, is a major road in central London, in the London Borough of Camden. It is named after Gray's Inn, one of the main Inns of Court. The road starts in Holborn, near Chancery Lane tube station and the boundaries of the City of London and the London Borough...
- HolbornHolbornHolborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
- Holborn CircusHolbornHolborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
- Charterhouse StreetCharterhouse StreetCharterhouse Street is a street in Smithfield, on the northern boundary of the City of London, forming the boundary with both the London Borough of Camden and the London Borough of Islington...
- Farringdon Street
- Ludgate HillLudgate HillLudgate Hill is a hill in the City of London, near the old Ludgate, a gate to the City that was taken down, with its attached gaol, in 1780. Ludgate Hill is the site of St Paul's Cathedral, traditionally said to have been the site of a Roman temple of the goddess Diana. It is one of the three...
- St. Paul's Churchyard
- Cannon StreetCannon StreetCannon Street is a road in the south of the City of London. It runs roughly parallel with the River Thames, and about 250 metres north of it. It is the site of the ancient London Stone.-Etymology:...
- MonumentMonument to the Great Fire of LondonThe Monument to the Great Fire of London, more commonly known as The monument, is a 202 ft tall stone Roman Doric column in the City of London, England, near the northern end of London Bridge. It stands at the junction of Monument Street and Panda Bear Hill, 202 ft from where the Great...
- King William StreetKing William StreetKing William Street may refer to:*King William Street, Adelaide - the central boulevard of Adelaide*King William Street - a street in Central Hamilton*King William Street - a street in London...
- London BridgeLondon BridgeLondon Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames, connecting the City of London and Southwark, in central London. Situated between Cannon Street Railway Bridge and Tower Bridge, it forms the western end of the Pool of London...
- Borough High StreetBorough High StreetBorough High Street is a main street in Southwark, London running south-west from London Bridge, forming part of the A3 road, which runs from London to Portsmouth.- Overview :...
- Railway Approach
- London Bridge StationLondon Bridge stationLondon Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
Previous route 17s in London
The route number 17 had been used four times prior to its current use.- In 1908 - 1924 for an EalingEalingEaling is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
Plaistow Plaistow, NewhamPlaistow is a place in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It formed part of the County Borough of West Ham in Essex until 1965.Plaistow is a mainly residential area, including several council estates; the main road is the A112 - Plaistow Road, High Street, Broadway, Greengate Street and...
, Rippleside or London Bridge via Shepherds Bush, HolbornHolbornHolborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
and Bank route 17. * Termini varied. - In 1924 - 1926 for a SouthallSouthallSouthall is a large suburban district of west London, England, and part of the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross. Neighbouring places include Yeading, Hayes, Hanwell, Heston, Hounslow, Greenford and Northolt...
London Bridge via Shepherds Bush, Holborn and Bank route 17. - In 1934 - 1958 for a Southall, East ActonEast ActonEast Acton is a place in west London, England. It is partly in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and partly in the London Borough of Ealing...
or Park RoyalPark RoyalPark Royal is an area in northwest London, UK. It is the largest industrial and business park in London, occupying about , and is promoted commercially by the Park Royal Partnership...
London Bridge via Shepherds Bush, Holborn and Bank route 17. * Termini varied. - In 1961 - 1978 for a North Finchley, Archway
Kings Cross, Camberwell Green Camberwell GreenCamberwell Green is a small area of common land in Camberwell, South London. It lies at the intersection of Camberwell Road and Camberwell New Road/Camberwell Church Street. At the North-East of the green is Camberwell Magistrate's Court, and at the North West is a home for the elderly...
, South KensingtonSouth Kensington tube stationSouth Kensington is a London Underground station in Kensington, west London. It is served by the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. On the District and Circle lines, the station is between Gloucester Road and Sloane Square, and on the Piccadilly Line, it is between Gloucester Road and...
via Brixton, Stockwell, Clapham route 17. * Termini varied.
There were also in London:
- Between 1913 - 1938 a Farringdon Street
Archway L.C.C. (Until 1933) Tram route 17 London County Council TramwaysThe London County Council Tramways was an extensive network of public street tramways that was operated by the council throughout the County of London, UK, from 1899 to 1933, when they were taken over by the London Passenger Transport Board....
. - In 1934 - 1940 a Southall
London Bridge via Shepherds Bush, Holborn and Bank Night route 17.