London Buses route 328
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 328 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, United Kingdom
. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest
.
Initial operation was using new low floor Dennis Dart
s, as were also used on the 28 and 31. But contract renewal in 2004 presented the opportunity to convert the routes to double deck at last, and a large batch of Wright Eclipse Gemini-bodied Volvo B7TLs fulfilled the requirements, along with odd examples of other types. Thus typifying the main allocation is VNW32389 (LK04 HZX) in Elgin Ave, Maida Hill (by 'The Elephant & Castle') on 14 June 2005.
Early enthusiasm for hybrid vehicle technology, in which all or part of the motive power is provided by electricity rather than directly by the engine, saw a number of small batches of experimental vehicles ordered. One of the routes selected for trials was the 328, and has gained five Wrightbus Gemini 2 HEV "integrals", a new type which also has a pure diesel version. It is understood to be based on VDL components – VDL, and their predecessors DAF, had supplied many of the early low floor double deckers, but dropped out of the market in 2005. Wrights also dropped out soon afterwards, as they did not build bodies for any chassis which was available for London use.
Short wheelbase TN class Tridents
formed part of the official allocation to the 328, and a number are still allocated to Westbourne Park for other routes, and frequently appear on the 328. Although this particular example has since moved to Northumberland Park, TN32970 (X613 HLT) represents the class in an earlier era, on the same date and location as the VNW above. Only later members of the class now remain at Westbourne Park, but their external appearance is similar, although the white and yellow relief has now fallen out of favour.
From 3 July 2010 route 328 will go along Cremorne Road, Cheyne Walk, Beaufort Street and King's Road to reach the bus stand on King's Road after 23:00 and before 06:30.
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 First Centrewest
First London
.First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London...
.
History
Route 328 was introduced in May 1999, out of the northern end of route 28 and the southern end of route 31. Those two busy routes were said to be difficult to operate reliably due to their orbital nature, which meant they crossed many heavily congested radial corridors out of London. Shortening the routes would make them more reliable. The 28 took the biggest hit, being cut almost in half as it was curtailed at Westbourne Park, with the section north to Golders Green going to the 328. The 328 only ran as far south as Kensington, providing a short overlap, though journeys between Kensington and Kilburn could still be made on the 31. The 31 was also trimmed back to Notting Hill Gate from Camden Town, making it actually quite a short route at 6 miles. Its traditional southern terminus of Chelsea was taken over by the new 328.Initial operation was using new low floor 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, as were also used on the 28 and 31. But contract renewal in 2004 presented the opportunity to convert the routes to double deck at last, and a large batch of Wright Eclipse Gemini-bodied Volvo B7TLs fulfilled the requirements, along with odd examples of other types. Thus typifying the main allocation is VNW32389 (LK04 HZX) in Elgin Ave, Maida Hill (by 'The Elephant & Castle') on 14 June 2005.
Early enthusiasm for hybrid vehicle technology, in which all or part of the motive power is provided by electricity rather than directly by the engine, saw a number of small batches of experimental vehicles ordered. One of the routes selected for trials was the 328, and has gained five Wrightbus Gemini 2 HEV "integrals", a new type which also has a pure diesel version. It is understood to be based on VDL components – VDL, and their predecessors DAF, had supplied many of the early low floor double deckers, but dropped out of the market in 2005. Wrights also dropped out soon afterwards, as they did not build bodies for any chassis which was available for London use.
Short wheelbase TN class 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...
formed part of the official allocation to the 328, and a number are still allocated to Westbourne Park for other routes, and frequently appear on the 328. Although this particular example has since moved to Northumberland Park, TN32970 (X613 HLT) represents the class in an earlier era, on the same date and location as the VNW above. Only later members of the class now remain at Westbourne Park, but their external appearance is similar, although the white and yellow relief has now fallen out of favour.
From 3 July 2010 route 328 will go along Cremorne Road, Cheyne Walk, Beaufort Street and King's Road to reach the bus stand on King's Road after 23:00 and before 06:30.
Current route
- Golders Green StationGolders Green tube stationGolders Green tube station is a London Underground station in Golders Green, north London. The station is on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line between Hampstead and Brent Cross...
Forecourt - West HampsteadWest HampsteadWest Hampstead is an area in northwest London, England, situated between Childs Hill to the north, Frognal and Hampstead to the north-east, Swiss Cottage to the east, and South Hampstead to the south. Until the late 19th century, the locale was a small village called West End...
West End Green - West Hampstead Underground StationWest Hampstead tube stationWest Hampstead tube station is a London Underground Jubilee line station in West Hampstead. It is on West End Lane between Broadhurst Gardens and Blackburn Road and is in Travelcard Zone 2. It lies between Kilburn and Finchley Road tube stations...
- Kilburn High Road StationKilburn High Road railway stationKilburn High Road railway station is a London Overground station situated near the south end of the Kilburn High Road, London NW6 in the London Borough of Camden.-History:...
- Kilburn Park StationKilburn Park tube stationKilburn Park tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent. The station is on the Bakerloo Line, between Queen's Park and Maida Vale stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 2....
- Maida Hill
- Westbourne Park StationWestbourne Park tube stationWestbourne Park is a London Underground station on the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines, between Ladbroke Grove and Royal Oak stations, and in Travelcard Zone 2 in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea . Although the Metropolitan Railway had been extended to Notting Hill and Hammersmith...
- Notting Hill GateNotting Hill GateNotting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares of Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically the street was a location for toll gates, from which it derives its modern name.- Location :...
- High Street Kensington StationHigh Street Kensington tube stationHigh Street Kensington is a London Underground station at Kensington High Street.The station is on the Circle Line between Gloucester Road and Notting Hill Gate, and the District Line between Earl's Court and Notting Hill Gate. It is in Travelcard Zone 1....
- Earl's Court StationEarl's Court tube stationEarl's Court tube station is a London Underground station in Earls Court. The station is located between Earls Court Road and Warwick Road . It is on the boundary of Travelcard Zone 1 and 2 and is in both zones....
- ChelseaChelsea, LondonChelsea 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...
Limerston Street