London Buses route 603

Infobox London Bus
number=603


operator=Metroline
garage=Holloway
vehicle= Dennis Trident 2/Plaxton President
start=Muswell Hill Broadway
end=Swiss Cottage
via=East Finchley
Highgate Village
Kenwood
Whitestone Pond
Hampstead Village
length= 6 miles (10 km)
time= 36-44 minutes
level=Monday to Friday - Peak Hours only
pvr=2
frequency=4 Journeys each way
night= No night service
day=7:30am until 9.30am and
2.40pm until 4:50pm
ibus=yes

London Buses route 603 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.

History

The route was introduced in 2004 mainly as a route to link the main residential area of Muswell Hill and Highgate and Hampstead where there are many schools which children from that area go. The 603 provides a main link between Highgate Village and Muswell Hill which is not available directly without a bus change or a 10 minute walk.

To travel on this route would require you to take route 102/234 to East Finchley then to take a 143 to Highgate Village, then a 210 to Whitestone Pond (top of Hampstead) then a 268 to Swiss Cottage. This route has been earmarked before for full time operation, not just a peak hour route.

The timetable (Monday to Friday) goes as follows:

*7:30 (HT#285) to Swiss Cottage
*7:50 (HT#284) to Swiss Cottage

*8:30 (HT#285) to Muswell Hill
*8:50 (HT#284) to Muswell Hill

*14:40 (HT#285) to Swiss Cottage
*15:10 (HT#284) to Swiss Cottage

*15:50 (HT#285) to Muswell Hill
*16:10 (HT#284) to Muswell Hill

There is no service on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

The service is not renowned for its reliability as the buses run empty from Holloway to Muswell Hill and this stretch usually has congestion and then the route runs over roads that are variable for traffic in peak hours because of school run cars. The problem with it being so unreliable is that people use the bus as their only method of transport to school and being late is usually out of the question.

The second bus is usually used to get to Highgate Village where most passengers alight, because it is the only link from Muswell Hill to there, the first bus is used mainly for travel to Hampstead though.

The double deck service also provides relief for the 143 over the route to Highgate Village which is heavily used, especially as school children.

The bus is a crucial link for school children and commuters; the level of usage justifies its existence.

Current route

Route departing Muswell Hill

* Muswell Hill Broadway
* Fortis Green
* East Finchley Station
* North Road
* North Hill
* Highgate Village
* Hampstead Lane
* Kenwood
* Hampstead Heath
* Spaniards Inn
* Spaniards Road
* Heath Street
* Whitestone Pond
* Hampstead Station
* Fitzjohns Avenue
* Swiss Cottage Station

Route departing Swiss Cottage

* Swiss Cottage Station
* Fitzjohns Avenue
* Hampstead Station
* Heath Street
* Whitestone Pond
* Hampstead Heath
* Spaniards Road
* Spaniards Inn
* Hampstead Lane
* Kenwood
* Highgate Village
* North Hill
* North Road
* East Finchley Station
* Fortis Green
* Muswell Hill Broadway

ee also

* List of bus routes in London

External links

* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk Transport for London]
* [http://www.londonbusesbyadam.fotopic.net London Bus Routes Fotopic]
* [http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/603.pdf Full timetable]