London Buses route 493

infobox London Bus
number=493


operator=NCP-Challenger
garage=Twickenham
vehicle=Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart
pvr=17
start=Richmond
via=East Sheen
Roehampton
Southfields
Wimbledon
end=Tooting
level=Daily
length=13 miles (20 km)
frequency=About every 12-15 minutes
time=Approximately 78 minutes
day=05:16 to 02:04
night=No night service

London Buses route 493 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to NCP-Challenger.

History

The 493 route was started in November 2002 and was originally contracted to Mitcham Belle. It supplemented and replaced routes served by routes 337, 485, 170 and 39. Originally, the buses used were Caetano Nimbus-bodied 10-metre Dennis Dart SLFs. [ [http://www.londonbuspage.com/021123d.htm http://www.londonbuspage.com/021123d.htm] ]

In August 2004, the route was transferred to Centra London as they took over Mitcham Belle's London bus operations. In May 2006, an emergency short term contract was established with Metroline (Armchair) running the route.

Since March 2007, NCP-Challenger have operated the route using new Enviro200 Darts.

Changes to the route: June 2007

Following extensive public consultation by Transport for London at the same time as proposals to change route 131, the 493's route changed on 30th June 2007. The new route as described by TfL was:

"The 493 will continue to terminate in the grounds of St Georges Hospital. We have decided to run the 493 along Alexandra and Gap Roads. It will serve Haydons Road station from Plough Lane and Gap Road. Route 493 will provide new east-west links up Wimbledon Hill and towards Tooting. It will also be a more direct journey for those travelling across Wimbledon, serving the station and town centre from stops at the junction of Wimbledon Hill."

" [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/busrouteconsultations/2035.aspx Text from Transport for London Website explaining the changes to route 493] "

Current route

=Route departing Richmond=

* East Sheen
* Roehampton
* Southfields
* Wimbledon
* Tooting

Route departing Tooting

* Wimbledon
* Southfields
* Roehampton
* East Sheen
* Richmond

ee also

* NCP-Challenger
* London Buses
* Transport for London

References

External links

* [http://www.ncpchallenger.co.uk/ NCP-Challenger Official Website]
* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ TfL Website]

References & notes

* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/busrouteconsultations/2035.aspx http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/busrouteconsultations/2035.aspx]
* [http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/493.htm http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/493.htm]
* [http://www.londonbuspage.com/021123d.htm http://www.londonbuspage.com/021123d.htm]
* [http://uk.geocities.com/busroutes/placesindex/wimbledon.htm http://uk.geocities.com/busroutes/placesindex/wimbledon.htm]
* [http://www.busesatwork.co.uk/Routes/493.htm http://www.busesatwork.co.uk/Routes/493.htm]