London Buses route 209

Infobox London Bus
number=209


operator=Metroline
garage=Brentford (AH)
vehicle=Dennis Dart SLF / Alexander ALX200
pvr=13
start=Hammersmith
via=Barnes
Castelnau
end=Mortlake
length=3 miles (5 km)
level=Daily
frequency=About every 4–10 minutes
time=12–23 minutes
day=5:00am until 1:07am
night=No night service
ibus=yes

London Buses route 209 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.

History

The 209 was introduced in 8 March 1997, as a renumbering of route 9A, running from London United's Shepherds Bush Garage.

The history of the route lies in its previous number 9A which began on 18 July 1992 to replace the withdrawn section of route 9 between Hammersmith and Mortlake due to a weight restriction restricting double deck buses over the weak Hammersmith Bridge. The 9A then paralleled route 9 to Kensington. The section between Kensington and Hammersmith was later withdrawn in March 1997, and the route re-numbered 209 at the same time.

From February 1997 Hammersmith Bridge was closed to all traffic except buses and cyclists, while essential repairs were carried out. This improved bus services improved, journey times fell and the number of peak hour services rose, leading to increased patronage. Between February and October 1997 alone, the number of bus passengers crossing the bridge rose by 23% [http://www.wlfoet5.demon.co.uk/archive/hambrg.htm] . The bridge was reopened to all traffic, while still maintaining a weight restriction, on 21 December 1999.

30 October 1999 saw the contract pass to Armchair (now part of Metroline) with new low floor Alexander ALX200 Dennis Dart SLFs in Armchair's distinctive orange and white livery. The contract renewal on 21 August 2004 saw the route being retained by Armchair with the existing buses which were painted into a new red livery with black skirt to comply with TfL livery rules.

Metroline bought Armchair in 2005, initially trading separately under the Armchair name, until January 2007, buses now carry Metroline fleet names and the black skirts are being painted blue.

On 25 April 2007 a grandmother died and her daughter and granddaughter were seriously injured when they were struck by a number 209 bus at 9:45am in the mini bus station/stand on North Worple Way. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6591611.stm]

Current route

Route departing Hammersmith

* Hammersmith Bus Station (District/Piccadilly Lines) "for Hammersmith Station (Hammersmith & City Line)"
* Talgarth Road
* Queen Caroline Street
* Hammersmith Bridge Road
* Hammersmith Bridge
* Castelnau
* Church Road
* Barnes High Street
* Barnes Bridge Station
* The Terrace
* Mortlake High Street
* Mortlake "Avondale Road"

Route departing Mortlake

* Mortlake "Avondale Road"
* Mortlake High Street
* The Terrace
* Barnes Bridge Station
* Barnes High Street
* Church Road
* Castelnau
* Hammersmith Bridge
* Hammersmith Bridge Road
* Queen Caroline Street
* Broadway
* Hammersmith Bus Station (District/Piccadilly Lines) "for Hammersmith Station (Hammersmith & City Line)"

Previous route 209 in London

Between 14 May 1952 and 4 July 1992, route 209 ran between Stanmore and South Harrow (replaced by route H12).

ee also

* List of bus routes in London
* London Buses route 9
* Metroline

External links

* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk Transport for London]
* [http://www.busesatwork.co.uk London Bus Routes]
* [http://www.busmap.org/tt4/209.pdf Full timetable (PDF)]