London Buses route 453
| 453 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | London General |
| Garage | Mandela Way (MW) |
| Vehicle | New Routemaster |
| Predecessors | Route 53 |
| Night-time | 24-hour service |
| Route | |
| Start | Deptford Bridge station |
| Via |
New Cross Elephant & Castle Westminster Oxford Circus |
| End | Marylebone station |
| Length | 8 miles (13 km) |
| Service | |
| Level | Daily |
| Operates | 24-hour service |
London Buses route 453 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Deptford Bridge and Marylebone stations, it is operated by London General.
History
Route 453 commenced operating on 15 March 2003 as part of a reorganisation of routes in preparation for the introduction of the London congestion charge. Operating between Deptford and Marylebone stations, it parallels route 53 as far as Whitehall. It was initially operated by Stagecoach London's Plumstead garage with Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses. Night route N453 was introduced at the same time.[1]
Route 453 originally started from the first busy single stop on route 53, at Deptford, outside Addey and Stanhope School, then duplicated the 53 via New Cross, New Cross Gate, Old Kent Road, Bricklayers Arms, Elephant & Castle, St George's Circus, Westminster, to Whitehall, then Regent Street, Oxford Street, Great Portland Street, Regent's Park and to Marylebone station. The section north of Oxford Circus was a new service designed to create a new south–west link at Regent's Park station.[1]
The planned terminus at Deptford's Seager development (by Deptford Bridge station) was delayed for three years. As there was nowhere else suitable to turn the buses round, buses ran empty all the way to and from Lewisham to turn round and stand. Selkent proposed to extend the service to Catford garage, where the route would have been based, but buses are now able to turn around at Deptford.
From 15 January 2005, the Monday to Friday frequency was reduced from every 6 minutes to every 8 minutes, although there are a couple of extra peak-hour journeys. This was mainly to free up five O530G buses for use on route 25.
London Central took over the operation of route 453 with new Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses on 16 February 2008.[2]
New Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double deck buses were introduced on 24 November 2011 as part of the Mayor of London's policy to withdraw articulated buses from London.
London General has successfully retained route 453 with a new contract starting on 24 November 2011.[3]
New Routemasters were introduced on 18 October 2014. The rear platform remains closed at all times except for when the bus is at bus stops.[4]
Current route
Route 453 operates via these primary locations:[5]
- Deptford Bridge station
- New Cross station
- New Cross Gate station
- Old Kent Road Ilderton Road
- Peckham Park Road
- Old Kent Road East Street
- Bricklayers Arms
- Elephant & Castle New Kent Road
- Elephant & Castle station
- St George's Circus / St George's Road for Imperial War Museum
- Lambeth North station
- St Thomas' Hospital
- Westminster station
- Trafalgar Square for Charing Cross station
- Haymarket / St James's
- Piccadilly Circus
- Regent Street
- Oxford Circus
- Great Portland street station
- Regent's Street station
- Baker Street station
- Marylebone station Grand Central Street
References
- 1 2 Aldridge, John (May 2003). "Hendy's bendies reach Deptford". Buses (Ian Allan Publishing) (578): 13.
- ↑ 2008 Bus Tender Result Transport For London
- ↑ 2011 Bus Tender Result Transport For London
- ↑ Press Release Transport for London
- ↑ Route 453 Map Transport for London
External links
Media related to London Buses route 453 at Wikimedia Commons- London Bus Routes gallery
- Timetable