London Buses route 271 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Highgate Village and Moorgate, it is operated by Metroline.
History
Route 271 commenced operating on 20 July 1960 running between Highgate Village and Finsbury Square to replace trolleybus route 611 with AEC Routemasters. The route was initially operated out of Holloway garage (HT) and has changed little since its introduction.
On 7 November 1965, new Leyland Atlanteans commenced a six-month trial on route 271. On 17 April 1966, eight XF-class Daimler Fleetlines were transferred from London Country Bus Services's East Grinstead garage to Holloway and replaced by XA-class Leyland Atlanteans. After the fuel consumption of the two vehicles was compared, the eight XF-class buses returned to East Grinstead.
On 10 July 1966, route 271 returned to AEC Routemaster operation. On 16 January 1971, it was converted to one-man operation with Daimler Fleetlines.
On 6 June 1987 the route was extended on Sundays from Highgate Village to Hendon Central Station to cover the withdrawn part of route 143, although this extension only lasted until 2 February 1991.
For an eight-month period from September 1990, the route was based at Chalk Farm garage, before returning to Holloway.
On 16 May 1992 the route received a weekend extension to Liverpool Street Station.
In September 1993, the route transferred to London Suburban Bus, operated from a garage in Edmonton, using red, brown and cream livered Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympians.
Route 271 was included in the April 1996 sale of London Suburban Bus to MTL London and transferred back to Holloway (HT), with the existing buses repainted in MTL's red livery. MTL London in turn was sold in August 1998 to Metroline.
In 1999, the route received low-floor Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 30 September 2005, the route was retained by Metroline.
On 18 June 2011, the route was withdrawn between Finsbury Square and Liverpool Street station due to Crossrail works.
On 29 September 2012, it was retained by Metroline with Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s introduced.
In November 2012, brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs were introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
In March 2019, the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s were replaced by Alexander Dennis Enviro 400Hs.
In April 2019, the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs were replaced by Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs.
Current route
Route 271 operates via these primary locations:
- Highgate Village South Grove
- Archway Station
- Upper Holloway Station
- Holloway Road Station
- Highbury & Islington Station
- Essex Road Station
- Islington High Street
- Angel Station
- Old Street Station
- Moorgate Finsbury Square