London Buses Route 398 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Wood End and Ruislip, it is operated by London Sovereign RATP.
History[]
Route 398 commenced operation on 4 January 1997 between Ruislip Station and Northolt Islip Manor via Pembroke Road - Ruislip Manor - Park Way - Elm Avenue - Eastcote - Elm Avenue - North View - Eastern Avenue - Village Way - Rayners Lane Station - Alexandra Avenue - Eastcote Lane - South Harrow - Northolt Park - Racecourse Estate - Northolt Station as a Monday to Saturday service. The route was initially operated by Sovereign Buses from their Harrow (SO) garage using Reeves Burgess bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds. Prior to 4 January 1997, the route was previously run by private operator Blue & White under a London Bus Agreement.
On 4 September 1999, the route was retained by Sovereign.
On 31 March 2001, the route was rerouted between Ruislip and Eastcote via Victoria Road, Chelston Approach, Chelston Road, Southbourne Gardens, Field End Road and Eastcote Station and was diverted at Northolt to the new Westway Cross Retail Park, the Islip Manor section replaced by revised route E10.
In November 2001, the route was converted to low floor operation using 9.3m Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 4 September 2004, the route was retained by London Sovereign.
On 5 September 2009, the route was retained by London Sovereign using 10.2m Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs and was diverted at Northolt Park to Wood End, the Northolt to Greenford section replaced by new route 395.
In 2009, brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts were introduced alongside the existing 10.2m Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 3 September 2016, the route was retained by London Sovereign RATP with existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts and an evening and a Sunday service was introduced.
On 6 January 2018, the operation was transferred to London United RATP operating from their Park Royal (RP) garage.
On 12 December 2020, the operation was transferred to London Sovereign RATP operating from their Harrow (SO) garage using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
On 4 September 2021, the route was retained by London Sovereign RATP using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
On 28 December 2021, brand new Enviro 200 MMC EV bodied BYD D8URs was introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
On 31 December 2021, the route was converted to a full Enviro 200 MMC EV bodied BYD D8UR operation
Current Route[]
Route 398 operates via these primary locations:
- Wood End Lilian Board Way
- Wood End Lane Station Parade
- Northolt Park Station
- South Harrow Bus Station
- Alexandra Avenue Health Centre
- Rayners Lane Station
- Rayners Lane Village Way East
- Eastcote Station
- Ruislip Manor Station
- Ruislip Station Station Approach