London Buses route H2 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Golders Green and Hampstead Garden Suburb in a circular route, it is operated by Metroline.
History[]
Hampstead route H2 has its roots as a Dial-a-Ride service that began on 28 February 1976 in the Hampstead Garden Suburb area, using Ford Transit minibuses. On tendering on 10 June 1989, the route was won by R&I Tours and moved from Finchley to Park Royal Garage. On 24 October 1995, R&I was bought out by MTL London, which in turn was bought out by Metroline on 3 July 1998.
A diversion of the route to serve Temple Fortune Lane was considered in 2000, although the diversion would have taken the route away from Willifield Way, disrupting about 100 passenger trips each day. The increased journey time to reach the Hampstead Garden Suburb would also have necessitated an extra bus to ensure continued reliability. The idea was subsequently dropped, on passenger disruption and cost grounds.
In June 2005, brand new Optare Solos were introduced to convert the route to low floor.
On 10 June 2006, the route passed to Arriva The Shires with brand new Optare Solos introduced.
On 11 June 2011, the route was retained by Arriva The Shires.
On 1 January 2016, the Arriva group restructured its bus operations, which included the transfer of route H2 from Arriva The Shires to Arriva London.
On 9 June 2018, the route passed back to Metroline operating their Cricklewood (W) garage using existing Optare Solos on loan from Arriva London.
On 19 September 2018, the Optare Solos on loan from Arriva London were replaced by brand new Optare Solo SRs.
Current Route[]
Route H2 is a circular route and runs in this direction only
- Golders Green Bus Station
- Golders Green Road
- Hoop Lane
- Meadway Gate
- Meadway
- Wildwood Road
- Kingsley Way
- Neville Drive
- Spencer Drive
- Holne Chase
- Chalton Drive
- Norrice Lea
- Linden Lea
- Kingsley Way
- Market Place
- Northway
- Central Square
- North Square
- Erskine Hill
- Asmuns Hill
- Willifield Way
- Hampstead Way
- Meadway
- Meadway Gate
- Hoop Lane
- Finchley Road
- Golders Green Bus Station