London Buses route U4 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Uxbridge and Prologis Park, it is operated by Metroline.
History[]
Route U4 commenced operation on 18 February 1989 between Uxbridge Station and Hayes Bourne Avenue via Kingston Lane - Hillingdon Hospital - Goulds Green - Judge Heath Lane - Hayes - Station Road - Dawley Road. The route was operated by CentreWest from their Uxbridge (UX) garage using Alexander bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds. The route was introduced in order to replace the withdrawn section of Route 204 between Hillingdon Hospital and Hayes.
On 2 May 1998, the route was retained by CentreWest with Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Dart SLFs introduced.
On 3 May 2003, the route was retained by First London.
On 24 January 2004, the route was converted to double deck operation using Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 1 May 2010, the route was retained by First London.
On 29 September 2012, the route was extended from Hayes, Bourne Avenue to Prologis Park.
On 22 June 2013, the route was included in the sale of First London's Uxbridge (UX) garage to Metroline.
On 7 March 2015, Alexander Dennis Enviro400s were introduced.
In July 2015, the existing Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents were replaced by existing Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs.
On 20 August 2016, the allocation was transferred to Hayes (HZ) garage.
On 11 February 2017, the allocation was transferred back to Uxbridge (UX) garage.
On 29 April 2017, the route was retained by Metroline.
In September 2017, the route was converted to full Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 operation.
On 28 August 2020, existing Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs were temporarily introduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
In July 2021, the route was converted back to Alexander Dennis Enviro400 operation.
On 14 October 2023, existing Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs were temporarily reintroduced alongside the existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
In March 2024, the route reverted back to a full Alexander Dennis Enviro400 operation.
The route will be retained by Metroline using brand new electric double deckers from 26 October 2024.
Current Route[]
- Uxbridge Station
- Brunel University
- Hillingdon Hospital
- Hayes & Harlington Station
- Hayes, Bourne Avenue
- Hayes, Prologis Park