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    Plus Bus route 812

    From Wikipedia - Reading time: 6 min

    812
    Optare Alero in 2008
    Overview
    OperatorHCT Group
    GarageAsh Grove
    VehicleOptare Solo
    Peak vehicle requirement3
    StatusDefunct
    Began service2007
    Ended service26 August 2022
    Route
    StartHoxton
    ViaIslington
    Clerkenwell
    Finsbury
    Old Street
    EndHoxton
    Length4 miles (6km)
    Service
    LevelMonday to Friday
    FrequencyEvery 30 minutes
    Journey time27-28 minutes
    Operates09:30 until 16:55

    Plus Bus route 812 was a circuit bus route in Greater London, serving Finsbury and Islington. Unusually for a bus route entirely within London, it was tendered and subsidised by Islington London Borough Council rather than Transport for London, and operated under a London Service permit. For this reason, buses used on this route were in a yellow and white livery, rather than the usual full red, and it did not charge standard London fares. Oyster Cards were not accepted anywhere on the route, but Freedom Passes and walk-up cash fares were accepted. It was operated by HCT Group.

    Despite the name, the route was not part of the Plusbus scheme.

    History

    [edit]

    Route 812 was introduced by CT Plus in 2007. Together with similar route 816, it replaced a group of routes which previously ran under the Plus Bus name.[1] Funding for the route was withdrawn at the end of 2007, leading to fears of cancellation, but local councillors stepped in to fund the route. In 2010, the route carried 27,000 passengers per year.[2]

    The route was increased in frequency from two buses per hour to three in 2009. New 12-seat Volkswagen Transporter minibuses with Bluebird Tucana bodies were introduced to the route in 2010.[3]

    The route was faced with withdrawal in 2011 due to Islington London Borough Council budget cuts.[4] To support the route, Transport for London provided additional funding.[5]

    In March 2020, HCT Group temporarily withdrew the route as a result of low usage amid the COVID-19 national lockdown.[6]

    On 26 August 2022, HCT Group ceased operating the route citing financial difficulties.[7][8][9]

    Route

    [edit]

    Route 812 operated via these primary locations:[10]

    • Hoxton
    • Prebend Street
    • Islington
    • Clerkenwell
    • Exmouth Market
    • Finsbury
    • Featherstone Street for Old Street London Underground National Rail (one way only)
    • St Luke's (one way only)
    • Finsbury
    • Exmouth Market
    • Clerkenwell
    • Islington
    • Prebend Street
    • Hoxton

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ PlusBus[usurped] HCT Group
    2. ^ Lib Dems keep the PlusBus on the road Canonbury Liberal Democrats
    3. ^ Aldridge, John (January 2011). "In London: North of the Thames, hail-&-ride is alive and thriving". Buses (670). Ian Allan Publishing: 25.
    4. ^ Messenger, Terry (18 March 2011). "Elderly will miss the Plus Bus as cash for their 'lifeline' service is axed". Camden New Journal. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
    5. ^ "Mayor of London and Transport for London act to save 812 PlusBus route". Transport for London. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
    6. ^ Route 812 HCT Group
    7. ^ Hackney and Islington community bus cancelled Islington Gazette 15 August 2022
    8. ^ HCT Group in talks with Stagecoach over London routes Route One 24 August 2022
    9. ^ Route 812 HCT Group
    10. ^ Route 812 map HCT Group
    [edit]

    Media related to Plus Bus route 812 at Wikimedia Commons

    This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
    Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plus Bus route 812
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