Route 205 commenced operating on 31 August 2002, replacing the former SL1 (StationLink 1) service, which had begun as an accessible route called Carelink for disabled people operated by National Bus Company owned Beeline. This route was withdrawn in 1988, and it became a London Transport contracted route. It was initially operated by London General, but in 1992 the contract was won by Thorpes.[2][3] For a short period the route continued to be branded as Stationlink.[4][5]
Route 205 was introduced as part improvements in preparation for the introduction of London congestion charge in February 2003. It connects Paddington, Marylebone, Euston, King's Cross and Liverpool Street termini stations, as well as many London Underground stations following the northern part of the Circle line. A route 705, linking stations on the southern section of the Circle Line, was also created but later withdrawn. The contract to operate the new route was won by Metroline.[6]
It was extended from Whitechapel to Mile End tube station on 16 June 2007, and was converted into 24-hour service at the same time.[7] Seven new Scania N230UDs arrived in summer 2007 to increase the frequency of the route.[6]
Upon being re-tendered, on 29 August 2009 the route passed to East London Bus Company. At the same time the route was extended further east, from Mile End to Bow Church. The contract required 25 new buses.[6]
On 31 August 2013, the night service on this 24 hour route was withdrawn and replaced by night bus route N205,[8] the existing night-time services on the 205 was simply re-numbered as N205 and extended to Leyton, Downsell Road via Stratford.
