London Buses route 324

324
Metroline Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart in Queensbury
Overview
OperatorMetroline
GarageCricklewood
VehicleAlexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart
Peak vehicle requirement7
PredecessorsMobility Route 972
Night-timeNo night service
Route
StartBrent Cross
ViaHendon
Colindale
Kingsbury
Queensbury
Stanmore
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
EndElstree
Length8 miles (13 km)
Service
LevelDaily
FrequencyAbout every 20-30 minutes
Journey time32-65 minutes
Operates05:00 until 00:57

London Buses route 324 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London and Hertfordshire, England. Running between Brent Cross and Elstree, it is operated by Metroline.

History

In 2009, Transport for London consulted on the possibility of introducing the route.[1] Transport for London confirmed in February 2010 that the route was going ahead, and would be introduced in October.[2] In preparation for introducing the route, route 972 which ran two return journeys per week was withdrawn, as was a shuttle bus service operated by Tesco between their Brent Cross supermarket and Brent Cross Shopping Centre.[3] The route was introduced on 23 October 2010.[4]

Operation of the route was taken over by Metroline on 24 October 2015.[5]

In 2020, Transport for London launched a consultation for the extension of the route from Stanmore station to Centennial Park in Elstree, via the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.[6][7] Calls for the route to serve the hospital had previously been dismissed by Transport for London as it stated the extension would require an additional bus and that there was insufficient demand.[8] In July 2021, it was announced that the extension will go ahead.[9][10]

Current route

Route 324 operates via these primary locations:[11]

Frequency

Buses run every 20 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes, and every 30 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays.[9]

Reception

Prior to introduction, residents along the proposed route raised concerns that the roads were too narrow for the route to operate safely, and that the route would lead to increased traffic congestion.[12][2][13]

References

  1. ^ Kirk, Tristan (30 April 2009). "Bus route proposed through East Harrow". Harrow Times. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b Bradford, Kevin (23 February 2010). "New bus route between Brent Cross and Stanmore Station, which will serve 760 households in Colindale, approved by transport bosses". Hendon & Finchley, Barnet & Potters Bar, Edgware & Mill Hill Times. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Bus Route 324". Mayor of London. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  4. ^ "New bus route 324 provides links between Stanmore and Brent Cross". Transport for London. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  5. ^ "London bus tendering latest". Coach & Bus Week. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  6. ^ Lewis, Nathan (10 November 2020). "TfL launches proposal to extend 324 bus from Stanmore station". Borehamwood & Elstree Times. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  7. ^ Lawrence-Jones, Charlie (7 December 2020). "TfL planning to expand major Harrow bus route to link it to hospital". MyLondon. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  8. ^ "TfL to return to Ald enham as schoolbuses are curtailed". Buses Magazine. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b Shaw, Adam (5 July 2021). "TfL extends major Harrow bus route to hospital after public support". MyLondon. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Bus route to be extended to hospital and business park". Harrow Times. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Route 324 Map". Transport for London. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  12. ^ Proctor, Ian (4 March 2010). "Campaigners vow to fight on against buses on 'narrow' roads". MyLondon. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  13. ^ Proctor, Ian (19 May 2009). "Proposed Stanmore bus route angers residents". MyLondon. Retrieved 7 July 2021.