| 242 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | East London (Stagecoach London) |
| Garage | Ash Grove |
| Vehicle | Wright StreetDeck ElectrolinerBEV |
| Peak vehicle requirement | 14 |
| Began service | 28 February 1998 |
| Predecessors | Route 22A Route 22B |
| Night-time | N242 |
| Route | |
| Start | Homerton University Hospital |
| Via | Hackney Central Dalston Shoreditch |
| End | Aldgate bus station |
| Length | 6 miles (9.7 km) |
| Service | |
| Level | Daily |
| Frequency | About every 10-12 minutes |
| Journey time | 32-65 minutes |
| Operates | 05:00 until 01:27 |
London Buses route 242 is aTransport for London contracted bus route inLondon, England. Running betweenHomerton University Hospital andAldgate bus station, it is operated byStagecoach London subsidiaryEast London.
In December 1998, it became the first double-decker route in London to solely uselow-floor buses. The route re-uses the number of the historic route 242 that ran betweenChingford station andPotters Bar viaWaltham Abbey andCheshunt.
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The original London bus route 242 was launched in October 1934 betweenWaltham Cross andEpping Forest viaWaltham Abbey. Prior to 1934, the number 306 was used. In 1940 the route was extended toCheshunt, and then toPotters Bar viaCuffley andGoffs Oak in 1941.
From the 1960s, route 242 ran betweenChingford station andPotters Bar viaWaltham Abbey andCheshunt.[1][2]
Between 1958 and 1968, variant London bus route 242A ran betweenUpshire andPotters Bar.
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In the 1990s, route 242 was handed toMetroline as a commercial operation, thereby removing it from theTransport for London network.[3] The section between Waltham Cross and Chingford station via Waltham Abbey was also withdrawn.
Today, the original route 242 is operated commercially as a non-TfL route between Waltham Cross and Potters Bar by Metroline and Central Connect, with a reduced service.
Route 242 was introduced in February 1998 betweenHomerton University Hospital andTottenham Court Road station, replacingroutes 22A and 22B.[4]
In December 1998, the introduction ofAlexander ALX400 bodiedDAF DB250 buses on the route made it the first double-decker route in London to solely use accessible,low-floor buses.[5][6][7]
In 2004 it became a 24-hour service with night busroute N242 services that followed the same route renumbered 242.[8] The route of the bus was criticised byLondon Assembly members for its use of narrow streets.[4][9]
In 2017, the route was diverted to terminate atSt Paul's, before being cut back on 15 June 2019 toAldgate bus station with a service frequency reduction.[10] The diversion to Aldgate was criticised for the reduction in access to theCity of London andSt Bartholomew's Hospital for residents.[11][12] The reduction in service frequency was criticised for its impacts on the deprived Clapton Park Estate, an area only served by the route.[13][14]
The night route continues to serve Tottenham Court Road station, and from 15 June 2019 was renumberedroute N242.[15]
Upon being re-tendered in 2002, 2009 and 2016, the route was retained byArriva London.[16][17]
Route 242 operates via these primary locations:[18]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Concern proposed changes will make it harder to access hospitals, especially St Bart's
The worst affected will be left with no direct route to London Bridge or the City.
for the most part, Clapton Park remains a disadvantaged locality.
Route 242 is the only route serving the Clapton Park Estate in King's Park ward, an area with a high level of deprivation
Media related toLondon Buses route 242 at Wikimedia Commons
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