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{{Short description|London bus route}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{about|the current route operated by London United|the previous heritage route 9H operated by Tower Transit|London Buses route 9 (Heritage)}}
{{about|the current route operated by [[Metroline]]|the previous heritage route 9H operated by [[Tower Transit]]|London Buses route 9 (Heritage)}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox bus line
{{Infobox bus line
|number = 9
|number = 9
|image = London United LT85 on Route 9, Charing Cross.jpg
|image = File:LTZ1111-9-20241108-152020.jpg
|image_width = 300
|caption = [[London United Busways|London United]] [[New Routemaster]] at [[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross station]] in December 2013
|caption = [[Metroline]] [[New Routemaster]] at [[Knightsbridge]] in November 2024
|bgcolor = red
|titlecolor = white
|bgcolor = red
|titlecolor = white
|operator = [[London United Busways|London United]]
|operator = [[Metroline]]
|garage =[[London United Busways#Stamford Brook (V)|Stamford Brook (V)]] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ratpdevlondon.co.uk/index.php?bus-routes |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-06-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618065313/http://www.ratpdevlondon.co.uk/index.php?bus-routes |archivedate=18 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|vehicle = [[New Routemaster]]
|garage = [[Brentford bus garage|Brentford]]
|night = Night bus [[London Buses route N9|N9]]
|pvr = 14
|start = [[Hammersmith bus station]]
|vehicle = [[New Routemaster]]
|via = [[Kensington]]<br>[[Hyde Park Corner]]<br>[[Trafalgar Square]]
|night = [[London Buses route N9|N9]]
|end = [[Aldwych]]
|start = [[Hammersmith bus station]]
|via = [[Kensington]]<br>[[Hyde Park Corner]]<br>[[Piccadilly Circus]]<br>[[Trafalgar Square]]
|end = [[Aldwych]]
}}
}}


'''London Buses Route 9''' is a [[Transport for London]] contracted bus route in [[London]], England. Running between [[Hammersmith bus station]] and [[Aldwych]], it is operated by [[London United Busways|London United]].
'''London Buses route 9''' is a [[Transport for London]] contracted bus route in [[London]], England. Running between [[Hammersmith bus station]] and [[Aldwych]], it is operated by [[Metroline]].


==History==
==History==
Line 23: Line 26:
[[File:Routemaster_RML2646_(NML_646E),_6_March_2004.jpg|thumb|[[London United Busways|London United]] [[AEC Routemaster]] on [[Cockspur Street]] in March 2004]]
[[File:Routemaster_RML2646_(NML_646E),_6_March_2004.jpg|thumb|[[London United Busways|London United]] [[AEC Routemaster]] on [[Cockspur Street]] in March 2004]]
[[File:Bus_9_new.JPG|thumb|[[London United Busways|Transdev London]] [[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking]] bodied [[Volvo B7TL]] in April 2007]]
[[File:Bus_9_new.JPG|thumb|[[London United Busways|Transdev London]] [[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking]] bodied [[Volvo B7TL]] in April 2007]]
Route 9 has been called "London's oldest existing bus route".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19910806&id=lFtPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3559,1553376 | title=London's bus riders fear not seeing red | work=Toledo Blade | date=6 August 1991 | accessdate=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=19910805&id=gK0fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1tYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4587,4361372 | title=London's red double-decker bus, a part of heritage, may become extinct | work=The Southeast Missourian | date=5 August 1991 | accessdate=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19910807&id=MRJgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MZQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4511,1195106 | title=London's double-decker bus may soon be extinct | work=The Telegraph | date=7 August 1991 | accessdate=27 December 2013 | author=Bivens, Matt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19910806&id=TDAxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PgcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1505,3974030 | title=Double-deckers face extinction in London | work=Ocala Star-Banner | date=6 August 1991 | accessdate=27 December 2013 | author=Bivens, Matt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19910909&id=qnYfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jnYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1183,904332 | title=Those red double-deckers may be things of the past | work=The Hour | date=9 September 1991 | accessdate=27 December 2013}}</ref> Its origin goes as far back as 1856.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/route-to-riches-to-see-most-expensive-parts-of-london-hop-on-a-number-9-9354077.html | title=Route to riches: to see most expensive parts of London, hop on a Number 9 | work=Evening Standard | date=12 May 2014 | accessdate=13 May 2014 | author=Prynn, Jonathan}}</ref>
Route 9 has been called "London's oldest existing bus route".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19910806&id=lFtPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3559,1553376 | title=London's bus riders fear not seeing red | work=Toledo Blade | date=6 August 1991 | access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=19910805&id=gK0fAAAAIBAJ&pg=4587,4361372 | title=London's red double-decker bus, a part of heritage, may become extinct | work=The Southeast Missourian | date=5 August 1991 | access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19910807&id=MRJgAAAAIBAJ&pg=4511,1195106 | title=London's double-decker bus may soon be extinct | work=The Telegraph | date=7 August 1991 | access-date=27 December 2013 | author=Bivens, Matt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19910806&id=TDAxAAAAIBAJ&pg=1505,3974030 | title=Double-deckers face extinction in London | work=Ocala Star-Banner | date=6 August 1991 | access-date=27 December 2013 | author=Bivens, Matt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19910909&id=qnYfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1183,904332 | title=Those red double-deckers may be things of the past | work=The Hour | date=9 September 1991 | access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> Its origin goes as far back as 1851, although the routes [[London Buses route 11|11]] and [[London Buses route 12|12]] also date from this time.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/route-to-riches-to-see-most-expensive-parts-of-london-hop-on-a-number-9-9354077.html | title=Route to riches: to see most expensive parts of London, hop on a Number 9 | work=Evening Standard | date=12 May 2014 | access-date=13 May 2014 | author=Prynn, Jonathan}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Marshall|first=Prince|title=Wheels of London|publisher=The Westerham Press|date=1973|page=7|isbn=0-7230-0068-9}}</ref>


The Sunday 9 extension was finally removed when Route 23 gained a Sunday service in the late 1960s, although a token service was maintained as far as [[Aldgate]] until 14:00 on Sundays to serve the local markets, the afternoon service being curtailed at Aldwych. The Saturday service was also curtailed to Aldwych a few years later, but the Sunday service was renumbered 9A to avoid the unusual bifurcation, being further diverted via [[Monument]] and [[Tower Hill]] instead of Bank and Leadenhall Street. This variation had been dropped completely by 1990, and the route thus then ran daily from [[Mortlake]] to [[Aldwych]] with a Monday to Friday extension to [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]]. The whole route was cut back to [[Aldwych]] on 18 July 1992, the replacement to Liverpool Street being new [[London Buses route 23|route 23]].<ref name=KBlack>{{cite book|last=Blacker|first=Ken|title=Routemaster: 1970–2005|edition=2nd|volume=2|year=2007|publisher=Capital Transport|location=Harrow Weald|isbn=978-1-85414-303-7|pages=118, 170, 171}}</ref>
The Sunday 9 extension was finally removed when [[London Buses route 23|route 23]] gained a Sunday service in the late 1960s, although a token service was maintained as far as [[Aldgate]] until 14:00 on Sundays to serve the local markets, the afternoon service being curtailed at Aldwych. The Saturday service was also curtailed to Aldwych a few years later, but the Sunday service was renumbered 9A to avoid the unusual bifurcation, being further diverted via [[Monument]] and [[Tower Hill]] instead of Bank and Leadenhall Street. This variation had been dropped completely by 1990, and the route thus then ran daily from [[Mortlake]] to [[Aldwych]] with a Monday to Friday extension to [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]]. The whole route was cut back to [[Aldwych]] on 18 July 1992, the replacement to Liverpool Street being new [[London Buses route 23|route 23]].<ref name=KBlack>{{cite book|last=Blacker|first=Ken|title=Routemaster: 1970–2005|edition=2nd|volume=2|year=2007|publisher=Capital Transport|location=Harrow Weald|isbn=978-1-85414-303-7|pages=118, 170, 171}}</ref>


In 1976 the route was the subject of a [[British Transport Films]] documentary ''The Nine Road''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6d43424c|title=The Nine Road (1976)|publisher=British Film Institute}}</ref><ref>{{cite publication|title=Screen International Film and TV Year Book, Volumes 34-37|page=566|editor=Peter Noble|publisher=Screen International|year=1977}}</ref>
In 1976 the route was the subject of a [[British Transport Films]] documentary ''The Nine Road''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6d43424c|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003051919/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6d43424c|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2019|title=The Nine Road (1976)|publisher=British Film Institute}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Screen International Film and TV Year Book, Volumes 34-37|page=566|editor=Peter Noble|publisher=Screen International|year=1977}}</ref>


In the lead up to the introduction of the [[London congestion charge]] in February 2003, service levels were increased with [[MCW Metrobus]]es drafted in to supplement the [[AEC Routemaster]]s. On 4 September 2004, crewed operation finished with the AEC Routemasters replaced by [[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking]] bodied [[Volvo B7TL]] and the route was transferred to [[London United Busways#Stamford Brook (V)|Stamford Brook garage]], in an economy swap with [[London Buses route 49|route 49]].<ref name=KBlack/>
In the lead up to the introduction of the [[London congestion charge]] in February 2003, service levels were increased with [[MCW Metrobus]]es drafted in to supplement the [[AEC Routemaster]]s. On 4 September 2004, crewed operation finished with the AEC Routemasters replaced by [[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking]] bodied [[Volvo B7TL]] and the route was transferred to [[London United Busways#Stamford Brook (V)|Stamford Brook garage]], in an economy swap with [[London Buses route 49|route 49]].<ref name=KBlack/>


In 2014, the route briefly operated a New Routemaster painted in red and silver livery to promote the ''Year of the Bus''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/29495.aspx | title=Mayor launches the 'Year of the Bus' to celebrate vital part of London's transport network | work=TfL | date=27 January 2014 | accessdate=27 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2014/01/27/its-the-year-of-the-bus-look-out-for-the-celebratory-silver-boris-routemaster-bus/ | title=It’s the Year of the Bus! Look out for the celebratory silver Boris Bus | work=TimeOut | date=27 January 2014 | accessdate=27 January 2014}}</ref>
In 2014, the route briefly operated a New Routemaster painted in red and silver livery to promote the ''Year of the Bus''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/29495.aspx | title=Mayor launches the 'Year of the Bus' to celebrate vital part of London's transport network | work=TfL | date=27 January 2014 | access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2014/01/27/its-the-year-of-the-bus-look-out-for-the-celebratory-silver-boris-routemaster-bus/ | title=It's the Year of the Bus! Look out for the celebratory silver Boris Bus | work=TimeOut | date=27 January 2014 | access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref>


To mark the [[First World War centenary]], the [[London Transport Museum]] restored one of only four surviving [[LGOC B-type]] buses. The bus being restored used to run on route 9 between [[Barnes, London|Barnes]] and [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] from 1914. The restoration cost £250,000, with more than half being spent sourcing original parts.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25338867 | title='Unsung' London war bus brought back to life | work=BBC | date=12 December 2013 | accessdate=14 December 2013 | author=Majumdar, Debabani}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/1914-doubledecker-bus-restored-30349097.html | title=1914 double-decker bus restored | work=Independent | date=12 June 2014 | accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>
To mark the [[First World War centenary]], the [[London Transport Museum]] restored one of only four surviving [[LGOC B-type]] buses. The bus being restored used to run on route 9 between [[Barnes, London|Barnes]] and [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] from 1914. The restoration cost £250,000, with more than half being spent sourcing original parts.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25338867 | title='Unsung' London war bus brought back to life | work=BBC | date=12 December 2013 | access-date=14 December 2013 | author=Majumdar, Debabani}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/1914-doubledecker-bus-restored-30349097.html | title=1914 double-decker bus restored | work=Independent | date=12 June 2014 | access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref>


[[New Routemaster]]s were introduced on 26 October 2013. The rear platform remains open from Monday to Friday between 06:00 and 18:00 when it is staffed by a customer assistant.<ref>[https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2013/october/route-9-to-be-served-by-iconic-new-bus-for-london-from-saturday Press Release] Transport For London</ref> In September 2016, conductors were removed from buses on route 9 and buses now operate with drivers only and the rear platform closed. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36764417|title=London's New Routemaster buses cut 300 conductors|website=BBC News|date=11 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>
[[New Routemaster]]s were introduced on 26 October 2013. The rear platform remains open from Monday to Friday between 06:00 and 18:00 when it is staffed by a customer assistant.<ref>[https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2013/october/route-9-to-be-served-by-iconic-new-bus-for-london-from-saturday Press Release] Transport For London</ref> In September 2016, conductors were removed from buses on route 9 and buses now operate with drivers only and the rear platform closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36764417|title=London's New Routemaster buses cut 300 conductors|website=BBC News|date=11 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>


On 15 June 2019, the route was re-routed via Piccadilly Circus. In 2021, the frequency of the service was reduced from 8 buses per hour to 6 Monday to Saturday daytimes, and from 6 buses per hour to 5 during evenings and on Sundays.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mortimer|first=Josiah|date=2021-12-21|title=The 41 London bus routes that have quietly been cut in 2021|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/41-london-bus-routes-quietly-22524597|access-date=2022-01-27|website=MyLondon|language=en}}</ref>
On 15 June 2019, the route was re-rerouted via Piccadilly Circus


==Current route==
==Current route==
Route 9 operates via these primary locations:<ref>[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/9 Route 9 Map] Transport for London</ref>
Route 9 operates via these primary locations:<ref>[https://www.tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/9 Route 9 Map] Transport for London</ref>
*[[Hammersmith bus station]] {{rail-interchange|london|bus}} for [[Hammersmith tube station (disambiguation)|Hammersmith tube station]]s{{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Hammersmith bus station]] {{rail-interchange|london|bus}}
⚫
*[[Kensington (Olympia) station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|overground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
*[[Hammersmith]] ''Broadway''
*[[Brook Green]]
*[[West Kensington]] ''[[North End Road, Fulham|North End Road]]''
⚫
*[[Kensington (Olympia) station|Kensington Olympia station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|overground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
*[[Kensington High Street]]
*[[Kensington High Street]]
*[[High Street Kensington tube station|High Street Kensington station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[High Street Kensington tube station|High Street Kensington station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Kensington Palace]]
*[[Royal Albert Hall]]
*[[Royal Albert Hall]]
*[[Knightsbridge tube station|Knightsbridge station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Knightsbridge tube station|Knightsbridge station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Hyde Park Corner tube station|Hyde Park Corner station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Hyde Park Corner]]
*[[Mayfair]] ''Old Park Lane''
*[[Green Park tube station|Green Park station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Green Park tube station|Green Park station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Piccadilly]]
*[[Piccadilly Circus]]
*[[Piccadilly Circus]]
*[[Trafalgar Square]]
*[[Trafalgar Square]]
*[[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
*[[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
⚫
*[[Aldwych]] ''[[Bush House]]''
*[[Strand, London|Strand]]
*[[Covent Gardens]] ''Southampton Street''
⚫
*[[Aldwych]] ''Drury Lane/Somerset House''


In 1978, route 9 was called the "very best and least expensive tour of London" as it passed [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], [[Hyde Park Corner]], [[Green Park]], [[Burlington Arcade]], [[Piccadilly Circus]], [[Haymarket, London|Haymarket]], [[Trafalgar Square]], the [[National Gallery]], [[Strand, London|Strand]], [[Savoy Hotel]], [[Simpsons of Piccadilly]], [[Fleet Street]], [[Lombard Street, London|Lombard Street]] and [[George and Vulture]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19781202&id=vn0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5aEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6631,5542216 | title=Bus Nine: Great way to tour London | work=The Montreal Gazette | date=2 December 1978 | accessdate=27 December 2013 | author=Lo Bello, Nino}}</ref> The current route passes [[Kensington Palace]] and [[Kensington Gardens]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19900310&id=UElWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6880,3674320 | title=London | work=Gainesville Sun | date=11 March 1990 | accessdate=31 December 2013}}</ref> It also passes the [[Kensington Roof Gardens]], [[Royal Albert Hall]], [[Albert Memorial]], [[Hyde Park Barracks, London|Hyde Park Barracks]], [[Wellington Arch]], [[Apsley House]], [[New Zealand War Memorial, London|New Zealand War Memorial]], [[The Athenaeum Hotel]], [[The Ritz London Hotel]], [[The Wolseley]], [[St James's Palace]], [[National Gallery]], [[Duke of York Column]], [[Nelson's Column]], [[Eleanor cross]], [[Savoy Hotel]], [[Savoy Theatre]] and [[Somerset House]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://golondon.about.com/od/London-Bus-Routes/fl/Number-9-London-Bus-Route.htm | title=Number 9 London Bus Route | work=About | accessdate=2 January 2014 | author=Porter, Laura}}</ref>
In 1978, route 9 was called the "very best and least expensive tour of London" as it passed [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], [[Hyde Park Corner]], [[Green Park]], [[Burlington Arcade]], [[Piccadilly Circus]], [[Haymarket, London|Haymarket]], [[Trafalgar Square]], the [[National Gallery]], [[Strand, London|Strand]], [[Savoy Hotel]], [[Simpsons of Piccadilly]], [[Fleet Street]], [[Lombard Street, London|Lombard Street]] and [[George and Vulture]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19781202&id=vn0xAAAAIBAJ&pg=6631,5542216 | title=Bus Nine: Great way to tour London | work=The Montreal Gazette | date=2 December 1978 | access-date=27 December 2013 | author=Lo Bello, Nino}}</ref> The current route passes [[Kensington Palace]] and [[Kensington Gardens]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19900310&id=UElWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6880,3674320 | title=London | work=Gainesville Sun | date=11 March 1990 | access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> It also passes the [[Design Museum]], [[Royal Albert Hall]], [[Albert Memorial]], [[Wellington Arch]], [[Apsley House]], [[New Zealand War Memorial, London|New Zealand War Memorial]], [[The Athenaeum Hotel]], [[The Ritz London Hotel]], [[The Wolseley]], [[St James's Palace]], [[National Gallery]], [[Duke of York Column]], [[Nelson's Column]], [[Eleanor cross]], [[Savoy Hotel]], [[Savoy Theatre]] and [[Somerset House]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://golondon.about.com/od/London-Bus-Routes/fl/Number-9-London-Bus-Route.htm | title=Number 9 London Bus Route | work=About | access-date=2 January 2014 | author=Porter, Laura | archive-date=2 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194507/http://golondon.about.com/od/London-Bus-Routes/fl/Number-9-London-Bus-Route.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{-}}
{{-}}


Latest revision as of 15:41, 26 November 2024

This article is about the current route operated by Metroline. For the previous heritage route 9H operated by Tower Transit, see London Buses route 9 (Heritage).

9
Metroline New Routemaster at Knightsbridge in November 2024
Overview
OperatorMetroline
GarageBrentford
VehicleNew Routemaster
Peak vehicle requirement14
Night-timeN9
Route
StartHammersmith bus station
ViaKensington
Hyde Park Corner
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square
EndAldwych

London Buses route 9 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Hammersmith bus station and Aldwych, it is operated by Metroline.

History

[edit]
Restored LGOC B-type bus in June 2014
London United AEC Routemaster on Cockspur Street in March 2004
Transdev London East Lancs Myllennium Vyking bodied Volvo B7TL in April 2007

Route 9 has been called "London's oldest existing bus route".[1][2][3][4][5] Its origin goes as far back as 1851, although the routes 11 and 12 also date from this time.[6][7]

The Sunday 9 extension was finally removed when route 23 gained a Sunday service in the late 1960s, although a token service was maintained as far as Aldgate until 14:00 on Sundays to serve the local markets, the afternoon service being curtailed at Aldwych. The Saturday service was also curtailed to Aldwych a few years later, but the Sunday service was renumbered 9A to avoid the unusual bifurcation, being further diverted via Monument and Tower Hill instead of Bank and Leadenhall Street. This variation had been dropped completely by 1990, and the route thus then ran daily from Mortlake to Aldwych with a Monday to Friday extension to Liverpool Street. The whole route was cut back to Aldwych on 18 July 1992, the replacement to Liverpool Street being new route 23.[8]

In 1976 the route was the subject of a British Transport Films documentary The Nine Road.[9][10]

In the lead up to the introduction of the London congestion charge in February 2003, service levels were increased with MCW Metrobuses drafted in to supplement the AEC Routemasters. On 4 September 2004, crewed operation finished with the AEC Routemasters replaced by East Lancs Myllennium Vyking bodied Volvo B7TL and the route was transferred to Stamford Brook garage, in an economy swap with route 49.[8]

In 2014, the route briefly operated a New Routemaster painted in red and silver livery to promote the Year of the Bus.[11][12]

To mark the First World War centenary, the London Transport Museum restored one of only four surviving LGOC B-type buses. The bus being restored used to run on route 9 between Barnes and Liverpool Street from 1914. The restoration cost £250,000, with more than half being spent sourcing original parts.[13][14]

New Routemasters were introduced on 26 October 2013. The rear platform remains open from Monday to Friday between 06:00 and 18:00 when it is staffed by a customer assistant.[15] In September 2016, conductors were removed from buses on route 9 and buses now operate with drivers only and the rear platform closed.[16]

On 15 June 2019, the route was re-routed via Piccadilly Circus. In 2021, the frequency of the service was reduced from 8 buses per hour to 6 Monday to Saturday daytimes, and from 6 buses per hour to 5 during evenings and on Sundays.[17]

Current route

[edit]

Route 9 operates via these primary locations:[18]

In 1978, route 9 was called the "very best and least expensive tour of London" as it passed Hyde Park, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Strand, Savoy Hotel, Simpsons of Piccadilly, Fleet Street, Lombard Street and George and Vulture.[19] The current route passes Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens.[20] It also passes the Design Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Albert Memorial, Wellington Arch, Apsley House, New Zealand War Memorial, The Athenaeum Hotel, The Ritz London Hotel, The Wolseley, St James's Palace, National Gallery, Duke of York Column, Nelson's Column, Eleanor cross, Savoy Hotel, Savoy Theatre and Somerset House.[21]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "London's bus riders fear not seeing red". Toledo Blade. 6 August 1991. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  2. ^ "London's red double-decker bus, a part of heritage, may become extinct". The Southeast Missourian. 5 August 1991. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  3. ^ Bivens, Matt (7 August 1991). "London's double-decker bus may soon be extinct". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  4. ^ Bivens, Matt (6 August 1991). "Double-deckers face extinction in London". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Those red double-deckers may be things of the past". The Hour. 9 September 1991. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. ^ Prynn, Jonathan (12 May 2014). "Route to riches: to see most expensive parts of London, hop on a Number 9". Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  7. ^ Marshall, Prince (1973). Wheels of London. The Westerham Press. p. 7. ISBN 0-7230-0068-9.
  8. ^ a b Blacker, Ken (2007). Routemaster: 1970–2005. Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). Harrow Weald: Capital Transport. pp. 118, 170, 171. ISBN 978-1-85414-303-7.
  9. ^ "The Nine Road (1976)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 3 October 2019.
  10. ^ Peter Noble, ed. (1977). Screen International Film and TV Year Book, Volumes 34-37. Screen International. p. 566.
  11. ^ "Mayor launches the 'Year of the Bus' to celebrate vital part of London's transport network". TfL. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  12. ^ "It's the Year of the Bus! Look out for the celebratory silver Boris Bus". TimeOut. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  13. ^ Majumdar, Debabani (12 December 2013). "'Unsung' London war bus brought back to life". BBC. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  14. ^ "1914 double-decker bus restored". Independent. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  15. ^ Press Release Transport For London
  16. ^ "London's New Routemaster buses cut 300 conductors". BBC News. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  17. ^ Mortimer, Josiah (21 December 2021). "The 41 London bus routes that have quietly been cut in 2021". MyLondon. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  18. ^ Route 9 Map Transport for London
  19. ^ Lo Bello, Nino (2 December 1978). "Bus Nine: Great way to tour London". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  20. ^ "London". Gainesville Sun. 11 March 1990. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  21. ^ Porter, Laura. "Number 9 London Bus Route". About. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
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