London Buses route 497

497
East London Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC in Harold Hill
Overview
Operator	East London (Stagecoach London)
Garage	Romford
Vehicle	Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC
Peak vehicle requirement	2
Status	Defunct
Began service	25 January 2020 (2020-01-25)
Ended service	9 March 2024 (2024-03-09)
Night-time	No night service
Route
Start	Harold Hill
Via	Gallows Corner
End	Harold Wood station
Length	3 miles (4.8 km)
Service
Level	Monday to Saturday
Frequency	About every 30-60 minutes
Journey time	18 minutes
Operates	05:40 until 00:18

London Buses route 497 was a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. It ran between Harold Hill and Harold Wood station, and was operated by Stagecoach London subsidiary East London.

History

The route was first proposed in a review by Transport for London published in September 2016. A two-month consultation was held in 2017. ^[1] It had been expected to start service in May 2019, however it was delayed. ^[2] It began service on 25 January 2020. ^[3] A review found that passenger numbers were insufficient for the route to be sustainable. In autumn 2021, Transport for London opened a consultation requesting opinions on if the route should be extended, or withdrawn. ^{[4] [5]}

In March 2022, Transport for London confirmed that the Sunday service would be withdrawn in the summer and that the route would be extended to Dagnam Park Square. ^[6]

In January 2024, following a public consultation, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be withdrawn on 9 March 2024. It was replaced by an extension of route 346 that now serves all the same roads and stops formerly served by route 497. ^[7]

On 9 March 2024, the route was withdrawn. ^[8]

Former route

Route 497 operated via these primary locations: ^[9]

• Harold Wood station
• Gallows Corner Tesco
• Harold Hill Hilldene Avenue
• Harold Hill Dagnam Park Square

References

1. Roach, April (13 September 2019). "TfL confirms new bus route 497 from Harold Wood to Harold Hill will be coming to the borough". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
2. "Elizabeth Line changes will see more cross-border cuts". Buses Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
3. "New bus route starts running in Harold Hill". Time 107.5 fm. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
4. Boyle, Caislin (8 September 2021). "Harold Wood to Harold Hill bus at risk as consultation opens on its future". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
5. Billson, Chantelle (19 October 2021). "Future of bus route hangs in the balance as consultation ends". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
6. Marius, Callum (22 March 2022). "Iconic London bus route 1 saved as TfL announces service changes across capital". MyLondon. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
7. "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London . Retrieved 1 March 2024.
8. "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London . Retrieved 1 March 2024.
9. Route 497 Map Transport for London