London Buses route 521

Last updated

521
Go-Ahead London General SEe27 - LJ66 CGU.jpg
Go-Ahead London Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV on London Bridge
Overview
Operator Go-Ahead London
Garage Waterloo
Vehicle Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV
Peak vehicle requirement15
StatusDefunct
Began service18 July 1992 (1992-07-18)
Ended service29 April 2023 (2023-04-29)
PredecessorsRoute 501
Route 513
Night-timeNo night service
Route
Start Waterloo station
Via Holborn
St Paul's station
Cannon Street
End London Bridge bus station
Length3 miles (4.8 km)
Service
LevelMonday to Friday
FrequencyAbout every 2-12 minutes
Journey time21-34 minutes
Operates06:29 until 00:33

London Buses route 521 was a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. It ran between Waterloo station and London Bridge bus station, and was operated by Go-Ahead London.

Contents

It was also one of two Red Arrow branded services. In 2016, routes 507 and 521 became the first battery electric bus routes in Central London, and the second operated by Transport for London, after route 312. [1]

History

Go-Ahead London Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro on Waterloo Bridge in 2013 Go Ahead route 521.jpg
Go-Ahead London Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro on Waterloo Bridge in 2013

Route 521 commenced operating on 18 July 1992 as part of the Red Arrow network of bus routes aimed at commuters in Central London linking some of the capital's main railway termini. [2]

On 2 June 2002, along with route 507, the route was the first bus route in London to be converted to articulated bus with Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaros. [3]

During late 2003, early 2004, a series of onboard fires on Mercedes-Benz O530Gs led to withdrawal of the entire fleet, while Mercedes-Benz made some modifications. During this period limited services operated using a variety of different buses on route 521. [4]

In September 2009, as part of the move to replace London's articulated buses, the O530Gs were replaced by Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaros. [5]

Another criticism of articulated buses was the low number of seats, with only 49 per vehicle. A standard rigid Citaro has 44 seats, however the new ones for route 521 have just 21, with room supposedly for up to 76 standers, leading to criticism the new buses were "cattle trucks" and even more crowded than the buses they replaced. [6]

In December 2013, two trial BYD electric buses were introduced. [7] In September 2016, Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV bodied BYD electric buses began to operate the route, making it and route 507 the first battery electric bus routes in London. [8] [9] [10] In September 2016, the buses on this route and on the 507 have received new digital route displays. [11]

On 28 August 2021, the PVR was cut to 15 vehicles rather than 32. [12]

Route withdrawal

On 23 November 2022, it was announced that route 521 would be withdrawn following a consultation, with routes 59 and 133 being rerouted to replace it either side of St Paul's. These changes were implemented on 29 April 2023. [13] [14] [15]

Former route

London General Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro in August 2004 Bendy Bus Aug04.jpg
London General Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro in August 2004

Route 521 operated via these primary locations: [16]

References

  1. ↑ "Mayor unveils first fully electric bus routes for central London". Transport for London . Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  2. ↑ Dryhurst, Michael (2016). London's Red Arrow Buses. Newcastle: Bowden Publishing. p. 10.
  3. ↑ London transport - with a twist BBC News 5 June 2002
  4. ↑ "Bendy-buses withdrawn after fires". BBC News. 24 March 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  5. ↑ "The beginning of the end for the bendy bus". Greater London Authority press release. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  6. ↑ "Passengers call for the return of the bendy bus". The London Paper. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  7. ↑ Electric buses hit London roads The Guardian 19 December 2013
  8. ↑ Gillett, Francesca (12 September 2016). "First electric buses in central London 'by end of year' as two routes announced". Evening Standard . Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  9. ↑ Mayor unveils first fully electric bus routes for central London Transport for London 9 September 2016
  10. ↑ "Debut for electrics and StreetDecks" Buses issue 739 October 2016 page 22
  11. ↑ Powell, Tom (12 September 2016). "London buses introduce new 'Tube map-style' digital route displays". Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  12. ↑ Mortimer, Josiah (21 December 2021). "The 41 London bus routes that have quietly been cut in 2021". MyLondon. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  13. ↑ "Central London Bus Review 2022: Decision summary and next steps" (PDF). TfL Have Your Say. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  14. ↑ Marius, Callum (23 December 2022). "From most frequent route to cancellation, the downfall of the 521 bus". MyLondon. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "Central London bus changes". TfL. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  16. ↑ Route 521 Map Transport for London
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