| 497 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Operator | Stagecoach London | 
| Garage | Romford | 
| Vehicle | Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC | 
| Peak vehicle requirement | 2 | 
| 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 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Harold Hill and Harold Wood station, it is operated by Stagecoach 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][4] 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 In autumn 2021, Transport for London opened a consultation requesting opinions on if the route should be extended, or withdrawn.[5][6][7]
In March 2022, Transport for London confirmed that the Sunday service would be withdrawn in the summer and that the route would be extended to Dagnam Park Square.[8]
In January 2024, following a public consultation, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be withdrawn on 9 March 2024. It will be replaced by an extension of route 346 that will serve all the same roads and stops currently served by the route.[9]
Current route
Route 497 operates via these primary locations:[10]
- Harold Wood station .svg.png.webp) 
- Gallows Corner Tesco
- Harold Hill Hilldene Avenue
- Harold Hill Dagnam Park Square
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Line changes will see more cross-border cuts". Buses Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ↑ "Over three years on … new route 497 begins". BusAndTrainUser. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ↑ "New bus route starts running in Harold Hill". Time 107.5 fm. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Billson, Chantelle (19 October 2021). "Future of bus route hangs in the balance as consultation ends". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ↑ "Are TfL about to ditch new route 497?". BusAndTrainUser. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ↑ Marius, Callum (22 March 2022). "Iconic London bus route 1 saved as TfL announces service changes across capital". MyLondon. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ↑ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ↑ "Route 497 Map". Transport for London.

