Green Line bus route 724
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use British English
Green Line route 724 is a bus service currently operated by Arriva Herts & Essex as part of the Green Line Coaches network. It runs on an orbital route round the north and western outskirts of London between Harlow and Heathrow Central bus station, and is partly funded by airport operator Heathrow Airport Holdings.
History
Route 724 was started by Green Line Coaches (then part of London Transport) on 10 July 1966, on a route from High Wycombe to Romford via North London using AEC Regal coaches.[1][2] By June 1972 it had been rerouted to start from Staines and serve Heathrow Airport.[3] The sections of route between Staines and Heathrow, and between Harlow and Romford were later dropped.
Route 724 was included in the sale of London Country North West to a management buyout when privatised in January 1988, in turn passing to Luton & District Transport in 1990, British Bus in 1994 and finally the Cowie Group in August 1996.[4][5][6][7] Today it is operated by Arriva Herts & Essex.
In December 1997, a fleet of nine Plaxton Prestige bodied DAF SB220s were purchased, with extra luggage space built in.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". These were some of the first low-floor buses to operate in the United Kingdom.
These were replaced in August 2006 by nine Mercedes-Benz Citaros. These were the result of a Quality Bus Partnership between Arriva Shires & Essex, BAA and Hertfordshire County Council. These buses seat 39 and also have extra luggage racking.[8] Journey times were also improved.[9]
In March 2008, the route was diverted to serve the new Heathrow Terminal 5.[10] From 19 May, the service was withdrawn from Heathrow Terminal 4, with another new timetable introduced. Short workings on other parts of the route became routes 725 and 726.[11]
In February 2021, the Citaros were replaced by a fleet of 8 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCs, which were transferred from Arriva Kent Thameside.[12]
In July 2022, part of the batch of ADL Enviro200 MMCs were replaced by Wright Pulsar 2 bodied VDL SB200s transferred from Leicester in return for the Enviro200s.
From 24 July 2022, additional early morning, late evening and weekend journeys were introduced in conjunction with the Heathrow Airport Partnership.[13]
Current route
Route 724 operates via these primary locations:[14]
- Harlow bus station Bus interchange
- Ware
- Hertford bus station Bus interchange
- Hertford North station National Rail
- Panshanger
- Welwyn Garden City station National Rail
- New QEII Hospital
- Hatfield station National Rail
- Hatfield town centre
- St Albans City station National Rail
- St Albans Abbey station National Rail
- Garston
- Watford Junction station London Overground National Rail
- Croxley station London Underground
- Rickmansworth station London Underground National Rail
- Maple Cross
- Denham station National Rail
- Uxbridge station London Underground
- Heathrow Central bus station London Underground Elizabeth Line National Rail London Buses Airport interchange
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ One-Man Operation for First Time on London Transport Coaches Script error: No such module "webarchive". Commercial Motor 1 July 1966 page 45
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ 724 & 727 timetable Script error: No such module "webarchive". London Country Bus Services 3 June 1972
- ↑ London Country - three to go Script error: No such module "webarchive". Commercial Motor 12 November 1987 page 32
- ↑ Hansard Script error: No such module "webarchive". House of Commons 18 April 1988
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Overview Script error: No such module "webarchive". Arriva
- ↑ Heathrow service relaunched Script error: No such module "webarchive". Transport Xtra 18 August 2006
- ↑ Revamped buses set for take-off Script error: No such module "webarchive". Watford Observer 4 September 2006
- ↑ Arriva - "Green Line 724 to serve Heathrow Terminal 5." Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ↑ Route 724 timetable Arriva 2 June 2008
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".