Victoria Coach Station
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use British English Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Parameter validation".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "check for deprecated parameters". Victoria Coach Station in the City of Westminster is the largest coach station in London, and a terminus for medium and long distance coach services in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Victoria Coach Station Limited, a subsidiary of Transport for London. As of 2017[update]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., there were 14 million passenger and 472,000 coach movements annually.[2]
Victoria Coach Station covers Script error: No such module "convert". with separate arrival and departure terminals on opposite sides of Elizabeth Street. The departure building includes food and retail outlets, left-luggage facilities and a ticket hall.[3]
London Buses routes 11, 44, 170, C1, C10, N11 and N44 serve the coach station. It is a short walk from London Victoria station.[4]
History
Victoria Coach Station was commissioned by London Coastal Coaches, a consortium of coach operators, and opened on 10 March 1932 by Minister of Transport John Pybus.[1] Wallis, Gilbert and Partners' distinctive Art Deco building[5] was originally built with spaces for 76 coaches, and a booking hall, shops, buffet, restaurant, lounge and bar. London Coastal Coaches' headquarters and other offices occupied upper floors.[6]
During World War II coach travel was restricted and the War Office requisitioned the premises.[7]
By the 1960s, operation of the station had passed through industry consolidation to Tilling Group and British Electric Traction, whence it was reorganised by the Transport Act 1968 to become part of National Bus Company. Subsequently it was transferred to London Transport in 1988, and Transport for London (TfL) in 2000.[7]
Freehold owner, Grosvenor Group, announced in 2013 that it wished to redevelop the site and relocate station operations elsewhere in London,[8] though the following year English Heritage designated the building Grade II listed.[9] Nevertheless, several of TfL's leases on the station were due to expire by 2023 and proposals were made to relocate to Royal Oak, but in 2019 the move was abandoned.[10][11]
Utilisation
Use of the coach station has increased from 2008 to 2018.[12][13][14][15][16]
| Passengers - million | Coaches - thousand | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 / 2022 | 11 | 118 |
| 2020 / 2021 | 2 | 40 |
| 2019 / 2020 | 13.2 | 440 |
| 2018 / 2019 | 12.5 | 450 |
| 2017 / 2018 | 14 | 472 |
| 2016 / 2017 | 14.5 | 476 |
| 2015 / 2016 | 14.5 | 466 |
| 2014 / 2015 | 14 | 460 |
| 2013 / 2014 | 14 | 480 |
| 2012 / 2013 | 11 | 438 |
| 2011 / 2012 | 10.5 | 413 |
| 2010 / 2011 | 10.3 | 399 |
| 2009 / 2010 | 11.8 | 389 |
| 2008 / 2009 | 9.5 | 394 |
Data from 2008/2009 until 2019/2020 is for departing passengers only and both departing and arriving coaches.
Data from 2020/21 onwards is 'passenger movements through the site' and 'Domestic and International Accessible Departures'. TfL does not state a reason for the reporting being different.
Operators
As of 2023[update]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., service operators include:[17]
| Operator | Image | Routes operated |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon BlaBlaBus | File:BlablaBus Saint-Denis.jpg | Lille and Paris |
| Template:Flagicon Flixbus | ||
| File:Exeter Bampfylde Street - Berrys BR21OCZ.JPG | Various international & domestic routes | |
| Template:Flagicon Megabus | File:Exeter Bus Station - Stagecoach 54276 (YY65VXT) and 54277 (YX66WNH).JPG | Various domestic routes |
| Template:Flagicon National Express | File:BV66WPK National Express Scania K410 EB6 with Caetano Invictus Boa Vista bodywork (37932977392).jpg | Various domestic routes |
| Template:Flagicon Sindbad Coaches | Various destinations in Poland |
Financial
Profits for TfL subsidiary Victoria Coach Station Ltd have increased over recent years.[12][13][14][15]
| Revenue - million | Profit - thousand | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 / 2018 | £9.9 | £1,300 |
| 2016 / 2017 | £10.0 | £1,200 |
| 2015 / 2016 | £9.5 | £494 |
| 2014 / 2015 | £9.2 | £123 |
| 2013 / 2014 | £8.9 | £654 |
| 2012 / 2013 | £8.6 | £419 |
| 2011 / 2012 | £8.4 | £727 |
Controversy
In 2019, Transport for London was served a Fire Enforcement Notice after a "catalogue of major fire risks" were found by London Fire Brigade inspectors at Victoria Coach Station.[18]
The deficiencies included holes in walls, which could cause a fire to spread; inadequate fire sprinkler systems that had been broken and out of use for more than two years, and obstructed exit routes used for storage. Fire experts described the situation as a "walking disaster area" and "by far the worst I've seen in a long time". Transport for London posted fire watchers.[18]Template:Better ref needed
References
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- ↑ Template:National Heritage List for England
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External links
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- Pages with script errors
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- Art Deco architecture in London
- Bus stations in London
- Former nationalised industries of the United Kingdom
- Transport in the City of Westminster
- Grade II listed buildings in the City of Westminster
- Transport for London
- Victoria, London