London Buses route 8 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London and runs between Bow Church and Tottenham Court Road Station.
History[]
On 2 November 1908, the bus route number 8 was allocated to a previously un-numbered route operating between the Bush Hotel in Shepherds Bush and Seven Kings High Road in Ilford.
On 20 June 1912, routes 8 and 25 exchanged eastern ends at Bank, so that from then on route 8 operated between Willesden and Old Ford. This situation continued, apart from various westward extensions of the route to Wembley and Alperton, until 18 July 1992. At that time route 8 again was re-routed over route 25, and now operated from Victoria bus station to Bow Church via Old Ford, the same routing as the 1912 version of route 25. The western end of the route beyond Bond Street became 98.
On 3 January 1933, AEC Regent STL buses were used from Clay Hall garage.
In May 1949, Leyland Titan RTWs were introduced on route 8.
In January 1958, the third prototype AEC Routemaster began operation on route 8 between Willesdan and Old Ford.
On 6 June 1959, the first three production Routemasters to enter service in London (RM5, RM7 and RM24) debuted on route 8 from Willesden (AC) garage.
On 5 June 2004, route 8 was converted to one man operation with the AEC Routemasters replaced by brand new Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents.
On 27 June 2009, route 8 was retained by East London. The route was withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Victoria at the same time - most of this section covered by extending route C2 from Oxford Circus to Victoria. Revised to stand in Henrietta Place
On 24 August 2013, the route was curtailed from Oxford Circus to Tottenham Court Road, and from Bow Church to Old Ford.
On 21 December 2013, the route resumed operating to Bow Church.
On 28 June 2014, route 8 was retained by Stagecoach London with brand New Routemasters introduced.
Current route[]
- Bow Church/Bus Garage
- Old Ford Roman Road Market
- Bethnal Green Station
- Shoreditch High Street Station
- Liverpool Street Station
- Bank Station
- St Paul's Station
- City Thameslink Station
- Chancery Lane Station
- Holborn Station
- Tottenham Court Road Station
More information on the Wikipedia page [1].