London Buses route 277

File:18223 LX04FXL.jpg TransBus ALX400 bodied TransBus Trident in Leamouth in April 2013]]

Route 277 started in April 1959 to replace the Trolleybus route 677 from Smithfield to Cubitt Town.{{Cite book|title=May 1961 Red Book|publisher=London Transport|year=1961}} In October 1961 the Sunday service was extended from Cubitt Town to Poplar replacing the withdrawn route 56.{{Cite book|url=http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/allocation-book/277-1968.jpg|title=September 1968 allocation book|publisher=London Transport}} In 1964 Saturday journeys were also extended, and this was followed in 1969 by a weekday extension.{{Cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/coborn_road/index3.shtml|title=Disused Stations: Coborn Road for Old Ford Station|website=www.disused-stations.org.uk|access-date=2017-06-13}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.eplates.info/277s.html|title=London Transport Central Area Routes 277–279|last=Gryfe|first=Alan|website=www.eplates.info|access-date=2017-06-13}}

In 1971 route 277 saw the withdrawal on Sunday services between Angel and Smithfield but continued a normal service to the Blackwall Tunnel.{{Cite book|title=1970 - Devolution of Country Buses London Bus Map|publisher=London Transport}}{{Cite book|title=London Docklands: Strategic Plan|publisher=Docklands Joint Committee}} The 277 saw the withdrawal of through services to Poplar and restricted to Cubitt Town, Queen Hotel in 1974, during the reconstruction of what is now the Blue Bridge over the West India Dock entrance from the River Thames, passengers walking over a temporary footbridge until 1976 after Route 277A, a shuttle from the north side of the bridge to Poplar, was withdrawn.{{Cite book|title=The London DMS Bus|last=Wharmby|first=Matthew|pages=71}}{{Cite book|title=British Buses 1967|last=Blake|first=Jim}}

The 1990s saw the most significant change to the route where the 277 lost it status as a Central London route as was diverted at Canonbury (Mildmay Park) via St Pauls Road to Highbury & Islington Station; the Smithfield section was replaced by bus route 56.{{Cite book|url=http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/maps/277-1998.jpg|title=March 1998 London Transport Leaflet|year=1998}} 1991 saw the extension on weekdays and Saturdays to Canary Wharf.{{Cite AV media|url=http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/bus-photos/261-280/277_fc289.jpg|title=Capital Citibus 277 blinded for Canary Wharf.|type=Image}} 1993 saw the withdrawal of the section between Canary Wharf and Poplar. In 1994 the route was extended to Blackwall on weekdays and Saturdays. The route also saw the extension to Leamouth on Sundays along with the N277 in 2003 being introduced that covered the entire route.

As part of the new 24 hour buses project in 2004, the 'N277' dropped as this was routed exactly the same as the day route, making the 277 a 24-hour route.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

In February 2009, drivers on the route were criticised by local residents for causing unnecessarily high noise and air pollution at the Highbury Corner terminus.[http://www.thecnj.com/islington/2009/022009/inews022009_04.html Selfish bus drivers bring fumes misery] Islington Tribune 20 February 2009

Stagecoach London commenced a new contract in February 2010.[https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/13796.aspx?btID=596 Bus tender results Route 277/N277] Transport for London 6 August 2009 In March 2016, Transport for London proposed the removal of seven bus stops from the route,{{Cite news|url=http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/anger-over-proposal-to-axe-highbury-corner-277-bus-service-1-4485443|title=Anger over proposal to axe Highbury Corner 277 bus service|last=Inge|first=Sophie|work=Islington Gazette|access-date=2017-06-13|language=en}} which drew criticism from London TravelWatch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2016/03/14/277-bus-route-dalston-highbury-corner-london-travelwatch/|title=Part of 277 bus route faces axe amid scheme to revamp Highbury Corner|last=Seabrook|first=Victoria|date=2016-03-14|website=Hackney Citizen|access-date=2017-06-13}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.wharf.co.uk/news/local-news/tfl-propose-changes-six-bus-10929620|title=Have your say on the changes to Tower Hamlets bus routes|last=Bishop|first=Rachel|date=2016-02-22|work=thewharf|access-date=2017-06-13}}

On 30 June 2018, route 277 was withdrawn between Dalston and Highbury Corner. However the night service was retained, restoring the 'N' prefix N277 which was extended to Islington via Upper Street from Highbury.{{cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/permanent-bus-changes#on-this-page-1 |title=Permanent bus changes - Transport for London |website=tfl.gov.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318195043/https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/permanent-bus-changes |archive-date=2018-03-18}} This decision was met with outrage from Hackney Borough Council who were disappointed with TfL and called on the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and TfL to review this decision.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/hackney-council-furious-at-tfl-over-shock-news-that-277-bus-route-will-be-cut-next-week-1-5570053|title=Hackney Council furious after shock announcement that 277 bus route will be cut from next week|date=20 June 2018}}

Route 277 operates via these primary locations:{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/277|title = 277 bus route}}

• Cubitt Town Asda
• Mudchute station {{rail-interchange|london|dlr}}
• Millwall
• Canary Wharf station {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|dlr}} {{rail-interchange|london|elizabeth}}
• Canary Wharf Westferry Circus
• Westferry station {{rail-interchange|london|dlr}}
• Limehouse
• Mile End station {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
• South Hackney
• Hackney Central station {{rail-interchange|london|overground}}
• Dalston Junction station {{rail-interchange|london|overground}}

The route is notable for passing through areas of London with strong cultural importance. A feature in Time Out magazine in March 2009 highlighted notable points along the route as the Vortex Jazz Club and Café Oto in Dalston, the Hackney Empire theatre, Broadway Market, London Fields and One Canada Square in Canary Wharf.[http://www.timeout.com/london/features/6948/Bus_Route_277-Highbury_Corner_to_Canary_Wharf.html Bus Route 277: Highbury to Canary Wharf - Time Out London]

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{{London bus routes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:277, London Buses Route}}

Category:Bus routes in London

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Hackney

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets