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Plus Bus route 812

{{Short description|Bus route in Greater London, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}

{{Infobox bus line

|number = 812

|image = PlusBus Hail and Ride.jpg

|caption = Optare Alero in 2008

|operator = HCT Group

|garage = Ash Grove

|vehicle = Optare Solo

|pvr = 3

|status = Defunct

|open = 2007

|close = 26 August 2022

|start = Hoxton

|via = Islington
Clerkenwell
Finsbury
Old Street

|end = Hoxton

|length = 4 miles (6km)

|level = Monday to Friday

|frequency = Every 30 minutes

|day = 09:30 until 16:55

|time = 27-28 minutes}}

Plus Bus route 812 was a circuit bus route in Greater London, serving Finsbury and Islington. Unusually for a bus route entirely within London, it was tendered and subsidised by Islington London Borough Council rather than Transport for London, and operated under a London Service permit. For this reason, buses used on this route were in a yellow and white livery, rather than the usual full red, and it did not charge standard London fares. Oyster Cards were not accepted anywhere on the route, but Freedom Passes and walk-up cash fares were accepted. It was operated by HCT Group.

Despite the name, the route was not part of the Plusbus scheme.

History

Route 812 was introduced by CT Plus in 2007. Together with similar route 816, it replaced a group of routes which previously ran under the Plus Bus name.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726143334/http://hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=47 PlusBus]}} HCT Group Funding for the route was withdrawn at the end of 2007, leading to fears of cancellation, but local councillors stepped in to fund the route. In 2010, the route carried 27,000 passengers per year.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120314141410/http://canonburyward.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/03/08/lib-dems-keep-the-plusbus-on-the-road/ Lib Dems keep the PlusBus on the road] Canonbury Liberal Democrats

The route was increased in frequency from two buses per hour to three in 2009. New 12-seat Volkswagen Transporter minibuses with Bluebird Tucana bodies were introduced to the route in 2010.{{cite journal|last=Aldridge|first=John|title=In London: North of the Thames, hail-&-ride is alive and thriving|journal=Buses|issue=670|date=January 2011|page=25|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing}}

The route was faced with withdrawal in 2011 due to Islington London Borough Council budget cuts.{{Cite web|last=Messenger|first=Terry|date=2011-03-18|title=Elderly will miss the Plus Bus as cash for their 'lifeline' service is axed|url=http://camdennewjournal.com/article/elderly-will-miss-plus-bus-cash-their-lifeline-service-axed|access-date=2021-07-07|website=Camden New Journal}} To support the route, Transport for London provided additional funding.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2011-09-07|title=Mayor of London and Transport for London act to save 812 PlusBus route|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2011/september/mayor-of-london-and-transport-for-london-act-to-save-812-plusbus-route|access-date=2021-07-07|website=Transport for London}}

In March 2020, HCT Group temporarily withdrew the route as a result of low usage amid the COVID-19 national lockdown.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210108161421/http://www.hackneyct.org/route_812_813 Route 812] HCT Group

On 26 August 2022, HCT Group ceased operating the route citing financial difficulties.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220815123628/https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/traffic/community-bus-cancelled-9210510 Hackney and Islington community bus cancelled] Islington Gazette 15 August 2022[https://web.archive.org/web/20220824192628/https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/hct-group-in-talks-with-stagecoach-over-london-routes/ HCT Group in talks with Stagecoach over London routes] Route One 24 August 2022[https://web.archive.org/web/20220824192131/https://www.route812.org/ Route 812] HCT Group

Route

Route 812 operated via these primary locations:[https://web.archive.org/web/20220824192221/https://www.route812.org/route_812_813/route_812_route_map_3 Route 812 map] HCT Group

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category-inline}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20220824193103/https://www.route812.org/route_812_813/route_812_timetable_2 Timetabe]
  • [http://www.islington.gov.uk/Transport/accessibletransportmobility/plusbusscheme.asp Accessible Buses] on Islington London Borough Council website

{{London Bus Routes}}

812