New Route 631

TFL has once again introduced a new route; well actually ever so slightly, This new route; 631 is actually just a re branded route H1. Which is a prefixed school route Running from Golders Green to within the realms of Hampstead, connecting the children of the area to Henrietta Barnet School. A mere mile and a half walk.

Apologies for this photo not being up to standard.
A camera (of good quality) was not present.
At least something is better than nothing.
More reputable pictures will be on their way, so don't fear!

A Consultation was held open with both children, the school, parents & other members of the public to determine a new routing to ensure students are able to make the most appropriate, fast & easiest way of getting to the School (& Back); bypassing the unused sections.

When it closed, it was determined that it would have these changes brought upon to it.

•  Journeys from Golders Green Station to Henrietta Barnett School will no longer use Golders Green Road and the western part of Hoop Lane, but will run straight along Finchley Road towards the school. From the school, buses would use Northway, Central Square and Southway to Bigwood Road, returning to Golders Green via Meadway and Finchley Road;

• Four journeys will now be provided s in the morning and afternoon instead of the 3 currently provided;

Being an irregular route; not fitting in with TFL's route classing, as a School Route. The decision was also made that it would be re-branded to `631'; most likely to avoid confusion.

The original route H1 differs from this new route, only by routing. A quick map is shown here.

The new route 631, does not serve the Western part,
but instead goes directly  to serve the School.
On the way back it uses the back-roads on the right of the map

An Exert from the wonderful; www.londonbusroutes.net page, gives the exact information of the change of route:

"New school route partially replacing route H1 between Golders Green Station and Henrietta Barnett School, operating via Finchley Road (direct), Hoop Lane, Meadway, Bigwood Road, Henrietta Barnett School, Northway, Central Square, Southway, Bigwood Road, Meadway, Hoop Lane, Finchley Road. Four journeys towards school in the morning, and four journeys in each direction in the afternoon, all at 15 minute intervals."

In all honesty, I really don't see the point in the re-brand; or the re routing. All that is achieved by this is maybe a slight save in time, but it does cut off the link to the children on hoop lane. The consultation also brought many people to the point "what is the need for it at all" and indeed yes, why do they need such a: short, small route. But the loadings justify it. If this is the case then why not increase the capacity and cut the journey time. This would be much more cost effective. 

Not to mention the 14 mile dead run when the day is done. Do these coherence's really justify the route to run, or the operator to run it within these circumstances. But then "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" And I really think this should have been used by TFL and the governing bodies when this was decided, the route was fine how it was and could have most likely been fine the way it was. In all honesty, it was just a waste of time. At least a clean set of inserts were put in the Optare Solo's used for the route; a decent change from the worn day-glow blinds from 2006.

Thanks for Reading! 

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