routes 663, 689
and former 604
Let's begin with route 663.
This route was introduced silently on the 2nd September 2014, with one journey both peak hour times. Why was 663 introduced? I'll tell you why, routes 289 and 455 were suffering and 198/250 to a lesser extent with school kids getting to and from schools along routings. Route 663 is a combination factor of 198/250 from Thornton Heath Station to Pampisford Road Kendra Hall Road. Revised morning journey to run 3 minutes earlier introduced on the 8th December 2014. Link to current timetable.
This route was introduced silently on the 2nd September 2014, with one journey both peak hour times. Why was 663 introduced? I'll tell you why, routes 289 and 455 were suffering and 198/250 to a lesser extent with school kids getting to and from schools along routings. Route 663 is a combination factor of 198/250 from Thornton Heath Station to Pampisford Road Kendra Hall Road. Revised morning journey to run 3 minutes earlier introduced on the 8th December 2014. Link to current timetable.
Now onto 689 which made itself more recognised.
This was part of TfL's plan to help route 367, but this was a bit 'beaten off the track' as route 689 was diverted off the 367 in some cases as the routing of 367 was too much for double deckers. However, route 689 only covers half of the 367, between Monks Orchard and West Croydon. If you date back to 367's history, a route numbered 494 existed, which had good links but left TfL in dilemma and made the option of routing 367 via 494's roads. Presumably 494 was 'needed' again, except not daily as the 494 had to be withdrawn for being expensive to run and not gaining much income (with 2-3 passengers offpeak daily).
Anywho, by 22 April 2014, route 689 made it's appearence to aid the 367 in rush hours. Today's timetable of route 689 can be seen here.
This was part of TfL's plan to help route 367, but this was a bit 'beaten off the track' as route 689 was diverted off the 367 in some cases as the routing of 367 was too much for double deckers. However, route 689 only covers half of the 367, between Monks Orchard and West Croydon. If you date back to 367's history, a route numbered 494 existed, which had good links but left TfL in dilemma and made the option of routing 367 via 494's roads. Presumably 494 was 'needed' again, except not daily as the 494 had to be withdrawn for being expensive to run and not gaining much income (with 2-3 passengers offpeak daily).
Anywho, by 22 April 2014, route 689 made it's appearence to aid the 367 in rush hours. Today's timetable of route 689 can be seen here.
Now onto the former route 604...
This was a new route that was introduced on the 5th September 2005 which typically paralleled the 410, but like most other old routes were withdrawn out of 'uselessness'. 19 days later, Upper Norwood journeys were extended into West Norwood Bus Garage via Church Road, Westow Street (return via Westow Hill), Central Hill, Crown Dale, Knight's Hill and Ernest Avenue. As the operator of the route since birth to death was Arriva themselves, from Thornton Heath (TH) and Norwood (N) I assume.
Then 5th of December yet again the same year, a reroute occured in Thornton Heath. However, much to the short lived route it only survived for 2 years, being withdrawn on the 20th of July 2007 with no replacement (on the 410 to say the least at the time!).
Then 5th of December yet again the same year, a reroute occured in Thornton Heath. However, much to the short lived route it only survived for 2 years, being withdrawn on the 20th of July 2007 with no replacement (on the 410 to say the least at the time!).