Hertfordshire bus route 84

Hertfordshire route 84 is a commercial bus route operated by Metroline in London and Hertfordshire.

The route began operation on 3 August 1912[2] between Golders Green and St Albans, and was operated by the London General Omnibus Company as a feeder service to the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway which at that time terminated at Golders Green.[3]

Potters Bar Bus Garage was operated by Central Buses. The 84 used to reach further into London: in 1936 it ran from St Albans to Golders Green, albeit omitting Potters Bar itself by running via New Road. Meanwhile, new trolleybus route 645 started in August 1936, running between Edgware and North Finchley via Cricklewood, and in June 1938 was extended to Barnet, thus duplicating the 84 over this section. A wartime economy took place from May 1940, with the 84 withdrawn south of Whetstone, being diverted to Arnos Grove instead. Some weekend journeys on the route ran to Walthamstow.

The route was cut back to New Barnet in the 1960s. Buses were also diverted to operate through Potters Bar, and the route now provides the main service between there and Barnet. The route is not a Transport for London contract, but enters Greater London for a short section.

School Route 84X was introduced in September 2006, providing extra double-deck journeys between New Greens and New Barnet Station (running non stop between South Mimms and Barnet). This service was withdrawn on 9 June 2008, and replaced by an additional journey on route 84 to St Albans Girls School.

In 2007 the double-deck step entrance Volvo Olympians were replaced by single-deck Dennis Dart SLFs to allow the route to become low floor, and given up to 2008 to allow sufficient time to convert to low-floor.[3] In June 2008 the Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointers were replaced by brand new single door 10.8m long Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Darts. The Volvo Olympians were withdrawn, thus this is the last bus route in London to be converted to wheelchair-accessible. These were unusual to London in having LED destination displays. The Sunday afternoon service was increased to every 45 minutes from 8 June 2008.

On 2 January 2012, the route no longer accepts Transport for London tickets, including bus passes, Oyster Pay as you Go users and Travelcard holders. Holders can however obtain a discounted cash fare (£1.35 as of Jan 2012) on production of such tickets.