Forum Topic

Extension of bus N9 to airport 24 hours

As a more elderly resident of Kew Bridge road, when I have a lot of baggage to go to LHR, I have to resort to a taxi! However if the bus N9 could be made a 24 hour bus, those of us who live on it's route would be able to get to the airport with ease and not have to change to two buses or the rail. All of our local rail have only stairs to access the platforms so it becomes very difficult unless one is travelling light. With the advent over the next couple of years of the big residential developments now in progress there will be several thousand new residents on this bus route. Now would be the time, taking into account that it could take two years for TFL to implement any changes to a bus route to start campaigning  to have the N9 become just another 24 hour bus. If your interested in supporting this please write to TFL and suggest it. It needs support from the local residents. (See https://custserv.tfl.gov.uk/icss_csip/ZCreateRequestChangeRelatesTo.do?newTab=CA_14617 )

Philip Weaver ● 4891d6 Comments

Maybe a case for an airport direct service from Hammersmith to Heathrow via the N9 is a good ide as it serves Kew Bridge and Isleworth stations. Would be useful and especialy as the Piccadilly line is so overloaded and the Heathero Express is both unaffordable and too far away from the Riverside area.Can anyone remember the BEA/BA Routemasters and their trailers that used to ply from West London Air Terminal direct to the flight ?The terminal became obsolete because of traffic delays but that was before bus lanes and improvements. Not such a bad idea though.

Michael Brandt ● 4889d

I have now received the follow reply to my original email to TFL:Thank you for your suggestion on 11 November regarding the extension of the hours of service of the N9 bus route. I will pass your comments on to our Network Development team for their consideration. Bus services are an important part of public transport and we do our best to provide a service our customers can have confidence in. We will continue to monitor this route and take action where appropriate to ensure passengers receive an efficient and reliable service.Again my only reason for the suggestion is to assist people with heavy baggage to go to the airport without the need to travel by the Piccadilly line, or have to change buses.

Philip Weaver ● 4889d

The N9 only follows the tube to Hammersmith and parrallel to Chiswick Park.It then takes the Kew Bridge- Brentford- Hounslow London Road Route out to Heathrow. It's the only route that passes through urban areas. It then only links in with Hounslow West Stn passes the Bath Road Hotels and is the only one to reach T5.I suggested 9A as the 9 already exists as a long established route as far as HammersmithThe only problem would be that during the day, the existing routing via Hounslow would take and age and no-one would use it as it's easier to take a bus to a tube station along the route.The old 91 used to run to Heathrow and would be a better bet as the route is faster during the day but does connect with Osterley and Hounslow West after  Chiswick Park

Anthony Waller ● 4889d

Philip, the number 9 bus already exists, running from Central London to Hammersmith. The problem you face with extending the N9 hours is that, historically, this was part of the London Transport con when they received permission to connect the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. They promised a 24 hour service, widely interpreted as a 24 hour tube service. In fact, the N9 follows much of the Piccadilly Line route from Central London, and its hours mainly cover the period when the Piccadilly Line is shut.

John Connelly ● 4890d

Hi Anthony, just wanted to make the point that it was not intended to make it a special airport bus but to run it 24/7 on the same route that it does at night! If you started talking about an "A" bus it will confuse the issue. So it becomes a number 9 bus running 24/7

Philip Weaver ● 4890d

That would be a great idea, The cost of taxis to Heathrow is now often more than the airfare.But the tube starts late and only the 65 runs 24hour so it's very difficult to get from anywhere along the N9 route with even light baggage.It would have to be 9A - for airport as it would no longer be a night bus.Maybe while at it get that stupid H removed from the 91. It was 91 before and the H just confuses.

Anthony Waller ● 4891d