SW11simon
099. The history of route 99
Route 99 was one of the routes that were already running before 1934 and as at 1934 it was running from Woolwich to Erith via Plumstead and Upper Belvedere. It has therefore been remarkably stable over the years. The first real change I can identify was in 1999 when it was extended from Erith to Slade Green on Mondays to Saturdays in 1979. It returned to Woolwich to Erith in 1985 and route 122A took over the Slade Green section.
In 2009 it was extended again from Erith, this time to Bexleyheath, via Slade Green and Barnehurst. This replaced a withdrawn section of route 469 which, previously, had become very long and windy and, as a low frequency route, suffered reliability problems. Route 99 provides much more capacity, although it means the route turns back on itself in a backwards "c" shape and the 96 offers a much quicker journey between Bexleyheath and Woolwich.
Stagecoach operate the route from Plumstead Garage, which has been its home since 1999 when they won it on tender from London Central. Alexander Dennis Enviro 40D, fleet number 19824, is seen on the route in Bexleyheath Town Centre.
099. The history of route 99
Route 99 was one of the routes that were already running before 1934 and as at 1934 it was running from Woolwich to Erith via Plumstead and Upper Belvedere. It has therefore been remarkably stable over the years. The first real change I can identify was in 1999 when it was extended from Erith to Slade Green on Mondays to Saturdays in 1979. It returned to Woolwich to Erith in 1985 and route 122A took over the Slade Green section.
In 2009 it was extended again from Erith, this time to Bexleyheath, via Slade Green and Barnehurst. This replaced a withdrawn section of route 469 which, previously, had become very long and windy and, as a low frequency route, suffered reliability problems. Route 99 provides much more capacity, although it means the route turns back on itself in a backwards "c" shape and the 96 offers a much quicker journey between Bexleyheath and Woolwich.
Stagecoach operate the route from Plumstead Garage, which has been its home since 1999 when they won it on tender from London Central. Alexander Dennis Enviro 40D, fleet number 19824, is seen on the route in Bexleyheath Town Centre.