The Hampstead route H2 has its roots in a Dial-a-Ride service that began in the 1970s in the Hampstead Garden Suburb area, using Ford Transit minibuses. On tendering in 1989, the route was won by R&I Tours, and moved from Finchley to Park Royal Garage. During 1995 R&I was bought out by MTL London, and in turn MTL was bought out by Metroline in 1998.
A diversion for the route to serve Temple Fortune Lane in 2000 was considered, although the diversion would have taken the route away from Willifield Way, disrupting about 100 passenger trips each day, and increase the journey time taken to reach Hampstead Garden Suburb, therefore requiring an extra bus to ensure continued reliability. The idea was subsequently dropped, on passenger disruption and cost grounds. [1]
A requirement for all London bus routes to be low floor by the end of 2005, resulted in Perivale East (PV) 10-year-old MetroRiders being replaced by new Optare Solo single deckers, brand new to Metroline in June. One year later, Metroline lost the contract to run the route, along with routes H1 and H3, on 10 June 2006 to Arriva Shires & Essex, and more brand new identical Optare Solo single deckers were bought for the route.
Current route
Route H2 is a circular route and runs in this direction only
A Ford Transit minibus on the H2 route in 1980
