London Buses route 97


London Buses route 97 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Chingford station and Stratford City bus station, it is operated by Stagecoach London.

History

Route 97 commenced operating on 31 October 1981 between Chingford station and Leyton via Chingford Mount, Walthamstow and Baker's Arms replacing part of route 69. It was withdrawn on 6 June 1987, but reintroduced on 19 November 1988.
It was operated by London Forest until 1991, when that company was wound up. The route passed to Capital Citybus on 23 November 1991. Route 97 was included in the July 1998 sale of Capital Citybus to First London.
Upon being re-tendered, it was retained by First London with a new contract commencing on 26 February 2000. When next tendered, it passed to Stagecoach London's Leyton garage with a new contract commencing on 5 March 2005. Stagecoach London commenced a further contract on 6 March 2010.
On 10 September 2011, route 97 was extended from Leyton to Stratford City bus station to coincide with the opening of Westfield Stratford City. On 31 August 2013, the route was diverted to serve the new residential precinct around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Current route

Route 97 operates via these primary locations: