The success of Hertsmere’s 84b bus route between Potters Bar and Barnet has been so great that after two years of funding, it’s being taken over by a commercial operator.
The route is will now operate from 1 September as the 243 by Uno Bus and run from Hatfield to Barnet Hospital, following the 84b line of travel from Potters Bar station to the hospital.
Said Cllr Nik Oakley, Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Transport who planned the 84b. “I am absolutely thrilled that residents will continue to get the lifeline they campaigned for and that it has proved to be such a huge success.
Originally part of the historic 84 bus route which ran from St Albans to Barnet until Metroline withdraw it in 2022, the southern section of the route remained lost until Hertsmere funded its replacement after an election promise by Labour.
Hertsmere funded the service through the Community Infrastructure Levy collected from developers and was the first authority in the country to run a daily service this way.
Continued Cllr Oakley: “People said it couldn’t be done, but we knew it could. We funded the service for two years with a little help from Hertfordshire County Council this year. Now it’s time for the route to stand on its own two feet as we knew it could.”
The service will continue to provide much needed access to Potters Bar and Barnet hospitals, High Barnet station and schools, colleges and shops with the same service pattern as the 84b.
“I’d just like to thank Central Connect for running the service for two years and to wish Uno Bus every success with the 243.” Said Cllr Oakley.