It was interesting to see the Chessington to Epsom bus link raised again (Bus blues, February 20).

Some years ago, it was suggested linking the 467 with the K4 to provide a link between Epsom and Kingston Hospitals, but finance was not forthcoming.

Perhaps the K4 could be extended for an experimental period, via Malden Rushett and along the B280, to Epsom, although once Rushett Lane crosses over the Greater London boundary into Christchurch Road, it comes under the control of Surrey County Council.

I think they are looking to reduce their transport budget, rather than add to it.

Perhaps an opportunity could also be taken to retime the K4, so that it is no longer scheduled to run at the same time as route 465.

London Transport introduced the country bus 468 during May 1946, between Chessington Zoo and Effingham, via Epsom Hospital, just in time for the first postwar Epsom Derby.

On Sundays during the 1950s, there was a 15-minute headway to Epsom, with buses running on to Effingham past Epsom Hospital every 30 minutes.

Regent types were operated by London Country, which became a logistical nightmare, with its ring of bus garages around the outside of the central (red bus) area after the 1970 Transport Act, and the company was soon split and sold off to various operators.

London Bus Limited decided to renumber their suffix lettered bus routes with route 68A becoming 468 and, consequently, the Chessington to Epsom bus route was renumbered 467, which itself had been a former London Transport country route between Horton Kirby and Sidcup.

Anyone wishing to see former London Transport buses should visit the London Bus Museum at Brooklands, where there are usually about 30 vehicles, including horse buses, on site and even a green Route Master coach, which ran on the 468 from Leatherhead bus garage.

The museum’s spring gathering is on Sunday, April 19, when rides are available.

GRAHAM BURNELL
Via email