London Buses route 242

London Buses route 242 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Homerton University Hospital and Aldgate bus station, it is operated by Stagecoach London.

In December 1998, it became the first double-decker route in London to solely use low-floor buses. The route re-uses the number of the historic route 242 that ran between Chingford station and Potters Bar via Waltham Abbey and Cheshunt.

Original route
The original London bus route 242 was launched in October 1934 between Waltham Cross and Epping Forest via Waltham Abbey. Prior to 1934, the number 306 was used. In 1940 the route was extended to Cheshunt, and then to Potters Bar via Cuffley and Goffs Oak in 1941.

From the 1960s, route 242 ran between Chingford station and Potters Bar via Waltham Abbey and Cheshunt.

Between 1958 and 1968, variant London bus route 242A ran between Upshire and Potters Bar.In the 1990s, route 242 was handed to Metroline as a commercial operation, thereby removing it from the Transport for London network. The section between Waltham Cross and Chingford station via Waltham Abbey was also withdrawn.

Today, the original route 242 is operated commercially as a non-TfL route between Waltham Cross and Potters Bar by Metroline and Central Connect, with a reduced service.

Present route
Route 242 was introduced in February 1998 between Homerton University Hospital and Tottenham Court Road station, replacing routes 22A and 22B.

In December 1998, the introduction of Alexander ALX400 bodied DAF DB250 buses on the route made it the first double-decker route in London to solely use accessible, low-floor buses.

In 2004 it became a 24-hour service with night bus route N242 services that followed the same route renumbered 242. The route of the bus was criticised by London Assembly members for its use of narrow streets. In 2017, the route was diverted to terminate at St Paul's, before being cut back on 15 June 2019 to Aldgate bus station with a service frequency reduction. The diversion to Aldgate was criticised for the reduction in access to the City of London and St Bartholomew's Hospital for residents. The reduction in service frequency was criticised for its impacts on the deprived Clapton Park Estate, an area only served by the route.

The night route continues to serve Tottenham Court Road station, and from 15 June 2019 was renumbered route N242.

Upon being re-tendered in 2002, 2009 and 2016, the route was retained by Arriva London.

Current route
Route 242 operates via these primary locations:
 * Homerton University Hospital
 * Clapton Square
 * Hackney Central station
 * Dalston Junction station
 * Haggerston station
 * Hoxton station
 * Shoreditch High Street station
 * Aldgate East station
 * Aldgate bus station