Country Area Routes 800–804

Route 800 ran as a circular route from Hitchin via Little Wymondley, Stevenage Bus Station, Bedwell, Bandley Hill, Longmeadow and Marymead, Stevenage Bus Station and Little Wymondley to Hitchin. By the late 1960s it had been changed to run from Stevenage (BR) Station via Stevenage Bus Station, then clockwise through Bedwell, Bandley Hill, Longmeadow, Marymead and Stevenage Bus Station, thence to Martins Wood, Sishes End or Little Wymondley and Hitchin.

Route 800A provided rush hours journeys to Stevenage Industrial Area and ran clockwise from Longmeadow via Marymead, Gunnells Wood Road, Stevenage Station, Little Wymondley to Hitchin Station.

Route 800C was a later introduction than the 800/A and provided rush hour journeys to the Northeastern Industrial Area in Stevenage from Longmeadow and Marymead.

Route 801 ran as a circular route from Hitchin via Little Wymondley, Stevenage Bus Station, Marymead, Longmeadow, Bandley Hill, Bedwell, Stevenage Bus Station and Little Wymondley to Hitchin. By the late ’60s it ran as a circular route from Stevenage (BR) Station via Stevenage Bus Station, anti-clockwise via Marymead, Longmeadow, Bandley Hill, Bedwell and Stevenage Bus Station, thence to Martins Wood, Sishes End or Little Wymondley and Hitchin.

Route 801A provided rush hours journeys to Stevenage Industrial Area and ran from Hitchin Station via Little Wymondley, then anti-clockwise via Gunnells Wood Road, Stevenage Bus Station and Marymead to Longmeadow.

Route 801C was a later introduction than the 801/A and provided rush hour journeys to the North Eastern Industrial Area in Stevenage from Marymead and Longmeadow.

Route 802 was a Stevenage town service and ran during rush hours between Bandley Hill and the Industrial Area via Popple Way and Bridge Road, with journeys continuing on to the bus station and Bedwell. The Stevenage local services were RT operated for much of their life.

The Stevenage town route 802A had a very short life. It was created in July 1964 to run from Pin Green—a newly built part of Stevenage New Town—into the Stevenage Industrial Area. My 1965 map shows the route marked as a special journey and, as such, does not appear on the map. A 1968 map shows the route gone with only its brother and sister, the 802 and 802B remaining. Rare?

Route 803 Express was introduced on 21st March 1956, running on Mondays to Fridays during rush hours between Welwyn Garden City and Uxbridge via New Hatfield, St. Albans, Garston, Watford, Rickmansworth and Maple Cross. The route lasted until the late ’seventies I believe. There were only limited stops on the route and so the number of “E” plates would have been small compoared to the length of the route, and even fewer with the words “FARE STAGE” added. Express route plates were not common at the best of times.

Route 804 ran between Latton Bush and Staple Tye via Bush Fair, Tye Green and the town centre.

Route 804A ran in the ’60s from Harlow Mill Station to Latton Bush via Templefields Industrial Area, Brays Grove, Tye Green and Bush Fair. It was a Monday to Friday rush hour service serving the factories.

Route 804B was a variation of the main 804 town service, although I can't remember at present where it ran exactly. If anybody can supply the route details I shall be happy to include them.