| Number: | 497 |
| Bgcolor: | red |
| Titlecolor: | white |
| Operator: | Stagecoach London |
| Garage: | Romford |
| Vehicle: | Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC |
| Pvr: | 2 |
| Status: | Defunct |
| Night: | No night service |
| Start: | Harold Hill |
| Via: | Gallows Corner |
| End: | Harold Wood station |
| Level: | Monday to Saturday |
| Frequency: | About every 30-60 minutes |
| Day: | 05:40 until 00:18 |
| Time: | 18 minutes |
London Buses route 497 was a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. It ran between Harold Hill and Harold Wood station, and was operated by Stagecoach London.
The route was first proposed in a review by Transport for London published in September 2016. A two-month consultation was held in 2017.[1] It had been expected to start service in May 2019, however it was delayed.[2] It began service on 25 January 2020.[3] [4] A review found that passenger numbers were insufficient for the route to be sustainable. In autumn 2021, Transport for London opened a consultation requesting opinions on if the route should be extended, or withdrawn.[5] [6] [7]
In March 2022, Transport for London confirmed that the Sunday service would be withdrawn in the summer and that the route would be extended to Dagnam Park Square.[8]
In January 2024, following a public consultation, Transport for London confirmed that the route would be withdrawn on 9 March 2024. It was replaced by an extension of route 346 that now serves all the same roads and stops formerly served by route 497.[9]
On 9 March 2024, the route was withdrawn.[10]
Route 497 operated via these primary locations:[11]