Champagne send off for launch of 84B bus and reintroduction of direct service from Potters Bar to High Barnet

Hertsmere Borough Council celebrated in style to launch the 84B — the reintroduced bus route between Potters Bar railway station and High Barnet which reinstates a missing service and provides a vital connection to Barnet Hospital.

Residents who have fought for its restoration filled the pavement at the bus terminal – and a cheer went up when an 84B arrived bringing a High Barnet contingent who had campaigned just as vociferously for the return of a direct connection from the town centre to Hadley Highstone and on to Potters Bar.

Rarely have so many civic dignitaries assembled at a bus stop, but they were met with whoops of delight and, not only were glasses of bubbly handed round, but there was a slice of cake to go with it.

Councillor Chris Myers, Mayor of Hertsmere, cut a red ribbon to mark the launch – seen above, from left to right, with Councillor Jeremy Newmark, leader of Hertsmere council, Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, Councillor Nik Oakley, and Councillor Christian Gray, Consort to the Mayor.

The new Monday to Saturday hourly service – with the first departure from Potters Bar railway station at 06.05am and the last from Barnet Hospital at 19.10pm – will serve vital stops such at Potters Bar Community Hospital, Barnet town centre, High Barnet tube station and Barnet Hospital.

Councillor Newmark hailed their success in unlocking infrastructure income to fund a 12-month contract worth £183,600 – effectively a subsidy of £600 a day to the bus operator Central Connect.

Hertsmere found a way to release the money to break the logjam that had developed between the various authorities, and they could now celebrate the restoration of a missing link.

“Communities in Hertsmere and Potters Bar are inextricably linked to High Barnet,” said Councillor Newmark.

“We share education, hospitals, critical health care and family links – connections that were cut when we lost the 84 last year and which we knew we a priority to bring back.”

Councillor Newmark explained that the launch of the 84B – which replaces the New Barnet to Potters Bar half of the previous 84 route – had been an election commitment made by the new Labour-controlled council.

Hertsmere was one of the first local authorities in the country to use income from the community infrastructure levy for the specific purpose of funding a bus service and he was sure they would not be the last.

In thanking Hertfordshire County Council for their support as the local transport authority, Councillor Newmark said he was proud to stand beside Ms Villiers, the Chipping Barnet MP. She had given them her full support and encouragement in what had been a genuine cross-party campaign.

His hope was that the 84B would become a permanent fixture and although that would depend on the level passenger traffic, there had been indications of possible financial support in the future from Hertfordshire and Barnet Council.

Hertsmere believed that Transport for London – which was represented by Elly Baker, the London Assembly member for transport – might also offer support in the future, and perhaps find way to help sustain the route.

Councillor Nik Oakley, who is the Hertsmere cabinet member for transport – and who has been dubbed the Queen of Buses by her fellow councillors – said the 84B service all about recognising the needs of Potters Bar people.

“This is all about you and we hope it is only the beginning. We have funded the 84B for a year. Hertfordshire might help to extend it a bit, but it must be a self-sustaining service and you must all use the bus.”

Councillor Oakley paid tribute to Potters Bar resident Sherry Billings who had taken a lead in helping to organise demonstrations in support of the restoration of the service.

“Anyone who drives to get to Barnet Hospital now has a perfect way to make the journey by bus, so please think of the bus.”

Potters Bar resident David Neal was on the very first departure – the 6.05am from Potters Bar on Monday 4 September.

“There were only three of us at the start, but we picked up another two passengers on the way to Barnet Hospital and then I did the round trip.

“Some of us were there just for the fun of it, but some were going to work. To begin with the driver was a bit confused about the fares, but it was all sorted out and at last we now have a direct service to Barnet Hospital.”

Jenny Remfry, vice president of the Barnet Society, was among a group of passengers from High Barnet who arrived on the 84, midway through the celebration, and a little later than expected because their bus had been held up by traffic.

She was full of praise for Hertsmere’s initiative – a point emphasised by Theresa Villiers in her congratulations.

“It is a tremendous honour to be here and to help celebrate a really successful cross- party campaign. We know that buses matter and the message from us all is: Use or Lose It.”  

The final duty for the Mayor of Hertsmere was to cut the cake in the shape of a red bus, baked by a member of staff at Hertsmere Council.