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Vehicle types on the 234 are currently in a state of flux. Since 1998 the route has been operated with Marshall Capital bodied Dart SLFs, such as DMS29 (S529 KFL) seen on the stand at Barnet, in Stapylton Road, on 26 May 2004. Although coded DMS with S for short, they are at 9.3m not the very shortest version of the Dart SLF, and similar vehicles with London Central/General are coded DML!

Photo © Selassie Lawson.

From the end of may for several weeks the buses had to be used temporarily on route E6, as due to late delivery of new buses they were the only suitable vehicles. In turn, longer dual door DLD class Darts recently displaced from the 251 by new buses were put on the route. Some of the DMSs have now returned, and the DLDs should have moved to the 84 to replace newer vehicles with ABS (anti-skid braking) to training duties. However, it is now rumoured that TfL rather like the idea of using DLDs and now that they have been proven would like them to become permanent. With new buses due on route 90, which uses the type, it remains to be seen what will happen.

Brief history of route 234, with thanks to Selassie for compiling it.

• Started 7th October 1989 as replacement for withdrawn section of 134, running between Archway and Barnet Church with Metrobuses and Volvo Ailsas from London Northern's Potters Bar (PB) garage.
• From 1991, route extended to Barnet Hospital, although early morning/late evening journeys ran to Potters Bar.
• 25th June 1994: Diverted via Coppets Road instead of Colney Hatch Lane, withdrawn between Muswell Hill and Archway, and Barnet terminal changed to The Spires.
  • Garage journeys running during the day to Potters Bar (instead of just early morning and late evening journeys).
  • Converted to midibus operation with SR class Optare StarRiders.
• 31st January 1998: new contract: route completely withdrawn between Barnet and Potters Bar, but extended from Muswell Hill to East Finchley via Fortis Green.
  • New low-floor DMS class Darts introduced, originally ordered for MTL London (who were operating the route at the time), but quickly painted into Metroline livery as that company purchased MTL London Northern.
• 31st August 2002: extended from East Finchley to Highgate Wood, buses terminating at Sussex Gardens there.

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See also routes E6, 251, 84, 90, 134

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