Is this this the longest running bus rail replacement service?

[Jetlagged]

On 1st December, 2009, the rail line between Coimbra and Serpins in Portugal closed and was replaced by a replacement bus service. The original plan was to convert the old rail line to a light rail system with extensions in Coimbra city to reach the hospital. Almost 17 years later, and after a rethink, we now have electric buses running along a dedicated busway. This has to be one for the Guinness Book of Records as the longest replacement bus service! Unless you know differently, if course.

 

[py_megapixel]

I can think of one longer: in 2004, the stations Barlaston and Wedgwood, just south of Stoke-on-Trent, had their train services withdrawn and replaced by a bus for the West Coast Mainline upgrade works. Once the works were complete, the train service was never reinstated and so the replacement bus still runs 22 years later.

 

[Jetlagged]

I can think of one longer: in 2004, the stations Barlaston and Wedgwood, just south of Stoke-on-Trent, had their train services withdrawn and replaced by a bus for the West Coast Mainline upgrade works. Once the works were complete, the train service was never reinstated and so the replacement bus still runs 22 years later.

You win by a country mile... Or 1.2 miles in this case!

 

[stuartn]

Tilbury Town to Tilbury Riverside- now Ensign route 99, running since 1992 ish. Last time I looked it was still in the C2C timetable, and remains free for all rail ticket holders to Tilbury Town, you can still book train tickets to Tilbury Riverside, using the bus as the first/last leg. Useful for cruise passengers, even though the Gravesend ferry is no more.

 

[Acathater]

First Bus route 54 Yeovil-Taunton
Introduced in 1964 as Southern/Western National joint service 264 when the Yeovil-Taunton line was closed and the stations at Langport & Somerton shut.
Still follows the same route 62 years later