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Arriva London

 
Wikipedia: Arriva London
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Arriva London
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Arriva London DLA91, a DAF DB250 10.6m/ALX400
Parent Arriva
Founded Various
Headquarters Tottenham
Service area Greater London
Service type Bus
Routes 114
115 by 23 January 2010
116 by 6 March 2010
Hubs Croydon, Norwood, Tottenham, Enfield, Wandsworth, Battersea
Operator Arriva Group
Web site arrivalondon.com
Arriva London logo on a Routemaster bus
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 This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2008)

Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators, the main operator being Grey Green from North-West London. Operations are split between two registered companies, Arriva London North and Arriva London South.

Arriva London was previously the operator with the largest number of London Buses route contracts, however Go-Ahead London has now gained more contracts.

In 2005, TfL reported that Arriva London had the most complaints a year than any other bus operator in London.

Contents

Arriva London North Ltd

They have nine bus garages.

Palmers Green (AD)

T6, one of Palmers Green's new Alexander Dennis Enviro400s, for use on route 102.

This garage holds 54 buses, and runs London bus routes 125, 329, 24-hour route 102, school route 629, 634 and 683.

History

Opened in July 1912 by the LGOC to house their Central London route in competition with the MET trams. Just before World War II the allocation at AD was entirely STL, whilst afterwards it was allocated RT, RTL, RTW and SRT's the only garage to be allocated all four standard double deck types, although none could fit in the garage until the roof could be raised by 10 inches, which was completed in 1952 after a process taking 20 weeks. The garage was further modernised in 1974 by which time the PVR was 60 buses. RM's arrived in 1969 replacing the RT's, but the RT's lasted there until 1978. OPO buses in the form of RF's began arriving and were followed in time by SMS, DMS, and M's. The RM's lasted on route 29 until the late 1980s, and in 1994 the allocation was 51, entirely M's. In latter years the allocation has increased slightly and other than Metrobuses, Volvo Citybuses (VA) and DAF/ALX400 (DLA) have been allocated.

In April 2008, new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses started operation on route 102.

Bus types in use

Ash Grove (AE)

One of the articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaros run from Ash Grove on London Buses route 38.
History

One of three new garages opened in 1981 by London Buses at a cost of £3.5 million, it had space for 140 buses undercover and a further 30 in the yard. The roof was unusual in being carried by 10 35-ton triangular trusses, said to be the largest in the UK, supported on reinforced concrete columns. Although technically in Hackney, buses showed "CAMBRIDGE HEATH Ash Grove Garage" on their blinds. The garage on opening assumed Hackney's operation of "Red Arrow" routes 502 & 513 using brand new Leyland Nationals which had been stored at the garage, and also the entire Hackney and Dalston allocations. Unfortunately Ash Grove found itself in the London Forest operation, and also had a reputation for staff militancy and closed in 1991. The garage re-opened in 1994 for use of Kentish Bus to house their Leyton area route gains, although they referred to it as Cambridge Heath. It was also used over the years to house stored vehicles for the LT museum, and again in 2000 to store additional RM's that had been acquired to supplement shortages in London. It also operationally re-opened again in 2000 for use by the London Buses company "East Thames Buses" which took over the former Harris Bus routes after that company ran into financial difficulties. Hackney Community Transport also moved into the garage yard in recent times to house its routes won in the London area although East Thames Buses have now moved to new premises at Mandela Way (SE1) and were replaced at the garage by Arriva's new Citaro articulated buses for route 38 following the conversion from Routemasters in November 2005.

All Mercedes Citaro G & Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses from Ash Grove are carrying the garage code for Clapton (CT), and not Ash Grove (AE).

Bus types in use

This garage is not holding any buses.

Tottenham (AR)

This garage holds approximately 120 buses, and runs London bus routes 41, 76, 123, 168, 242 (Night service only on this 24-hour route), 243 (the day service only), 318, W4 and night routes N41, N73, and N76.

History

Tottenham garage was built in 1913 by the MET to run buses to support their tram network. The buses were requisitioned during the war, and then between 1917-1919 the garage was loaned to AEC. Before World War II in 1939 the allocation consisted of ST, STL & LTs, but during the war it was the first garage to receive utility Guy Arabs (G), and later in 1949 London's first 8ft wide buses. When route 236 moved with its RFs to Dalston in 1971 it signalled an absence of single deckers at the garage that would last until 2001 when route W4 was won on tender. Ms & RMs were the staple diet of the depot for many years until the new DLAs arrived. The final RMs left Tottenham Garage in September 2004 when route 73 was converted to bendi-bus (Citaro artics) and moved to LV. However Tottenham has retained a single RM for the Arriva London Heritage fleet for use at shows and special events. It is probably the most famous too, being the first production Routemaster RM5 (VLT 5).

Bus types in use

Clapton (CT)

This garage holds 111 buses, and runs London bus routes 38, 242, 393 and N38.

History

Clapton Garage has its origins back as far as 1882 when it was known as Hackney Tram Depot and housed horse trams. In the early 1900s it was taken over by the LCC to house electric trams which lasted here until 1939 when trolleybuses took over. In the early 1940s some of the surrounding buildings in Bohemia Place were knocked down to provide more space and better access to the garage. By 1950 the depot had changed its name to Clapton to avoid confusion with the nearby Well Street garage (H) prior to being converted for motorbus operation. Following the conversion the parking area allowed for 90 buses and in 1959 67 RTL's were allocated as part of the trolleybus replacement program. Over the years the garage has seen various types allocated including RT, RM, DMS, M, & T's, but in 1987 with just a few RM's and M's remaining the garage was closed with the remaining work transferred to the newer Ash Grove. In 1989 the garage was reprieved to take some pressure off of Walthamstow by housing MRL's for route 236. With the closure of Ash Grove in 1991 work started to build up steadily, and then in 1995 route 253 was allocated there from the closed Stamford Hill (SF). The story has now almost gone full circle with routes 242/253 transferring back to Stamford Hill and route 38 to Ash Grove leaving Clapton without an allocation. The office buildings are still in use and drivers still sign on and off at the garage but then travel to Ash Grove to collect their buses. In 1998 Clapton received the first low-floor double deckers in London in the DLA's purchased by Arriva, and also tried out LPG buses. In 2001 the garages allocation was up to over 100 buses.

The garage parking area will be modernised in readiness for any additional services connected with the Olympic Games to be held in 2012.

For a short time after the introduction of the Mercedes artics to route 38 which were garaged at Ash Grove, servicing of these vehicles was done at Clapton. However, the garage has been used to fit buses with TfL's latest on bus information system. It has seen buses from AE, AR and E at least visiting there for treatment. It may even be used for buses from other companies in North London.

From 14 November 2009, Clapton (CT) started operating again and routes 38, 242, 393 and N38 were transferred to this garage.

Bus types in use

Barking (DX)

This garage holds 62 buses, and runs London bus routes 78, 128, 135, 173, 275, 462, school routes 651, 667, 673 and 675.

History

The Garage was opened in 1992 by Grey Green to meet the demands of their expanding North East London operations. Dix Coaches was a subsidiary of Grey Green operating from a base in the Dagenham Area, which moved to the new depot on opening, hence the code DX. The depot is basically just a yard in an industrial area on the borders of Barking and Dagenham, with parking outside and just a couple of small buildings although a maintenance facility is included on the site. The Grey Green was superseded in the mid nineties by Cowie, the parent group, and then later transposed into Arriva.

At present the depot is undergoing a refurbishment which will give a covered garage area, larger canteen driver areas.

From 6 March 2010, route 325 will transfer from East London under tendering on a new five year contract.

Bus types in use

Enfield (E)

This garage holds 107 buses, and runs London bus routes 121, 279, 307, 313, 317, 327, 349, 491, school routes 313 and Night route N279.

History

Enfield was built in 1927 by the LGOC. Further land was soon acquired in the front of the depot for use as a bus stand, which later also got used as a terminus for trolleybuses. The garage was modernised at a cost of over £6M in the early eighties, and when it re-opened in 1984 it had space for 106 buses. More recently it has become a central part of Arriva London operations with the accident repair centre and undertaking of Major refurbishments. Over the years various types were allocated to the garage, but in 1994 the garages allocation was entirely Metrobus.

Bus types in use

Edmonton (EC)

This garage holds 120 buses, and runs London bus routes 20, 29, 34, 377, 379, 382, 397, 444, W14, W15, W16, school route 657, and night route N29.

History

Opened in 1993 by London Suburban Bus to house its two London Conracts for routes 4 & 271, and later route 41. The company was taken over in 1995 by MTL London Northern, with routes 4 & 271 transferred in to HT, and route 41 transferred to Cowie Leaside and the garage was closed in 1996. The garage was re-opened by Arriva County Bus in 1997, and in 1998 this operation was merged with the 'Leaside Travel' unit. In 2005 the garage was adapted for bendy-buses on route 149. In addition, the garage also took over route 29 with more Citaros in January 2006.

Bus types in use

Lea Valley (LV)

This garage holds 67 buses, and runs London bus route 73, 192 and 24-hour route 149.

History

The depot is at the back of an industrial estate alongside the river Lee close to Northumberland Park. The depot was opened in 2005 to house the articulated buses for route 149 which were later joined by more MA's with the conversion of route 73.

Bus types in use

Stamford Hill (SF)

This garage currently houses around 76 buses, and runs London bus routes 253, 254 and N253.

History
Bus types in use

Wood Green (WN)

This garage holds 107 buses, and runs London bus routes 141, 144, 184, 221, 243 (Night service only on this 24-hour service), 298, W3, school route 184, 617, 628, 653 and 688.

History

Transformed in the early 1900s from a horse tram depot to a modern tram depot with a capacity of 67. It was completely re-modelled in the late 1930s to allow for trolleybus operations and a capacity of 108. The garage was further adapted again in 1960 for motorbuses. RM's arrived to replace trolleybuses on April 26 1961, and with the closure of West Green in 1962 more work was moved into the garage.

Bus types in use

Arriva London South Ltd

They have six bus garages.

Battersea (BA)

History

The original Battersea garage was opened in 1906 by the London Roadcar Company on the north side of Hester Road, but by 1914 more space was needed and an annex was built on the south side. Two modernisation schemes were undertaken, first in the 1960s to allow for Routemasters to be allocated and again in 1971 when a new canteen and recreation room was built. Unfortunately the garage closed in 1985 with its allocation being split between Victoria and Wandsworth garages. B was however given a reprieve some time later when it was used to house the London Buses coaches and sightseeing operations until 1988, when the entire opertaion moved to Wandsworth Garage. In 1993, a yard adjacent to the old garage was opened as a base for Kentish Bus route 19 operation after it had moved out of its Covent Garden Market base. Most of the area formally occupied on both the North and South sides of Hester road has now been built into a luxury flats complex. The only section remaining is the small shed which was originally an outstation from BN housing the route 19 RMs. When the Routemasters finally left in July 2005 the garage received an allocation on VLAs for route 19, although some of these need to be parked at (and use drivers from) Norwood Garage because there is not enough space at Battersea for the larger VLAs. The VLAs were "borrowed" from Brixton Garage and used as an interim measure until new buses arrived. The route is now operated using new DWs. Battersea's buses, including those parked at Norwood, are maintained by Brixton staff and major work is carried out at Brixton Garage, which is why some of Brixton's older DWs may be seen on the route.

Bus types in use
  • This garage is not holding any buses.

Brixton (BN)

This garage holds 101 buses, and runs London bus routes 19, 59, 137, 159, 319, and night services N19 and 24-hour route 250.

History

Originally built as a depot for cable trams which ran up Brixton Hill in 1892, it was re-built between 1904-1906 for use by electric trams. In 1993 it was extended onto a site formerly owned by the water board and cotaining a large water main, and then in 1949 reconstruction started to bury the main and convert the depot into one large building instead of two smaller ones. The last trams ran from the depot in 1951, by which time RT's had started to arrive and finally left in 1976. In 1971 Brixton became one of the first to receive DMS's and then M's in 1984. The garage also received the first production DAF/Wright Cadet single deckers in 2001. And to add to the list of firsts/lasts, Brixton had the responsibility for the last Routemasters in 'Normal' service in London. Crowds lined the route of RM 2217 as it made its way from Marble Arch to Brixton Garage, preceded by RM's 5 & 6 arriving just after 2pm on Friday 9 December. Now the garage has only double-decker buses, all the other single-decker buses have been transferred to other Arriva London garages. Routes 319, 59 are stored at Brixton Tram Shed when not needed they operatre from Brixton Garage.

From 28 November 2009 route 19 will be transferred to Brixton fully.[dated info]

Bus types in use

Beddington Farm (CN)

A bus on route 410.

This garage holds 59 buses, and runs London bus routes 403, 410, 450, 455, school routes 627, 405, and 24-hour route 264.

History

A modern purpose built depot that is largely open air. Opened in 1990 by London Country, it ran 73 vehicles, although had space for 120. Beddington farm was to replace the existing garages at Godstone and Chelsham and operated both LB tendered routes and existing London Country Croydon area routes. Beddington Farm became a Londonlinks depot when the Non-London work moved away before coming under Arriva South. It was transferred to Arriva London in 1999 with six routes and buses painted Red, Green, or Blue. In 2007 Route 450 got transferred to Beddington Garage from Thornton Heath in a swap with route 289.

Bus types in use

South Croydon (TC)

M617, Croydon's driver training vehicle, a MCW Metrobus.

This garage holds 100 buses, and runs London bus routes 50, 60, 159, 166, 194, 197, 312, 412, 466, T31, school route 685 and night route N159.

History

Built by the LGOC in 1915, the garage was handed over to Thomas Tilling on opening as part of an agreement between the two operators. The garage had to have roof reconstruction in the early 1930s to allow roofed double deckers to use the garage and was totally destroyed in 1941 after an air raid which also killed four staff and destroyed 56 buses. The reconstruction was finally completed in the mid-1950s. RT's mainly monopolised the garage until the arrival of RMs in 1964 and RMLs in 1967. 1969 saw the arrival of the experimental XA's and later FRM1 would be tested on route 233. When the XA's departed in 1973 they were replaced by DMS's which lasted until January 1993. LS's started to arrive in the late 1970s and M's in 1985 until they were replaced by L's. When Elmers End closed a reshuffle took place with the RM's departing and the garage became fully OPO, and later in 1994 the garage became fully double deck with the departure of the last LS. At this stage, allocation flitted between Ls, Ms and Ts. In September 2005 the garage swapped the numbers and routes around a little bit. As well as losing the routes X68, 68, 468, N68, a sight of DW has only been possible since an allocation was introduced from South Croydon garage last year - before the loss of route N68 the whole allocation was from Thornton Heath garage with DLAs, and indeed the bulk of the allocation still is.

Bus types in use

Norwood (N)

This garage holds 106 buses, and runs London bus routes 2, 249, 415, 417, 432, 24-hour route 176, school routes 689 and 690, and night routes N2 and N137.

History

Norwood was opened in 1909 by the LGOC. The garage has had a steady allocation over the years and in 1951 took over some ove the vehicle for the Festival of Britain services from the nearby Norwood Tram Depot. In 1981 the garage underwent complete reconstruction, with the buses and staff being transferred temporarily to the reopened Clapham Garage until 1984. The allocation has mainly been Leyland Olympians, a couple of which still remain, and Routemasters until recently when new DLA's were allocated in its completely double-deck allocation which included the NC Palatine-bodied Olympians which came with the operation of the former LondonLinks routes 176/188. The garage also now supplies some buses and drivers for route 19 following the conversion from RM operation. Early in 2008 it started operating new route 415 which runs from Tulse Hill to Elephant & Castle via Brixton and Oval.

From 23 January 2010, route 133 will transfer from Go-Ahead London under tendering on a new five year contract.

Bus types in use
  • Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.1m (T) for routes 133 and N133 to be introduced in January 2010.
  • DAF DB250LF 10.2m / Alexander ALX400 (DLA) for routes 689 and 690.
  • Volvo B7TL 10m / Alexander ALX400 (VLA) for routes 249, 415, 417 and 432.
  • Volvo B7TL 10.6m / Alexander ALX400 (VLA) for routes 2, 176, N2 and N137.

Thornton Heath (TH)

This garage holds 78 buses, and runs London bus routes 109, 159, 198, 250, 255, 289, and night route N159.

History

Originally opened as the garage for the first horse tramway in Croydon in 1879 it was later rebuilt as an electric tram depot in 1901. Initially it could house 26 trams, but was extended the following year to take 43 cars. TH was earmarked for closure as a tram depot for reconstruction at the tram replacement program of 1950–1952, but actually shut before the last tram finished with the work and staff moving to Purley. Buses were starting to operate from the new garage before reconstruction was complete in 1951 with 54 RT's, just half of its capacity. Routemasters arrived in the early 1960s bringing it up to 84 buses. The RT's lasted until 1976, outlasting the RM's which were replaced by DMS's in 1971, although they did return between 1976–1978 and 1982–1987 when the garage became entirely OPO. By 1994 the garage was worked almost entirely by Leyland Olympians & MCW Metrobuses with a few Darts & MCW Metroriders. There was also a period where the then South London Transport regularly transferred vehicles about, and, whilst TH retained its Olympians throughout, they were joined not only by Metrobuses, but also Titans. Thornton Heath also briefly flirted with SR-class StarRiders, as well as sharing vehicle evaluation duties with Bromley for the DA/SA classes of vehicle, operating SA1 From October 1989 to February 1990 before swapping it for DA1, which stayed here for a further 6 months before being moved to Westlink. Nowadays the fleet consists of DLAs and DWLs. In 2007, route 289 got transferred to Thornton Heath Garage from Beddington in a swap with route 450.

Bus types in use
  • DAF DB250LF 10.2m / Alexander ALX400 (DLA) for routes 109, 159, 198, 289 and N159.
  • DAF DB250LF 10.6m / Alexander ALX400 (DLA) for route 250.
  • DAF SB120 10.1m / Wright Cadet (DWL) for routes 255 and 289.

Wandsworth (WD)

This garage holds 24 buses, and runs London bus route 337.

It also runs the non-TfL Original London Sightseeing Tour company.

History

Wandsworth Garage was closed in 1987 and re-opened a year later to house the London Sightseeing and London Coaches fleet from Battersea. The garage recently supplied buses to assist on the 185 following the collapse of London Easylink and has now won their first TfL tender for route 337 from May 2004.

Bus types in use

See also

References

  1. ^ http://allaboutbuses.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/world-debut-for-volvo-hybrid-double-deck/

External links

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