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Arriva London is a bus company operating services in Greater London. A subsidiary of Arriva, it operates services under contract to Transport for London. Operations are split between two registered companies: Arriva London North and Arriva London South.

History[]

Arriva London was formed in January 1998, as it is made up from Grey Green, Leaside Buses (including Leaside Travel), South London Buses, Londonlinks and Kentish Bus operations.

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

In 2005, TfL reported that Arriva London had more complaints a year than any other bus operator in London,[1] although at the time Arriva did operate the biggest percentage of bus services in London.

Operations[]

Arriva operates 16 bus garages in London; 4 of which are run under the Arriva London South company, and the remaining 12 with Arriva London North.

Arriva London North Ltd[]

  • Headquarters address: 16 Watsons Road, Wood Green, London, N22 7TZ
  • Total number of vehicles: 967
  • Percentage of TfL vehicles operated: 12.38%

Overview:[]

Garage

Code

Garage

Name

Address Routes

Operated

No. of

Vehicles

AE Ash Grove Mare Street, South Hackney, London, E8 4RH 78, 253, 254 56
DX Barking 638 Ripple Road, Barking, IG11 0ST 150, 175, 325, 368 51
CT Clapton 15 Bohemia Place, Mare Street, London, E8 1DU 38, 73, 242, 253, N38, N73, N242, N253 105
DT Dartford Central Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 160, 229, 269, 301, 335, 401, 428, 492, B13, B15, 660 107
EC Edmonton Unit 1E, Towpath Road, Stonehill Business Park, London E4 34, 41, 158, 259, N279 63
E Enfield Southbury Road, Ponders End, Middlesex, EN3 4HX 121, 191, 192, 279, 313, 349, 377, W6 119
DT Erith 185 Manor Road, London, DA8 2AD 99, 229 20
GY Grays Unit 7 Europa Park, London Road, Grays, Essex, RM20 4DB 66, 103, 248, 347, 370, 375 65
AD Palmers Green Regents Avenue, Palmers Green, London, N13 5UR 34, 102, 141, 329, 340, 675 88
AR Tottenham Philip Lane, Tottenham, London, N15 4JB 19, 41, 123, 149, 243, 318, 341, N19, N41 159
WN Wood Green Jolly Butchers Hill, High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 7TZ 29, 144, 221, W3, W4, N29 132

Garage Details:[]

Ash Grove (AE)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 20th August 2011: operations for route 254 transferred from Stamford Hill
  • 2nd February 2013 operations for route 393 transferred to Clapton
  • 27th April 2013: route 106 operations commenced
  • 29th September 2014: operations for route 38 transferred to Clapton
  • 26th September 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 168, with it passing to Metroline

Bus Types Operated from Ash Grove (AE)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
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{{{chassis}}} {{{body}}} {{{route}}}
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 254

-

Barking (DX)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 15th October 2005: route 128 operations commenced
  • 6th March 2010: route 325 operations commenced
  • 16th October 2010: route 150 operations commenced
  • 3rd March 2012: Arriva ceased operation of route 275, with it passing to Stagecoach
  • 24th March 2012: Arriva ceased operation of route 462, with it passing to Blue Triangle
  • 31st March 2012: route 647 and 678 operations commenced
  • 23th May 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 135, with it passing to Docklands Buses
  • 30th April 2016: route 368 operations commenced

Bus Types Operated from Barking (DX)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
E200Dart 10.2m Enviro 200 325
Trident 9.9m Enviro 400 150
VDL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 175

-

Clapton (CT)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 14th November 2009: operations for route 242 and N38 transferred here, and some of the operation for route 38 and 393
  • 2nd February 2013: operations for route 393 transferred from Ash Grove
  • 29th September 2014: operations for route 38 transferred from Ash Grove

Bus Types Operated from Clapton (CT)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
B5LH Wright Gemini 3 242
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 38, N38

-

Dartford (DT)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 1st January 2016: Arriva London took over the operations of the Dartford (DT) garage
  • 23rd January 2016: route 229 and 469 operations commenced
  • 17th September 2016: route 660 operations commenced

Bus Types Operated from Dartford (DT)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
E200Dart 10.8m Enviro 200 B15
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{{{chassis}}} {{{body}}} {{{route}}}
E40D 10.2m Enviro 400 229, 492
VDL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 99, 269, 401
B5LH Wright Gemini 2 301, 335

-

Edmonton (EC)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 24th March 2012: Edmonton was announced closed
  • 1st March 2014: Edmonton reopened, with operations for routes 123 (M-F), 125 (M-Sa), 184, 318, 382, 397, 444, 629, 657, W6 and W11 transferring here
  • 31st January 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 275, with it passing to Metroline
  • 7th March 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 444 and 657, with them passing to Tower Transit and London General respectively
  • 8th November 2015: operations for route 318 and W6 transferred to Enfield
  • 15th November 2014: operations for route 184 transferred from Wood Green
  • 2nd February 2015: operations for route 629 transferred to Palmers Green

Bus Types Operated from Edmonton (EC)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
B9TL 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 158
VDL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 41, 158
B5LH Wright Gemini 3 34, 259, N279

-

Enfield (E)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 1st June 2013: Arriva ceased operation of route 491, with it passing to London General
  • 8th June 2013: Arriva ceased operation of route 327, with it passing to London General
  • 5th October 2013: operations for route 192 and 379 transferred from Lee Valley
  • 8th November 2014: Arriva ceased operation of route 192, with it passing to London General
  • 8th November 2014: operations for route 318 and W6 transferred from Edmonton
  • 12th December 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 275, with it passing to Metroline

Bus Types Operated from Enfield (E)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
ADL E200Dart 8.9m Enviro 200 318
ADL E20D 10.9m Enviro 200 313
ADL E20D 9.0m Enviro 200 MMC 192, 377
ADL E20D 9.8m Enviro 200 MMC W6
VDL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 121, 349
ADL E40D 10.2m Enviro 400 279
ADL ALX400 ALX Volvo Training Buses
(Turquoise)

-

Grays (GY)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 1st January 2016: Arriva London took over the operations of the Grays garage
  • 1st October 2016: Arriva ceased operation of route 346, with it passing to Blue Triangle

Bus Types Operated from Grays (GY)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
ADL E200Dart 10.2m Enviro 200 347, 375
VWL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 66, 103, 370
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 248

-

Palmers Green (AD)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 24th March 2012: operations for route 34 transferred here
  • 31st August 2013: Arriva ceased operation of route 634, with it passing to Metroline
  • 1st March 2014: operations for route 34 transferred from Lee Valley
  • 8th November 2014: Arriva ceased operation of route 34, with it passing to Metroline 
  • 8th November 2014: operations for route 141 and 329 transferred from Wood Green
  • 31st January 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 125, with it passing to Metroline
  • 2nd February 2015: operations for route 629 transferred from Edmonton

Bus Types Operated from Palmers Green (AD)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
B5LH Wright Gemini 2 141
B5LH Wright Gemini 3 34, 102
{{{chassis}}} {{{body}}} {{{route}}}
Trident 9.9m Enviro 400 329

-

Stamford Hill (SF)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 1st April 2006: operations for route 253 transferred from Clapton
  • 3rd September 2011: operations for route 73 transferred from Lee Valley
  • 27th April 2013: route 67 operations commenced

Bus Types Operated from Stamford Hill (SF)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London

-

Tottenham (AR)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 5th March 2005: route 123 operations commenced
  • 16th October 2010: operations for route 149 transferred from Lee Valley
  • 27th April 2013: route 67 operations commenced 
  • 22nd June 2013: route 230 operations commenced
  • 1st March 2014: operations for route 341 transferred from Lee Valley
  • 6th June 2020 Arriva London ceased operation of route 67, with it passing to London General
  • 20th June 2020 Arriva London ceased operation of route 230, with it passing to London General

Bus Types Operated from Tottenham (AR)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
VWL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 123
B5LH Wright Gemini 3 41, 243, 341, N41
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 19, 41, 149, N19
Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m Plaxton Pointer 2 Driver Training

-

Wood Green (WN)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 26th November 2011: operations for route 29 and N29 transferred from Edmonton
  • 4th February 2012: Arriva ceased operation of route 298, with it passing to Sullivan Buses
  • 25th February 2012: operations for route 328 transferred from Edmonton
  • 1st March 2014: operations for route 328 transferred to Edmonton
  • 1st March 2014: operations for route W3 and part of the 329 allocation transferred here
  • 8th November 2014: operations for route 184 transferred from Edmonton
  • 8th November 2014: operations for route 141 and 329 transferred to Palmers Green
  • 15th November 2014: operations for route 184 transferred from Edmonton

Bus Types Operated from Wood Green (WN)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
ADL E200Dart 10.2m Enviro 200 184
E20D 9.0m Enviro 200 MMC W4
B5L Eclipse Gemini 29, N29
VWL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 144, 221
E40D 10.2m Enviro 400 W3

-

Arriva London South Ltd[]

  • Headquarters address: Bus Garage, Brighton Road, Croydon, CR2 6EL
  • Total number of vehicles: 453
  • Percentage of TfL vehicles operated: 5.80%

Overview:[]

Garage

Code

Garage

Name

Address Routes

Operated

No. of

Vehicles

BN Brixton 39 Streatham Hill, London, SW2 4TB 50, 59, 133, 137, 319, 333, N133 121
TC Croydon Brighton Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR2 6EL 60, 166, 194, 264, 312, 405, 412, 466, 612, 627, 685 106
N Norwood Ernest Avenue, West Norwood, London, SE27 0HN 2, 137, 157, 202, 249, 417, 432, 450, 468, N2, N137 144
TH Thornton Heath 719 London Road, Thornton Heath, Cr7 6AU 64, 157, 198, 250, 255, 289, 410, N250, 689 97

Garage Details:[]

Brixton (BN)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • November 2009: operations for route 19 transferred from Battersea
  • 31st March 2012: Arriva ceased operation of route 19 and N19, with them passing to London General
  • 31st March 2012: operations for route 50, 109 and N109 transferred from Croydon and Thornton Heath
  • 31st January 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 109 and N109, with it passing to Abellio London
  • 12th December 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 159, with it passing to Abellio London
  • 12th December 2015: operations for route 59 transferred from Norwood

Bus Types Operated from Brixton (BN)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
B5L Eclipse Gemini 50, 133, 319
ADL E40H 10.2m Enviro 400H City 133, 333, N133
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 59, 137

-

Croydon (TC)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • April 2006: Arriva ceased operation of route 468 and N68, with them passing to London Central
  • 30th August 2008: route 466 operations commenced
  • 30th October 2009: Arriva ceased operation of route 407, with them passing to Abellio London
  • 29th October 2011: operations for route 403, 405 and 627 transferred from Beddington Farm
  • 31st March 2012: operations for route 264 transferred from Beddington Farm
  • 31st August 2013: route 612 operations commenced

Bus Types Operated from Croydon (TC)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
ADL E200Dart 10.2 Enviro 200 166
Optare MetroCity 10.6m City EV 312
DB300 10.4m Eclipse Gemini 2 60, 194, 264, 412, 466, 405, 612, 627, 685
Trident 9.9m Enviro 400 412, 466, 405
ADL E40D 10.2m Enviro 400 60
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 59, 137

-

Norwood (N)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • April 2006: Arriva ceased operation of route 68 and X68, with them passing to London Central
  • 2008: route 415 operations commenced
  • 23rd January 2010: route 133 and N133 operations commenced
  • 31st March 2012: Arriva ceased operation of route 249, with them passing to London General
  • 31st March 2012: part of the operations for route 59 transferred here
  • 17th May 2014: operations for route N133 transferred from Croydon
  • 7th March 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 415, with them passing to Abellio London
  • 4th April 2015: Arriva ceased operation of route 432, with them passing to London General
  • On 12 December 2015, route 59's allocation from this garage was transferred to Brixton garage.
  • On 23 July Arriva will takeover the operation of the 293

Bus Types Operated from Norwood (N)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
Wright Streetlite 9.7m Streetlite DF 450
B5LH Wright Gemini 2 432
B5LH Wright Gemini 3 2, 249, 432, 468, N2, N137 to be introduced to 293 from 23 July 2022
Trident 9.9m Enviro 400 157 and 417
New Routemaster 11.3m New Bus for London 137

-

Thornton Heath (TH)[]

Arriva Commenced Operating Route Route Transferred Garage within Arriva Route Transferred Garage out of Arriva Route Withdrawn by TfL

  • 2007: operations for route 289 transferred from Beddington Farm
  • 1st October 2011: operations for route 450 transferred from Beddington Farm
  • 31st March 2012: operations for route 410 transferred from Beddington Farm

Bus Types Operated from Thornton Heath (TH)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
Wright Streetlite 9.7m Streetlite DF 410
ADL E200Dart 10.2m Enviro 200 255, 289
ADL E20D 9.8m Enviro 200 410
ADL E20D 10.9m Enviro 200 MMC 289
Trident 9.9m Enviro 400 64, 157, 198, 250, N250, 689

-

Former Garages[]

Battersea (BA)[]

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 operation 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.

28th November 2009: Battersea was announced closed

The garage has been demolished, there is now a construction site.

Beddington Farm (CN)[]

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.

3rd March 2012: Arriva ceased operation of route 455, with them passing to Abellio London

31st March 2012: Beddington Farm was announced closed

Lee Valley (LV)[]

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. In 2014, Lee Valley (LV) was announced closed.

Watford (GR)[]

  • 1st January 2016: Arriva London took over the operations of the Watford garage

Bus Types Operated from Watford (GR)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
ADL E200Dart 10.2m Enviro 200 Dart H18, H19
Optare 7.8m Optare Solo 631, H2, H3
Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m Alexander Dennis Pointer logistical spares
DAF SB120 10.1m Wright Cadet 268, 288, 303, 205
Volvo B7TL 10.1m Alexander ALX400 142, 340, 642
DAF SB250 10.2m Alexander ALX400 340
DAF SB250 10.2m Wright Pulsar Gemini 258
Volvo B7TL 10.1m Wright Eclipse Gemini 340
VDL DB300 10.4m Wright Gemini 2 logistical spares
ADL E40D 10.1m Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 142, 642
Wright Street Deck 340

-

Heathrow (HE)[]

  • 1st January 2016: Arriva London took over the operations of the Heathrow garage

Bus Types Operated from Heathrow (HE)

Vehicle Chassis Vehicle Body Routes Operated
ADL E200Dart 10.2m Enviro 200 Dart E10
Dennis Dart SLF 8.8m Plaxton Pointer 2 E10

-

The Heritage Fleet[]

The Heritage Fleet is a company set up in 2006 by Arriva. It uses Routemasters for private hire work, and was formed after Routemasters in London were withdrawn from normal service.

History[]

The world-famous London Routemaster bus was withdrawn from normal London service on December 9, 2005, after the vehicle type was introduced some 50 years earlier. Arriva operated the last service to be operated by Routemasters, which was route 159. The last day was celebrated by many enthusiasts and visitors, with extra vehicles running.

Following this, Arriva London collected some of the most significant Routemasters in their fleet, and set up the Heritage Fleet in early 2006.

Current Operations[]

The Heritage Fleet currently offer their vehicles for private hire, such as events celebration and weddings. The buses can also be hired to attend other public events, and often the buses appear at bus events, such as Showbus or the LBPT Cobham bus rally.

Fleet[]

The Heritage Fleet is made up of 9 unique examples Routemasters. As Arriva were the biggest operator of Routemasters before they were withdrawn from normal services, they operated some of the most significant Routemasters. These include;

  • RM5: This is the lowest numbered production Routemaster, although RM8 was actually built first.[2]
  • RM6: In 2002, this Routemaster was painted in a gold livery to celebrate the Queen's jubilee, the livery of which it now wears.[3]
  • RML901: This was part of the first batch of 24 RMLs (Routemaster Lengthened) to enter service.[4]
  • RM1124: This was retained as it contains a Cummins Euro II engine, meaning it already meets emission standards to be set for London.[5]
  • RMC1453: This was the first production Green Line Routemaster Coach.[6]
  • RMC1464: This is an open top bus, so is popular for private hires.[7]
  • RM2217: The last production standard length Routemaster built. This bus was the last bus to finish service on route 159 when Routemasters were withdrawn.[8]
  • RML2355: This is still in the condition as when it left service, but is awaiting restoration. It is unusual in retaining its original body and chassis after the Routemaster overhaul scheme.[9]
  • RML2360: This is being looked after for the London Transport Museum. It has been converted inside for exhibition use.[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. Inquiry into bus complaints | Evening Standard News. Thisislondon.co.uk (2005-03-03). Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  2. RM 5. The Heritage Fleet (1959-06-06). Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  3. RM 6. The Heritage Fleet. Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  4. RML 901. The Heritage Fleet. Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  5. RM 1124. The Heritage Fleet. Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  6. RMC 1453. The Heritage Fleet (2010-06-19). Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  7. RMC 1464. The Heritage Fleet. Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  8. RM 2217. The Heritage Fleet (2005-12-08). Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  9. RML 2355. The Heritage Fleet. Retrieved on 2012-08-03.
  10. RML 2360. The Heritage Fleet. Retrieved on 2012-08-03.

External links[]

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