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East London (bus company)
Encyclopedia
East London is one of many operators of bus services contracted to Transport for London
, mainly in the east of the city. Its legal name is East London Bus & Coach Company Ltd, and it is currently owned largely by Stagecoach Group
, as part of Stagecoach London
.
, and upon the privatisation
of LBL in 1994 was acquired, along with Selkent
, by the Stagecoach Group
. The company subsequently traded as Stagecoach East London before, in November 2000, Stagecoach's London operations were rebranded simply as Stagecoach London, with buses receiving 'Stagecoach in London' fleetnames. Stagecoach sold these operations in 2006 to Macquarie Bank and the East London fleetname reappeared, as did the Thames sailing barge logo used by the company during LBL days. The business was re-purchased in October 2010 by Stagecoach.
Both the buses involved in the London bombings of 7 July 2005
, and the attempted bombings
two weeks later, belonged to Stagecoach London.
(Early/late journeys only), 62
, 101, 145, 169, 366, 387, 396, Night route N15 and school route 687.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 111.
to cater for the increased demand from the new housing estates springing up in Becontree
.
Barking is remembered by many enthusiasts as being the last garage to operate RT
s on 7 April 1979. In 1992, it was intended to close this garage, along with those at North Street and Seven Kings, in favour of a new super-garage at Chadwell Heath
. As it turned out, this super-garage was not built due to the land for it being contaminated, and only Seven Kings closed. Thus, by 1994, Barking found itself with a scheduled requirement for 109 buses, mainly Titan
s and DA-class Optare Delta
s.
From 3 March 2012, Stagecoach have gained the contract for route 275 and will be operated from this garage.
, 15
, and 24-hour routes 205
and 277
and Night route N8.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 100.
The garage has had a long association with the Routemaster
, receiving its first examples in the early 1960s, some of which remained right up until August 2004 when the type was withdrawn from route 8. In December 2007, Bow took over the running of Heritage route 15 from the closed Waterden Road garage until this moved to West Ham in June 2009, along with the last Routemaster built, RML2760, which features at special events.
, 56, 69
(night service only on this 24-hour route), 97, 215, 230
and Night route N55.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 104.
to replace an existing garage acquired from London Metropolitan, and was in an ideal position to benefit from developing areas. During the Second World War the garage suffered bomb damage but was not rebuilt until a major renovation in 1955.
The garage was the first to receive post-war RT's, 78 of which were allocated by 1947, and a further 30 were added for the trolleybus conversion program in 1959. RT operation at Leyton ended in 1972.
When the London Buses Limited
subsidiaries were established, Leyton was taken up by the London Forest
subsidiary. In 1991, plans to close the garage were a contributing factor in strike action by all of the company's staff, which ultimately resulted in the winding-up of London Forest, with Leyton garage passing to East London.
Leyton was the first garage for another bus type in 1999, when Stagecoach began taking delivery of low-floor Dennis Trident 2 10.5m/Alexander ALX400s. The current operational allocation is entirely low-floor.
, 103, 175, 247, 294, 296, 496, school route 647 as well as Night route N86.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 92.
station, it was initially able to house 115 buses, although only 67 were allocated when opened. The allocation grew to 90 by 1958.
In 1992, along with Barking and Seven Kings (which did subsequently close although due to loss of routes by competitive tender), the garage was earmarked for closure in favour of a new super-garage at Chadwell Heath, which ultimately was never built. By 1994, Romford was allocated 84 buses, mainly Titans. In 2004 the allocation had dropped slightly to 76, although with a good year of tender wins in 2005 the garage is up to full capacity. The garage was home to East London Coaches private hire operation from 1990 to 2005 when the section moved to the now closed Waterden Road garage.
Arriva London
, have successfully gained the contract for route 647 and from 31 March 2012 they will be operating it from their Barking (DX) garage.
, 69
, 104, 106
, 115, 147, 158, 238, 241, 257
, 262, 323, 330
, 473, 488, 541, D3, school route 678, night bus routes N15 and N550.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 202.
Arriva London
, have successfully gained the contract of route 678 and from 31 March 2012 they will operate it.
Stratford garage, opened in 1992, was a large yard on an old industrial estate by the River Lea, opposite the Hackney garage which was owned by First London
. It was originally called "Bow Midibus Base" on account of the fact that it housed midibuses which had been previously based at Bow and West Ham. It also operated buses with rooftop flashing beacons for the London City Airport
contract.
One vehicle from this garage was destroyed in the London bombings of 7 July 2005. Thirteen passengers were killed, but the driver of the bus, George Psaradakis, escaped serious injury and was able to return to work a few weeks later. The bus was replaced in October 2005 by the first Alexander Dennis Enviro400 off the production line, which was named "Spirit of London" and it is now at West Ham.
.
The garage had been open for less than four years when Olympics work forced its closure, the training centre subsequently moving to West Ham.
RMCs. The service was a trial, and even sold newspapers to commuters on board.
On 16 September 2011, routes 104, 115, 238, 262, 330, 473 and N550 was transferred to West Ham (WH) and route 101 was transferred to Barking (BK).
On 16 September 2011, Upton Park (U) garage was shut down. There was no driver redundancies as a result of the garage closure as they were moved with the routes to other locations.
On 16 September 2011, Blue Triangle
gained the contract for route 376 and are now operating it from their Rainham (BE) garage.
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
, mainly in the east of the city. Its legal name is East London Bus & Coach Company Ltd, and it is currently owned largely by Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
, as part of Stagecoach London
Stagecoach London
Stagecoach London , is a bus company which principally operates services in the UK capital city of London, under contract to the London Buses arm of Transport for London. It was formed in 1989 as a subsidiary of London Buses. The company privatised in 1994 and acquired by the Stagecoach Group, but...
.
History
East London was established in late 1988 and became a registered company on 1 April 1989. It was one of the 12 operating subsidiaries of London Buses LimitedLondon Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
, and upon the privatisation
Privatisation of London bus services
The privatisation of London bus services was the progressive process of the transfer of operation of London Buses from public bodies to private companies....
of LBL in 1994 was acquired, along with Selkent
Selkent
Selkent, or the South East London & Kent Bus Company Ltd, is one of many operators of bus services contracted to Transport for London. It is currently owned by Stagecoach Group, as part of Stagecoach London....
, by the Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
. The company subsequently traded as Stagecoach East London before, in November 2000, Stagecoach's London operations were rebranded simply as Stagecoach London, with buses receiving 'Stagecoach in London' fleetnames. Stagecoach sold these operations in 2006 to Macquarie Bank and the East London fleetname reappeared, as did the Thames sailing barge logo used by the company during LBL days. The business was re-purchased in October 2010 by Stagecoach.
Both the buses involved in the London bombings of 7 July 2005
7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
, and the attempted bombings
21 July 2005 London bombings
On 21 July 2005, four attempted bomb attacks disrupted part of London's public transport system two weeks after the 7 July 2005 London bombings. The explosions occurred around midday at Shepherd's Bush, Warren Street and Oval stations on London Underground, and on a bus in Shoreditch...
two weeks later, belonged to Stagecoach London.
Barking (BK)
This runs London bus routes 5, 15London Buses route 15
London Buses route 15 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The regular service on route 15 is currently contracted to Stagecoach London and operated with modern double-decker buses...
(Early/late journeys only), 62
London Buses route 62
London Buses route 62 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to East London.-History:...
, 101, 145, 169, 366, 387, 396, Night route N15 and school route 687.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 111.
History
Barking garage was opened in 1924 by the London General Omnibus CompanyLondon General Omnibus Company
The London General Omnibus Company or LGOC, was the principal bus operator in London between 1855 and 1933. It was also, for a short period between 1909 and 1912, a motor bus manufacturer.- Overview :...
to cater for the increased demand from the new housing estates springing up in Becontree
Becontree
Becontree is a place in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, east north-east of Charing Cross.-Becontree estate:The area was developed between 1921 and 1932 by the London County Council as a large council estate of 27,000 homes, intended as "homes for heroes" after World War I. With a...
.
Barking is remembered by many enthusiasts as being the last garage to operate RT
AEC Regent III RT
The AEC Regent III RT was a variant of the AEC Regent III. It was a double-decker bus produced jointly between AEC and London Transport. It was the standard red London bus during the 1950s.-Prototype:...
s on 7 April 1979. In 1992, it was intended to close this garage, along with those at North Street and Seven Kings, in favour of a new super-garage at Chadwell Heath
Chadwell Heath
Chadwell Heath is a place in the London Borough of Redbridge and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, both in Greater London. It is north-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
. As it turned out, this super-garage was not built due to the land for it being contaminated, and only Seven Kings closed. Thus, by 1994, Barking found itself with a scheduled requirement for 109 buses, mainly Titan
Leyland Titan (B15)
The Leyland Titan was a model of double-decker bus produced by the Leyland Truck & Bus division of British Leyland from 1977 until 1984, almost exclusively for London Transport.-Development:...
s and DA-class Optare Delta
Optare Delta
The Optare Delta is a single-decker bus body produced for the DAF SB220 chassis. They were built in a factory in Leeds. They are known for their distinctive sloping front window.-Production:...
s.
From 3 March 2012, Stagecoach have gained the contract for route 275 and will be operated from this garage.
Bus types in use
- Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
9.9m & 10.5m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 5, 15, 101, N15 and as trainers. - Optare VersaOptare VersaThe Optare Versa is a midibus built by Optare in its Leeds factory. It was officially launched in Britain at the Euro Bus Expo 2006 at the NEC, Birmingham, on 7 November 2006, with the first order of 25 buses being placed by Stagecoach on the same day....
10.4m for route 396. - Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 10.2m for routes 62 and 366.
- Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m / Plaxton Pointer 2 for route 366.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.2m for routes 62, 145, 169, 387 and 687. To be introduced on routes 101 and 275 from March 2012.
Bow (BW)
This garage holds 113 buses, and runs London bus routes 8London Buses route 8
London Buses route 8 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 15
London Buses route 15
London Buses route 15 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The regular service on route 15 is currently contracted to Stagecoach London and operated with modern double-decker buses...
, and 24-hour routes 205
London Buses route 205
London Buses route 205 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
and 277
London Buses route 277
London Buses route 277 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
and Night route N8.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 100.
History
Opened as a tram depot by the north Metropolitan Tramways Company in 1908 on land once occupied by an asylum, it was converted to operate trolley buses in 1939. It was converted to motor bus operation in 1959 including the installation of large overground fuel tanks. Shortly after its conversion, it took up the allocation of the nearby Clay Hall garage when that closed.The garage has had a long association with the Routemaster
Routemaster
The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company in 1954 and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open-platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances...
, receiving its first examples in the early 1960s, some of which remained right up until August 2004 when the type was withdrawn from route 8. In December 2007, Bow took over the running of Heritage route 15 from the closed Waterden Road garage until this moved to West Ham in June 2009, along with the last Routemaster built, RML2760, which features at special events.
Bus types in use
- Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
10.5m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 8, 15, 277 and N8. - Scania OmniCityScania OmniCityThe Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
10.6m for route 205. - Alexander Dennis Enviro400H hybrid 10.1m to be introduced on route 15 from January 2012.
Leyton (T)
This garage runs London bus routes 48, 55London Buses route 55
London Buses route 55 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 56, 69
London Buses route 69
London Buses route 69 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
(night service only on this 24-hour route), 97, 215, 230
London Buses route 230
London Buses route 230 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
and Night route N55.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 104.
History
Leyton garage was built in 1912 by the London General Omnibus CompanyLondon General Omnibus Company
The London General Omnibus Company or LGOC, was the principal bus operator in London between 1855 and 1933. It was also, for a short period between 1909 and 1912, a motor bus manufacturer.- Overview :...
to replace an existing garage acquired from London Metropolitan, and was in an ideal position to benefit from developing areas. During the Second World War the garage suffered bomb damage but was not rebuilt until a major renovation in 1955.
The garage was the first to receive post-war RT's, 78 of which were allocated by 1947, and a further 30 were added for the trolleybus conversion program in 1959. RT operation at Leyton ended in 1972.
When the London Buses Limited
London Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
subsidiaries were established, Leyton was taken up by the London Forest
London Forest
London Forest was a subsidiary of London Buses active between 1988 and 1991. Formed as one of the eleven operating divisions of London Buses in readiness for privatisation, the company initially operated from garages at Ash Grove, Walthamstow and Leyton on a network of routes in North-East London...
subsidiary. In 1991, plans to close the garage were a contributing factor in strike action by all of the company's staff, which ultimately resulted in the winding-up of London Forest, with Leyton garage passing to East London.
Leyton was the first garage for another bus type in 1999, when Stagecoach began taking delivery of low-floor Dennis Trident 2 10.5m/Alexander ALX400s. The current operational allocation is entirely low-floor.
Bus types in use
- Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
9.9m & 10.5m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 55, 69, 97, 230, N55 and as trainer. - Scania OmniCityScania OmniCityThe Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
10.6m for routes 48, 56 and 215.
Romford (North Street) (NS)
This garage runs London bus routes 86London Buses route 86
London Buses route 86 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:Route 86 was created in 1936. The core route has always been between Stratford and Romford...
, 103, 175, 247, 294, 296, 496, school route 647 as well as Night route N86.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 92.
History
Romford garage is also called North Street (hence its NS code) as London Transport already had a 'country bus' garage: Romford (London Road). It was opened in 1953 to take the strain off nearby Hornchurch garage, and also to cope with the new Harold Hill estate. Built in the post-war style of an UndergroundLondon Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
station, it was initially able to house 115 buses, although only 67 were allocated when opened. The allocation grew to 90 by 1958.
In 1992, along with Barking and Seven Kings (which did subsequently close although due to loss of routes by competitive tender), the garage was earmarked for closure in favour of a new super-garage at Chadwell Heath, which ultimately was never built. By 1994, Romford was allocated 84 buses, mainly Titans. In 2004 the allocation had dropped slightly to 76, although with a good year of tender wins in 2005 the garage is up to full capacity. The garage was home to East London Coaches private hire operation from 1990 to 2005 when the section moved to the now closed Waterden Road garage.
Arriva London
Arriva London
Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green...
, have successfully gained the contract for route 647 and from 31 March 2012 they will be operating it from their Barking (DX) garage.
Bus types in use
- Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
9.9m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 175, 247 and 294. - Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
10.5m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 86, 103,647 and N86. - Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 10.2m for route 296.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.2m for route 496.
West Ham (WH)
This garage runs London bus routes 5 (Early/late journeys only), 15 (Early/Late journeys only), 15 (Heritage)London Buses route 15 (Heritage)
London Buses route 15 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London and is a short working of the standard route 15.-History:...
, 69
London Buses route 69
London Buses route 69 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 104, 106
London Buses route 106
London Buses route 106 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 115, 147, 158, 238, 241, 257
London Buses route 257
London Buses route 257 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 262, 323, 330
London Buses route 330
London Buses route 330 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 473, 488, 541, D3, school route 678, night bus routes N15 and N550.
The current peak vehicle requirement is 202.
History
The present West Ham garage was opened in February 2008 as the replacement for Stratford garage. Whilst construction work was underway, all major engineering work on its buses was carried out at Rainham. However, the garage became fully operational in November 2009 taking over its own maintenance. The new garage is able to hold over 300 buses. It is the biggest Bus garage in the UK and is the new location for East London Bus Group's head office and training centre.Arriva London
Arriva London
Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green...
, have successfully gained the contract of route 678 and from 31 March 2012 they will operate it.
Bus types in use
- AEC Routemaster for route 15 Heritage.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.8m as a logistical spare
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200DartAlexander Dennis Enviro200DartThe Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart is a midibus manufactured by Alexander Dennis for the British market as the successor of the Dart SLF chassis and Pointer body.-Design:...
10.2m for routes 323, 488 and D3. - Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m / Alexander ALX200Alexander ALX200The Alexander ALX200 was a midibus body built by Alexander of the United Kingdom. It was one of the ALX-series, which accounted for 5 different models , built for new generation bus chassis produced since late 1990s.It was designed by John Worker, and was launched in summer...
for route D3. - Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
9.9m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 147, 241, 262, 473, 541 and 678. - Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
10.5m / Alexander ALX400Alexander ALX400The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders...
for routes 5, 15, 69, 104, 115, 158, 238, 257, 330, 678, N15 and N550. To be introduced on routes 147 and 241 from January 2012. - Scania OmniCityScania OmniCityThe Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
10.6m for route 106. - Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.2m to be introduced partially on route 104, partially on route 158 and route 238 from 3 March 2012.
Stratford (SD)
All operations from this garage were transferred to West Ham in February 2008 when the garage closed following a compulsory purchase for Olympic development.History
First London
.First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London...
. It was originally called "Bow Midibus Base" on account of the fact that it housed midibuses which had been previously based at Bow and West Ham. It also operated buses with rooftop flashing beacons for the London City Airport
London City Airport
London City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
contract.
One vehicle from this garage was destroyed in the London bombings of 7 July 2005. Thirteen passengers were killed, but the driver of the bus, George Psaradakis, escaped serious injury and was able to return to work a few weeks later. The bus was replaced in October 2005 by the first Alexander Dennis Enviro400 off the production line, which was named "Spirit of London" and it is now at West Ham.
Waterden Road (Stratford Olympic) (WA)
This garage closed in December 2007 due to a compulsory purchase order to enable work on the site for the 2012 Summer Olympics2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
.
History
Waterden Road opened early in 2004 with an allocation for approximately 100 buses, mainly articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaros for route 25. By 2005, East London had relocated both its training centre and its private hire fleet to this garage. The private hire fleet was disbanded in 2007.The garage had been open for less than four years when Olympics work forced its closure, the training centre subsequently moving to West Ham.
History
Prior to West Ham being built it was the largest garage in the east end of London, Upton Park was opened by the LRCC in 1907 but was requisitioned for the war effort in 1915 and was not returned to use until 1919. In 1931 it was totally revamped and enlarged to create a capacity of just over 200 buses. In 1988 the garage operated the X15 "Beckton Express" using ex-Green Line RoutemasterRoutemaster
The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company in 1954 and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open-platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances...
RMCs. The service was a trial, and even sold newspapers to commuters on board.
On 16 September 2011, routes 104, 115, 238, 262, 330, 473 and N550 was transferred to West Ham (WH) and route 101 was transferred to Barking (BK).
On 16 September 2011, Upton Park (U) garage was shut down. There was no driver redundancies as a result of the garage closure as they were moved with the routes to other locations.
On 16 September 2011, Blue Triangle
Blue Triangle
Blue Triangle is one of many operators of London Buses, it is based in Rainham and is part of Go-Ahead London. It is the operator of the East London Transit service.-History:...
gained the contract for route 376 and are now operating it from their Rainham (BE) garage.