London Buses route 266
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 266 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, England
. The service is currently contracted to Metroline
.
In 1976, the 266 was rerouted Mondays to Fridays except late evenings, and Saturdays except evenings, to the new Brent Cross Shopping Centre. The line was then extended from Colindale to Mill Hill Broadway, via Grahame Park and Montrose Avenue.
The section between Staples Corner and Mill Hill Broadway section was withdrawn in 1981.
The line was converted to one-person operation (opo) in 1985 using MCW Metrobuses operated by MTL London Northern. In 1996 the contract was handed over to Metroline and the Metrobuses were painted in Metroline livery. They were also supplemented by Volvo Olympians from the 52 Line. In late 1998 low-floor Tridents entered service. Not all the Metrobuses were painted in Metroline's livery, as the units were to be converted to Arriva London use. Volvo Olympians replaced the Metrobuses between 2001 and 2003. During this transion period, the odd single-decker working was not uncommon, with both Plaxton- and Marshall-bodied Darts sighted. Even Lances were used. In early 2005 the route was converted to low-floor operation using Alexander-bodied Tridents.
The 266 gained a night service (N266) in 2001 but only as far as Cricklewood Garage. Brent Cross Bus station was subsequently opened for 24-hour operation, and now the route runs there day and night. The 'N' prefix was dropped in 2004.
The route featured in an episode of Mr Bean Rides Again.
In August 2011, First Centrewest gained the contract to operate route 266, and will take over operation on 19 May 2012. Bus types are yet to be confirmed.
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...
contracted bus route in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The service is currently contracted to Metroline
Metroline
Metroline, owned by ComfortDelGro Corporation of Singapore, is one of many companies operating bus services in London under the management of London Buses.-Company history:...
.
History
The 266 replaced the former trolleybus route 666 between Edgware and Hammersmith in 1962. The Colindale and Edgware section was discontinued in 1970.In 1976, the 266 was rerouted Mondays to Fridays except late evenings, and Saturdays except evenings, to the new Brent Cross Shopping Centre. The line was then extended from Colindale to Mill Hill Broadway, via Grahame Park and Montrose Avenue.
The section between Staples Corner and Mill Hill Broadway section was withdrawn in 1981.
The line was converted to one-person operation (opo) in 1985 using MCW Metrobuses operated by MTL London Northern. In 1996 the contract was handed over to Metroline and the Metrobuses were painted in Metroline livery. They were also supplemented by Volvo Olympians from the 52 Line. In late 1998 low-floor Tridents entered service. Not all the Metrobuses were painted in Metroline's livery, as the units were to be converted to Arriva London use. Volvo Olympians replaced the Metrobuses between 2001 and 2003. During this transion period, the odd single-decker working was not uncommon, with both Plaxton- and Marshall-bodied Darts sighted. Even Lances were used. In early 2005 the route was converted to low-floor operation using Alexander-bodied Tridents.
The 266 gained a night service (N266) in 2001 but only as far as Cricklewood Garage. Brent Cross Bus station was subsequently opened for 24-hour operation, and now the route runs there day and night. The 'N' prefix was dropped in 2004.
The route featured in an episode of Mr Bean Rides Again.
In August 2011, First Centrewest gained the contract to operate route 266, and will take over operation on 19 May 2012. Bus types are yet to be confirmed.
Current route
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- Walm Lane
- Cricklewood Broadway
- Edgware Road
- Cricklewood Bus Garage
- Staples Corner
- Slip Road
- Brent Cross Shopping Centre Bus Station