London Buses route 372
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 372 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, United Kingdom
. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London
. The route is notable for being one a limited number of services run by Transport for London to cross the Greater London
boundary.
, then being taken over by Ensignbus
, but latterly with Town & Country buses. TfL, before their current budgetary crisis, had a brief spell of taking responsibility for cross-border routes, and the 372 is one beneficiary. However the sections of 324 between Hornchurch
and Romford
and between Lakeside and Bluewater were not replaced, although Ensignbus has more recently re-launched this link as route X80.
Initial operation was on a temporary 18-month contract and the four Darts
were obtained from dealer stock. This probably explains why they are single door, despite being longer (10.7m) versions, which is very unusual for a TfL route
. A new 5 year contract was awarded to Blue Triangle from March 2004, which apparently specified that the vehicles should be converted to dual door, which never happened. An attempt to reroute the service through Hornchurch
in 2008 led to opposition from locals. The route's importance increased in November 2008 when Essex County Council-supported route 55 was withdrawn, leaving many people with routes 372 and 370 as their only remaining routes.
In January 2009 the route was taken over by East London Bus Group (now Stagecoach London
), who currently operate it with seven Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-deckers from their Thameside
subsidiary's garage in Rainham. The contract had been announced in June 2008, and three other operators had bid for the route.
In December 2009 the route was revealed to have the third highest number of passenger complaints across all routes in London. 96 people had complained about the route in the previous year.
The basic service is every 20 minutes (30 minutes evenings and Sundays), although this sometimes increases over Christmas as it can become busy.
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...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The service is currently contracted to 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...
. The route is notable for being one a limited number of services run by Transport for London to cross the Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
boundary.
History
The route was introduced by Transport for London as a partial replacement for route 324, a route created by Capital CitybusCapital Citybus
Capital Citybus was a major bus operator for London Buses in North and East London. The company was eventually sold to First in 1998. Capital Citybus is not to be confused with the other former London bus and coach operator Capital Logistics, for whom in 1999 it provided amongst others relief buses...
, then being taken over by Ensignbus
Ensignbus
Ensignbus is a Purfleet-based bus and coach dealer, open top bus tour operator and bus service operator. Ensignbus has amassed 20 ex-London vehicles of various ages and conditions in a ....
, but latterly with Town & Country buses. TfL, before their current budgetary crisis, had a brief spell of taking responsibility for cross-border routes, and the 372 is one beneficiary. However the sections of 324 between Hornchurch
Hornchurch
Hornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
and Romford
Romford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
and between Lakeside and Bluewater were not replaced, although Ensignbus has more recently re-launched this link as route X80.
Initial operation was on a temporary 18-month contract and the four Darts
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
were obtained from dealer stock. This probably explains why they are single door, despite being longer (10.7m) versions, which is very unusual for a TfL route
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...
. A new 5 year contract was awarded to Blue Triangle from March 2004, which apparently specified that the vehicles should be converted to dual door, which never happened. An attempt to reroute the service through Hornchurch
Hornchurch
Hornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
in 2008 led to opposition from locals. The route's importance increased in November 2008 when Essex County Council-supported route 55 was withdrawn, leaving many people with routes 372 and 370 as their only remaining routes.
In January 2009 the route was taken over by East London Bus Group (now 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...
), who currently operate it with seven Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-deckers from their Thameside
Thameside (East London Bus Group)
Thameside is one of many operators of bus services contracted to Transport for London. Its legal name is East London Bus Ltd, and it is currently owned largely by Stagecoach Group, as part of Stagecoach London . It comprises one bus garage at Rainham and was set up to initially operate route 248...
subsidiary's garage in Rainham. The contract had been announced in June 2008, and three other operators had bid for the route.
In December 2009 the route was revealed to have the third highest number of passenger complaints across all routes in London. 96 people had complained about the route in the previous year.
The basic service is every 20 minutes (30 minutes evenings and Sundays), although this sometimes increases over Christmas as it can become busy.
Current route
- Lakeside Shopping CentreLakeside Shopping CentreThe Lakeside Shopping Centre is a large out-of-town shopping centre located in West Thurrock, in the borough of Thurrock, Essex just beyond the eastern boundary of Greater London...
- Arterial Road West
- Ship Lane
- Hall Road
- Love Lane
- Purfleet Road
- AveleyAveleyAveley is a place in the Thurrock unitary authority in Essex, England and one of the traditional parishes in Thurrock. It is a suburban development located 16.3 miles east of Charing Cross in London and within the eastern bounds of the M25 motorway.-Location:Aveley is roughly bounded to the north...
- Mill Road
- Sandy Lane
- New RoadNew Road (London)The New Road was a turnpike road built across fields around the northern boundaries of London, the first part of which opened in 1756. The route comprises the following modern-day roads: Old Marylebone Road, Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Pentonville Road, City Road, and Moorgate.-Early history:In...
- Wennington Road
- Rainham StationRainham railway station (London)Rainham railway station is located in Rainham, in the London Borough of Havering in northeast London, England. It is in London fare zone 6 and is managed, and passenger train services are provided, by c2c. The station was opened in 1854 as part of the original route of the London, Tilbury and...
- Rainham BroadwayRainham, LondonRainham is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village,...
- Bridge Road
- Viking WayViking WayThe Viking Way is a long distance footpath in England running between the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire and Oakham in Rutland. The Countryside Commission recognised the significance of the Viking Way as a high quality long distance walk linking other major routes in Eastern England, these...
- RainhamRainham, LondonRainham is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village,...
TescoTescoTesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits... - Viking WayViking WayThe Viking Way is a long distance footpath in England running between the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire and Oakham in Rutland. The Countryside Commission recognised the significance of the Viking Way as a high quality long distance walk linking other major routes in Eastern England, these...
- Bridge Road
- New RoadNew Road (London)The New Road was a turnpike road built across fields around the northern boundaries of London, the first part of which opened in 1756. The route comprises the following modern-day roads: Old Marylebone Road, Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Pentonville Road, City Road, and Moorgate.-Early history:In...
- Cherry Tree LaneCherry Tree LaneCherry Tree Lane is a British urban dramatic horror-thriller film, written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams.-Plot:The film tells the story of a middle-aged couple who are terrorized in their home by a group of teenagers who plan to kill their son who has grassed-up one of their friends.-Cast:*...
- South End Road
- South HornchurchSouth HornchurchSouth Hornchurch is a place in the London Borough of Havering, east London.It is a suburban development situated 13.6 miles east of Charing Cross. The area is a relatively recent addition, compared with the more mature suburbs in Havering. It was built on open farmland and the former site of RAF...
- Mungo Park Road
- Rosewood Avenue
- The BroadwayHornchurchHornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
- Elm Park StationElm Park tube stationElm Park Station is a London Underground station on the District Line, located in Elm Park in the London Borough of Havering.The station is in Zone 6...
- The BroadwayHornchurchHornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
- Elm Park Avenue
- Abbs Cross Lane
- HornchurchHornchurchHornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
High Street - HornchurchHornchurchHornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
Town Centre