London Buses route 66
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 66 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, England
, United Kingdom
. As of 2010, the service is contracted to Arriva Southern Counties
.
In August 1990 the contract to operate route 66 was won by London Country North East
(LCNE), who operated it with new Leyland Lynx
es. The company was later split in two, and the route's operation was taken over by County Bus & Coach. Route 103, another contract operated by LCNE, had transferred to Grey-Green
following the company’s split, and it is not known why the 66 did not also transfer. County also acquired the Lynxes from LCNE and continued to operate them on the route; they were the only Lynxes in the fleet. County was taken over by West Midlands Travel in 1994, and passed on to Cowie Group in 1995.
Another change of operator occurred in 1996 when the route was finally transferred to Grey-Green
, whom Cowie Group also owned. This company later became part of Arriva London
, and continued to operate the route until September 2003, when it was won by Blue Triangle
. The route was converted to operate with low-floor Dennis Dart SLF single-deckers, with eleven of these replacing six double-deckers. However, these were delivered late, and Blue Triangle were forced to hire Optare Excel
s from East Thames Buses
to begin the contract.
In March 2009 it was announced that route 66 would be diverted via New Wanstead. This followed a long-running battle by local residents who had previously had no local bus service. The diversion was implemented from 5 September 2009. Parking restrictions along the newly-served roads had been changed shortly before the diversion took place, with the reported effect that buses on the route became stuck behind parked cars and prompting a campaign by local residents to have the restrictions removed.
On 4 September 2010, Arriva Southern Counties took over the operation of route 66.
and Romford
; this route number returned in 1982 for a Saturday-only service between Ilford station
and Gidea Park
, which lasted until November 1987 before it was replaced by route 296.
A route 66B ran between 1970 and 1982, between Leytonstone
and Hornchurch station
on Sundays only. It was replaced by the reintroduction of route 66 on Sundays.
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...
, 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...
. As of 2010, the service is contracted to Arriva Southern Counties
Arriva Southern Counties
Arriva Southern Counties is a bus operator in London, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent and Essex in England. It is a regional division of Arriva.- History :...
.
History
Route 66 commenced operation on 14 October 1925 between Leytonstone (Green Man) and Romford Station. Leytonstone has always remained the western terminus of the route, although the eastern terminus has varied over the years. Route 66 began operation as a double deck route from Romford (later Hornchurch) garage, although between 1972 and 1976 the route was operated by single deck vehicles.In August 1990 the contract to operate route 66 was won by London Country North East
London Country North East
London Country North East was a bus operator in South East England and London. It was formed from the split of London Country Bus Services in 1986 and operated a fleet of around 350 buses from six garages, with its headquarters located in Hatfield....
(LCNE), who operated it with new Leyland Lynx
Leyland Lynx
The Leyland Lynx is a single-decker bus built by Leyland between 1984 and 1992. It was designed to replace the ageing Leyland National.Production vehicles began to enter service in 1986. From 1990 to 1992 the updated Lynx II version was produced...
es. The company was later split in two, and the route's operation was taken over by County Bus & Coach. Route 103, another contract operated by LCNE, had transferred to Grey-Green
Grey-Green
Grey-Green was a coach and bus operator in the United Kingdom. It was based in Stamford Hill, and can trace its origins back over a century to the foundation of George Ewer’s horse carriage business in 1885.-History:...
following the company’s split, and it is not known why the 66 did not also transfer. County also acquired the Lynxes from LCNE and continued to operate them on the route; they were the only Lynxes in the fleet. County was taken over by West Midlands Travel in 1994, and passed on to Cowie Group in 1995.
Another change of operator occurred in 1996 when the route was finally transferred to Grey-Green
Grey-Green
Grey-Green was a coach and bus operator in the United Kingdom. It was based in Stamford Hill, and can trace its origins back over a century to the foundation of George Ewer’s horse carriage business in 1885.-History:...
, whom Cowie Group also owned. This company later became part of 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...
, and continued to operate the route until September 2003, when it was won by 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:...
. The route was converted to operate with low-floor Dennis Dart SLF single-deckers, with eleven of these replacing six double-deckers. However, these were delivered late, and Blue Triangle were forced to hire Optare Excel
Optare Excel
The Optare Excel is a low-floor full-size single-decker bus manufactured by Optare.Manufactured as an integral bus, the Excel was launched in 1995 as one of the first low-floor single-deck vehicles. The styling of the body was in keeping with existing Optare products, especially at the rear...
s from East Thames Buses
East Thames Buses
East Thames Buses was the only government owned bus operator of London Buses. It was sold to London General in 2009.-History:East Thames Buses was formed in 1999 to take over the services operated by the failed Harris Bus Company...
to begin the contract.
In March 2009 it was announced that route 66 would be diverted via New Wanstead. This followed a long-running battle by local residents who had previously had no local bus service. The diversion was implemented from 5 September 2009. Parking restrictions along the newly-served roads had been changed shortly before the diversion took place, with the reported effect that buses on the route became stuck behind parked cars and prompting a campaign by local residents to have the restrictions removed.
On 4 September 2010, Arriva Southern Counties took over the operation of route 66.
Variants
Between October 1952 and July 1970 a short working numbered 66A ran between Harold HillHarold Hill
Harold Hill is a place in the London Borough of Havering, east London, England. It is a suburban development situated 16.6 miles east-northeeast of Charing Cross....
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...
; this route number returned in 1982 for a Saturday-only service between Ilford station
Ilford railway station
Ilford railway station is a suburban National Rail station located in Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge. Passenger services are operated by National Express East Anglia and most trains run between Shenfield and Liverpool Street...
and Gidea Park
Gidea Park
Gidea Park is a place in the London Borough of Havering, east London, England. Gidea Park is a part of Romford post town.-History:Gidea Park is the location of the "Romford Garden Suburb" constructed in 1910 to 1911 on the Gidea Hall and Balgores Estates as an exhibition of town planning...
, which lasted until November 1987 before it was replaced by route 296.
A route 66B ran between 1970 and 1982, between Leytonstone
Leytonstone
Leytonstone is an area of east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located seven miles north east of Charing Cross in the ceremonial county of Greater London and the historic county of Essex...
and Hornchurch station
Hornchurch tube station
Hornchurch tube station is a London Underground station on the District Line, located in Hornchurch and a short walk south from the town centre. The station is in Zone 6, located between Elm Park and Upminster Bridge stations.-History:...
on Sundays only. It was replaced by the reintroduction of route 66 on Sundays.
Current route
- Romford StationRomford railway stationRomford station is located in Romford, London Borough of Havering. It is situated between Chadwell Heath and Gidea Park. It is the western terminus of the Upminster branch line from Upminster....
- South Street
- Western Road
- Mercury Gardens
- St. Edwards Way
- North Street
- Eastern Avenue West
- Chadwell HeathChadwell HeathChadwell 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:...
Moby Dick - Eastern Avenue West
- Eastern Avenue
- Little HeathLittle Heath, LondonLittle Heath is a district in the London Borough of Redbridge. To the east is Chadwell Heath in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, after which it was modelled. The postcode for the area is RM6....
- Eastern Avenue
- Newbury Park StationNewbury Park tube stationNewbury Park tube station is a London Underground station in Newbury Park, in the London Borough of Redbridge. It is on the Hainault loop of the Central Line, in Zone 4....
- Eastern Avenue
- Gants Hill StationGants Hill tube stationGants Hill tube station is a London Underground station in Gants Hill, in the London Borough of Redbridge. It is served by the Central Line and is in Zone 4. It is the easternmost station to be entirely below ground on the London Underground network....
- Eastern Avenue
- Redbridge StationRedbridge tube stationRedbridge tube station is a London Underground station in Redbridge, on the Hainault Loop of the Central line, in Zone 4. It is on the Eastern Avenue....
- Eastern Avenue
- Wanstead StationWanstead tube stationWanstead tube station is a London Underground station in Wanstead, on the Hainault loop of the Central Line. It is in Zone 4.Construction of the station had started in the 1930s, but was delayed by the onset of World War 2. Wanstead was not opened until December 14, 1947...
- Cambridge Park
- Blake Hall Road
- Bush Road
- High Road LeytonstoneLeytonstoneLeytonstone is an area of east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located seven miles north east of Charing Cross in the ceremonial county of Greater London and the historic county of Essex...
- Gainsborough Road
- Lemna Road
- Kirkdale Road
- Leytonstone StationLeytonstone tube stationLeytonstone tube station is on the Central Line of the London Underground, on the boundary of Zones 3 and 4. Towards London the next station is Leyton, while going east from Leytonstone, the line divides into two branches...
Bus Station