Selkent
Encyclopedia
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
.
Selkent shares its headquarters with sister company East London
at West Ham Bus Garage, Stephenson Street E16 4SA
in the early 1980s, before becoming one of the 12 operating subsidiaries established by London Buses Limited (LBL)
in late 1988. On the 13th March 1992 it was among the first of the LBL subsidiaries to completely cease operation of the Routemaster
when the Catford garage allocation on route 36b was converted to one person operated buses.
With the privatisation
of the LBL subsidiaries in 1994, Selkent was acquired by the Stagecoach Group
along with East London. It was subsequently renamed Stagecoach Selkent, and took up an all-over red livery. In November 2000, Stagecoach decided to rebrand its London operations simply as Stagecoach London, with buses receiving 'Stagecoach in London' fleetnames and a new livery incorporating the group's blue and orange swirls.
When Stagecoach sold its London operations to Macquarie Bank in 2006, the Selkent name returned, as did the sprig-of-hops logo used by the company during LT and LBL days. All-over red livery was also restored.
, 208
, 227, 246, 269, 314, 354 and school routes 636, 637, 638 and 664.
Its current peak vehicle requirement is 81.
in April 1924. Built at a cost of £23,000, it was originally designed to house 60 buses, although the plan was to ultimately enlarge it to take an additional 40 when operations required it. Under an agreement reached between LGOC and Thomas Tilling, the garage was allocated to Tilling's use, along with Croydon and Lewisham, resulting in Tilling-type vehicles being the mainstay of the fleet until 1949, when the final petrol-engined STL-type double deckers were finally superseded. This was made possible by the hire of 17 AEC Regents from Leeds City Transport. Between 1972 and 1979, Daimler Fleetline
s joined the RT
s, running alongside them. Routemaster
s were not introduced to Bromley until 1975, but were soon replaced in 1984 by Leyland Titans
. With regards to single deckers, Bromley first housed RFs, arriving in 1952, which were gradually replaced by MB and SMS type vehicles
between 1968 and 1971. FS type minibuses were operated from 1972 until the BS type replaced them in 1976. These were in turn replaced by BLs in 1978. In 1977, the venerable Leyland National
replaced the last of the SMSs, and ran alongside the BLs until 1985, when Bromley became the domain of Nationals and Titans. In the early 1990s, Bromley became the home of Carlyle
-bodied Dennis Dart
s (DT class) and MCW Metrorider
/Optare MetroRider
(MR/MRL class) midibuses. After the takeover by Stagecoach, the fleet at Bromley was standardised on the Dennis Trident 2
and Dennis Dart. In slightly more recent years, a plot of land on the opposite side of the side road (Lower Gravel Road) was developed in to an open yard for storage of the larger number of generally longer, taller, wider vehicles required for today's operations.
, 136, 178, 199, 273, 356
, 380, P4, school routes 624, 658 and 660, Night routes N47 and N136.
Current PVR is 104.
Stagecoach London have successfully gained the contract for route 621 and from 13 October 2012, it will be operated from this garage.
London Central
have successfully gained the contract for route 624 and from 31 December 2011, it will be operated from their New Cross (NX) garage.
London Central
have successfully gained the contract for route 658 and from 31 December 2011, it will be operated from their Bexleyheath (BX) garage.
, 96
, 99, 122, 177
, 291, 386, 469, 24-hour routes 53
, 472 school routes 601, 602, 625 and 672.
The current PVR is 162.
s, and by 1983 had changed entirely to Titans. PD has never quite reached its capacity, although in 2001 it had grown to 159 and today's allocation is 186. The garage was home to 35 Mercedes Benz articulated buses that worked on route 453 between 2003 and 2008.
London Central
have successfully gained the contract for route 625 and from 31 December 2011, it will be operated from their Bexleyheath (BX) 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...
. It is currently owned 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...
.
Selkent shares its headquarters with sister company East London
East London (bus company)
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.-History:East London was established in...
at West Ham Bus Garage, Stephenson Street E16 4SA
History
Selkent (South East London & Kent) began as an operating district of London Transport (LT)London Transport Executive (GLC)
The London Transport Executive was the executive agency within the Greater London Council, responsible for public transport in Greater London from 1970 to 1984...
in the early 1980s, before becoming one of the 12 operating subsidiaries established by London Buses Limited (LBL)
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...
in late 1988. On the 13th March 1992 it was among the first of the LBL subsidiaries to completely cease operation of 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...
when the Catford garage allocation on route 36b was converted to one person operated buses.
With 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 the LBL subsidiaries in 1994, Selkent was acquired 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...
along with East London. It was subsequently renamed Stagecoach Selkent, and took up an all-over red livery. In November 2000, Stagecoach decided to rebrand its London operations simply as Stagecoach London, with buses receiving 'Stagecoach in London' fleetnames and a new livery incorporating the group's blue and orange swirls.
When Stagecoach sold its London operations to Macquarie Bank in 2006, the Selkent name returned, as did the sprig-of-hops logo used by the company during LT and LBL days. All-over red livery was also restored.
Bromley (TB)
This garage runs London bus routes 61London Buses route 61
London Buses route 61 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 208
London Buses route 208
London Buses route 208 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 227, 246, 269, 314, 354 and school routes 636, 637, 638 and 664.
Its current peak vehicle requirement is 81.
History
Bromley garage was opened 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 :...
in April 1924. Built at a cost of £23,000, it was originally designed to house 60 buses, although the plan was to ultimately enlarge it to take an additional 40 when operations required it. Under an agreement reached between LGOC and Thomas Tilling, the garage was allocated to Tilling's use, along with Croydon and Lewisham, resulting in Tilling-type vehicles being the mainstay of the fleet until 1949, when the final petrol-engined STL-type double deckers were finally superseded. This was made possible by the hire of 17 AEC Regents from Leeds City Transport. Between 1972 and 1979, Daimler Fleetline
Daimler Fleetline
The Daimler Fleetline is a rear-engined double-decker bus chassis built between 1960 and 1973 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, and from 1973 until 1980 in Farington, Lancashire, England. However, the last complete vehicle did not enter service until 1983...
s joined the 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, running alongside them. 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...
s were not introduced to Bromley until 1975, but were soon replaced in 1984 by Leyland Titans
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:...
. With regards to single deckers, Bromley first housed RFs, arriving in 1952, which were gradually replaced by MB and SMS type vehicles
AEC Swift
The AEC Swift was a rear-engined single-deck bus chassis built by AEC between 1964 and 1974. The chassis design was closely related to the Leyland Panther...
between 1968 and 1971. FS type minibuses were operated from 1972 until the BS type replaced them in 1976. These were in turn replaced by BLs in 1978. In 1977, the venerable Leyland National
Leyland National
The Leyland National is a British single-deck bus built in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industries - the National Bus Company and British Leyland. Buses were constructed at a specially built factory at the Lillyhall...
replaced the last of the SMSs, and ran alongside the BLs until 1985, when Bromley became the domain of Nationals and Titans. In the early 1990s, Bromley became the home of Carlyle
Carlyle Works Limited
Carlyle Works Limited was a manufacturer of bodywork for minibuses and later midibuses, located in Egbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.Carlyle Works was the central engineering works for Midland Red, once one of the largest bus operators in the United Kingdom. The company was famous for building...
-bodied Dennis Dart
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....
s (DT class) and MCW Metrorider
MCW Metrorider
The MCW Metrorider, launched by MCW at the 1986 Motor Show, was a midibus designed built by Metro Cammell Weymann between 1986 and 1989. Constructed in two lengths, 7.0 m and 8.4 m, the Metrorider was an integral bus, marking it out from its van-based rivals of the time.It was the second...
/Optare MetroRider
Optare MetroRider
The Optare MetroRider was a midibus built by Optare between 1989 and 2000. Optare based the original design on the MCW Metrorider after Optare bought the rights following a decision by MCW to end bus production. This model also replaced the less successful StarRider.The MetroRider was an integral...
(MR/MRL class) midibuses. After the takeover by Stagecoach, the fleet at Bromley was standardised on the Dennis Trident 2
Dennis Trident 2
Dennis 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...
and Dennis Dart. In slightly more recent years, a plot of land on the opposite side of the side road (Lower Gravel Road) was developed in to an open yard for storage of the larger number of generally longer, taller, wider vehicles required for today's operations.
Bus types in use
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 8.9m for route 354.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 10.7m for route 246.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.8m for route 61.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.2m to be introduced partially on route 61 from December 2011 and to be introduced on route 208 from July 2012.
- 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 61, 208, 269, 636, 637, 638 and 664. - 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 314. - Dennis Dart SLF 11.3m / Plaxton Pointer 2 for route 227.
- Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m / Plaxton Pointer 2 for route 314.
- Mercedes-Benz O530 CitaroMercedes-Benz O530 CitaroThe Mercedes-Benz Citaro is the current Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus mainstream single-decker bus intended for public transport, introduced in 1997 and replaced the Mercedes-Benz O405/O405N series...
12m to be introduced on route 227 from June 2012. - 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 to be introduced on route 314 from September 2012.
Catford (TL)
This garage holds 120 buses, and runs London bus routes 47, 124London Buses route 124
London Buses route 124 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 136, 178, 199, 273, 356
London Buses route 356
London Buses route 356 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:The first route 356 ran from Tatsfield and Biggin Hill directly into Croydon....
, 380, P4, school routes 624, 658 and 660, Night routes N47 and N136.
Current PVR is 104.
History
Catford Garage was opened in 1914 by the LGOC, but was requisitioned a year later and did not re-open until 1920 when Thomas Tilling's Lewisham operation moved there due to space constraints at his other garage. Originally coded L, for Lewisham, it was changed in 1924 to avoid confusion with Loughton. Thomas Tilling got an agreement in 1923 to double the size of Catford and to open a new garage in Bromley to cope with the new housing estates that were springing up around the area. The roof has had to be raised twice, first in 1930 to enable double deck buses to use the garage and again in 1948 to accommodate RTs. By 1954 TL was operating some 194 RTs, the last disappearing in 1978. TL has done considerably better than most garages in numbers over the years, especially since de-regulation, having an allocation of 122 buses in 1994 rising to around 160 in the early 2000s.Stagecoach London have successfully gained the contract for route 621 and from 13 October 2012, it will be operated from this garage.
London Central
London Central
London Central is one of many operators of London Buses. It was established in late 1988 as one of 12 operating subsidiaries of London Buses Limited , and was privatised to the Go-Ahead Group in September 1994...
have successfully gained the contract for route 624 and from 31 December 2011, it will be operated from their New Cross (NX) garage.
London Central
London Central
London Central is one of many operators of London Buses. It was established in late 1988 as one of 12 operating subsidiaries of London Buses Limited , and was privatised to the Go-Ahead Group in September 1994...
have successfully gained the contract for route 658 and from 31 December 2011, it will be operated from their Bexleyheath (BX) garage.
Bus types in use
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 8.9m for routes 273 and 356. To be introduced on route 124 from May 2012.
- 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 136 and 660. - 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 47, 136, 199, 624, 658, N47, N136 and as trainers. - Dennis Dart SLF 8.9m / 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 routes 124, 273 and 380. - Dennis Dart SLF 8.8m / Plaxton Pointer 2 for route 380.
- Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m / Plaxton Pointer 2 for routes 178 and P4.
- Optare Tempo HybridOptare TempoThe Optare Tempo is a full-size single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel.It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integrals....
10.6m for route 380. - Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.2m to be introduced on route 199 from December 2011. To be introduced on route 136 from May 2012.
Plumstead (PD)
This runs London bus routes 51London Buses route 51
London Buses route 51 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 96
London Buses route 96
London Buses route 96 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 99, 122, 177
London Buses route 177
London Buses route 177 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:Route 177 came about as part of the replacement of London's trams in 1952...
, 291, 386, 469, 24-hour routes 53
London Buses route 53
London Buses route 53 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Stagecoach London.-History:...
, 472 school routes 601, 602, 625 and 672.
The current PVR is 162.
History
Plumstead is well sited to serve the growing area of Thamesmead, and was built in 1981 to replace the existing Plumstead and Abbey Wood garages and was intended to be called Thamesmead. Built to hold 185 buses at a cost of £6M, when opened in 1981 it had an allocation entirely made up of MCW MetropolitanScania Metropolitan
The Scania Metropolitan was the first double decker bus model built jointly by MCW and Scania division of Saab-Scania. It was built between 1973 and 1978.It was also the second bus model jointly built by these two companies...
s, and by 1983 had changed entirely to Titans. PD has never quite reached its capacity, although in 2001 it had grown to 159 and today's allocation is 186. The garage was home to 35 Mercedes Benz articulated buses that worked on route 453 between 2003 and 2008.
London Central
London Central
London Central is one of many operators of London Buses. It was established in late 1988 as one of 12 operating subsidiaries of London Buses Limited , and was privatised to the Go-Ahead Group in September 1994...
have successfully gained the contract for route 625 and from 31 December 2011, it will be operated from their Bexleyheath (BX) garage.
Bus types in use
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 9.4m for route 386.
- Alexander Dennis Enviro400 10.2m for routes 53 and 99.
- 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 122, 472, 601, 602, 625, 672 and as trainer. - Dennis Dart SLF 9.4m / Plaxton Pointer 2 for route 291.
- 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 51, 96 and 177. - 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 469.