Places to view London Buses

[borneobus]

I thought a thread about good locations to view London buses may be of interest to some forum members. I cannot readily find a thread so I’ve have started one. I’ll kick off with one or two locations and if it’s ‘on your manor’ please feel free to add information and correct as appropriate. If anyone has a request and I’ve been there fairly recently I will be happy to include.

In short, I enjoy undertaking analysis of different locations and trying to sleuth out the ‘sweet-spot’ in a locality to view buses taking into account, for example one way systems and the like, and then visiting the location. www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm is a great source of information as is Google Maps and Streetview. I know that TfL at times take some stick on the forum but the interactive bus maps they provide by route and location down to bus stop level are excellent and I cannot find any other UK operator providing similar (but there probably is).

…one thing I almost forgot to mention is that I’ll leave the expert and professional bus photographers to pass judgement and share information on the best locations for bus photo opportunities.

I'll add a post about Wallington (below).

[borneobus]

LOCATION: WALLINGTON
South of station by crossroads of A237 (Woodcote Road) and B271 (Stanley Park Road / Stafford Road)

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME - courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
127 / Go-Ahead / C / 17 / 10 / Purley - Woodcote Green - Wallington - Carshalton - Mitcham – Tooting
151 / Go-Ahead / A / 14 / 10 / Worcester Park - North Cheam - Cheam - Sutton - Hackbridge – Wallington
154 / Go-Ahead / A / 17 / 10 / Morden - Sutton - Carshalton Beeches - Wallington - Roundshaw – Croydon
157 / Arriva / N / 18 / 12 / Morden - Carshalton - Wallington - West Croydon - Selhurst - Anerley - Crystal Palace
410 / Arriva / TH / 18 / 10 / Wallington - Waddon - Croydon - Norwood Junction - Crystal Palace
455 / Go-Ahead / C / 11 / 20 / Canons Hill - Purley - Croydon - Waddon Marsh - Beddington – Wallington
463 / Go-Ahead / C / 9 / 20 / Coulsdon South Station - Wallington – Beddington - Mitcham Common – Pollards Hill
S4 / Abellio / BC / 6 / 30 / Roundshaw - Wallington – Carshalton - Belmont - Sutton - St Helier

8 Routes / 3 Operators / 5 Garages / Total PVR = 110 / Bus Departures per hour = 62

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Far from the busiest London location but plenty of variety including a partial allocation (but for how much longer?) of Tridents (DOEs) on the 151 and 154. As I write this both the 151 and 154 are being operated today by a mix of E, DOE, WHV & WVL. You’re also likely to see some Arriva Streetlites (SLS) on the 410 and Go-Ahead Streetlites (WS) working the 463. The 127 remains varied with E, EH, WHV, WVL & WVN operating. Arguably the most interesting route is the 455, part operated by Optare Esteem ADL200s (SOEs from C), one of just a handful of routes (152.163 & 485(?) the others) where you can still see this bus in London. The 151 and 410 terminate just around the corner in Shotfield and you'll only see them on their departure whilst the 455 terminates at Wallington Station.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The location itself is fine; ample pavement space and few pedestrians, with plenty of refreshment stop opportunities between the crossroads and the station. You can opt to view from the ‘High Street’ adjacent to Station Approach, the trade-off being that the 154 does not operate here.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail to Wallington (WLT) and 5 minute walk south
3) By Car (Car Park accessed via Shotfield and 2 minute walk or there is some unrestricted on-street parking in residential roads off Woodcote Road)

[borneobus]

For the second report I head north of the river…

LOCATION: STAMFORD HILL
At the major intersection of A10 (Stamford Hill) and A107 (Amhurst Park / Clapton Common)

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
67 / Go-Ahead / NP / 12 / 10 / Wood Green - West Green - Stoke Newington - Dalston Junction
76 / Go-Ahead / NP / 19 / 10 / Tottenham Hale - Stamford Hill - Stoke Newington - Hoxton - St Paul's - Waterloo
149 / Arriva / AR / 29 / 8 / Edmonton Green - Stamford Hill - Stoke Newington - Dalston - Shoreditch - London Bridge
243 / Arriva / AR / 27 / 8 / Wood Green - Tottenham - Stoke Newington - Shoreditch - Aldwych - Waterloo
253 / Arriva / CT / 19 / 8 / Hackney - Clapton - Stamford Hill - Finsbury Park - Holloway - Camden Town - Euston - Tottenham Court Road
254 / Arriva / AE / 23 / 8 / Holloway - Finsbury Park - Stamford Hill - Clapton - Hackney - Whitechapel - Aldgate
318 / Arriva / AR / 9 / 12 / North Middlesex Hospital - Tottenham - South Tottenham - Stamford Hill
349 / Arriva / E / 13 / 11 / Ponders End - Edmonton - Tottenham - Stamford Hill
476 / Go-Ahead / NP / 15 / 10 / Northumberland Park - Tottenham - Stamford Hill - Stoke Newington - Islington - King's Cross

9 Routes / 2 Operators / 5 Garages / Total PVR = 166 / Bus Departures per hour = 106

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
A fairly busy location, both bus and traffic wise and if you like New Routemasters this is a place for you! Six NRM routes (67/76/149/253/254/349) comprise 69% of the PVR and 70% of bus departures at Stamford Hill however the 349 is of course under threat…From the passenger statistics I have from 2020/21 the 149 was the 2nd busiest route with just over six million annual passengers but has since been hit with a PVR cut (together with other routes that serve Stamford Hill). Other busy routes operating here are 243 (12th busiest), 254 (13th) and 253 (14th). The two non NRM double-decker routes are operated by Arriva Gemini 3s (HVs) on 243 and Go-Ahead Eclipse Gemini 2s (WVNs) on 476. The sole single-deck route (318) is the most interesting as the Arriva 57 plate ADL200s (ENs) soldier on and are pretty much the oldest buses currently in London service. The 318 heads east of the main A10 just north of the intersection along Egerton Road before arriving at the final stop in Rookwood Road (by the closed SF garage). On departure, the 318 navigates the intersection to head back north so this is the easiest way to view this route.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A good location with a moderate number of pedestrians but there are wide pavements with plenty of space and doesn’t feel crowded. For refreshments there’s a Sainsbury’s on the south-west side of the intersection and you’ll find public toilets on the north-west side of the intersection.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail to Stamford Hill (SMH) and a five minute walk
3) By Car Inside the ULEZ zone, you may be lucky and find a space in the limited unrestricted on-street parking on the east side of the A10 a few streets back from Clapton Common

[borneobus]

The third location sees me not too far from home…

LOCATION: HAYES & HARLINGTON STATION
Just north of the station on Station Road

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
90 / Metroline / AH / 16 / 10 / Northolt - Wood End - Hayes - Harlington - Hatton Cross - Feltham
140 / Metroline / HD / 21 / 8 / Harrow Weald - Wealdstone - Harrow - South Harrow - Northolt - Yeading - Hayes
195 / Abellio / GW / 15 / 13 / Charville Lane - Hayes - Southall - Ealing Hospital - Hanwell - Boston Manor - Brentford
278 / Abellio / DH / 10 / 15 / Ruislip - Ickenham - Hillingdon - Hayes End - Hayes - Harlington - Heathrow Airport Central
350 / Abellio / DH / 5 / 20 / Hayes - Stockley Park - West Drayton - Harmondsworth - Colnbrook By-Pass – Heathrow T5
E6 / Metroline / G / 11 / 12 / Bulls Bridge Tesco - Hayes - Yeading - Greenford - Greenford Station
H98 / RATP / AV / 13 / 10 / Hayes End Kingsway - Wood End - Hayes - Harlington - Cranford - Hounslow West - Hounslow
U4 / Metroline / UX / 12 / 10 / Prologis Park - Hayes - Colham Green - Kingston Lane - Uxbridge
U5 / Abellio / DH / 11 / 12 / Hayes - Stockley Park - West Drayton - Colham Green - Cowley - Uxbridge
X140 / RATP / SO / 10 / 12 / Harrow - South Harrow - Northolt - Hayes - Harlington - Heathrow Airport Central

10 Routes / 3 Operators / 8 Garages / Total PVR = 124 / Bus Departures per hour = 92

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
A reasonable mix of operators, bus types, garages and routes serving Uxbridge to the north-west, Harrow to the north, Southall to the east, Heathrow Airport to the south and West Drayton to the west. The obvious place to start are the two routes to have gone electric in the last year: first the excellent X140 route (just two stops to Heathrow and nine to Harrow Bus Station with the bonus of many bus lanes in the rush hour) that readers will be aware transferred from Metroline to RATP not so long ago and now operated from SO with BCEs. Second, and more recently the U5 operated by Abellio Enviro 400 EV City 3431-3441 (at time of writing still awaiting 3430 to finally enter service) from the new DH garage on the outskirts of Hayes. The busiest route serving H&H is the 140, that’s the 15th busiest TfL route and operated normally by Metroline VWHs but the most interesting route is the H98 as it’s operated by RATP Scanias (SPs) from AV: I know the Scanias receive mixed reviews on the forum but we’ll miss `em when they’ve gone! Of the single-deckers the 195 is only the 144th busiest TfL route but I can only find two busier single-deck routes (W15 & 235).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A busy station that feeds / and is fed by many bus journeys made from/to Bus Stops outside the new Elizabeth Line station frontage that results, particularly at peak times in many pedestrians both walking and waiting for buses. In terms of refreshments, there’s a Tesco Express just to the north of the station and if you continue walking north, over the Grand Union past Barclays Bank you’re in a ‘High Street’ with a selection of the usual eating / coffee shop outlets.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail Elizabeth Line to Hayes & Harlington Station (HAY) on a class 345
3) By Car (not recommended) but you may be able to find on-street parking a 15-20 minute walk from the station
4) By Bike (personally recommended!) navigating the towpath on the Grand Union Canal

[borneobus]

Today, we are a stone’s throw from the O2 but sadly it’s not 2007 and Led Zeppelin are playing their one-off reunion concert here…

LOCATION: NORTH GREENWICH STATION
Outside the LU station

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
108 / Go-Ahead / MG/NX / 18 / 10 / Lewisham - Blackheath - North Greenwich - Bow - Stratford City - Stratford Int Stn
129 / Go-Ahead / MG / 7 / 13 / North Greenwich - Millennium Village - Greenwich - Lewisham
132 / Go-Ahead / BX / 16 / 10 / Bexleyheath - Bexley - Eltham - Kidbrooke - Blackheath - North Greenwich
161 / Stagecoach / PD / 16 / 10 / Chislehurst - Mottingham - Eltham - QEH - Woolwich - New Charlton - North Greenwich
180 / Stagecoach / PD / 17 / 10 / Erith Quarry - Thamesmead East - Abbey Wood - Plumstead - Woolwich - New Charlton - North Greenwich
188 / Go-Ahead / Q / 21 / 8 / North Greenwich - Surrey Quays - Bermondsey - E&C - Waterloo - Aldwych - Holborn - Russell Square
335 / Arriva / DT / 7 / 12 / Kidbrooke - Blackheath Royal Standard - Millennium Village - North Greenwich
422 / Stagecoach / PD / 16 / 10 / Bexleyheath - East Wickham - Plumstead - Woolwich - Charlton - Blackheath - North Greenwich
472 / Stagecoach / PD / 16 / 8 / Abbey Wood - Crossway - Thamesmead - Woolwich - New Charlton - North Greenwich
486 / Go-Ahead / BX / 14 / 10 / Bexleyheath - Welling - Shooters Hill - QEH - Charlton Village - New Charlton - North Greenwich

10 Routes / 3 Operators / 6 Garages / Total PVR = 148 / Bus Departures per hour = 66

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
In terms of bus departure percentage by operator, it’s Go-Ahead (55%), followed by Stagecoach (38%) with Arriva and their sole route (335) making up the remaining 7%. Two routes have recently received new-build electric buses which are the 180 (re-routed to North Greenwich in May) and more recently Go-Ahead ADL Enviro 400EV City (EP1-EP18) operating the 132 out of BX. Go-Ahead Eclipse Gemini 2s (WVLs) can still be seen operating 129 and 486 and Arriva (HV) operating 335. Mercedes Citaros are not common in London but there’s many to be seen operating the 108, which as well as being the only through route serving North Greenwich is also the only single-decker and there may even be one of the pair of elusive electric Irizrs operating (Ei1 has been VOR since June but Ei2 has been operating the route since July after six months VOR). With the data I have the 472 is the busiest route at North Greenwich with just over three million passengers per annum – for context the busiest route (18) has just over double at six million.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For me this isn’t the most inspiring location, maybe it’s because it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the ‘High Street’ and just feels a little ‘sterile’. However, the good news is that you don’t need to fear inclement weather as you can enjoy the action in the dry inside the station entrance. There are limited opportunities at/near the station in terms of Food & Beverage but I think there is a Greggs. There is a WC in the station adjacent and before the entrance barriers ('landside' in airline parlance).

For a detailed critique about the bus operations layout here, refer to ronnie’s recent post
tangytango.proboards.com/thread/12439/bus-stations?page=6

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – LU (Jubilee Line)
3) By Car – Really wouldn’t be my choice!

[borneobus]

Time to venture into Central London…and to the point where Britain’s longest road, the A1 commences its 397 mile journey to Princes St, Edinburgh.

LOCATION: ANGEL
Just south of Angel Station at the intersection of the A501 (Pentonville Road / City Road) and St. John Street / A1 (Islington High St)

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
4 / Metroline / HT / 17 / 10 / Archway - Tufnell Park - Finsbury Park - Highbury - Islington - St Paul's - Blackfriars
19 / Arriva / AR / 21 / 8.5 / Battersea Bridge - Chelsea - Hyde Park Corner - Piccadilly Circus - Holborn - Islington - Highbury - Finsbury Park
30 / Metroline / KC / 19 / 10 / Hackney Wick - Hackney - Highbury - Islington - King's Cross - Euston - Baker Street - Marble Arch
38 / Arriva / CT / 36 / 5 / Clapton - Hackney - Islington - Holborn - Piccadilly Circus - Hyde Park Corner - Victoria
43 / Metroline / HT / 26 / 8 / Friern Barnet - Muswell Hill - Archway - Holloway - Highbury - Islington - Moorgate - Bank - London Bridge
56 / Stagecoach / T / 19 / 8 / Whipps Cross - Leyton Green - Clapton - Hackney Downs - Islington - Goswell Road - Smithfield
73 / Arriva / CT / 29 / 6 / Stoke Newington - Islington - King's Cross - Tottenham Court Road - Oxford Circus
153 / Go-Ahead / RA / 11 / 12 / Finsbury Park - Holloway - Barnsbury - Islington - Smithfield - Barbican - Moorgate - Liverpool Street Station
205 / Stagecoach / BW / 21 / 10 / Bow - Mile End - Whitechapel - Aldgate - Liverpool Street Station - Shoreditch - Angel - King's Cross - Euston - Marylebone - Paddington
214 / Go-Ahead / NP / 19 / 7.5 / Highgate - Parliament Hill - Camden Town - St Pancras - King's Cross - Islington - Moorgate
274 / Metroline / KC / 13 / 12 / Lancaster Gate - Marble Arch - Baker Street - Primrose Hill - Camden Town - Barnsbury - Islington
341 / Arriva / AR / 19 / 12 / Lea Valley - Tottenham - Harringay - Manor House - Islington - Farringdon - Aldwych - Waterloo
394 / Stagecoach / HK / 10 / 12 / Homerton Hospital - South Hackney - Broadway Market - Haggerston - Hoxton - Islington
476 / Go-Ahead / NP / 15 / 10 / Northumberland Park - Tottenham - Stamford Hill - Stoke Newington - Islington - King's Cross

14 Routes / 4 Operators / 9 Garages / Total PVR = 275 / Bus Departures per hour = 167

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Lots of long-established routes including 19, 38 and 73 all operated by New Routemasters, and despite the Central London PVR cuts the 38 remains the route with the highest PVR, whilst the 19 is the only route serving Angel to venture south of the river…but only just…Battersea Bridge-South Side. With the opening of Elizabeth Line, there’s been speculation on the forum about the 205’s future but for now, this useful route continues to venture west from Angel towards King’s Cross and east towards Old Street and Liverpool Street. Three electric routes serve Angel: Metroline’s BDEs head north to leafy North London’s Muswell Hill and Frien Barnet whilst Go-Ahead operate the 153 and 214 with single deck SEe. Staying with Go-Ahead, Northumberland Park based Eclipse Gemini 2s WVN1-WVN17 are dedicated to route 476. Both KC routes (30 & 274) serve Angel with 2018 Metroline VMHs – the 274 terminates at Angel and the (now) Stagecoach operated 394 is the third single deck route to serve Angel and terminates around the corner, a couple of stops away in Tolpuddle Street.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I really like this location, it’s interesting and busy from a bus perspective and the area has lots of character. On the south side, there’s plenty of pavement space and not many pedestrians. Regarding buses it’s very busy but as context the PVR of 275 represents a fall of 11% compared with the late 2020 PVR of 310 as Central London bus cuts have bitten and must mention that 30, 274. & 476 turn early off Pentonville Road onto Baron Street as they thread their way to Angel Station so you’ll only see these three routes southbound and that’s reflected in the “Bus Departures per Hour” total. Shamefully, I didn’t know why “Angel” is Angel but apparently the name dates back to 1614 and the name of an inn on the site. Take a look at the north-west side of the junction: the imposing and historic building dates back to 1903 and was originally the Angel Hotel later becoming a Lyons teahouse, the building is Grade II listed and is currently a Co-op bank. Changing the subject, if you need to pick up a “Meal Deal” take a very short walk north and then head west down Liverpool Road where there’s a Waitrose and a Sainsbury’s.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – LU (Northern Line)

[snowman]

Sept 10, 2022 6:42:05 GMT borneobus said:

Time to venture into Central London…and to the point where Britain’s longest road, the A1 commences its 397 mile journey to Princes St, Edinburgh.

LOCATION: ANGEL
Just south of Angel Station at the intersection of the A501 (Pentonville Road / City Road) and St. John Street / A1 (Islington High St)

Doesn’t the A1 commence in the city, I am sure when I worked in the City (late 1980s) it was signposted from the A4 at Cannon Street corner of St Pauls Cathedral (I think road is called New Change) then ran St Martins le Grande and Aldersgate Street to Angel.

The A40 used to be signposted from Cheapside and ran via Oxford Circus

[borneobus]

Sept 10, 2022 8:36:02 GMT snowman said:

Sept 10, 2022 6:42:05 GMT borneobus said:

Time to venture into Central London…and to the point where Britain’s longest road, the A1 commences its 397 mile journey to Princes St, Edinburgh.

LOCATION: ANGEL
Just south of Angel Station at the intersection of the A501 (Pentonville Road / City Road) and St. John Street / A1 (Islington High St)

Doesn’t the A1 commence in the city, I am sure when I worked in the City (late 1980s) it was signposted from the A4 at Cannon Street corner of St Pauls Cathedral (I think road is called New Change) then ran St Martins le Grande and Aldersgate Street to Angel.

The A40 used to be signposted from Cheapside and ran via Oxford Circus

Thanks - have re-checked Google Maps + Wikipedia and you're quite correct - "New Change in the City of London at St. Paul's Cathedral" - this makes perfect sense for the road to run from the heart of the City of London to the heart of the City of Edinburgh.

[borneobus]

Today, a day out in East London

LOCATION: BARKING STATION
On the corner of Salisbury Avenue, that’s almost opposite Barking Station.

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
5 / Go-Ahead / RR / 30 / 7 / Romford - Queen's Hospital - Becontree Heath - Longbridge Road - Barking - Plaistow - Canning Town
62 / Stagecoach / BK / 16 / 10 / Marks Gate - Chadwell Heath - Becontree - Barking - Gascoigne Estate
169 / Stagecoach / BK / 14 / 10 / Clayhall - Barkingside - Ley Street - Ilford - Barking
238 / Stagecoach / WH / 12 / 10 / Barking - East Ham - Plashet - Upton - Stratford
287 / Stagecoach / RM / 7 / 15 / Abbey Wood Lane - Rainham - Dagenham Ripple Road - Rippleside - Barking
366 / Stagecoach / BK / 18 / 10 / Redbridge - Ilford - Barking - Beckton Sainsbury's - Gallions Reach Shopping Park - Cyprus - Beckton
368 / Arriva / DX / 10 / 10.5 / Chadwell Heath - Becontree Avenue - Rippleside - Barking - Harts Lane Estate
EL1 / Go-Ahead / RR / 19 / 5.5 / Barking Riverside - Barking Reach - Thames View Estate - Barking - Ilford Hill
EL2 / Go-Ahead / RR / 15 / 8 / Dagenham Dock - Thames View Estate - Barking - Longbridge Road - Becontree Heath
EL3 / Go-Ahead / RR / 14 / 10 / Little Heath - Goodmayes - Barking - Rippleside Thames Road - Barking Reach Mallards Road

10 Routes / 3 Operators / 5 Garages / Total PVR = 155 / Bus Departures per hour = 117

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Forum members will be aware that 51 New Routemasters (LT903-LT953) are based at River Road, painted in a special red/yellow colour scheme with ‘East London Transit’ titles to operate the three EL routes which have a combined PVR of 48 – there’s a fair chance of seeing most but not all as LT953 remains VOR (since March 2021). The routes are also supplemented with other RR non-branded NRMs that normally work the 15 (&5). Route EL1 with 3.2 million annual passengers is the 39th busiest TfL route and for data anoraks it’s the busiest prefixed route beating the W3 and E3 into second and third place. Maybe that will change with the recent opening of London Overground Barking Riverside (BGV) station? The EL1, EL2 & EL3 routes meet at Barking Station before following the same route south to Waverley Gardens in River Road just north of Go-Ahead’s large garage/yard here. Stagecoach’s BK garage is a short bus ride or a 15 minute walk away east up Longbridge Road but only three of their nine routes serve Barking Station. The busiest route here is the 5 and with just over 5 million passengers per annum, there are only four busier routes in London (18, 149, 29 & 279). The route is operated by a mixture of LT & EH but you could easily see an E, WHV or WVL operating. There are three terminators at Barking Station, all Stagecoach: 169, 238 and 287 and all rest at Longbridge Road just up the road from the station before re-commencing their duties. Arriva’s 368 in 2021 was predominantly operated by ADL400s (T) but now there’s a fairly even split with Gemini 2s (DW).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A busy, often very busy location in terms of both buses and pedestrians / bus users. I recall arriving at Barking Station one Saturday afternoon in October 2021 on Abellio ADL400 9406 operating Rail Replacement ‘DL-7’ and with Rail Replacement buses together with additional bus passengers displaced from the District Line plus the normal bus and pedestrian activity the station area was almost gridlocked on both road and pavement! There’s a Costa opposite the station and walk south and you’re very soon in a ‘High Street’ with all the normal food and beverage opportunities.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – LU (District / Hammersmith & City) / London Overground / c2c serve Barking (BKG)
3) By Car – Google Maps have several car parks marked on the south side of the station but surely bus or train is a far less stressful way to travel to Barking?

[borneobus]

Today, we’re just east of Watling Street (A5)

LOCATION: EDGWARE BUS STATION
Beside the LU station entrance.

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
32 / Metroline / EW / 17 / 8 / Edgware - Burnt Oak - Colindale - Cricklewood - Kilburn
79 / RATP / BT / 11 / 12 / Edgware - Canons Park - Queensbury - Kingsbury - Preston - Wembley - Alperton
107 / Metroline / EW / 11 / 15 / New Barnet Station - Barnet - Arkley - Borehamwood - Elstree - Edgware
113 / Metroline / EW / 23 / 7.5 / Edgware - Mill Hill - Hendon Way - Finchley Road - Baker Street - Oxford Circus
142 / RATP / BT / 16 / 12 / Watford - Bushey - Stanmore - Edgware - Burnt Oak - Colindale - Brent Cross
186 / Metroline / HD / 16 /12 / Northwick Park Hospital - Harrow - Wealdstone - Edgware - Mill Hill - Brent Cross
204 / Metroline / EW / 15 / 10 / Edgware - Burnt Oak - Colindale - Kingsbury - Preston - Wembley - Sudbury
221 / Arriva / WN / 23 / 8 / Edgware - Mill Hill - North Finchley - Friern Barnet - New Southgate - Wood Green - Turnpike Lane Station
240 / Metroline / EW / 8 / 15 / Edgware - Mill Hill - Mill Hill East - Holders Hill - Hendon - Golders Green
251 / RATP / BT / 13 / 12 / Edgware - Burnt Oak - Mill Hill - Totteridge - Whetstone - Arnos Grove
288 / RATP / CP / 7 / 10 / Broadfields - Edgware - Queensbury
292 / Metroline / HD / 7 / 20 / Rossington Avenue - Borehamwood - Barnet Gate - Edgware - Burnt Oak - Colindale
303 / RATP / CP / 7 / 15 / Edgware - Mill Hill - Grahame Park - Colindale - Princes Avenue - Kingsbury
340 / Arriva / AD / 9 / 12 / Edgware - Canons Park - Stanmore - Harrow Weald - Wealdstone - Harrow
384 / Metroline / PB / 8 / 20 / Cockfosters - Mount Pleasant - Barnet - Arkley - Barnet Gate - Edgware

15 Routes / 3 Operators / 7 Garages / Total PVR = 191 / Bus Departures per hour = 96

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Plenty of Metroline double-deckers including a mix of diesel and hybrid (TE/TEH/VW/VMH) on Edgware’s busiest route (32) and EvoSeti (VMH) on the 113 which is the second busiest route operating to Edgware. Currently there are no electric routes but forum members will be aware that the 204 will shortly convert with BDE2752-BDE2768 allocated to the route which will displace TE/TEH/VW that are currently operating. Metroline’s sole current single decker route is the 384, operated from PB with DEM. RATP also have a significant presence here and the shared Metroline/RATP EW/BT bus garage at the rear of the bus station together provide 60% of the total PVR that includes RATP’s 79 (operated by VH) and 142 (ADE & ADH). Arriva is the third operator and whereas the previously mentioned 32 and 113 are both key north-south trunk routes the 221, operated by Gemini 2s (HV) is similar but east-west heading east from Edgware to North Finchley before heading south-east, crossing the North Circular at New Southgate on its way to Turnpike Lane. The other Arriva route 340 used to be varied with the AD allocator assigning either ADL400s (T), Wright Streetdecks (SW1-SW10) or Gemini 2s (HV) but now the route appears to be a HV stronghold.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All of the services (11 terminators + 4 through routes) that serve Edgware Bus Station use the same entrance/exit located by the LU station entrance so it’s very easy to keep up with all the action. The bus station is situated next to The Broadwalk Shopping Centre and from the car park, there’s a view down into the BT half of the EW/BT garage. There’s also talk of redevelopment that will include merging of TfL property (excluding the LU station) with the shopping centre (link below). Overall, this is a pleasant, easy location to view buses with all the usual high street / shopping centre facilities on hand. I rather like the ‘retro’ feel of the station / bus station and I don’t think either have significantly changed in decades – I researched without success when the bus station commenced operations and it’s obviously some time post 1924 when the LU station opened “as the terminus of the Edgware branch of the Northern Line” – if I had to make a guess, I would say the current bus station dates back post-war to the 1950s but may be a forum member knows better?

tangytango.proboards.com/thread/12450/tfl-redevelop-edgware-bus-station

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – LU (Northern Line)
3) By Car – car park at Broadwalk Shopping Centre

[borneobus]

West London today

LOCATION: GREENFORD BROADWAY
The intersection of B455 (The Broadway / Ruislip Road East) and A4127 (Greenford Road)

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
92 / Metroline / G / 16 / 10 / Brent Park - Wembley Stadium - Wembley - Sudbury - Greenford - Ealing Hospital
95 / Metroline / G / 14 / 12 / Southall - Somerset Road - Greenford - Perivale - Western Avenue - White City Station - Shepherd's Bush
105 / RATP / WK / 14 / 12 / Greenford Station - Greenford - Somerset Road - Southall - Cranford - Heathrow Airport Central
282 / Metroline / G / 16 / 12 / Mount Vernon Hospital - Northwood - Northwood Hills - Eastcote - Northolt - Greenford - Ealing Hospital
E1 / RATP / AV / 8 / 10 / Greenford - Greenford Avenue - Drayton Green - Gordon Road - Ealing Haven Green
E2 / Metroline / AH / 16 / 8.5 / Greenford - Scotch Common - Eaton Rise - Ealing - West Ealing - Northfields - Brentford
E3 / RATP / V / 20 / 9 / Greenford - Hanwell - West Ealing - Northfields - Little Ealing - Acton - Turnham Green - Chiswick
E5 / Abellio / GW / 12 / 12 / Toplocks - Southall Green - Southall - Dormer's Wells - Greenford - Medway Estate - Perivale Tesco
E6 / Metroline / G / 11 / 12 / Bulls Bridge Tesco - Cranford Drive - Hayes - Yeading - Willow Tree Lane - Greenford - Greenford Station
E7 / Abellio / GW / 11 / 13 / Ruislip - Ruislip Gardens - Ruislip Road - Greenford - Argyle Road - West Ealing - Ealing
E9 / Metroline / G / 8 / 12 / Yeading Barnhill Estate - Ruislip Road - Greenford - Scotch Common - Eaton Rise - Ealing Haven Green
E10 / Abellio / GW / 8 / 15 / Islip Manor - Northolt - Smith's Farm - Ferrymead - Greenford - Castlebar Hill - Ealing
E11 / Abellio / GW / 5 / 20 / Greenford - Elthorne Heights - Castle Bar Park - West Ealing - Ealing - Warwick Drive

13 Routes / 3 Operators / 4 Garages / Total PVR = 159 / Bus Departures per hour = 101

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Regarding PVR, it’s pretty much an even half/quarter/quarter split between Metroline (51%), RATP (26%) and Abellio (23%). Unsurprisingly, Metroline’s local garage ‘G’ that’s a short walk south on Greenford Road operates a number of routes including the busiest Greenford route 92 that’s operated (for now) by ex First Enviro 400s TE1983-TE2000 (G if you no longer need `em, please transfer them to UX!), the 282 that’s operated predominantly by TEH with the odd stray TE and VMH, whilst the single deck 95 is operated by Enviro 200s (DE). VWs continue to operate the E2 out of AH but maybe they are on borrowed time? All four Abellio routes are operated from GW, all are single deck with the most noteworthy the E5 that’s operated by a dedicated batch of 13 ‘short’ 9.0 metre ADL Enviro 200 MMCs (8142-8154). RATP use ADH on E1, ADH/VH on the E3 and VH on the 105. Currently, there are no electrics operating at Greenford but it was recently announced that Abellio have retained routes E5 and E7 and will in future operate the routes with “New electric single deck” presumably to coincide with the new contract start date in May 2023.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There are four Greenford Broadway terminators E1, E2, E3 & E11: all arrive at Greenford Broadway from the east on Ruislip Road East setting down passengers at Clifton Road (south side) as the final stop. The routes then park up on bus stands in Otter Road and Windmill Lane (west side of Greenford Road) before resuming service where Clifton Road (north side) is the first stop for the new journey. Overall, I enjoy visiting this location – it’s fairly interesting, pleasant and there’s plenty of pavement space and never too busy with pedestrians. However, the Greenford Road can be horrendously busy traffic wise, particularly heading north towards the A40. There’s plenty of shops and best of all a perfectly located Costa on the south-west side of the intersection with tables and chairs outside.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – it’s a bus ride or 25 minute walk from LU (Central Line) which shares a station with Greenford (GFD) that’s the end of the branch line that you can join at West Ealing that routes Drayton Green – Castle Bar Park – South Greenford – Greenford – alternatively you could alight one station earlier at South Greenford (SGN) and it’s a 20 minute walk to Greenford Broadway
3) By Car – I’ve managed to park in residential non-restricted roads around Mornington Road that’s about a 10 minute walk to The Broadway

[borneobus]

Just a mile-and-a-half inside Greater London today...

LOCATION: CHIPPING BARNET
Barnet High Street just south-east of St. John the Baptist Church

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
34 / Arriva AD/EC / 22 / 8 / Barnet - Whetstone - Arnos Grove - Upper Edmonton - Walthamstow
107 / Metroline / EW / 11 / 15 / New Barnet Station - Barnet - Arkley - Borehamwood - Elstree - Edgware
184 / Go-Ahead / NP / 19 / 8.5 / Chipping Barnet - Barnet - New Barnet - East Barnet - South Barnet - Arnos Grove - Turnpike Lane
234 / Metroline / PB / 9 / 12 / Barnet - Whetstone - Friern Barnet - Coppetts Road - Muswell Hill - East Finchley Sussex Gardens
263 / Metroline / PB / 18 / 10 / Barnet Hospital - Barnet - Whetstone - North Finchley - East Finchley - Archway - Holloway - Highbury Barn
307 / Metroline / PB / 15 / 10 / Brimsdown - Ponders End - Enfield - Oakwood - East Barnet - New Barnet - Barnet - Barnet Hospital
326 / RATP / BT / 15 / 12 / Barnet - New Barnet - East Barnet - Whetstone - Finchley - Hendon - Brent Cross
383 / UNO / HF / 4 / 30 / Barnet - Oakleigh Park - Whetstone - Torrington Park - North Finchley - Finchley Memorial Hospital
384 / Metroline / PB / 8 / 20 / Cockfosters - Mount Pleasant - Barnet - Arkley - Barnet Gate - Edgware
389 / Sullivan / SM / 1 / 60 / Western Way - Barnet

10 Routes / 6 Operators / 8 Garages / Total PVR = 122 / Bus Departures per hour = 85

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
There are no fewer than SIX operators to be seen in Barnet High Street, or Chipping Barnet as the area is known. UNO’s only TfL route (383) operates south to New Barnet and Finchley on a half-hourly Mon-Sat basis using Enviro 200s 601-605 and you may also see Wright StreetLite 46 operating as well (from memory this still wears its Go-Ahead fleet number WS46). Also operated by StreetLite, Sullivan Buses operate the 389 on five hourly Monday-Saturday ‘shopping time’ journeys to High Barnet Station then south on Sherrard’s Way, a long residential road that’s not served by any other routes before coming to rest in Western Way then returning north to Barnet High Barnet Station this time via Grasvenor Avenue. Onto the four big players: Metroline have exactly half of the PVR total here and diesels (PB based TE/VW) continue to operate the 263 trunk-route south through Highgate, Archway down the Holloway Road to busy Highbury & Islington Station and also the 307 that terminates locally at Barnet Hospital. Metroline single deck routes (234 & 384) are also operated by PB (using Enviro 200s DE/DEM). Go-Ahead have one route, that’s currently the only electric route here (184) that NP operate with SEe. Arriva also have one route (34) operated by Gemini 3s (HV) that terminate at Barnet Church and park on the High Street by Fitzjohn Avenue before heading south-east on the 12 mile journey to Walthamstow and finally RATP also have one route (326) operated from BT garage by DE/DME that. The 326, together with aforementioned 234, 383 and 389 (and 399) all terminate (and park up on stands at the rear) at “The Spires”, a shopping centre just a five minute walk north.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A pleasant location that is reasonably busy and with six operators (which must be a current record unless you know better?) interest is maintained, together with the different bus types. There have been few pedestrians to coincide with my visits, so it's fairly relaxed and you won’t be surprised to learn that there’s plenty of local refreshment opportunities including a Tesco Express.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By LU (Northern Line) – High Barnet is 7-8 minute walk away
3) By Car – use The Spires multi-storey car park

[borneobus]

A rail / LU station with two separate bus locations to investigate.

LOCATION: FINSBURY PARK STAION
(initially) in front of the station at the intersection of Seven Sisters Road and Station Place

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
4 / Metroline / HT / 17 / 10 / Archway - Tufnell Park - Finsbury Park - Highbury - Islington - St Paul's - Blackfriars
19 /Arriva / AR / 21 / 10 / Battersea Bridge - Chelsea - Hyde Park Corner - Piccadilly Circus - Holborn - Islington - Highbury - Finsbury Park
29 / Arriva / WN / 31 / 6 / Wood Green Stn - Harringay - Manor House - Finsbury Park - Holloway - Camden Town - TCR - Trafalgar Sq
106 / Go-Ahead / NP / 14 / 10 / Finsbury Park - Stoke Newington - Clapton - Hackney - Bethnal Green - Whitechapel
153 / Go-Ahead / RA / 11 / 12 / Finsbury Park - Holloway - Barnsbury - Islington - Smithfield - Barbican - Moorgate - Liverpool Street Station
236 / Stagecoach / LI / 14 / 10 / Hackney Wick - Homerton - Hackney - Dalston - Kingsland - Newington Green - Canonbury - Finsbury Park
253 / Arriva / CT / 19 / 10 / Hackney - Clapton - Stamford Hill - Finsbury Park - Holloway - Camden Town - Euston - TCR
254 / Arriva / AE / 23 / 8 / Holloway - Finsbury Park - Stamford Hill - Clapton - Hackney - Whitechapel - Aldgate
259 /Arriva / EC / 16 / 10 / Edmonton Green - Tottenham - Finsbury Park - Holloway - King's Cross

9 Routes / 4 Operators / 9 Garages / Total PVR = 166 / Bus Departures per hour = 94

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
First we’ll focus on the five transitory routes that pass Finsbury Park Station on Seven Sisters Road. In what’s not a good start Metroline operate the 4 with hybrid Gemini 3s (VWHs) from HT but the route is under threat of being axed. The other four routes are very busy and all are in the Top 25 TfL routes (by passengers carried) with the 29 overall third busiest (in excess of 5 million pax per annum). HVs on 62 and 13 plates head south to Trafalgar Square and can later be seen heading home north to Wood Green garage who operate this Arriva route. The remaining three routes (253/254/259) are all operated by Arriva with New Routemasters.

Now to the ‘Bus Station’ in front of the station where the bus stops are named ‘Finsbury Park Interchange’ that’s home to the terminators. Go-Ahead 106 is operated with electric Enviro Citys, also Go-Ahead is the 153 that terminates here; formerly operated by NP, the 153 is now operated from RA with electric SEe. Staying with single deckers, having taking the route over in August from Tower Transit, Stagecoach operate the 236 with StreetLites together with some ‘stray’ Enviro 200s. The remaining terminator is another New Routemaster route (19).

When you’re ready, take a short two minute walk under the rail tracks along Stroud Green Road and stop by the first road on the left (Wells Terrace).

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
210 / Metroline / W / 14 / 10 / Brent Cross - Golders Green - Hampstead Heath - Archway - Hornsey Rise - Finsbury Park
W3 / Arriva / WN / 21 / 6 / Northumberland Park - White Hart Lane - Wood Green Station - Alexandra Palace - Hornsey - Finsbury Park
W7 / Metroline / HT / 17 / 6 / Muswell Hill - Crouch End - Finsbury Park

3 Routes / 2 Operators / 3 Garages / Total PVR = 52 / Bus Departures per hour = 26

The bus stands “Finsbury Park Station” in Wells Terrace host three terminating routes, all of which turn away from the station never passing the frontage so this is the only place at FP to view them. I like all three routes in terms of the buses that operate, the routes they follow and the places they serve en route (that include Hampstead Heath, Ally Pally and Muswell Hill). Arriva use WN Enviro 400s on the W3 (T201-T226) whilst Metroline use a mix of VW/TE/TEH on the 210 out of Cricklewood and best of all Holloway 10 & 12 plate VWs ‘survive’ on the W7, a short 15-20 minute route with its raison d’etre (at least early am) to feed the rail / LU station with passengers from Muswell Hill, Stroud Green and Crouch Hill – it’s instructive on a weekday rush-hour morning to watch the arrival every four to five minutes of W7s absolutely packed with passengers rushing to catch trains.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
An interesting an extremely busy location with people and buses everywhere, particularly in the rush hour. You can enjoy a caffeine fix at the Costa in front of the station.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – To Finsbury Park (FPK) or LU (Piccadilly and Victoria lines)
3) By Car – NO!

[borneobus]

South of the river today…but only just…

LOCATION: PUTNEY BRIDGE
I’m literally stood on Putney Bridge, just before the pair of bus stops ‘St. Mary’s Church / Putney Pier’ north of the intersection of A219 / Putney Hight Street and B306 / Lower Richmond Road.

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
14 / Go-Ahead / AF / 21 / 10 / Putney Heath - Putney - Fulham - South Ken - HPC - Piccadilly Circus - TCR - British Museum - Russell Square
22 / Go-Ahead / AF 17 / 10 / Putney Common - Putney Bridge - Parsons Green - Chelsea - HPC - Berkeley Square - Oxford Circus
39 / Go-Ahead / PL / 14 / 8 / Putney - Southfields - Wandsworth - Clapham Junction
74 / Go-Ahead / AF / 18 / 10 / Putney - Fulham Palace - Earl's Court - South Kensington - Marble Arch - Baker Street
85 / RATP / FW / 15 / 8 / Kingston - Kingston Hill - Roehampton Vale - Roehampton - Putney Heath - Putney
93 / Go-Ahead / A/SW / 23 / 6.5 / North Cheam - Morden - Wimbledon - Putney Heath - Putney
220 / RATP / RP / 24 / 8 / Harlesden - White City Station - Shepherd's Bush - Hammersmith - Putney Bridge - Wandsworth
265 / RATP / TV / 12 / 12 / Tolworth - New Malden Fountain - Kingston Vale - Roehampton - Putney Common - Putney Bridge
270 / Abellio / BC / 13 / 10 / Mitcham - Tooting - Earlsfield - Wandsworth - Putney Bridge
378 / Go-Ahead / AF / 4 / 15 / Mortlake - Barnes - Putney Common - Putney Bridge
424 / Go-Ahead / AF / 5 / 30 / Putney Heath - Putney - Parson's Green - Hurlingham - Fulham Broadway - Fulham Craven Cottage
430 / Go-Ahead / AF / 13 / 10 / Danebury Avenue - Roehampton - Putney - Fulham - Old Brompton Road - South Kensington
485 / Go-Ahead / PL / 4 / 30 / Wandsworth - Putney Church - Putney Common - Barnes Common - Barnes Pond - Castelnau

13 Routes / 3 Operators / 8 Garages / Total PVR = 183 / Bus Departures per hour = 149

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
I feel obliged to start with the four Go-Ahead routes that venture into Central London and which are so familiar to regular visitors to Kensington, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner etc. They are the 14, 22, 74, and 430; all are operated from Go-Ahead’s garage in Chelverton Road (AF), that’s no more than a 5-6 minute walk south on Putney High Street. Buses you’ll see on the routes include a mix of Enviro 400H MMCs (EH), EvoSeti (MHV), and Gemini 2s (WHV) that are all interchangeable between the routes. Forum members will be aware that sadly both the 14 & 74 are under threat of being axed and local MP Fleur Anderson is supporting the campaign to ‘save’ the routes. Heading south out of Putney is the 93, a busy and useful trunk route to Wimbledon, Morden and beyond. DOEs with their distinctive Optare Olympus bodywork can be seen (for now) on the route together with WHV & WVL. However, the busiest route serving Putney is the 220 although I suspect the majority of the traffic is carried on the Harlesden / White City / Shepherd’s Bush / Hammersmith section of the route. A mix of Park Royal based ADE/ADH/VH operate this RATP route. RATPs other DD route (85 operated by VH…and if you’re lucky, a stray Scania) has a totally different feel to the 220 heading south to leafy Roehampton, then down to Kingston University that’s on the east side of Richmond Park before Kingston Hospital and finally Kingston upon Thames town centre. Abellio maintains a presence in Putney with the 270, operating the route from their garage in Beddington Cross Industrial Estate.

For me personally, the most interesting routes are the five single-deck routes, four of which are operated by Go-Ahead. These are the 39, with 1.1 million passengers per annum, (and currently London’s lowest route number that’s operated by a single decker) and operated from Plough Lane/Waterside Way with Streetlites; the 424 is also operated by Streetlites and looking at the route, it provides a reasonably comprehensive tour of Parsons Green and Fulham before terminating aat Craven Cottage. the 378 is operated from AF by newish 19 plate Enviro 200 MMCs in the range SE293-SE303. It’s a lowly 501st in terms of busiest TfL route with 223k passengers per annum and links Mortlake and Putney never touching the dreaded A205 (South Circular) preferring the scenic view via Barnes Common. The reason for standing towards the south end of Putney Bridge is to view the 485 that heads east up Lower Richmond Road turning south down Putney High Street and accordingly never crossing Putney Bridge: last time I visited Putney Bridge Optare Esteems were operating the route but the remaining PL SOEs appear to have been either withdrawn or transferred. SOEs did operate sporadically in July and August but I think these were loans from AL. So, the mainstay of the route today is SEs. The route has just 66k passengers per annum and operates from Wandsworth to Hammersmith but of course has been curtailed at Castelnau since 2019 due to the closure of 135 years old Hammersmith Bridge…I wonder if and when it will ever be open again to bus traffic…? The one remaining route is the RATP operated (with DLEs) 265 that on a quiet Sunday morning must be a nice blast down the A3 to New Malden and Tolworth.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Quite a Go-Ahead stronghold: 9/13 routes and 65% of the PVR and an interesting and busy location – being beside the river is a really nice and recommended location and there’s hardly any pedestrians crossing Putney Bridge but be warned there’s no cover from the elements wind, rain …and if you’re lucky sun…you can take a stroll north across the bridge to Putney Bridge Station that possesses lots of character and is the terminus for 39, 85, 93, 265, 270, 378 and also the 414 not previously mentioned as it heads north from here to Marble Arch. If you choose to walk south down Putney High Street there are, needless to say plentiful refreshment options.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – LU (District Line) to Putney Bridge
3) By Car – There really are easier ways…

[borneobus]

A short and sweet visit to Hornchurch.

LOCATION: HORNCHURCH
Hornchurch Town Centre – A124 (High Street) / Station Lane

OPERATIONAL DETAILS MON-FRI DAYTIME courtesy of www.londonbusroutes.net/details.htm
Route / Operator / Garage / PVR / Frequency / Routing
165 / Stagecoach / RM / 12 / 12 / Abbey Wood Lane - Rainham - South Hornchurch - Elm Park - Hornchurch - Gidea Park - Romford Brewery
193 / Stagecoach / NS / 11 / 10 / County Park Estate - Emerson Park - Upminster Bridge - Hornchurch - Romford - Queen's Hospital
248 / Stagecoach / RM / 16 / 8 / Cranham - Upminster Park - Upminster - Hornchurch - Romford
252 / Stagecoach / RM / 12 / 10 / Collier Row - Mawney - Romford - Elm Park - Airfield Way - Hornchurch
256 / Stagecoach / RM / 11 / 10 / Noak Hill - Harold Hill - Harold Wood - Ardleigh Green - Hornchurch - Suttons Lane Miramar Way
370 / Arriva / GY / 11 / 15 / Lakeside - South Road - North Ockendon - Corbets Tey - Upminster - Hornchurch - Gidea Park - Romford
372 / Stagecoach / RM / 6 / 20 / Lakeside - Aveley - Wennington - Rainham - South Hornchurch - Elm Park - Abbs Cross - Hornchurch

7 Routes / 2 Operators / 3 Garages / Total PVR = 79 / Bus Departures per hour = 66

WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Stagecoach currently operate 86% of the total PVR serving Hornchurch but that changes in a week’s time on 24th September when Arriva assume responsibility for the 248. So that’s the obvious place to start and the key question is what will be the fate of the 58 plate Scanias that currently operate the 248? Presumably service outside London? Judging by the comments on the forum the Scania is ‘marmite’ (love ‘em or hate ‘em) but for me it will be a shame to see them go – just glad I managed to get a ride on 15001 on 248 a couple of months back. There have been reports on the forum of route and type training underway on the New Routemasters that Arriva will operate on the route. There’s not too much to say about the other routes save 165 & 193 are single deckers and Arriva’s 370 operates with Gemini 2s (DW) to Upminster then south through North and South Ockenden to Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock. The terminators (252 & 372) park up adjacent to where I stood to view the action by the ‘Hornchurch Town Centre’ bus stops.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A very easy, and stress-free location, there’s even some public benches to sit on outside “Sutton Arms” & “Best Sellers”; you can of course view most of this action in Romford, but Hornchurch is a different location to visit and for refreshments, there’s a Greggs, Costa and Subway a one minute walk away.

GETTING THERE
1) By Bus!
2) By Rail – London Overground via Emerson Park (EMP) and a 10 minute walk or London Underground (District Line) to Hornchurch and a 10 minute walk
3) By Car – There’s a public car park in Fentiman way – which is just a three minute walk from the action