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London area operators and their garages

Contacts

Most bus routes in London are operated by various companies under management contracts to London Buses, part of Transport for London. Complaints, commendations, comments and suggestion relating to these should therefore be directed to TfL.
London Buses Customer Service Centre, 84 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PX
phone: 0845 300 7000
email: customerservices@tfl-buses.co.uk

For commercial or county council tendered routes, or for issues such as bus driver recruitment, contact the relevant company. For lost property, contact the company within 4 days of loss, or TfL's lost property office thereafter. London Buses is not responsible for the following routes: 8 (Arriva The Shires), 22 (Ensignbus), 58 (First Berkshire), 60 (First Berkshire), 61 (First Berkshire), 71 (First Berkshire), 75 (First Berkshire), 76 (First Berkshire), 77 (First Berkshire), 78 (First Berkshire), 218 (Travel Surrey), 242 (Metroline/Trustline), 250 (Arriva The Shires (M-S)
Regal Busways (Sun)), 305 (Arriva The Shires), 318 (Metroline), 346 (Metroline), 398 (Sullivan Buses), 409 (Metrobus), 410 (Southdown PSV), 411 (Metrobus), 420 (Metrobus), 423 (Arriva Kent Thameside), 441 (Travel Surrey), 451 (Travel Surrey), 459 (Redline Buses), 461 (Travel Surrey), 471 (Travel Surrey), 505 (Arriva EH&E), 513 (Travel Surrey), 514 (Travel Surrey), 515 (Travel Surrey), 515A (Travel Surrey), 555 (Travel Surrey), 557 (Travel Surrey), 581 (Carousel Buses), 610 (Uno), 615 (Uno), 620 (Ride Pegasus), 724 (Arriva EH&E), 895 (Sihota Coaches), A40 (Carousel Buses), E15 (Quality Line), E16 (Quality Line), ELC (Travel London), ELS (Travel London), ELW (First Capital), KU1 (Travel London), KU2 (Travel London), KU3 (Travel London), R21 (Red Rose Travel), W7 (Arriva The Shires), W9 (Arriva The Shires), X80 (Ensignbus), 84X (Metroline), 668 (London General), 801 (Atbus), 813 (Tellings-Golden Miller), 820 (London General), 866 (London General), in these cases you should contact the operator. Please check on the routes page if you don’t know the name of the operator of your route — the operators are named on the right.

If you do not receive a satisfactory response or resolution to your comments, you should contact:
London TravelWatch, 6 Middle Street, London EC1A 7JA
phone: 020 7505 9000
web: www.londontravelwatch.org.uk

Garage code index

These are the codes used in this site to identify bus garages, or official codes.
A AC AD AE AF AH AL AR AV BA BC BE BF BK BL BN BR BT BV BW BX C CN CT CY DC DM DN DT DX E EB EC EW EY FM FW G GR GY HA HC HD HF HH HI HK HM HO HR HS HT HY HZ IM IT KX LV MA MB ME MW MY N NC NF NP NS NW NX ON PA PB PD PK PL PM PT PV Q QB RA RM RN S SF SH SI SM SN SO SP SS SW T TB TC TF TG TH TK TL TP TS TV TW U UB UX V W WB WD WE WH WJ WK WL WN WR WS X

Operator & Garage list

The table below is arranged by operator, listed alphabetically according to fleet/trading name in bold. The addresses for the company headquarters are written in red underneath, alongside the legal company names.

The left hand column gives the reference code for the garage. These are usually offical codes used by the operators, but those written in parentheses are unofficial codes. The second column gives the name of the garage/operating centre, the third the address. Some of these operators have other garages that do not operate any London routes. You must remember that bus garages are private property, and if you wish to visit a depot you must obtain permission before entering the site.

The fourth column is the list of London area routes (excluding mobility buses), but in some cases the garages operate other bus routes, or other kinds of work such as coaching, which are not listed. Beware that just because a garage is shown as operating on a particular route does not mean it is the only, or the main, garage to do so. The fifth column is the garage PVR, or the maximum number of buses on the road on these routes at any one time. Of course, all garages have spare vehicles allocated in addition. Please note that these figures represent the routes listed on the site – so they may include some non-TfL services, but do not include other routes outside London. These figures are also subtotalled by company and by group.

The last column gives the official LBSL garage code (see foot of page for more information on garage codes).

More information on London bus garages in general can be found at Dennis Beckett’s dedicated site: London Bus Garages.

Airlinks0 (0.00%)
Airlinks the Airport Coach Company Ltd682 Armadale Road, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 0LW0 (0.00%)
(HC)Heathrow Coach CentreSipson Road, West Drayton, UB7 0HNLondon routes: none at present.0 
(FM)Feltham683 Armadale Road, North Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 0LWLondon routes: none at present.0 
(WR)West RampWest Ramp, HeathrowLondon routes: none at present.0HR
Arriva1460 (19.76%)
Arriva East Herts & Essex Ltd.Fourth Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1DU15 (0.20%)
WEWareMarsh Lane, Ware, HertfordshireLondon network routes: 327
Other routes: 724
9WE
HAHarlowFourth Avenue, Harlow, EssexLondon network routes: 500
Other routes: 505 724
6HA
Arriva London North Ltd.16 Watsons Road, Wood Green, London, N22 7TZ781 (10.57%)
ADPalmers GreenRegents Avenue, London, N13102 125 329
Night routes: 102
School routes: 617 629 634
56AD
AEAsh GroveMare Street, South Hackney, London, E838 393 59AE
ARTottenhamPhilip Lane, High Cross, London, N1541 76 123 168 243 318 W4
Night routes: N41 N73 N76 242
123AR
CTClapton15 Bohemia Place, Mare Street, London, E8London routes: none at present.0CT
DXBarkingRipple Road, Barking78 128 173 275 462
Night routes: 128
School routes: 212 651 667 673 675
59DX
EEnfieldSouthbury Road, Ponders End, EN1121 279 307 313 317 349 377 491
Night routes: N279
School routes: 313
98E
ECEdmontonUnit 1E, Towpath Road, Stonehill Business Park, London E420 29 34 379 382 397 444 W14 W15 W16
Night routes: N29
School routes: 657
120EC
LVLeeside RoadLeeside Road, Tottenham, N1773 149 192
Night routes: 149
82LV
SFStamford HillRookwood Road, London N16242 253 254
Night routes: N38 N253
76SF
WNWood GreenJolly Butchers Hill, High Road, London, N22141 144 184 221 298 W3
Night routes: 243
School routes: 184 628 683 688
108WN
Arriva London South Ltd.Bus Garage, Brighton Road, Croydon, CR2 6EL454 (6.15%)
BABatterseaHester Road, Battersea, London, SW1119 28BA
CNBeddingtonBeddington Farm Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0264 403 410 450 455
Night routes: 264
School routes: 627
63CN
BNBrixton39 Streatham Hill, London, SW2
Outstation (rtes 59/319): Brixton Hill, SW2
19 59 137 159 319
Night routes: N19 250
96BN
TCCroydonBrighton Road, Croydon, CR2 6EL50 60 159 166 194 197 312 407 412 T31
Night routes: N159
School routes: 407 612
100TC
NNorwoodKnights Hill, London, SE272 176 249 415 417 432
Night routes: N2 N137 176
School routes: 689 690
88N
THThornton Heath719 London Road, Thornton Heath109 159 198 250 255 289
Night routes: N159
79TH
Arriva Southern Counties
(Kent Thameside, Kent & Sussex, Medway Towns, Southend)
Invicta House, Armstrong Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6TY120 (1.62%)
DTDartfordCentral Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1126 160 162 233 286 428 492 B13 B15 74DT
GYGraysUnit 7, Europa Park, London Road, Grays, Essex, RM20 4DB256 346 370 498 27GY
HMHorsham1 Station Road, Warnham, Horsham, West Sussex, 465 5HM
NFNorthfleetLondon Road, Northfleet, Kent, DA11London network routes: 477
Other routes: 423
9NF
(TW)Tunbridge WellsSt. John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent402 5TS
(ME)Maidstone London routes: none at present.0 
(SS)Southend20 Short Street, Southend on Sea, SS2 5BYLondon routes: none at present.0 
Arriva The Shires Ltd.487 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8DS78 (1.06%)
GRWatford (Garston)Marshwood House, 934 St. Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD2 6NNLondon network routes: 142 258 268 288 303 305 340 H2 H3 H18 H19
School routes: 642 H1
Other routes: 8 W7 W9
75GR
WBHigh WycombeNewlands Bus Station, HP11 2HUU9 3HI
Arriva Wandsworth25 Jews Road, Wandsworth, SW1812 (0.16%)
WDWandsworth25 Jews Road, Wandsworth, SW18337 12WD
CT Plus36 (0.49%)
CT Plus Ltd2 Hertford Road, Dalston, London, N1 5SH36 (0.49%)
(DN)Dalston1 Hertford Road, Dalston, London, N1 5SHLondon routes: none at present.0HY
(HK)Ash GroveMare Street, South Hackney, London, E8153 388 394 W13 36HK
Ealing Community Transport14 (0.19%)
ECT Bus Community Interest CompanyCouncil Depot, Greenford Road, Greenford, UB6 9AN14 (0.19%)
(EY)GreenfordCouncil Depot, Greenford Road, Greenford, UB6 9AP195 14EY
East London Bus Group1072 (14.51%)
East London Bus & Coach Co. Ltd2 Clements Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1BA732 (9.91%)
BKBarking205 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8UE5 15 62 145 169 287 300 325 366 369 387 396
Night routes: N15 369
School routes: 687
127BK
BWBowFairfield Road, Bow, London, E3 2QP5 8 15 158 277
Night routes: N8 N15 277
101BW
NSRomfordNorth Street, Romford, Essex, RM1 1DS5 103 174 175 247 294 296 496
Night routes: N86
School routes: 608 647 674
95NS
RMRainhamUnit 2, Albright Industrial Estate, Ferry Lane, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9BU25 42RM
TLeytonHigh Road, Leyton, London, E10 6AD48 55 56 69 97 230
Night routes: N55 69
106T
UUpton ParkRedclyffe Road, Upton Park, London, E6 1DS101 104 115 147 238 262 330 376 473
Night routes: N50
112U
WHWest HamStephenson Street, Canning Town, London, E16 4SA26 30 86 106 241 257 276 D3
Night routes: N26
School routes: 678
149WH
South East London & Kent Bus Co. Ltd2 Clements Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1BA340 (4.60%)
PDPlumsteadPettman Crescent, Plumstead, London, SE28 0BJ53 96 99 122 177 291 386 472
Night routes: 53 472
School routes: 625 672
128PD
TBBromley111 Hastings Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 8NH61 208 227 269 314
School routes: 636 637 638 664
76TB
TLCatford180 Bromley Road, Catford, London, SE6 2XA47 54 75 124 136 178 199 202 273 380 P4
Night routes: N47 N136
School routes: 624 658 660
136TL
East Thames Buses94 (1.27%)
London Buses Limited172 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TN94 (1.27%)
MAMandela Way5 Mandela Way, SE1 5SS1 42 185 201 49MA
BVBelvedereBurts Wharf, Crabtree Manorway North, Belvedere, DA17 6BT108 132 180 185
Night routes: N1 108
School routes: 661 669
45BV
Ensignbus1 (0.01%)
Ensign Bus Co LtdJuliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Park, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4YF1 (0.01%)
(PT)PurfleetJuliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Park, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4YFOther routes: 22 X80 1 
Epsom Buses/Quality Line50 (0.68%)
H. R. Richmond LtdBlenheim Road, Longmead Estate, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9AF50 (0.68%)
(EB)EpsomBlenheim Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9AFLondon network routes: 293 404 406 418 463 470 S1 S3 S4
Other routes: E15 E16
50EB
First964 (13.05%)
First Beeline BracknellColdborough House, Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1JA0 (0.00%)
BLBracknellColdborough House, Market Street, BracknellLondon routes: none at present.0BR
First Beeline SloughBrunel Bus Station, Wellington Street, Slough, SL1 1XN32 (0.43%)
SHSloughStanley Cottages, Stoke Road, SloughOther routes: 58 60 61 71 75 76 77 78 32SH
First Capital East Ltd.3rd Floor B block, MacMillan House, Paddington, London, W2 1TY127 (1.72%)
DMDagenham73 Chequers Lane, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 6QJLondon network routes: 150 165 179 193 252 309 323 365 499 D6 D8
School routes: 370 646 649 650 652 656 679 686
Other routes: ELW
127RN
First Capital North Ltd.3rd Floor B block, MacMillan House, Paddington, London, W2 1TY235 (3.18%)
HOLea Interchange151 Ruckholt Road, Leyton, London, E10 5PB58 212 236 308 339 D7 RV1 S2 W11 W12
Night routes: 236
97HO
NPNorthumberland ParkMarsh Lane, Tottenham, London, N1767 91 191 215 259 299 341 357 385 389 399 476 W6 W10
Night routes: N91 341
School routes: 616 692 699
138NP
First Centrewest London Buses Ltd3rd Floor B block, MacMillan House, Paddington, London, W2 1TY570 (7.72%)
GGreenfordCouncil Depot, Greenford Road, Greenford95 105 282 E1 E3 E5 E7 E9 E10
Night routes: 105
113G
HSHayesSwallowfield Way, Hayes207 427
Night routes: N207
47HZ
ONAlpertonEaling Road, Alperton, Middlesex, HA079 83 92 223 224 487
Night routes: N18 83
79ON
UXUxbridgeBakers Road, Uxbridge331 607 A10 U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U10
Night routes: N207
82UX
WJWillesden JunctionStation Road, Harlesden, NW1018 187 226 PR2 65WJ
XWestbourne ParkGreat Western Road, London, W99 10 23 28 31 295 328 414
Night routes: N10 23 N28 N31 295
184X
Go-Ahead1490 (20.17%)
Blue Triangle Buses Ltd.18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN56 (0.76%)
BERainhamUnit 3C, Denver Trading Estate, Ferry Lane, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9BU66 248 347 362 364 368 372
School routes: 648
56BE
Docklands Buses Limited18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN30 (0.41%)
(DC)PoplarFactory Road, Silvertown, London, E16167 474 549 W19
Night routes: 474
30SI
London Central Bus Co Ltd18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN528 (7.15%)
BXBexleyheathErith Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 6BX51 89 229 244 401 422 469 486 B11 B12 B16
Night routes: N21 N89
School routes: 601 602
129BX
NXNew Cross208 New Cross Road, London, SE1421 36 171 172 225 321 436 C10
Night routes: N21 N171
School routes: 621
157NX
PMPeckhamBlackpool Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SE36 37 63 363 P12
Night routes: 36 37 N63
69PM
QCamberwell1 Warner Road, Camberwell, London, SE5 9LU12 35 40 45 68 360 468 484 P5 X68
Night routes: 12 N35 N68
173Q
London General Transport Services Ltd18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN626 (8.47%)
ASuttonBushey Road, Sutton, SM1 1QJLondon network routes: 80 93 151 154 163 164 213 413
Night routes: 93 N155 N213
Other routes: 820 866
84A
AFPutneyChelverton Road, London, SW4 6ST14 22 74 85 424 430
Night routes: 14 N22 N74 85
111AF
ALMertonHigh Street, London, SW19 1DNLondon network routes: 22 44 77 118 155 163 164 200 219 270 280 355
School routes: 163 655
Other routes: 668
150AL
MWMandela WayMandela Way, SE1 5SS133 453
Night routes: N133 453
School routes: 670
52MW
PLWaterside WayWaterside Way, London, SW17 0HB39 485 18PL
RAWaterlooCornwall Road, London, SE1 8TE507 521 28RA
SWStockwellBinfield Road, London, SW4 6ST11 24 87 88 170 196 315 322 333 345
Night routes: N11 24 N44 N87 88 345
School routes: 639 670
183SW
Metrobus LtdWheatstone Close, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9UA250 (3.38%)
CCroydon134 Beddington Lane, Beddington, CR9 4ND64 119 127 130 356 359 367 405 434 466 T32 T33 X26 98C
CYCrawleyWheatstone Close, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9UALondon network routes: 405
Other routes: 409 411 420
11MY
MBOrpingtonOak Farm, Farnborough Hill, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6DA138 146 161 181 246 261 284 320 336 352 353 354 358 464 B14 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R11
Night routes: 119
School routes: 654
141MB
Imperial0 (0.00%)
Imperial Bus CompanyUnit 1 Marsh View, Ferry Lane, Rainham0 (0.00%)
(IM)RainhamUnit 1 Marsh View, Ferry Lane, RainhamLondon routes: none at present.0IT
Transdev698 (9.45%)
London Sovereign LimitedBusways House, Wellington Road, Fulwell, Middlesex, TW2 5NX102 (1.38%)
SOHarrow331 Pinner Road, Harrow398 H9 H10 H11 H13 H14 H17 40SO
BTEdgwareApproach Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7AN13 114 183 292
Night routes: N13
62BT
London United Busways LtdBusways House, Wellington Road, Fulwell, Middlesex, TW2 5NX596 (8.07%)
AVHounslowKingsley Road, Hounslow9 27 81 110 111 120 203 222 H32 H37 H98
Night routes: N9 27 111
School routes: 696 697 698
128AV
FWFulwellWellington Road, Fulwell, Middlesex, TW2 5NX65 71 131 216 267 281 290 371
Night routes: 65 281
School routes: 371 671 681 691
122FW
HHHounslow HeathUnit 6 Pullborough Way, Green Lane, Hounslow116 285 411 423 482 H22 H91
Night routes: 285
School routes: 641
70WK
SShepherd's BushWells Road, London, W1249 72 94 148 220
Night routes: 72 94 N97 148 220
115S
TVTolworthKingston Road, Tolworth57 265 467 K1 K2 K3 K4 K5
Night routes: 57
School routes: 613 665
76TV
VStamford Brook72-74 Chiswick High Road, London, W49 27 148 283 391 85V
Metroline1007 (13.63%)
Metroline Travel Ltd.Hygeia House, 66 College Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 1BE1007 (13.63%)
ACWillesden287 High Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2JY6 52 98 260 302
Night routes: 6 N52 N98
114AC
EWEdgwareApproach Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7AN107 113 186 204 240
Night routes: N5 N16 N98
School routes: 605 606
67EW
HDHarrow Weald467 High Road, Harrow Weald, Middlesex, HA3 6EJ140 182 H12
Night routes: N16 140
School routes: 640
58HD
HTHolloway37A Pemberton Gardens, London, N19 5RR4 17 43 134 214 271 603 C2 W5 W7
Night routes: N5 N20 43 134 214 271 274 390 C2
School routes: 143 628 683 688
164HT
KXKing's CrossNorth London Freight Depot, York Way, London N1 0LW46 274 390 54KX
NWNorth WembleyGEC Estate, East Lane, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7RQ206 232 245 251 47NW
PBPotters BarHigh Street, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 5BELondon network routes: 82 84 217 231 234 263 384 W8 W9
Night routes: N20
School routes: 626
Other routes: 242 84X
107PB
PVPerivale (East)Alperton Lane, Western Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 8DW7 90 205 297 460
Night routes: N7 205
School routes: 611
89PV
WCricklewood329 Edgware Road, Dollis Hill, London, NW2 6JP16 32 139 189 266 316 332
Night routes: 139 189 266
School routes: 632 643
135W
PAPerivale (West)Unit 12, Perivale Industrial Park, Horsenden Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7RL70 143 210 326 C11 E6 88PA
AHBrentfordCommerce Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8LZ117 190 209 237 E2 E8
School routes: 609 635
84AH
NCP-Challenger62 (0.84%)
NCP Services21 Bryanston Street, London, W1H 7AB62 (0.84%)
NCTwickenhamThe Skills Centre, Twickenham Trading Estate, Rugby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 1DU33 419 493 41NC
PKPark RoyalAtlas Road, Harlesden, London, NW10 6DN272 440 E11 21PK
Southdown PSV0 (0.00%)
Southdown PSV LtdUnit 3 Silverwood, Snow Hill, Copthorne, West Sussex, RH10 3EN0 (0.00%)
(SP)CopthorneUnit 3 Silverwood, Snow Hill, Copthorne, West Sussex, RH10 3ENOther routes: 410 0 
Sullivan Buses6 (0.08%)
Sullivan Buses Ltd.First Floor, Deards House, South Mimms Service Area, St. Albans Road, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 3NE6 (0.08%)
SMSouth MimmsSouth Mimms Services, Potters Bar, HertsLondon network routes: 383
School routes: 606
Other routes: 398
6SN
(TP)Thorpe ParkThorpe Park, Staines Road, Chertsey, KT16 8PHLondon routes: none at present.0 
Tramtrack Croydon22 (0.30%)
(TK)Therapia Lane22 Coomber Way, Beddington, Croydon, CR01 2 3 22TK
Travel London403 (5.46%)
Travel London Ltd.301 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TF267 (3.61%)
BCBeddingtonUnit 10, Beddington Cross, Beddington Farm Road, Croydon, CR0 4XH3 152 157 G1 P13
Night routes: N3
67BC
QBBatterseaSilverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE156 211 344 452 C3
Night routes: N3 344
90QB
WLWalworth301 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TFLondon network routes: 100 129 188 343 381 C1
Night routes: 188 N343 N381
Other routes: ELC ELS
110WL
Travel London (West) Ltd.301 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TF136 (1.84%)
BFByfleetUnit 20A Wintersells Road, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7LFOther routes: 218 441 451 461 471 513 514 515 515A 555 557 33TG
TFFulwellThe Old Tram Depot, Stanley Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5NPLondon network routes: 235 481 490 H20 H25 H26 R68 R70
Other routes: KU1 KU2 KU3
76TF
WSHayesWest London Coach Centre, North Hyde Gardens, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 4QT112 350 H28 U7 27WS
Uno8 (0.11%)
University Bus LtdCollege Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB8 (0.11%)
(HF)HatfieldGypsy Moth Avenue, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BSLondon network routes: 614
Other routes: 610 615
8UB

The grand total PVR is 7387.

LBSL Codes

Every garage operating services that form part of the LBSL network is given an official LBSL garage code (right hand column). Such codes are given not only to garages running LBSL contracts, but also to those running commercial bus services under London Bus agreements. There is also a code for the Croydon Tramlink! The codes are used internally by LBSL, for administrative purposes.

Many operators also give their garages codes, sometimes for similar administrative reasons, or sometimes — particularly where they only have one garage — for "enthusiast reasons". These are not always the same as the LBSL codes, although they often are.

Many of the codes are long-established, going back to LBL (and in many cases LGOC) days, and are well-known among staff and enthusiasts. There is usually some sort of logic to the code allocated. In the early part of the 20th Century, the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) allocated its garages codes by going through the alphabet — initially A, B, C, etc; and then AA, AB, AC, etc. Codes allocated since often reflect the geographical name of the garage (e.g. Fulwell, Alperton, New Cross (NX)), although some have since been renamed (HT, Holloway, was called Highgate).

Since the start of tendering in 1985, some codes have also reflected the name of the owning company, examples being AH (Armchair, Brentford), EL (Eastern National, Chelmsford), BE (Blue Triangle, Rainham). Such company names may not still be in use today: DX (Arriva London North East, Barking) originates from Dix Travel, which was absorbed into Grey-Green, becoming their Dagenham operation, and subsequently relocated to Barking, and now absorbed by Arriva. Similarly BT (Sovereign, Edgware, and originally Borehamwood) comes from BTS, which was subsequently bought out by Sovereign, and Hounslow Heath code WK originates from Westlink. FE comes from F. E. Thorpe & sons, sold out to Metroline; in this case TfL have changed the official code to a geographical one. WS comes from Wngs of Uxbridge, who subsequently sold their bus operations to Tellings-Golden Miller (who used a code of TM internally), who in turn sold the operations to Travel London. The official code FR for Metrobus's Crayford base is especially obscure, referring to the original owner, one Chris Freeman of Freeman’s Coaches, which was absorbed into Crystals, which subsequently sold out to T-GM in 2003, who then sold it on to Metrobus in 2005! (Thanks to David Stewart of LOTS for that one.)

In several cases (TB/TC/TL and QB) the code reflects both the location (Bromley/Croydon/Lewisham (Catford), Battersea) and the original owning company (Tilling, Q-Drive).

Some garage codes have been used for more than one garage over the years, sometimes when an entire garage has moved such as at Peckham (PM), and sometimes when a code has been "dormant" for some years and then been reused. Some premises have had different codes at different times in their life, and indeed four (Edgware, Greenford, Fulwell and Ash Grove) currently have two codes simultaneously, one for each operator.

Thanks to David Connor for most of the above information.

Page generated 14/05/2008 17:51:07

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