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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 suggestions relating to these should therefore be directed to TfL.
London Buses Customer Services, 4th Floor, Zone G7, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
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. The following routes are outside the London Buses network, and in these cases you should contact the operator directly: 8 (Arriva The Shires
Redline Buses evenings), 32 (Arriva Southern Counties), 51 (First Berkshire), 58 (First Berkshire), 60 (First Berkshire), 61 (First Berkshire), 71 (First Berkshire), 75 (First Berkshire), 76 (First Berkshire), 77 (First Berkshire), 78 (First Berkshire), 242 (Metroline / Sullivan Buses / Centrebus), 250 (Arriva East Herts & Essex / Regal Busways), 255 (Roadrunner), 265 (First Capital), 269 (Regal Busways), 305 (Bear Buses), 398 (Sullivan Buses), 400 (Metrobus), 402 (Arriva Southern Counties), 409 (Metrobus), 420 (Metrobus), 429 (Go-CoachHire), 441 (Abellio Surrey), 458 (Abellio Surrey), 459 (Abellio Surrey), 460 (Metrobus), 461 (Abellio Surrey), 477 (Arriva Kent & Medway), 505 (Network Harlow), 513 (Abellio Surrey), 514 (Abellio Surrey), 515 (Abellio Surrey), 515A (Abellio Surrey), 516 (Sunray Travel), 540 (Metrobus), 550 (Arriva The Shires), 551 (Sullivan Buses), 555 (Abellio Surrey), 557 (Abellio Surrey), 575 (Blue Triangle), 580 (Carousel Buses), 581 (Carousel Buses), 583 (Redline Buses), 610 (Uno), 614 (Uno), 615 (Uno), 644 (Uno), 724 (Network Harlow), 740 (Carousel Buses), 812 (CT Plus), A30 (Carousel Buses), A40 (Carousel Buses), E16 (Quality Line), KU1 (Tellings-Golden Miller), KU2 (Tellings-Golden Miller), KU3 (Tellings-Golden Miller), R21 (Red Rose Travel), X80 (Ensignbus), 668 (Coaches Excetera), 820 (Metrobus), 866 (London General), 868 (Edward Thomas), R17 (Red Eagle), 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 AS AV BA BC BE BF BK BL BN BR BT BV BW BX C CN CT CY DM DT DX E EB EC EW FDP FW G GR GY HA HD HF HH HI HK HO HS HT HZ KC LI 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 RH 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 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, 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, and in some cases driver trainers etc. Please note that these figures include only the "main network" of TfL contracted or LLSA routes – some garages also operate non-TfL or non-London services, coaches, rail replacements etc. 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).

The data in this table is available as a CSV file, suitable for importing into spreadsheet programs such as MS Excel.

Abellio463 (6.09%)
Abellio London Ltd.301 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TF346 (4.55%)
QBBatterseaSilverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE35 156 211 344 414 452 C3 C10
Night routes: N35 344
141QB
BCBeddingtonUnit 10, Beddington Cross, Beddington Farm Road, Croydon, CR0 4XH3 152 157 322 407 434 P13
Night routes: N3
School/mobility routes: 407 931
82BC
WLWalworth301 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TF40 100 172 188 343 381 484
Night routes: 188 N343 N381
123WL
Abellio West London Ltd.301 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TF117 (1.54%)
BFByfleetUnit 20A Wintersells Road, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7LFOther routes: 441 458 459 461 513 514 515 515A 555 557 0TG
TFFulwellThe Old Tram Depot, Stanley Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5NP117 235 290 481 490 H20 H25 H26 R68 R70
School/mobility routes: 941 969
86TF
WSHayesWest London Coach Centre, North Hyde Gardens, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 4QT112 350 H28 U7 U9 31WS
Arriva1604 (21.11%)
Arriva East Herts & Essex Ltd.Fourth Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1DU0 (0.00%)
HAHarlowFourth Avenue, Harlow, EssexOther routes: 505 724 0HA
WEWareMarsh Lane, Ware, HertfordshireOther routes: 250 0WE
Arriva Kent & MedwayInvicta House, Armstrong Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6TY0 (0.00%)
NFNorthfleetLondon Road, Northfleet, Kent, DA11Other routes: 477 0NF
Arriva Kent ThamesideInvicta House, Armstrong Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6TY108 (1.42%)
DTDartfordCentral Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1126 160 233 286 428 492 B12 B13 B15 70DT
GYGraysUnit 7, Europa Park, London Road, Grays, Essex, RM20 4DB66 256 346 370 375 499 38GY
(SS)Southend20 Short Street, Southend on Sea, SS2 5BYLondon routes: none at present.0 
Arriva London North Ltd.16 Watsons Road, Wood Green, London, N22 7TZ920 (12.11%)
AEAsh GroveMare Street, South Hackney, London, E878 168 254 393 75AE
DXBarkingRipple Road, Barking128 135 150 173 275 325 462
Night routes: 128
School/mobility routes: 667
79DX
CTClapton15 Bohemia Place, Mare Street, London, E838 242 393
Night routes: N38 242
101CT
ECEdmontonUnit 1E, Towpath Road, Stonehill Business Park, London E420 34 379 382 397 444 W14 W15 W16
School/mobility routes: 657
95EC
EEnfieldSouthbury Road, Ponders End, EN1121 279 307 313 317 327 349 377 491
Night routes: N279
School/mobility routes: 313
107E
LVLeeside RoadLeeside Road, Tottenham, N17192 341 W3 W6
Night routes: 341
School/mobility routes: 628 653 683 688
72LV
ADPalmers GreenRegents Avenue, London, N13102 125 329
Night routes: 102
School/mobility routes: 629 634
53AD
SFStamford HillRookwood Road, London N1673 253
Night routes: N73 N253
78SF
ARTottenhamPhilip Lane, High Cross, London, N1541 76 123 149 243 318
Night routes: N41 N76 149 243
135AR
WNWood GreenJolly Butchers Hill, High Road, London, N2229 141 144 184 221
Night routes: N29
School/mobility routes: 184 617
125WN
Arriva London South Ltd.Bus Garage, Brighton Road, Croydon, CR2 6EL506 (6.66%)
BABatterseaHester Road, Battersea, London, SW11London routes: none at present.0BA
CNBeddingtonBeddington Farm Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0264 410 455
Night routes: 264
42CN
BNBrixton39 Streatham Hill, London, SW2
Outstation (rtes 59/319): Brixton Hill, SW2
19 59 137 159 319
Night routes: N19 159
135BN
TCCroydonBrighton Road, Croydon, CR2 6EL50 60 166 194 197 312 403 412 466 T31
Night routes: N133
School/mobility routes: 405 627 685
118TC
NNorwoodKnights Hill, London, SE272 133 176 249 415 417 432
Night routes: N2 N137 176
School/mobility routes: 690
120N
THThornton Heath719 London Road, Thornton Heath109 198 250 255 289 450
Night routes: N109 250
91TH
Arriva Southern CountiesInvicta House, Armstrong Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6TY0 (0.00%)
(ME)Maidstone London routes: none at present.0 
(TW)Tunbridge WellsSt. John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, KentOther routes: 402 0TS
Arriva The Shires Ltd.487 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8DS70 (0.92%)
WBHigh WycombeLincoln Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, HP12 3RHLondon routes: none at present.0HI
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/mobility routes: 640 642 H1
Other routes: 8 550
70GR
The Original Tour25 Jews Row, Wandsworth, SW180 (0.00%)
WDWandsworth25 Jews Row, Wandsworth, SW18London routes: none at present.0WD
RHRainhamDenver Industrial Estate, Ferry Lane, Rainham, Essex RM13 9DDLondon routes: none at present.0 
CT Plus63 (0.83%)
CT Plus Ltd2 Hertford Road, Dalston, London, N1 5SH63 (0.83%)
(HK)Ash GroveMare Street, South Hackney, London, E8London network routes: 153 212 385 388 394 W5 W12 W13
School/mobility routes: 675 W13
Other routes: 812
63HK
Ensignbus0 (0.00%)
Ensign Bus Co LtdJuliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Park, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4YF0 (0.00%)
(PT)PurfleetJuliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Park, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4YFOther routes: X80 0 
Epsom Buses/Quality Line58 (0.76%)
H. R. Richmond Ltd3 Roy Richmond Way, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9AF58 (0.76%)
(EB)Epsom3 Roy Richmond Way, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9AFLondon network routes: 404 406 411 418 463 467 470 K5 S1 S3 S4
School/mobility routes: 463 641
Other routes: E16
58EB
First923 (12.14%)
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 1XN0 (0.00%)
SHSloughStanley Cottages, Stoke Road, SloughOther routes: 51 58 60 61 71 75 76 77 78 0SH
First Capital East Ltd.
First Capital North Ltd.
3rd Floor B block, MacMillan House, Paddington, London, W2 1TY357 (4.70%)
DMDagenham73 Chequers Lane, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 6QJLondon network routes: 58 165 179 193 252 365 368 498
Night routes: 365
School/mobility routes: 370 498 608 646 648 652 656 679 686 953
Other routes: 265
82RN
LILea Interchange151 Ruckholt Road, Leyton, London, E10 5PB25 26 30 58 236 308 309 339 RV1 W11
Night routes: 25 N26 236
School/mobility routes: 686
167HO
NPNorthumberland ParkMarsh Lane, Tottenham, London, N1758 67 191 231 259 299 357 389 399 476 W4 W10
School/mobility routes: 616 692 699
108NP
First Centrewest London Buses Ltd3rd Floor B block, MacMillan House, Paddington, London, W2 1TY566 (7.45%)
ONAlpertonEaling Road, Alperton, Middlesex, HA083 223 224 245
Night routes: 83
66ON
ASAtlas RoadAtlas Road, Harlesden, London, NW1028 31 328
Night routes: N28 N31
73AS
GGreenfordCouncil Depot, Greenford Road, Greenford92 95 282 E1 E3 E5 E7 E9 E10 117G
HSHayesSwallowfield Way, Hayes195 207 427
Night routes: N207
71HZ
UXUxbridgeBakers Road, Uxbridge331 607 A10 U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U10 86UX
XWestbourne ParkGreat Western Road, London, W99 23 295
Night routes: 23 295
55X
WJWillesden JunctionStation Road, Harlesden, NW1018 187 226 228 487
Night routes: N18
98WJ
Tram Operations Limited22 Coomber Way, Beddington, Croydon, CR0 4TQ22 (0.29%)
(TK)Therapia Lane22 Coomber Way, Beddington, Croydon, CR0 4TQ1 2 3 22TK
Go-Ahead1639 (21.57%)
Blue Triangle Buses Ltd.18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN75 (0.99%)
BERainhamUnit 3C, Denver Trading Estate, Ferry Lane, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9BULondon network routes: 167 300 347 362 364 376 EL1 EL2 W19
Night routes: EL1
School/mobility routes: 649 650 651 674
Other routes: 575
75BE
Docklands Buses Limited18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN78 (1.03%)
SISilvertownFactory Road, Silvertown, London, E16276 425 474 549 D6 D7 D8
Night routes: 474 N551
School/mobility routes: 150 673
78SI
London Central Bus Co Ltd18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN501 (6.59%)
BXBexleyheathErith Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 6BX89 132 229 321 401 422 486 B11 B16
Night routes: N21 N89
School/mobility routes: 625 658 661 669
113BX
QCamberwell1 Warner Road, Camberwell, London, SE5 9LU12 42 45 68 185 360 468 P5 X68
Night routes: 12 N68
167Q
NXNew Cross208 New Cross Road, London, SE1421 36 108 129 171 225 321 436
Night routes: N21 36 108 N171 321
School/mobility routes: 621
151NX
PMPeckhamBlackpool Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SE36 37 63 363 P12 X68
Night routes: 36 37 N63
70PM
London General Transport Services Ltd18 Merton High Street, London, SW19 1DN694 (9.13%)
BVBelvedereBurts Wharf, Crabtree Manorway North, Belvedere, DA17 6BT180 244
Night routes: N1
School/mobility routes: 669
27BV
MWMandela Way (East)Mandela Way, SE1 5SS1 453 507 521
Night routes: N1 453
School/mobility routes: 624 658
58MW
MAMandela Way (West)5 Mandela Way, SE1 5SSLondon routes: none at present.0MA
ALMertonHigh Street, London, SW19 1DN22 44 77 118 155 163 164 200 201 219 270 280 355
Night routes: N155
School/mobility routes: 163 655
162AL
AFPutney10 Chelverton Road, London, SW15 1RN14 22 74 85 424 430
Night routes: 14 N22 N74 85
School/mobility routes: 670
112AF
SWStockwellBinfield Road, London, SW4 6ST11 24 87 88 170 196 315 333 337 345
Night routes: N11 24 N44 N87 88 345
School/mobility routes: 639 670
186SW
ASuttonBushey Road, Sutton, SM1 1QJLondon network routes: 80 93 151 154 164 213 413
Night routes: 93 N155 213
Other routes: 866
82A
PLWaterside WayWaterside Way, London, SW17 0HB39 485 G1 27PL
RAWaterlooCornwall Road, London, SE1 8TE507 521 40RA
Metrobus LtdWheatstone Close, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9UA291 (3.83%)
CYCrawleyWheatstone Close, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9UALondon network routes: 465
Other routes: 400 409 420 460 540 820
5MY
CCroydon134 Beddington Lane, Beddington, CR9 4ND64 75 119 127 130 202 293 359 405 T32 T33 X26
Night routes: N64
School/mobility routes: 293 612
115C
FDPFaraday Way (outstation of MB)Faraday Way, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3QRLondon routes: none at present.0 
MBOrpingtonOak Farm, Farnborough Hill, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6DA54 75 138 146 161 162 181 261 284 320 336 352 353 358 367 464 B14 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11
Night routes: 119
School/mobility routes: 654
171MB
Metroline1006 (13.24%)
Metroline Travel Ltd.329 Edgware Road, Dollis Hill, London, NW2 6JP1006 (13.24%)
AHBrentfordCommerce Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8LZ190 209 237 E2 E8
School/mobility routes: 609 635
72AH
WCricklewood329 Edgware Road, Dollis Hill, London, NW2 6JP16 32 139 189 210 266 316 332 C11
Night routes: 139 189 266
School/mobility routes: 632 643
176W
EWEdgwareApproach Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7AN107 113 186 204 240
Night routes: N5 N16 N98
School/mobility routes: 605 606
69EW
HDHarrow Weald467 High Road, Harrow Weald, Middlesex, HA3 6EJ140 182 H12
Night routes: N16 140
58HD
HTHolloway37A Pemberton Gardens, London, N19 5RR4 17 43 91 134 271 390 603 C2 W7
Night routes: N5 N20 43 N91 134 271 390 C2
School/mobility routes: 143
188HT
KCKing's CrossFreight Lane, London N146 214 274
Night routes: 214
52KC
NWNorth WembleyGEC Estate, East Lane, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7RQLondon routes: none at present.0NW
PBPotters BarHigh Street, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 5BELondon network routes: 82 84 217 234 263 383 384 W8 W9
Night routes: N20 N91
School/mobility routes: 626
Other routes: 242
108PB
PVPerivale (East)Alperton Lane, Western Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 8DW7 70 79 206 232
Night routes: N7 297
School/mobility routes: 611
71PV
PAPerivale (West)Unit 12, Perivale Industrial Park, Horsenden Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7RL90 105 143 297 326 395 E6
Night routes: 105
School/mobility routes: 143
92PA
ACWillesden287 High Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2JY6 52 98 260 302 460
Night routes: 6 N52 N98
120AC
RATP Dev693 (9.12%)
London United Busways LtdBusways House, Wellington Road, Fulwell, Middlesex, TW2 5NX693 (9.12%)
FWFulwellWellington Road, Fulwell, Middlesex, TW2 5NX65 71 110 131 216 267 281 371
Night routes: 65 281
School/mobility routes: 671 681 691
123FW
AVHounslowKingsley Road, Hounslow81 111 120 203 222 H32 H37 H98
Night routes: N9 27 111
School/mobility routes: 696 697
126AV
HHHounslow HeathTamian Way, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW4 6BL116 285 423 482 H22 H91
Night routes: 285
School/mobility routes: 698
70WK
PKPark RoyalAtlas Road, Harlesden, London, NW10 6DN272 283 440 C1 E11 53PK
SShepherd's BushWells Road, London, W1249 72 94 148 220
Night routes: 72 94 N97 148 220
114S
VStamford Brook72-74 Chiswick High Road, London, W49 10 27 391
Night routes: 10
92V
TVTolworthKingston Road, Tolworth57 265 K1 K2 K3 K4
Night routes: 57
School/mobility routes: 613 665 965
73TV
NCTwickenhamThe Skills Centre, Twickenham Trading Estate, Rugby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 1DU33 419 493
Night routes: 33
42NC
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 3ENLondon routes: none at present.0 
Stagecoach London999 (13.14%)
East London Bus & Coach Co. Ltd.Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London, E16 4SA613 (8.07%)
BKBarking205 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8UE5 15 62 101 145 169 366 387 396
Night routes: N15
School/mobility routes: 687
113BK
BWBowFairfield Road, Bow, London, E3 2QP8 15 205 277
Night routes: N8 205
99BW
TLeytonHigh Road, Leyton, London, E10 6AD48 55 56 97 215 230
Night routes: N55 69
107T
NSRomfordNorth Street, Romford, Essex, RM1 1DS86 103 175 247 294 296 496
Night routes: N86
School/mobility routes: 647
92NS
UUpton ParkRedclyffe Road, Upton Park, London, E6 1DSLondon routes: none at present.0U
WHWest HamStephenson Street, Canning Town, London, E16 4SA5 15 69 104 106 115 147 158 238 241 257 262 323 330 473 488 541 D3
Night routes: N15 277 N550
School/mobility routes: 678
202WH
East London Bus Ltd.Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London, E16 4SA46 (0.61%)
RMRainhamUnit 2, Albright Industrial Estate, Ferry Lane, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9BU174 248 287 372 46RM
South East London & Kent Bus Co. Ltd.Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London, E16 4SA340 (4.47%)
TBBromley111 Hastings Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 8NH61 208 227 246 269 314 354
School/mobility routes: 636 637 638 664
82TB
TLCatford180 Bromley Road, Catford, London, SE6 2XA47 124 136 178 199 273 356 380 P4
Night routes: N47 N136
School/mobility routes: 660
97TL
PDPlumsteadPettman Crescent, Plumstead, London, SE28 0BJ51 53 96 99 122 177 291 386 469 472
Night routes: 53 472
School/mobility routes: 601 602 672
161PD
Sullivan Buses5 (0.07%)
Sullivan Buses Ltd.First Floor, Deards House, South Mimms Service Area, St. Albans Road, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 3NE5 (0.07%)
SMSouth MimmsSouth Mimms Services, Potters Bar, HertsLondon network routes: 298
Other routes: 242 398 551
5SN
(TP)Thorpe ParkThorpe Park, Staines Road, Chertsey, KT16 8PHLondon routes: none at present.0 
Transdev125 (1.64%)
London Sovereign LimitedBusways House, Wellington Road, Fulwell, Middlesex, TW2 5NX125 (1.64%)
BTEdgwareApproach Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7AN13 114 183 251 292 324
Night routes: N13
82BT
SOHarrow331 Pinner Road, Harrow398 H9 H10 H11 H13 H14 H17 43SO
Uno0 (0.00%)
University Bus LtdCollege Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB0 (0.00%)
(HF)HatfieldGypsy Moth Avenue, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BSOther routes: 610 614 615 644 0UB

The grand total PVR is 7600.

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, Hounslow Heath code WK originates from Westlink, although parts of the company now use HH to distance themselves from some of Westlink's more dubious practices! FE comes from F. E. Thorpe & sons, sold out to Metroline; in this case TfL have changed the official code to a geographical one, PA. WS comes from Wings 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 former 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).

BT (London Sovereign, Edgware) originally came from Borehamwood Town, depot of the erstwhile BTS, which was subsequently bought out by Sovereign and re-located to Edgware. The code also rather conveniently former the first two letters of the company name, and was therefore adopted by LT.

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 02/02/2012 23:05:27

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