The 242 was the first London route to be converted for operation by low floor double deckers. This was largely down to the fact that, while most operators had gone for Dennis or Volvo products, Arriva London has gone for the DAF, and in the event DAF was the first to have production chassis available. Another part of Arriva is the importer for DAF products to the UK, and there is a general preference within Arriva Passengers Services for DAF products.

Whereas DAF had just modified an existing chassis to low floor specification, both Dennis and Volvo were drawing up completely new designs, and were having teething troubles, hence the delay, particularly at Volvo. The DAF undoubtedly has more of a "proper bus" feel about it (together with a nice loud, low, horn to scare any errant motorists or pigeons!), although the Trident and B7TL are of course perfectly competent buses.

But the main reason for the delay at Dennis and Volvo was that those companies had been planning to use an "in-line" engine/driveline arrangement, which is cheaper and lower maintenance. But this was found to be impractical as it necessitated a long rear overhang, which could be prone to damage. DAF, on the other hand, always intended to use a transverse arrangement, so was not affected as the others were when it was decided to redesign the buses with transverse mounted engines.

Photo by Andrew Gronneberg.

Seen here is Arriva London's DLA 9; the buses for the 242 are DLA 2-21, based at Clapton. Although DLA 1 was built some time earlier, it did not enter service for several months, but is now at Wood Green.

The 242 route was formed by amalgamating the 22A and 22B routes; at one time the 22 bus had covered this ground between the West End and Clapton Park. Later the 22 spawned a 22A variant running to London Bridge and running further into Clapton Park, while the Piccadilly Circus to Clapton Park section of the 22 became the 22B. Later the 22B was diverted away from Piccadilly Circus to Tottenham Court Road Station, giving rise to the bizarre situation where the 22 was completely estranged from the 22B!

Latterly the 22A and 22B were operated by Kentish Bus — I once heard someone say "It's operated by Kent Buses — doesn't go anywhere near Kent though!" Initially KB had worked from a depot in Temple Mills, but later moved to the large Ash Grove/Cambridge Heath garage now used by East Thames Buses. But Kentish Bus became part of Arriva, most of its north east London work was lost, and the remainder was transferred to Arriva London. Moreover, the wheel has come full circle, with the 22A withdrawn, the 22B renumbered 242 and extended to replace the final bit of the 22A in Clapton Park.

Navigation

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Chronologically	W3	88
Numerically	240	243

See also routes 22