Abellio (London and Surrey)

History

The origins of Abellio can be traced back to June 1998 when National Express commenced operating routes C1 and 211 under the Travel London brand. In August 2000, National Express sold the business to Limebourne Buses, who in July 2001 sold out to Connex. In February 2004, National Express repurchased the business. Further expansion in 2005 saw the purchases of the London bus operations of Tellings-Golden Miller with a depot in Byfleet and various Surrey County Council contracts.

Travel London operated contracts on behalf of Transport for London, Surrey County Council, and Kingston University. Operations were split between three registered companies; Travel London Limited, Travel London (Middlesex) Limited, and Travel London (West) Limited. The Surrey routes were rebranded as Travel Surrey in September 2007.

In May 2009, National Express sold Travel London to Abellio, a wholly owned subsidiary of Netherlands state-controlled rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen, with which it shares a logo. The sale included 66 routes, 36 Transport for London tendered services and 30 Surrey County Council and Kingston University routes. All vehicles, depots and staff were included.

On 30 October 2009 the businesses were rebranded as Abellio London and Abellio Surrey.

In November 2014 an Abellio bus caught fire in Wallington, with one of its rear wheels exploding. A casualty was treated by London Ambulance service.

Garages

Abellio operates six garages in London and Surrey. Beddington Cross, Battersea and Walworth are operated by Abellio London Limited and Byfleet, Fulwell and Hayes by Abellio West London Limited.

Beddington Cross (BC)

As of September 2016, Beddington garage operated routes 109, 201, 367, 407, 433, 455, 931, N109 and S4.

History

Opened in early 2000 by Connex Bus to stable buses for its then new route 3 contract, the garage consists of two industrial units.

Battersea (QB)

As at September 2016, Battersea garage operated routes 3, 49, 156, 159, 211, 344, 414, 452, C2, C3 and N3.

History

This garage was established by Q-Drive in the late 1990s, hence the QB code. Travel London's original bus garage was situated further north towards Stewarts Lane railway depot which was the home of the Gatwick Express, a rail franchise then operated by its parent National Express. Connex moved into these premises after purchasing the Limebourne business in July 2001. In December 2015, Battersea Garage started operating route 159.

Walworth (WL)

As at September 2016, Walworth garage operated routes 172, 188, 343, 345, 381, 415, 484, N343 and N381.

History

In 2005, Walworth garage reopened for Travel London, who needed more garage space after some contract wins.

Byfleet (BF) - Abellio Surrey

This garage holds 50 buses and is the base for several Surrey County Council tendered routes as well as some commercial services.

History

This garage was operated by Tellings-Golden Miller and was sold to National Express in June 2005. It was rebranded as Travel Surrey in September 2007 and ran buses in a livery of white with a red skirt. Renamed Travel London, in September 2007 it was rebranded as Travel Surrey. In October 2009 it was rebranded Abellio Surrey.

Fulwell (TF)

Fulwell bus garage operates London bus routes 235, 290, 481, 490, H20, H25, H26, H28, K1, K3, R68 and R70. The garage is split into two sections, with northern half used by London United and the southern half used by Abellio. A part of Abellio's section is used by London United as the terminus for its route 33.

History

Until September 2009, Fulwell was also responsible for the Kingston University shuttle services. These are now run by Tellings-Golden Miller.

On 28 May 2016, Fulwell took over the running of H28 which moved from Hayes to make space for routes E5, E7 and E9.

Hayes (WS)

Hayes garage operates London bus routes 350, E1, E5, E7, E9, U7 and U9.

History

On 28 May 2016, Abellio London started operating routes E5, E7 and E9 from Hayes.

Fleet

As at July 2014, the fleet consisted of 656 buses.