Bus company operating services in Greater London
Abellio London is a bus company operating services in Greater London, England. A subsidiary of Transport UK Group, it operates services under contract to Transport for London.
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, who in July 2001 sold out to Connex. In February 2004, National Express repurchased the business.[1] Travel London operated contracts on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).
On 21 May 2009, National Express sold Travel London to Abellio. The sale included 36 TfL-tendered services. All vehicles, depots and staff were included.[2][3]
On 30 October 2009 the business was rebranded as Abellio London.[4][5]
Abellio London was included in the sale of Abellio's United Kingdom business to Transport UK Group in February 2023.[6][7]
Garages and routes
Abellio operates six garages. Beddington Cross, Battersea and Walworth are operated by Abellio London Limited and Fulwell, Hayes and Southall by Abellio West London Limited.
Armstrong Way (GW)
Located near Three Bridges and Windmill Park/Iron Bridge in Southall.
As of March 2022, Armstrong Way garage operates routes 195, 207, 427, E5, E7, E10, E11, H32 and N207.
Routes E1 and E9 were lost to other contracts, with E1 going to RATP and E9 going to Metroline.
Battersea (QB)
As of September 2021, Battersea garage operates routes 24, 27, 156, 159, 322, 344, 345 and 415.[8]
This garage was established by Q-Drive in the late 1990s, hence the QB code.[9] 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.[citation needed] In December 2015, Battersea garage started operating route 159.[10]
Beddington Cross (BC)
As of May 2021, Beddington garage operates routes 109, 130, 201, 270, 315, 367, 407, 433, 464, N109 and S4.[8]
Dawley Road (DH)
As of March 2023, Dawley Road garage operates routes 278, 350, 482, U5, U7 and U9.[8]
Fulwell (TF)
As of April 2022, Fulwell garage operates routes 111, 267, 285, 481D, 490, H20, H25, H26, H28, R68 and R70.[8] On 2 October 2021 290 was passed to RATP Dev Transit London.
Walworth (WL)
As of September 2021, Walworth garage operates routes 3, 45, 63,
68, 196, 381, C10, P5, P13, N3, N68 and N381.[8] On 30 April 2016, routes 35 and 40 passed to London Central.
After being closed by London Regional Transport in the 1980s, Walworth garage was reopened by Travel London in 2005, who needed more garage space after some new contracts.[11][12][13]
Fleet
As of December 2022[update] Abellio London Bus ran 852 buses on 60 London routes, 9% of London buses, for TfL.[18]
