London Transport 387 Blog: Goodbye First, Route gains in East London

As anyone may be aware, First London were slowly selling off their stagecoach operations, Go Ahead London took Northumberland Park & Dagenham Garages, closing the latter down and shifting all of the operations over to Rainham. Alperton, Greenford, Hayes, Uxbridge & Willesden Junction were taken over my Metroline West, with Atlas Road, Lea Interchange and Westbourne Park taken over by Australian newcomers Tower Transit. However until recently, only four routes were held by First.

Route 165: Rainham, Abbey Wood Lane - Romford, The Brewery
Route 179: Ilford Town Centre - Chingford Station
Route 252: Hornchurch Town Centre - Collier Row Roundabout
Route 365: Havering Park - Dagenham, Orchard Village

Well now, Stagecoach pinched the lot of them, knocking First out of London for good. Stagecoach transferred the 165, 252 & 365 over to Rainham Garage, (the night service provided by Romford North Street), whilst the 179 is taken care of over at Leyton Garage. Not only that but Stagecoach fought a tender battle with Arriva over Route 256, and guess what? they won the 256 as well.

Stagecoach also ordered some brand-new 63 reg Enviro200 Darts for the 165 & 256, while also ordering some 63 reg Enviro 400's for the 179, 252 & 365, with a mix between Enviro400 & refurbished Rainham Scania OmniCity's.

Enough talk, enjoy the photos

Before:

TNA33380 (LK53EYZ) on Route 165 to Romford Brewery, it was very rare then
to see a Double Decker on the 165, it was mostly Enviro200 Darts with the
occasional VNW being thrown into the mix.