East Thames Buses

East Thames Buses is the only government owned bus operator (via Transport for London) of London Buses.

In 2008, East Thames awarded their exclusive contract for bus-side advertising to Titan outdoor for five years. [http://www.mad.co.uk/BreakingNews/BreakingNews/Articles/fa3a1f6e7a1646619ff4b1dabcfda45f/Titan-Bus-wins-East-Thames-bus-contract.html]

Garages

East Thames Buses has two bus garages: Mandela Way and Belvedere.

Mandela Way (MA)

Mandela Way opened in late 2005 following the relocation from the existing base at Ash Grove due to the impending move of Arriva into Ash Grove with artics for route 38. It has a Peak Vehicle Requirement of 53 buses and operates London bus routes 1, 42, 185 and 201. Route 393 was transferred to Arriva under the tendering system in March 2007. It currently runs the following models:

* Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President (VP - Route 185, may stray onto route 1)
* Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini (VWL - Normally route 1)
* DAF SB120/Wright Merit (DW - Route 201, may stray onto route 42)
* Scania OmniTown/East Lancs Myllennium (ELS - Route 42)

Belvedere (BV)

Belvedere was purchased by Harris Bus in 1998 to house its operations that moved from Crayford. Harris Bus went into receivership in 2000, and its routes and garage were taken over by London Buses under the guise of East Thames Buses. Since then, East Thames Buses has become a unit taking over routes from defunct operators such as London Easylink's 42 & 185. Following the move to Mandela Way the engineering is now done there, however limited engineering facilities exist at Belvedere.

This garage has a peak vehicle requirement of 39 buses and operates London bus routes 108, 132, 180, 185 (joint with MA), 661, 669, and N1. From 22nd September 2007 further 185 duties moved to Mandela Way hence the re-balance of PVR. It currently runs the following models:

* Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President (VP - Typically 661 and 669 however may stray onto the 132 and 180).
* Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini (VWL - Routes 132, 180, N1).
* DAF SB120/Wright Merit (DWL - Routes 108, 132)

ee also

External links

* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses TfL buses]