London Central facts for kids
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An Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC on route 36 at Marble Arch in September 2022
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| Parent | Go-Ahead London |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 April 1989 |
| Headquarters | Merton |
| Service area | South London |
| Service type | Bus services |
| Depot(s) | 5 |
| Web site | www.goaheadlondon.com |
London Central is a bus company that helps people travel around South London. It's part of a bigger company called Go-Ahead London. London Central runs many bus services for Transport for London, which manages all public transport in London.
History of London Central Buses
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London Central started operating on April 1, 1989. This was when London Buses was split into 11 different companies.
In September 1994, the company was sold to the Go-Ahead Group. This sale cost £23.8 million. By August 2008, all of Go-Ahead's bus companies in London began using the name Go-Ahead London. However, the original company names, like London Central, are still shown on most buses.
Bus Garages: Where Buses Live
London Central uses five different bus garages. These are like big parking lots and repair shops for buses.
Bexleyheath Garage (BX)
As of January 2024, Bexleyheath garage operates many bus routes. These include 51, 89, 132, 244, 486, and several school routes like 601 and 624. It also runs local routes like B11 and B16.
Bexleyheath Garage History
Bexleyheath garage was first built for trolleybuses by the London Passenger Transport Board. It was the only new garage made just for trolleybuses. The building is very large. It was set back from the main road so buses could park in front. This front area was also used as a starting point for route 122.
The garage closed in 1986. Its work moved to other garages nearby. In 1988, it reopened as Bexleybus. This was a new, cheaper company set up by London Buses. Bexleybus used many different types of buses. However, this new company did not win many new bus routes. London Central took over Bexleyheath garage and its routes in 1990.
In January 2007, the garage received its first Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses. These were for use on route 486. This garage also helps control buses for other garages using a system called iBus.
In 2022, Bexleyheath became the first bus garage in London to charge electric buses while they are waiting. This is called 'opportunity charge'. Buses on route 132 are charged this way. A special arm on the bus connects to a charger at the garage. On July 9, 2022, new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV electric buses started running on this route.
Camberwell Garage (Q)
As of January 2024, Camberwell garage operates routes like 1, 12, 35, 40, 42, 100, 108D, 176, 185, 355, 360, 484, N1, N15 (some extra trips), and SL6.
Camberwell Garage History
Camberwell garage was built in 1914. But it wasn't used for buses until 1919. This was because it was needed for the war effort during World War I. Once it opened, it was one of London's biggest garages. During World War II in 1940, the garage was bombed. Four buses were destroyed, and 13 were badly damaged.
In the early 1950s, the garage was updated. New buildings were added, and the parking area was made bigger. This new area also had a workshop for fixing buses.
Over the years, the number of buses at Camberwell changed. When Walworth garage closed in 1985, Camberwell took on more buses. New New Routemaster buses were introduced on routes 12 and 68 between 2015 and 2016. New electric buses, Alexander Dennis Enviro200EVs, started on route 484 on March 20, 2021.
On March 18, 2023, London Central started running two extra trips on route N15. Route 188 moved from Camberwell back to Morden Wharf garage on September 30, 2023. On the same day, route 1 moved to Camberwell from Morden Wharf.
Morden Wharf Garage (MG)
As of September 2023, Morden Wharf garage operates routes like 108, 178, 188, 225, 286, 291, 386, and 469.
Morden Wharf Garage History
Morden Wharf garage opened on the Greenwich Peninsula on July 29, 2017. This happened after London General's Mandela Way garage closed. It first started operating routes 108, 129, and 286.
New Cross Garage (NX)
As of April 2024, New Cross garage operates many routes. These include 21, 36, 108, 129, 171, 172, 321, 343, 436, 453, and several night bus routes like N21 and N89. It also runs route P4.
New Cross Garage History
New Cross garage is said to be the largest bus garage in London. It can hold over 300 buses. It started as a tram depot and opened in 1906. In 1952, when trams were no longer used, it became a bus garage. The garage has never been completely full because there are other garages nearby. But it has been used to store extra buses at different times.
The number of buses at the garage has changed over the years. In 2003, the garage started using Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated buses on route 436. These are longer buses that can carry more people. In January 2005, route 36 stopped using the old AEC Routemaster buses. Newer, double-decker buses with one driver took over.
Peckham Garage (PM)
As of December 2023, Peckham garage operates routes 37, 78, 197, and P12.
Peckham Garage History
Peckham garage was once a local authority maintenance depot. It was changed into a bus garage and opened in 1994. It could hold 75 buses. In 2000, this garage was the first in London to use new Alexander ALX400 buses on 63. These were low-floor buses, making it easier for everyone to get on and off. Peckham won "bus garage of the year" in 2004. However, the next year, the garage lost almost half of its bus routes.
Bus Fleet
As of December 2019, London Central needed 676 buses to run all its services during busy times.
