My second trip of 2026 involved a visit to South East London, concentrating on recent and forthcoming route/type changes featuring diesel buses with various operators, centered on Woolwich and Bexleyheath.

To start with, one from my archives. The 244 began in 1987 as a very short route indeed between Woolwich Town Centre and the (then) new Broadwaters Estate, where Leyland Olympian L176 of Plumstead (PD) Garage is seen soon after the route commenced.

Note the unusual blind layout, as buses interworked between the 244 & 291, drivers simply having to change the destination which also featured the route number. Also the posters on the front referencing “Auto Check”, which was an experimental ticketing system then being trialled.

Part Route 244: Woolwich - Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The Elizabeth Line provided a rapid journey from Central London to Woolwich, start point of my TfL bus rides for the day.

My first route was the 244, retained by Go Ahead London on retender in December 2025, but converted from single to double deck in the process. New electrics are promised eventually, but in the meantime, spare Enviro400s are being used from Morden Wharf (MG) Garage. Typical of these is E209, which was the next to arrive at Woolwich Arsenal Station and so I duly boarded for the short run up to the QE Hospital terminus on Woolwich Common. However, due to emergency Thames Water works on the normal route via Eglinton Hill, we were on diversion direct along Woolwich Common and Academy Road to Shooters Hill Road, saving a few minutes on the usual schedule. Just 10 mins to the terminus via the diversion.

The 244 contract was renewed with Go Ahead London from 6th December 2025 but with an upgrade from single to double deck. Enviro400s E262 and E209 of Morden Wharf (MG) Garage illustrate as they share the stand at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich Common.

*In due course, the route is to be restocked with electric double deckers, so this is an interim arrangement.*

Route 244: Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Abbey Wood

At QE Hospital, I was able to step up a working, taking E262 which was ahead on the stand and the first to depart. Back to Woolwich along the diversionary route, picking up a few takers in Academy Road due to a gap in the 122s. A passenger exchange in the town centre, before continuing on to Plumstead Garage, where we dived off via the Broadwaters Estate and the “Princess Alice” pub. The route no longer circles around to serve Belmarsh Prison in this direction, so we continued at a rapid rate along the dual carriageway into Thamesmead, depositing most at the shopping centre. From here, it was onwards along Bentham Road to the Boiler House roundabout, before continuing south on Harrow Manorway to Abbey Wood, terminating near the station after a 40 min run from the start.

Whilst it was an unusual feeling to ride the 244 on a double decker after many years of single deck operation, it was not the first time I had done so! When the route began back in 1987, it was an even shorter local, between Woolwich Arsenal and the then new Broadwaters Estate using L class Olympians out of Plumstead (PD) Garage, running time just 8 mins end to end. I well recall sampling the route soon after it began, doing a rounder in less than half an hour!

However, this situation didn’t last long and the route became part of the “Bexleybus” network with LS Leyland Nationals in 1988. When the service passed to London Central in 1990, Titans appeared at first, but within months more suitable MRL midibuses took over. The following year saw a short extension to Belmarsh Prison plus a M-F peaks projection to Thamesmead Town Centre. By 1999, DRL Darts had taken over, that year seeing a further extension to Abbey Wood, although the new century saw low floor conversion to DML type Darts. It was in 2004 that the route was extended at the other end to QE Hospital. By now part of Go Ahead London, LDP Darts were the next class to appear, followed in turn by SE Enviro200s, which continued up to the most recent conversion back to double deck.

Interestingly, this is the third use of the 244 number in London, the two previous versions being:

A M-S route from Winchmore Hill to Muswell Hill Broadway, with a M-F Peaks extension to Archway Station. RT operated in the 60s, with RM introduced on Sats in 1969. On OPO conversion to SMS in 1971, it became Southgate to Muswell Hill, with M-F peak trips to/from Highlands Hospital at one end and Golders Green at the other, although the Highlands journeys only lasted a few months. The route became a surprise conversion to MB in 1976 for a short period, although double decks came back in the form of DMS types in 1978. These in turn were replaced with LS single deckers in 1979, although M double decks later appeared. The route was withdrawn in 1982 and was partly replaced by an extended W9.
In the same year the first version came off, the 244 number was reused for a route between Romford Market and Upminster Park Estate using LS Leyland Nationals, which were required due to running under the low bridge in Cranham. It only survived until 1986, when it was replaced by changes to the 246 and 248.

***The B11 contract was also renewed with GAL from 6th December, but retains single deckers. Elderly Enviro200 SE124 is at the Yarnton Way stand in Thamesmead before I rode it back to its home garage.***

*Once again, new electric buses are intended, with one or two SELs already appearing each day at the time of this visit, pending delivery of more examples to BX Garage.*

Route B11: South Thamesmead - Bexleyheath Garage

From Abbey Wood Station, I took a brisk walk back along Harrow Manorway to Yarnton Way, there to connect with my next route, the B11. This is operated by GAL out of Bexleyheath (BX) Garage and was another retained by them on retender from December 2025. In this case, although new electrics are specified, single deck operation remains, with one or two new SEL types spotted already when I travelled pending full conversion.

However, my intention was for a final ride on one of the outgoing diesels and luckily Enviro200 SE124 was waiting on the stand when I arrived. An elderly bus perhaps, but still in fine fettle as we made our way around the back streets of South Thamesmead to Abbey Wood the long way round. A quiet journey at first, with passengers on and off in ones and twos, as we progressed uphill through Lesnes Abbey Woods, site of a ruined abbey and now a local nature reserve. Then it was around the Lodge Hill loop, before continuing on to Bexleyheath Station, by which time we had a full and standing load. Most alighted at the main stops in Bexleyheath Town Centre, with only me and the driver continuing up to the terminus at BX Garage. Just under 40 mins for the trip.

The B11 has its origins in a midibus route started as part of the “Bexleybus” scheme in 1988, running initially between Bexleyheath & Lodge Hill with RH/MR midis. The route was extended to Abbey Wood in 1991, when Kentish Bus took over with Metroriders. A further extension to Thamesmead Boiler House came in 1999, by which time Arriva were in charge with high floor Darts.

Go Ahead / London Central came onto the route in 2004, extending at each end, from Bexleyheath Town Centre to BX Garage and from Boiler House to Thamesmead Town Centre. Types employed consisted in turn of DML, LDP and SE. In 2022, the route retracted slightly within Thamesmead from the Town Centre to Yarnton Way, giving us the current version.

Another route expected to receive new electrics in due course upon contract renewal with GAL in February 2026 is the 486. Meantime, existing diesels continue, like Volvo B9TL WVL460 of BX Garage, seen at the Friswell Place stand in Bexleyheath.

*Note the grubby side panels due to road dirt thrown up at this time of year. I later rode sister vehicle WVL466 which is seen tucked in on the right of this shot.*

Route 486: Bexleyheath Town Centre - North Greenwich

From BX Garage, I walked the short distance back to the Town Centre, in search of my next route, the 486. This is another which GAL has retained on contract renewal, in this case from February 2026, with new electrics promised. However, for now, existing diesels continue and the route sees a mix of Volvo B9TLs and Enviro400s, although one or two DELs from the existing allocation at BX provide a foretaste of what is to come.

I selected WVL466 for my trip and boarded with a reasonable crowd at Bexleyheath Clock Tower. A straight run ensued without delays as we made our way through the shopping area and out of town via Crook Log to Welling. Then onwards up through the greenery of Shooters Hill, our bus labouring a bit as we climbed. At the summit, we continued on to QE Hospital, before skirting the military establishments on the edge of Woolwich Common.

It was then past Charlton Park to the delights of Charlton Village, before hanging a very sharp right turn down Church Lane, a narrow thoroughfare necessitating pulling in between the parked cars when encountering vehicles coming the other way. Arriving at Charlton Station, we crossed over Woolwich Road to serve the Bugby’s Way area of superstores, which were fairly heaving. After looping through Millennium Leisure Park, we continued on the final section through the modern developments of Millennium Village, before arriving at our final destination of North Greenwich Station. A decent 55 min run.

The 486 began in 2001 between North Greenwich and Welling, part replacing the Millennium Dome Routes M1 & M2 and utilising the same MD class East Lancs Myllennium single deckers out of New Cross (NX) Garage. In 2002, the route was extended to the more obvious destination of Bexleyheath Town Centre and transferred to BX Garage, where various single and double deck types performed. In 2007 came the formal upgrade to double deck, with PVL, E, EN, WVL and WVN types all contributing at different times over the subsequent years.

***Enviro400s share the 486 allocation at the time of this trip, as exemplified by Go Ahead London E243 (BX) seen at Bexleyheath Town Centre at sunset.***

*WVL, WVN and E classes provide the diesel allocation, although one or two new electrics in the form of DEL types were appearing each day at this time.*

Route 472: North Greenwich - Abbey Wood

At North Greenwich, I switched routes to the 472 and operators to Stagecoach. At the time of my visit, this service had but a short time to continue, as it was due to be withdrawn and replaced by new “Superloop” Route SL11 later in January, so a final chance for me to sample the old service. Operated out of Plumstead (PD) Garage, the 472 uses a mix of diesel and hybrid Enviro400s, with classic and MMC versions appearing. I had 19817, a classic diesel Enviro.

A very busy trip, as we threaded our way back through the Millennium Village and Leisure Park, picking up lots of returning shoppers. At Charlton Station, we turned left onto Woolwich Road for an amble through the Woolwich Dockyard area close to the Thames Barrier, before reaching Woolwich Ferry where a long queue of vehicles was waiting to board. We hung a right to serve Woolwich Town Centre, a section which the replacement SL11 will ignore, preferring to continue direct to Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station. For now, we served the main town centre stops, before making our way out of town towards the home garage at Plumstead, although there was no driver change on this occasion to hinder progress.

From here, we turned off onto Western Way, passing Woolwich Crown Court and Belmarsh Prison, before arriving into Thamesmead along Central Way. We emptied out at the Town Centre and continued around the loop through the housing areas in the Crossway area. From the Boiler House, a straight run down to Abbey Wood Station, mirroring my earlier ride on the 244, although the 472 continues a little further to terminate under the flyover. A 50 min journey end to end and time to say a final goodbye to the route.

The 472 was originally the number for an Express Route between Woolwich & Thamesmead Alsike Road, introduced with “Bexleybus” in 1988 on Saturday Shopping Hours only. This version lasted only until 1994, but managed to pass through Boroline Maidstone and Kentish Bus before withdrawal, using various double deck types.

The current version of the 472 came in 1999 to provide a new link between North Greenwich Station and Thamesmead via Woolwich and replacing the erstwhile 272. Operated by Stagecooach / Selkent out of PD Garage throughout its life, it received the extension to Abbey Wood to connect with the new Elizabeth Line in 2022. Initially operated with Olympians, it was converted to low floor operation with Trident Alexander ALX400s in the early noughties. These were replaced in due course by Enviro400s, ending with the current mix of types.

***A duo of Stagecoach Enviro400s, 19868 and 19817, of Plumstead (PD) Garage on the Route 472 stand at Abbey Wood Station beneath the flyover. I had just arrived here on the second bus.***

Scenes like this will soon pass into history, as the 472 is withdrawn from 24th January 2026, being replaced by new Superloop Route SL11 operating express between the same terminals, the operator changing to GAL using NRMs.

Part Route 301: Abbey Wood - Bexleyheath Town Centre

At Abbey Wood, I had to run to catch my next bus, a short trip on Arriva London 301 back to Bexleyheath Town Centre via a slightly different (and more direct) intermediate route than the B11 I had been on earlier in the day. My 20 min run was aboard HV150, one of the usual Volvo Hybrids from Dartford (DT) Garage, although this service is due to pass to Stagecoach on retender in July 2026.

Route B15: Bexleyheath Town Centre - Horn Park (& back)

My final full route of the day was the B15, also operated by Arriva out of DT Garage, but due to pass to GAL out of BX Garage from later in January 2026.

The service runs every 20 mins during M-S daytimes, but a couple of buses seemed to be missing, one of the drivers telling me that they were suffering mechanical breakdowns with the elderly ENX class Enviro200s used. After a long wait, I boarded ENX24 with a few others at Bexleyheath Clock Tower. This was running some 15 mins late, but we made our way out of town and then up to Bexleyheath Station, before negotiating the back streets section via Elsa Road to rejoin the main drag at Welling. It was here that the next B15 caught us up and roared past.

After turning off along Welling Way to Rochester Way and Falconwood Station in hot pursuit, we made it down to Avery Hill, where the driver announced he would be turning short at Eltham. This prompted much anger from the passengers and arguments with the driver as to why he hadn’t transferred us to the other bus, especially as the next working after that was cut. I therefore had a 40 min wait in the cold for the following bus, which was ENX25. This driver was very apologetic about the long wait and said the other driver should have asked the Controller to hold the second bus a couple of minutes so that we could transfer - presumably Arriva are not taking much interest in the route now they have lost the contract!

Anyway, once aboard, it was a fast run through Eltham and on to Horn Park, where we paused briefly for a couple of minutes at the “hesitation point” on the terminal loop. I stayed on for the full trip back to Bexleyheath, which took just 40 mins, compared with a total of 1h25m for the outbound ride including the enforced wait in Eltham. Not a good advert for Arriva though.

The B15 was another “Bexleybus” venture, beginning in 1988 as a midibus route with RH/MR types between Joydens Wood & Welling via Bexleyheath. In 1991, the service passed to Transcity and then in 1993 to Kentish Bus, also with midis. The route returned to BX Garage in 1999, soon being converted to DMS low floor single deckers. Arriva took over in 2004, at which point the service was extended from Welling to Eltham.

In 2009, it was restructured to run between Bexleyheath & Horn Park, the Joydens Wood section passing to the B12 and the Horn Park extension being over new territory. Types operated since have been Cadets followed by Enviro200s of varying classes.

***Arriva London Enviro200 ENX25 of Dartford (DT) Garage picks up at Bexleyheath Clock Tower on its next trip to Horn Park after I had ridden it back to this point, arriving at sunset.***

*This is another scene that was set to change soon after this view was taken, as the B15 contract passes to GAL from 24th January 2026, using SE types out of Bexleyheath (BX) Garage.*

Part Route 301: Bexleyheath Town Centre - Abbey Wood

To end my day, I rejoined the 301, this time taking Enviro400 T309 of DT Garage back to Abbey Wood Station, where I arrived 20 mins later and transferred to the Elizabeth Line for the journey home.

Watton

All Change in Greenwich & Bexley

Edging into New Year in Edgware