A trip to the Eastern segment of the London Bus Map, with various rides featuring a rural outpost and new developments in the Olympic Park.

***My rides featured a trip on the first day of the extended 241 to Here East in the Olympic Park near Stratford. This is the TfL produced map showing the routeing.***

*More of this later in the article.*

Route 375: Romford to Passingford Bridge (& back to Chase Cross)

I began my rides in Romford Town Centre, with a trip on the 375. This is a rare (for London) operation with just one bus, providing a 90 min frequency on M-S daytimes between Romford and Passingford Bridge. Arriva are the current operator, using ENL112, now the sole single decker at Grays (GY) Garage following the earlier withdrawal of the 347. If the bus is unavailable for any reason, then a double decker subs for it, formerly a DW but now usually a T.

Boarding the 0825 departure at Romford Station, the Stagecoach heritage of the vehicle was evident with its dark blue interior scheme, although now trimmed with Arriva moquette. Surprisingly at this time of day, a reasonable number travelled, with 7 other passengers joining in Romford Town Centre and 6 more in Collier Row and Chase Cross. Beyond this, we were onto the freehold section through Havering-atte-Bower and Stapleford Abbots, where most alighted, although 2 others travelled with me through to Passingford Bridge. The bus seemed a bit under-powered and struggled up the hills which are a feature of the country section.

After half an hour, we arrived at the rural terminus at Passingford Bridge, which serves lots of open fields but not much else. On the return run, departing at 0900, I was on my own for several stops until the Royal Oak in Stapleford Abbots, where another passenger boarded. A slightly easier run in this direction, with more downhill than uphill stretches! Only 5 others joined as we progressed through Havering and back to suburbia at Chase Cross, where I alighted around 15 mins later.

The 375 came in 2008 when Arriva withdrew its commercial service 500 between Romford & Harlow, which once had an Hourly M-S daytime service and 2 hourly eves & Suns. TfL saw a need to cover the Greater London section, hence the 375, although with the unfortunate result that the route doesn’t really go anywhere of importance. Maybe another operator will reintroduce a Romford - Harlow service at some point, as this was a useful link that was reasonably well used, at least on M-S daytimes.

Initial operator was Blue Triangle using a Pointer Dart, but Arriva took over in 2009 with a Cadet, later replaced with an Enviro200. Occasional double deck visitors have featured VLA, DW and T types, not really needed for the loadings, but a necessity when a single decker is not available.

***Arriva London ENL112 of Grays (GY) Garage, a former Stagecoach vehicle, at the “middle of nowhere” terminus of Passingford Bridge, hardly a major traffic objective!***

*The 375 replaced the Greater London section of former Arriva commercial route 500 from Romford to Harlow in 2008. This was the first point over the Essex border where it was convenient to turn.*

Route 103: Chase Cross to Rainham

I just missed a 103 at Chase Cross and for some reason the next bus due 10 mins later didn’t show, although T207 then appeared and took its stand time to leave 20 mins after the previous departure. This bus is one of the Enviro400s that have been replacing DWs at Arriva’s Grays (GY) Garage and now form the principal allocation on the 66, 103 and 370. Many of the Ts transferred are former Enfield (E) Garage inmates, released from the 279 on its conversion to electrics, but this example was a former Edmonton resident, as evidenced by the “EC” codes still in situ on the sides of the vehicle. The DW to T conversion is only a stop-gap, as the intention is to utilise hybrids made spare from further electric conversions in North London during the coming months to fulfill contract renewal requirements.

After leaving Chase Cross, we soon filled up as we progressed along Havering Road and Pettits Lane, with more joining on the brief dual carriageway section along Eastern Avenue. Turning left, we proceeded along North Street, past the Bus Garage with its exotic palm trees and into Romford Town Centre. Here, most alighted and we had only a few on board for the second part of the trip via Oldchurch Road and Dagenham Road onto Rush Green Road towards Becontree Heath. Then a quiet amble through suburbia to Dagenham East Station and along Rainham Road, terminating at Rainham Interchange by the station after a 50 min run.

The 103 assumed almost its present form in 1956, when it was extended from Romford Petitts Lane to Chase Cross, the other terminus at Rainham War Memorial remaining unchanged until 2012 when the route was projected a short distance to Rainham Interchange, next to the station. The only variation was a short-lived extension to Stapleford Abbots at the northern end between 1978 and 1981.

Crew operated with RT in the 50s and 60s, OPO conversion came in 1971 with SMS single deckers. Like many other services at the time, it was upgraded to double deck DMS in 1975, these being replaced in turn by Titans from 1979. The route transferred to County Bus with Olympians in 1990 under tendering, with periods under Grey Green and Arriva following using various double deck types. Stagecoach took the service on in 2005 with Tridents, although Enviro400s later became the norm. Arriva returned in 2017 with DWs, which in turn have been replaced by Ts in recent months.

Arriva has been replacing the time-expired DWs at Grays (GY) Garage with slighter newer Ts made spare from North London. T207 at Rainham Interchange on the 103 after my run on it still bears “EC” codes from its former allocation to Edmonton Garage.

*In due course, hybrids made redundant from intended electric conversions in North London will replace these diesels, so this is only a temporary allocation.*

Route 287: Rainham - Abbey Wood Lane - Barking

From Rainham Interchange, I made my way through the churchyard of St Helen & St Giles opposite, the attractive 12th Century church being the oldest building in the Borough of Havering. Then a cut through to the large Tesco store behind Rainham Village, for a comfort stop and an opportunity to purchase food & drink.

The rides then resumed with a short 10 min hop on the 287 to the terminus at Abbey Wood Lane, aboard new Wright StreetDeck Electroliner 82091. The route has been retained by Stagecoach on re-tender on the basis of new electrics, although for now, it seems that some of the StreetDecks intended for the 169 at Barking (BK) Garage have been put onto the 287 at Rainham (RM) Garage instead, pending delivery of a batch of Enviro400 City EV types for the latter route, at which point the vehicles should move onto their planned allocations.

Sister StreetDeck 82086 was ahead on the stand, so I was able to step up a working and join it when it departed. Whilst the Abbey Wood Lane terminus is a rural retreat, it is on the edge of a housing estate and so we were soon back into the inevitable suburbia. A fairly quiet run at first, back into Rainham Village and a double-run to Tesco in this direction, before turning left at Dovers Corner along the former A13, which is now very different from how it used to be, with the former Fords Main Works, Foundry and associated industrial landscape replaced by lots of new housing and trees. We progressed past the new Beam Park development and yet more building works near Dagenham Dock, which are rapidly transforming the area.

Continuing along the fast section of route to Lodge Avenue, I noted the posters on stops advising of the current consultation to re-route the 287 away from the A13. The proposal is to reroute along Goresbrook Road and Maplestead Road between the Chequers/Heathway junction and the Lodge Avenue roundabout, which will involve some changes to local roads to enable buses to operate over this section. Whilst taking buses closer to the community, no doubt journey times will be slower for through passengers if the changes are implemented.

From Lodge Avenue, a straight run through the Rippleside area into Barking, soon arriving in the town centre, which we circumnavigated to arrive at the station after a 45 min run.

The 287 started in 1982 replacing the Rainham leg of the 87 and the withdrawn 156 between Barking and Becontree. I have many memories of riding RTs on the 87 to Abbey Wood Lane right up to the end of the type in London service in 1979. The 287 began with Titan operation and had short term changes to the northern terminus during the late 80s / early 90s which saw it reach Becontree Heath and Ilford at different times. In 1993, the route was taken over by Docklands Transit with minibuses and cut back to its Barking - Rainham rump. The contract was reassigned to Stagecoach in 1997 using Plaxton Pointer Darts, with an extension to Harts Lane Estate lasting from 1998 to 2001 when the 368 took over this section.

Low floor Darts began to appear in the early noughties, with double decks returning in 2011 using Enviro400s. These continued until the recent change to electrics.

Some of the Wright StreetDeck Electroliners intended for the 169 at Barking have entered service instead on the 287 at Rainham (RM) Garage. Stagecoach fleet no 82091 is at Rainham Abbey Wood Lane standing in front of an older Enviro400 on the 165 from the same shed.

*The ultimate aim is for the 287 to receive a batch of new Enviro400 City electrics with the StreetDecks moving to their intended 169.*

Route 241: Plaistow - Here East - Silvertown

For the afternoon, a switch to another part of East London, as I took the District Line three stops from Barking to Plaistow.

My next route was the 241, which had just been extended from its former destination of Stratford City to Here East in the Olympic Park on the day of my visit. Thus I was able to sample a new section of route on its first day.

The 241 is operated by Stagecoach from West Ham (WH) Garage, using mainly Enviro400H MMC types, supported by a few older Enviro400 diesels, although only one of these was out on this occasion and was proceeding in the opposite direction to me. Therefore, I boarded the first northbound bus to arrive at Plaistow Station, 11043. A protracted run through to Stratford, where many got off at the main Bus Station and at City Bus Station, although surprisingly a good number stayed on board as we began our journey over the extension. We called at the Aquatics Centre, before branching off along Carpenters Road and then through an area undergoing development in front of the Olympic Stadium, now called the London Stadium. We then looped around over a bridge above the road we had just come along before arriving at the Copper Box Arena, where most alighted. It was then just one more stop to the new terminus at Here East, described on the blinds as “Hackney Wick HERE EAST”, although the on board announcements just refer to “Here East”. Just under half an hour for the trip, with the new extension taking about 10 mins from Stratford City.

I then returned along the full length of the route aboard fellow hybrid 11047, which was on the next working behind. Just a few takers picked up on the new section, including some other enthusiasts who were riding and taking first day photos. Busier once we got back on to the existing section of route, with a good load joining at Stratford City, Stratford Bus Station and Tramway Avenue. A trundle through to Plaistow and then down narrow Balaam Street, across the Barking Road, along New Barn Street, to pass under the A13 and on to Custom House, where we more or less emptied out. Quiet on the next section, through Prince Regent Bus Station near the site of the former V&A Docks Trolleybus turning circle, before turning onto the bridge over the former docks beside London City Airport to the Thames Barrier, and then the final stretch to Silvertown Royal Wharf, terminating in the new development at Royal Crest Avenue. A 55 min journey.

The 241 came with “Reshaping” in 1968, largely replacing a withdrawn section of the 41 between Manor House and V&A Docks with RM operation. The Sunday service ran between Stratford and V&A Docks only and was converted to one-man SMS in 1973, although the main M-S service remained crew operated until 1973. At this point, the route was cut back to Stratford daily and went over to OPO with DMS. As the Docks began to fade in East London, the V&A terminus was abandoned in 1976, to be replaced by an rerouteing to Keir Hardie Estate, giving that area its first direct bus service. In 1981, this extension was pushed through to Canning Town Hermit Road, although with a brief retraction back to Keir Hardie from 1988-91 when the 262 took over this section, before the status quo ante was restored.

1982 saw a conversion from DMS to T types, although in the early 90s, in keeping with the vogue of the time, midibuses including MRL, DW and DRL took turns on the service. Double decks returned in 1995 with S type Scanias, followed by VA class Olympians. Low floor conversion in 2001 saw mainly Tridents take over, although Scanias did appear too, with Enviro400s later superseding them. In 2011 when the route was diverted to Prince Regent for a short period during roadworks in the Keir Hardie area, although a more permanent change at the other end of the route later the same year saw an extension to Stratford City Bus Station.

Then, in 2022, as part of bus changes in connection with the opening of the Elizabeth Line, the 241 was rerouted yet again to Prince Regent, although this was a temporary change pending completion of new roads in the Royal Wharf development in Silvertown, to which point the route was further extended later the same year. The story is brought up to date with the latest extension at the other end, to Here East, in 2025, which is where we began!

***The 241 was extended from Stratford City to Here East on 14th June 2025. Stagecoach Enviro400H MMC 11043 of West Ham (WH) Garage has arrived at the new destination on the first day.***

*The route is operated mainly by this type, although the odd older Enviro400 appears.*

Part Route 330: West Silvertown - Canning Town

Walking back through the development to West Silvertown DLR, I boarded Go Ahead London WVL293 of Henley Road (DS) Garage on the 330 for a short positioning trip to Canning Town, Hermit Road. Just a 10 min ride, but due to roadworks on the viaduct just after the station, we were treated to a detour around the side roads, taking us under the main road then looping back up past City Hall to join line of route again.

The 330, together with the 474, transferred from Stagecoach to Go Ahead on contract change in May and, having ridden the former route with the previous incumbent fairly recently, I opted for a journey on the latter instead with the new owner.

Routes 330 & 474 passed from Stagecoach to Go Ahead London on 3rd May 2025. E139 leads another of the class on the Hermit Road stand in Canning Town on the latter route, part of a mixed E, WVL & WVN allocation.

Note the “SW” garage codes from its former home at Stockwell, released from the loss of routes 118 and 337. This is another temporary solution until new electrics are delivered elsewhere, releasing existing hybrids for the 330 and 474..

Route 474: Canning Town - Manor Park

At the Hermit Road stand, there was a WVL parked up out of service, together with two E types on the 474. Go Ahead assumed the 330 and 474 in early May, but pending existing hybrids becoming available, the old soldiers have been called upon again to plug the gap, similar to the situation earlier in 2025 at Bexleyheath when the 99, 269 and 401 contracts were taken on. This time, a few spare WVL and WVN types have supplemented a larger E contingent, partly released from Stockwell Garage following the withdrawal of the 118 and the loss of the 337 to Transport UK on retender, together with others made spare from the 129 by its recent conversion to EBD types.

First to depart was E139, still displaying its “SW” codes from its previous home, but now at Henley Road Garage. I was the only one boarding here, but we soon added more as we progressed through Canning Town to the Bus Station. Then it was over the narrow roads with sharp turns and parked cars that impede progress through the Keir Hardie Estate, a postwar rebuild following wartime bombing. After we emerged onto the main road near Custom House, we sped up a bit and had a quiet run through Docklands, serving Prince Regent and the double-run to London City Airport, before continuing on to North Woolwich Ferry.

From here on, we followed the old 101, which once ran from this point up to Wanstead, although the 241 goes no further than Manor Park. Leaving Docklands behind, we had a busy but positive run via Beckton Bus Station and up to East Ham, passing a large fairground in the park. The expected slog along High Street North to East Ham Station, although as we were following a 304, our loadings weren’t as heavy as they could have been. Finally, we crossed the Barking Road (again) and finished the trip at Manor Park Station. 65min for this journey, more or less as per the schedule.

The 474 began in 1999, between Canning Town and East Beckton ASDA, operated by Blue Triangle with Metrobuses, which were rare in this part of London. Later, these were replaced with DL types. In 2005, the route was extended to Manor Park via the 101 and received a double run to London City Airport. Go Ahead Docklands Buses became the operator in 2007, with Scania and Optare double deckers joining in the type mix until WVLs became the norm in 2014. Stagecoach took over the contract in 2018, with Enviros and Scanias appearing, until Go Ahead returned at the latest change in May 2025.

At Manor Park, I switched to the Elizabeth Line, which I took back to my start point at Romford, where my trip ended.

Watton

From Far East to Here East

Enfolding Enfield & Educing Edmonton

Small Buses in Bromley