This time, a visit to West London to ride outgoing single and double deckers in the Ruislip and Uxbridge areas before new or newer vehicles take over on most the routes covered.

***Metroline DE1328 of Uxbridge (UX) Garage at the Ruislip Heathfield Rise terminus of the U10. This is a former Greenford (G) Garage vehicle, recently transferred.***

*The U10 is an unusual (for TfL) one bus operation, operating every 90 mins M-S daytimes only.*

Route U10: Uxbridge - Ruislip Heathfield Rise - Ruislip Station

My rides began at Uxbridge Station, bright and early on a sunny morning. First up, a trip on one of TfL’s rare “one bus” operations, the U10 to Ruislip. This runs between approx 0700 & 1930 M-S on a 90 min frequency. Metroline Enviro200s are the usual allocation and on the day I travelled, the service was in the hands of DE1328, one of a number recently transferred in to Uxbridge (UX) from Greenford (G) to replace even older examples of the same type. These were largely released by the conversion of the 95 to double deck VWH types earlier in the summer.

With only a few on board, we made our way out of Uxbridge via Harefield Road to the A40 Roundabout and then along Swakeleys Road a short distance, before turning onto the freehold section of the route along Woodstock Drive to Ickenham. We then did the one-way loop, serving Ickenham Station and the Sussex Road area of housing, before returning to the High Road and onwards to West Ruislip Station, after which we continued into Ruislip itself. At the station, we dropped a few and picked up a handful more, before continuing along the High Street until turning off via the narrow back roads and another one-way loop to the terminus at Heathfield Rise. A 5 min break, during which we acquired a single digit load, before we resumed the circuit back to Ruislip High Street and Station, where I alighted. 50 mins in all from start to finish.

The U10 began in 1994 as a midibus route with MA types via previously unserved roads in Ickenham and providing a better service to the Heathfield Rise area of Ruislip. Originally running only in M-S shopping hours, it was later expanded to its current longer operating day and went from a 1 bus to a 2 bus allocation. The original midis were later supplanted by Darts and then Enviro200s. At the 2022 contract renewal, economies were effected when the frequency dropped from 60 to 90 mins to allow the service to be run with 1 bus once again. Always operated out of UX, the service has a distinctly provincial feel about it, with many of the regular users seemingly on first name terms with the drivers!

***Another Enviro200 formerly at Greenford (G) but now at Uxbridge (UX) Garage is DE1158, seen on the H13 at St Vincent’s Nursing Home, Northwood Hills, before I rode it to Ruislip Lido.***

*This route can be very busy over the section up to the Lido in summer, particularly at weekends, with buses often fully loaded.*

Route H13: Ruislip Station - Northwood Hills - Ruislip Lido - Ruislip Station

Back at Ruislip Station, my next route was another local service, the H13. Also operated by Metroline out of UX Garage, the first bus to arrive was DE1161 bound for Northwood Hills, an elderly example of the class, but still in good condition. Fairly lightly used on this trip, as we progressed to Ruislip Manor and then up Windmill Hill to Eastcote Road. On this stretch, we were brought to a halt by a traffic queue leading to some temporary lights, which had been causing some late running on the route and cost us at least 5 mins. We made better time once past this point, making our way from Eastcote into Pinner. A bit of a chug from here up towards Pinner Hill and the Pinner Green area, before looping down to Northwood Hills Station. Then the final stretch, turning off the main road to Haydon School and the terminus at St Vincent’s Nursing Home. 35 mins from where I boarded, but due to late running, my bus departed immediately without stand time.

However, I opted for a brief stroll through the nearby woods, which was very pleasant, before returning to the stand to catch a later departure, formed by fellow Enviro200 DE1158. Only me and the driver at first, as we made our way back down to the main road, but we began picking up again at Northwood Hills Station. Back around through Pinner Hill and down into Pinner, before continuing on to Eastcote, where the temporary lights had now been removed and traffic was flowing freely. Then on to Ruislip Manor and Ruislip Station, where the calm was broken by a large crowd of parents with children travelling to Ruislip Lido, taking advantage of the school summer hols and the good weather. Virtually full and standing as we rode along the High Street and on up to the Lido. Just over 40 mins for this run.

Ruislip Lido features an artificial beach with boating and swimming in the reservoir, walking routes through the woods, together with a miniature railway. Incidentally, the H13 performs almost a complete circle, with the Lido terminus being only a short distance through the woods from the other end at St Vincents - a typical TfL convoluted route!

After the break, I completed my “rounder” on the H13, by taking the same bus on the 10 min journey back to Ruislip Station, a slightly quieter run in this direction.

The H13 was part of the “Harrow Buses” scheme in 1987, originally running between Ruislip Lido and Pinner Green, serving new roads and taking over the Ruislip Station to Lido section of the 114, initially only on M-S, although this later became Daily. MR minibuses were used at first in “Harrow Buses” red and cream with black skirt livery, although these were later replaced with plain red SR “StarRiders”. In 1990, the route was extended to Northwood Hills Circus and then passed to Sovereign Buses on re-tender using blue and cream Mercedes midis. A year later, a further extension was added to St Vincent’s Hospital.

In 1999, Darts replaced the midibuses, but 3 years later Sovereign was purchased by London United and the Darts became the SDP class, repainted from blue and cream into London red with grey skirt. London United itself changed ownership through Transdev to the RATP Group, by which time DE class Enviro200s replaced the Darts. Metroline gained the contract in 2019 using their DE types instead.

The 278 is operated by Transport UK (formerly Abellio) using a mix of Enviro400H vehicles of both “classic” and MMC versions. One of the latter, fleet no 2010, is seen departing from Ruislip High Street for Heathrow. I rode one of the classic examples on the next working.

*This route only began in 2019, replacing the 140 between Hayes & Heathrow and providing a new link from Ruislip to Heathrow.*

Route 278: Ruislip - Heathrow Central

Next, the 278, a rare new TfL route in recent years, which was introduced in 2019 as part of the changes in West London intended to improve links with the new Elizabeth Line and introducing a direct service between Ruislip and Heathrow Airport, the first since the 223 was withdrawn in 1993. Abellio (since taken over by Transport UK) operate the route out of Dawley Road Hayes (DH) Garage. Enviro400H MMC types are used, with a smattering of “classic” Enviro400 hybrids helping out. Only my second ride on the route, having last sampled it when new.

Due to lack of stand space at Ruislip Station, although the buses turn there, they continue to the next stop at Brickwall Lane, where they stand and pick up. I joined one of the older versions, fleet no 2412, which arrived late at departure time and left immediately without stand time. At first, a quiet run as we continued along the High Street and turned left to West Ruislip Station. A reasonable run through Ickenham to Hillingdon, where we looped around to serve the Met Line station. We then resumed our route south direct along Long Lane, passing a set of temporary traffic lights with only a minute or two of delay.

Joining the main Uxbridge Road, we became busier as we made our way through Hillingdon Heath and Hayes End, before turning right along narrow Church Road into Hayes Town, with a few pauses to allow vehicles coming the other way to pass due to parked cars on each side. In Hayes, we virtually emptied out, although a number of others with suitcases travelling to the airport joined us. From here, we followed the former 140 route, which was cut back to Hayes Station when the 278 replaced it over this section. A slight delay at the Harlington Corner lights due to a large number of vehicles ahead of us turning right. However, once on the Bath Road, a fast run to Heathrow North and then through the airport tunnel to the Central Bus Station. Made me recall speedy runs aboard RTs on the 105 and 140 over this section, which was always fun. We terminated after a run of a couple of minutes under the hour, a few minutes down on schedule.

***Metroline Enviro400 TE1311 on the U3 at Belmont Road, Uxbridge, after my lengthy trip aboard from Heathrow Central.***

This bus is one of several formerly at Edgware (EW), but transferred to Uxbridge (UX) to replace even older VW types. However, this is likely a short term arrangement, as new electrics are on order for the U3 and U4 contract renewal.

Route U3: Heathrow Central - Uxbridge

To return to Uxbridge, I opted to travel on the U3 which, together with the U4, was retained by Metroline on re-tender last year with new electrics to be introduced eventually. However, for now, the existing diesels continue, although some of the older VWs thereon have been replaced by slightly newer TEs transferred from Edgware (EW) to Uxbridge (UX) after the 240 was converted to WDE electrics recently.

Sure enough, the next U3 to turn up at Heathrow Central was TE1311, a former EW inmate, so I boarded after it took its 10 min layover. This turned out to be one of those rides which started well but then deteriorated rapidly towards the end! All was good as we departed with an almost full load, back through the airport tunnel and out onto the Bath Road. Turning right up Hatch Lane, we passed through the village of Harmondsworth, surprisingly picturesque so close to Heathrow, but now in the news due to being blighted by the proposed third runway as part of the airport expansion, which would wipe the place from the map and completely change the look of the area.

We continued on at pace towards West Drayton, before turning off to loop around the Wise Lane Estate, with narrow roads and parked cars to negotiate. On this occasion, very few on and off over this section, so we made good progress to West Drayton Station, where the long term roadworks preventing access have finally been completed and we did the double run through the station forecourt. After this, we encountered slow moving traffic up to the lights at Yiewsley Library, but picked up speed again as we entered Falling Lane. No issues through the estate roads to Colham Green, but then the trouble started.

4 way temporary lights at Hillingdon Hospital were causing chaos and we lost around 10 mins here. Annoyingly, as we passed the roadworks, it was noticeable that no-one was working on the cordoned off section of carriageway, nor was there any evidence of activity, a seemingly common occurrence. Then, as we turned off past the main entrance of Brunel University, a further problem as a large group of students boarded, several attempting to pay with cards that did not work! After much faffing about, with some of the group paying for some of the others, we moved off, by now some 15 mins down on schedule. We finally made it into Uxbridge, circled through the town centre and terminated at Belmont Road near the station after an extended journey of 1h 5m.

The U3 came as a midibus route with MAs in 1989, operated by Centrewest under the “U-Line” scheme. Initially running between Uxbridge and Wise Lane Estate, it received the extension to Heathrow in 1993 in place of the 223, which was withdrawn. Capital Logistics took over in 1998 using Optare Excels, although the contract was novated to TGM Buses just 2 years later. First Centrewest returned to the route in 2001 using DML and then DMC Darts, although around this time a scheduled double decker (TN type) was allocated at peak times.

Metroline replaced First in 2013 and continued with Darts plus the odd TP or VP double decker, although DEL Enviro200 MMCs later became common. However, in recent years, double deckers have become more prevalent, although the mix of double to single has fluctuated somewhat. The route was officially converted to all double deck at the 2024 contract change, using TE and VW types, a necessary alteration in view of the large number of students who use the route at peak times.

***Metroline Enviro200 DE1162 on the U2 at Brunel University, before I rode it back to Uxbridge the long way round via Hillingdon.***

*As with earlier pictures, this is yet another transfer from G to UX Garage, but new electric single deckers are on order for both the U1 and the U2.*

Part Route U4: Uxbridge - Brunel University

Back at Uxbridge, there was time to fit in a final ride, so I opted for a circular via part of the U4 and then the U2. After a long gap, no doubt caused by the Hillingdon Hospital roadworks, TE1421 (UX) pulled up the Uxbridge Station stop bound for Hayes. I boarded for the short 10 min run to the back end of Brunel University.

Route U2: Brunel University - Uxbridge

As I alighted from the U4, there was a U2 simmering on the stand, ready to depart for Uxbridge the long way round via Hillingdon. This is another TfL route which is almost a circular but not quite - no doubt if this was anywhere else in the country, it would operate to and from Uxbridge in a loop both ways round!

My bus this time was DE1162, another UX Garage example formerly at Greenford (G). I had the bus to myself as we departed from the semi-rural stand and we only picked up small numbers throughout the journey. Surprisingly, we made it through the temporary lights at Hillingdon Hospital with only a couple of minutes delay this time, although traffic was still bad in the other direction. Moving on to Hillingdon Heath, before turning up Long Lane in the opposite direction to the 278 I had ridden earlier in the day.

However, the U2 then veers off along Windsor Avenue to serve the Oak Farm Estate, with a further daytime diversion around 3 sides of a square to penetrate deeper into the area. Oak Farm was once part of the Hillingdon Court Estate, but was sold off in the 1930s to various builders as part of the “Metroland” developments which followed the arrival of the Metropolitan Railway to much of this part of Middlesex.

After completing this perambulation, we emerged back onto Long Lane just short of the A40, which we crossed for a double run to serve Hillingdon Station. It was then onto the final stretch along Hercies Road and back into town, passing close to Dowding Park. This is near to the Battle of Britain Bunker, the underground operations room at RAF Uxbridge, formerly used by Fighter Command during WW2, which is now a museum and well worth a visit.

Whilst on the subject of history, the U2 was another “U-Line” midibus route, beginning with Centrewest MAs in 1989. It ran between Uxbridge and Hillingdon Hospital, replacing part of the former 98. The short extension to Brunel University was added in 2009. DW Darts replaced the midis in the late 90s, which were superseded by low floor DMC types in the noughties. As with other UX Garage routes, control passed from First to Metroline in 2013, who have since replaced the Darts with Enviro200s of the DE and DEL classes. New electric single deckers are promised under the recent contract renewal for both the U1 and U2.

Arrival back at Uxbridge Station was after an easy 35 min run from the start, a pleasant end to the day.

Watton

See U in Uxbridge

Dying Diesels in Croydon