London Buses route 251
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 251 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London Sovereign
.
The 251 in 1934 was based at Palmers Green garage using AEC Renown LT-class 'Scooter' single-deckers. Operation was transferred to Edgware garage in 1939 and to Muswell Hill garage over 1941/2. 1949 saw the Scooters replaced by Weymann-bodied Leyland TD-type single deckers. AEC Regal RF buses were introduced at weekends in 1953 and completely replaced the TDs in 1957. The allocation was transferred again to Edgware garage in 1963.
It was extended via Edgware to Stanmore in 1968 to replace the withdrawn section of route 245
. In 1977, RFs were replaced by BL Bristol LHs, then by midibus Dennis Darts in 1990. Apart from a brief period using the infamous Optare StarRider
, Darts in various forms became standard fare.
In 1987 the route was extended to Stanmore Church. It was withdrawn between Edgware and Stanmore in 1993, and replaced by route 142
; the Sunday service was also withdrawn but was reinstated in 1996.
Low-floor Dennis Dart
single deckers were cascaded from route C2
and 10 new ones were bought in to convert routes 107, 251, 288, 303 and 305 to low-floor.
The allocation was moved to North Wembley in 2005.
11 new low-floor MAN 12.240 / MCV Evolution single deckers (classified MM) entered service in Spring 2007.
Metroline's North Wembley garage was closed on 29 May 2009. Allocation was moved to the new Cricklewood garage (W) and the new MMs were replaced by much older DLDs and DPs.
The DLDs and DPs were replaced by brand new Enviro200s in September 2009.
On 3 September 2011, London Sovereign successfully gained the contract of route 251 and are now operating it from their Edgware (BT) garage.
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London Sovereign
Transdev London Sovereign
London Sovereign is one of the many operators of London Buses, owned by Transdev. Since Transdev sold London United to RATP, it is Transdev's only remaining London bus company....
.
History
Route 251 http://www.red-rf.com/rf-405 began as route 551 in 1925, running from Whetstone via Arnos Grove & the North Circular to Edmonton. It was operated by a number of independent operators before all were absorbed into the London General Omnibus Company. By 1933, the route had been extended via Mill Hill to Burnt Oak, and the following year was shortened to terminate at Arnos Grove. Later that year it was renumbered as the 251.The 251 in 1934 was based at Palmers Green garage using AEC Renown LT-class 'Scooter' single-deckers. Operation was transferred to Edgware garage in 1939 and to Muswell Hill garage over 1941/2. 1949 saw the Scooters replaced by Weymann-bodied Leyland TD-type single deckers. AEC Regal RF buses were introduced at weekends in 1953 and completely replaced the TDs in 1957. The allocation was transferred again to Edgware garage in 1963.
It was extended via Edgware to Stanmore in 1968 to replace the withdrawn section of route 245
London Buses route 245
London Buses route 245 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:...
. In 1977, RFs were replaced by BL Bristol LHs, then by midibus Dennis Darts in 1990. Apart from a brief period using the infamous Optare StarRider
Optare StarRider
The Optare StarRider was a midibus/midicoach body produced by Optare between 1987 and 1994. It was based on a Mercedes-Benz 811D/814D chassis, with its body made from a steel frame with aluminium alloy and GPR exterior panels....
, Darts in various forms became standard fare.
In 1987 the route was extended to Stanmore Church. It was withdrawn between Edgware and Stanmore in 1993, and replaced by route 142
London Buses route 142
London Buses route 142 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Arriva Shires & Essex.-History:...
; the Sunday service was also withdrawn but was reinstated in 1996.
Low-floor Dennis Dart
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
single deckers were cascaded from route C2
London Buses route C2
London Buses route C2 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.-History:...
and 10 new ones were bought in to convert routes 107, 251, 288, 303 and 305 to low-floor.
The allocation was moved to North Wembley in 2005.
11 new low-floor MAN 12.240 / MCV Evolution single deckers (classified MM) entered service in Spring 2007.
Metroline's North Wembley garage was closed on 29 May 2009. Allocation was moved to the new Cricklewood garage (W) and the new MMs were replaced by much older DLDs and DPs.
The DLDs and DPs were replaced by brand new Enviro200s in September 2009.
On 3 September 2011, London Sovereign successfully gained the contract of route 251 and are now operating it from their Edgware (BT) garage.
Current route
- Edgware StationEdgware tube stationEdgware tube station is a London Underground station in Edgware, in the London Borough of Barnet, in North London. The station is the terminus of the Edgware branch of the Northern Line and the next station towards central London is . Edgware is in Travelcard Zone 5.-Location:The station is in...
Bus Station - Station Road
- High Street EdgwareEdgwareEdgware is an area in London, situated north-northwest of Charing Cross. It forms part of both the London Borough of Barnet and the London Borough of Harrow. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
- Burnt Oak BroadwayBurnt OakBurnt Oak is a suburb predominantly in the London Borough of Barnet south of Edgware, although parts of it fall within Brent and Harrow.The name Burnt Oak was first used in 1754 and from then until the 1850s referred to no more than a field on the eastern side of the Edgware Road...
- Watling Avenue
- Burnt Oak StationBurnt Oak tube stationBurnt Oak tube station is a London Underground station in Burnt Oak, north London, on Watling Avenue, off the A5...
- Woodcroft Avenue
- Bunns Lane
- Mill Hill BroadwayMill HillMill Hill is a place in the London Borough of Barnet. It is a suburb situated 9 miles north west of Charing Cross. Mill Hill was in the historic county of Middlesex until it was absorbed by London...
- Mill Hill Broadway StationMill Hill Broadway railway stationMill Hill Broadway railway station is in the London Borough of Barnet in North London.The station lies on the Midland Main Line and is served by First Capital Connect trains as part of the Thameslink Line service. It is in Travelcard Zone 4...
- Mill Hill Circus
- Lawrence Street
- Highwood Hill
- Totteridge Common
- Totterige Village
- Totteridge Lane
- Totteridge & Whetstone StationTotteridge and Whetstone tube stationTotteridge and Whetstone tube station is a London Underground station in north London. The station is the penultimate one on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line, between Woodside Park and High Barnet stations, and in Travelcard Zone 4...
- WhetstoneWhetstone, London-Buses:* 34 - Barnet Church to Walthamstow Central bus/tube/railway station* 125 - Winchmore Hill to Finchley Central* 234 - Barnet to Highgate Wood * 251 - Edgware bus/tube station to Arnos Grove tube station...
- Oakleigh Road North
- Oakleigh Road South
- New SouthgateNew SouthgateNew Southgate is a residential suburb in the south-east corner of the London Borough of Barnet and the south-west corner of the London Borough of Enfield in North London, England....
Betstyle Circus - Bowes Road
- Arnos Grove StationArnos Grove tube stationArnos Grove is a London Underground station on the Piccadilly line between Bounds Green and Southgate. It is in Travelcard Zone 4 and is located in Arnos Grove, near Arnos Park on Bowes Road, London. The station and surrounding neighbourhood of Arnos Grove take their names from the Arnos Grove...