Thornton Heath Bus Garage (TH)

Operator: Arriva London
Address: 719 London Road, Thornton Heath CR7 6AU
Garage Code:  TH
Opened:  1879
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 88

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC
Alexander Dennis Enviro400
Alexander Dennis Enviro400H City
Wrightbus Electroliner
Wrightbus Streetlite

Garage History

Thornton Heath Bus Garage began its operational life as a depot for Croydon and Thornton Heath Tramway Company in 1879 to house their fleet of horse trams.

The depot was demolished and reconstructed in connection with the conversion to electric traction in 1901.

The reconstruction of the depot was planned to house 26 trams, however, this proved to be insufficient and an extension to upgrade capacity to 43 cars was constructed and opened in 1902.

As part of the 1950 tram replacement program, The depot was earmarked for closure and reconstruction as a bus garage. The closure occurred in 1949 with the existing trams and staff relocated to Purley depot.

Following demolition, the new bus garage was constructed and was opened in 1951 housing just 54 AEC Regent III vehicles, roughly 50% of its total capacity.

With the break up of London Buses in preparation for privatisation, The garage and its routes were allocated to the South London business unit on 1 April 1989, trading as South London Transport Limited. Upon privatisation, the business passed to Cowie Group in January 1995 before being rebranded to Arriva in November 1997.