Cricklewood Bus Garage

Operator: Metroline
Subsidiary: Metroline Travel
Address: 329 Edgware Road, London NW2 6JP,
Garage Code:  W
Opened: 1914 Rebuilt: 2009
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 173

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 MMC
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400H
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400 MMC
Optare Solo SR
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus New Bus for London

Garage History

As its fleet of motorbuses grew, the London General Omnibus Company constructed a garage on the current site in 1914, named Cricklewood.

The cessation of World War I saw Cricklewood Bus Garage become one of the four LGOC garages to undertake chassis and mechanical part overhauls. This practice continued until Chiswick Works opened, although Cricklewood continued undertaking body overhauls until 1941.

The formation of the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933 saw all LGOC operations absorbed into London Transport

In the run-up to privatisation of London’s Buses and the creation of 12 business units, operation of the garage was taken over by Metroline on 1st April 1989.

The takeover saw Cricklewood’s future become uncertain with the garage being rationalised, the engineering department moving to Edgware, and the allocation being reduced. Following expansion works at the garage, thanks to the upgraded facilities, it returned to full-scale operation in 1992.

Privatisation of London Buses saw Metroline purchased by its management in October 1994, followed by the sale of the business to ComfortDelGro in February 2000.

Due to the increased number of services operated, the garage was deemed too small and outdated for modern usage. In 2007 the garage was closed and operations transferred to a temporary site on the opposite side of Edgware Road.

The garage was demolished and construction work started on a new garage and head office building, finally being completed, with operation commencing in January 2009.