Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Waterside Way, London SW17 0HB
Garage Code:  PL
Opened: 2003 Closed: March 2023
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 34

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Optare Esteem
Wrightbus Streetlite

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Garage History

Waterside Way Bus Garage was established on the site in 2003 as a base for their training and private hire fleets. Soon after opening, some of the engineering fleet was also transferred here. The site was also used to store withdrawn buses for a time.

The garage became operational in January 2007 when, due to space constraints at Putney Garage, routes 39 and 485 were transferred here. Route 493 was won from Transdev in March 2012 and was allocated here.

Waterside Way was closed in March 2023 as the site lease had expired. The routes were transferred to Merton, Putney & Stockwell.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Cornwall Road, London SE1 8TE
Garage Code:  RA
Opened: 1990
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 30

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 EV

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Garage History

Waterloo Bus Garage, located in Cornwall Road, opened in 1951 as a bus stand for vehicles terminating at Waterloo Station during the Festival of Britain.

In the early 1980s, a scheme to house all of the Red Arrow buses, at the time operated from Victoria and Ash Grove garages, at the site was put forward.

Planning permission was sought to establish a bus garage but, due to various delays and issues, did not get granted until February 1989.

This was followed by London Transport approving the scheme, and construction commencing later that year.

Waterloo garage opened in mid-1990, consisting of a fuelling facility, a bus wash, offices for supervisory staff and noise reduction measures to appease the local residents.

From its opening, the garage was allocated all 42 vehicles operated on Red Arrow routes. This also saw the garage become unique in London as it only operated from Monday to Friday.

Following the closure of Victoria Bus Garage in 1993, the AEC Routemasters utilised on Route 11 were allocated here, as they also operated from Monday to Friday. Weekend services on Saturday and Sunday were run using one-person operated buses from Stockwell Garage.

2nd June 2002 saw the replacement of the incumbent Red Arrow fleet with London’s first examples of the Mercedes Benz Citaro O530G articulated buses. Space constraints on the Waterloo site meant that Route 11’s Routemasters were transferred to Stockwell to make room for the new vehicles.

Withdrawal of the articulated buses in September 2009 saw the fleet replaced with 12m rigid Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro vehicles.

Following the successful trial of two electric BYD buses in 2013, Waterloo Garage was reconfigured with electric charging points installed in 2016.

This rebuild led to the replacement of the entire vehicle fleet in September 2016, with Waterloo becoming London’s first 100% electric bus garage after Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 EV buses were introduced.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Bushey Road, Sutton SM1 1QJ
Garage Code:  A
Opened:  January 1924
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 85

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro 200 EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro 400 EV City
Optare Olympus
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3

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Garage History

Sutton Bus Garage was opened by the London General Omnibus Company in January 1924, with a capacity for 100 buses. However, the garage was underused and regularly only housed 40 vehicles.

Following the extension of the London Underground’s Northern line to Morden and the associated expansion in housing, the number of vehicles allocated to the garage increased to 100 in 1945 before peaking at 128 in 1952.

On 1 April 1989, London Buses was divided into 12 individual business units to prepare for the sell-off to private companies. Sutton Garage and its routes were allocated to the London General business unit, which had responsibility for routes in the South West area of London.

The London General business unit was purchased by its management in 1994, however, this only lasted for two years before the business was sold on to the Go-Ahead Group, who still operate the garage today.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Binfield Road, London SW4 6ST
Garage Code:  SW
Opened:  2 April 1952
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 180

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400H
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400 MMC
MCV Evoseti
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus New Bus for London
Wrightbus Streetdeck
Wrightbus Streetlite

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Garage History

Stockwell Bus Garage came to fruition with the realisation by London Transport that the withdrawal of trams, and the subsequent move to motor buses left them with a distinct lack of facilities in the Capital for the storage and operation of the expanding fleet.

One opportunity for a new building arose on a large World War II bomb site bordered by Lansdowne Way and Binfield Road in Stockwell which, although scheduled to open in October 1950, was delayed and finally opened on 2 April 1952. However, construction did not cease until the autumn of 1953.

At the time of opening, Stockwell was one of the largest bus garages in the capital, with a capacity of 200 buses. The garage also boasted the largest unsupported roof span in Europe at 393 feet (120 metres).

The garage was designed by Adie, Button and Partners, with Thomas Bilbow, architect to the London Transport Executive, following the style of architecture of the post-war reconstruction period in London.

A distinct lack of steel also saw reinforced concrete used for the roof. The offices, canteen and inspection pits were housed in both one and two-storey brick buildings on the corner of the site.

29 June 1984 saw the introduction of the London Regional Transport Act which necessitated the formation of an arms-length subsidiary company, London Buses Limited.

In reflection of its importance in post-war architectural and engineering history, Stockwell was awarded Grade II Listed status on 29th March 1988.

Following the takeover of the garage by London Buses Limited, the company forged ahead with the division of the business into 12 individual units in preparation for sale to private companies, completing the process on 1 April 1989. As a result, Stockwell Garage and its routes were allocated to the London General business unit, which was responsible for routes in the South West area of London.

The London General business unit was purchased by its management in 1994, but this only lasted for two years before the business was sold on to the Go-Ahead Group, who still operate the garage today.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Chelverton Road, London SW15 1RN
Garage Code:  AF
Opened:  1912 (Current Build: 1985)
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 103

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 MMC
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200EV
MCV EvoSeti
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus StreetLite

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Garage History

Putney Bus Garage can claim to be home to buses since 1888 when the London General Omnibus Company opened stables and garage facility for its horse bus operation in the area. The garage was subsequently rebuilt during the conversion to motorbus operation in 1912.

Chelverton Road was rebuilt again in 1935/6, with new office facilities, new staff accommodation and a new entrance with the remaining buildings on the site undergoing modernisation. The garage became the first in London to operate the AEC Regent III class, commencing in 1939 whilst during World War II, under-utilisation saw the garage become a store for de-licensed vehicles.

With the closure of the nearby Putney Bridge (F) garage in 1958, Chelverton Road garage was renamed Putney in 1963.

29 June 1984 saw the introduction of the London Regional Transport Act which necessitated the formation of an arms-length subsidiary company, London Buses Limited. It was under this company that Putney was again modernised in 1985.

Initially, bus services continued as before but, on 1 April 1989, London Buses was divided into 12 individual business units to prepare for the sell-off to private companies. Putney Garage and its routes were allocated to the London General business unit, responsible for routes in the South West area of London.

The London General business unit was purchased by its management in 1994, however, this only lasted for two years before the business was sold on to the Go-Ahead Group, who still operate the garage today.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Marsh Lane, Tottenham, London N17 0XB
Garage Code:  NP
Opened:  1991
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 181

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro 200 EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro 400 EV City
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro 400 MMC
MCV Evoseti
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2
Wrightbus New Bus for London (NB4L)
Wrightbus StreetLite

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Garage History

Northumberland Park Bus Garage was opened in 1991 by Capital Citybus after they achieved massive route gains in London, following the collapse of London Regional Transport subsidiary company London Forest.

Ownership of Northumberland Park and Capital Citybus transferred on 21 December 1995 when owners CNT Group sold out to the incumbent management team. This arrangement lasted until 8 July 1998 when the management sold the company to FirstGroup.

From the beginning of FirstGroup ownership, Northumberland Park and its services were operated utilising the First Capital name. This did not last long and the garage was integrated into the First London operation.

Following a series of tender losses and the general downturn of the bus business at First, the company sold Northumberland Park and its routes to the Go-Ahead Group in March 2012. The operation was incorporated by the new company under its London General subsidiary.

With the tender wins by Go Ahead London General of routes 153, 230, and 444, coupled with their allocation of new Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 & Enviro400 EV vehicles, Northumberland Park now operates one of the largest electric bus fleets in Europe, totalling over 100 vehicles.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London General
Address: Merton High Street, London SW19 1DN
Subsidiary: London General
Garage Code:  AL
Opened:  November 1913
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 149

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Enviro400
Optare Esteem
Optare Metrodecker EV
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus StreetDeck
Wrightbus StreetLite

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Garage History

In 1911, the London General Omnibus Company decided to withdraw their horse-drawn vehicles and replace them with motor buses. The changeover proved incredibly popular and led the company to begin construction of Merton Bus Garage.

Following the takeover of the LGOC by the Underground Electric Railways Company of London in 1912, Merton garage was opened for operation in November 1913. With the opening of the garage, LGOC routes and its vehicle fleet rapidly expanded, with Merton becoming the company’s largest garage.

During the late 1920s, the UERL suffered financially due to the competition provided by smaller unregulated operators, causing them to petition the Government of the day, and leading to the enactment of the London Passenger Transport Act 1933.

The act created the London Passenger Transport Board, which from commencement, absorbed all of the independent and municipally operated railway, bus, and tram services in the London area, including the UERL, bringing them under a single brand, London Transport.

The need for more covered parking space for allocated vehicles, coupled with the need for better staff accommodation, led to the garage being modernised, beginning in the late 1950s and being completed in 1960.

29 June 1984 saw the introduction of the London Regional Transport Act which necessitated the formation of an arms-length subsidiary company, London Buses Limited. Initially, bus services continued as before but, on 1 April 1989, London Buses was divided into 12 individual business units to prepare for the sell-off to private companies.

Merton Garage was allocated to the London General business unit and was responsible for routes in the South West area of London. As part of this arrangement, Merton Garage was again subjected to modernisation to make it fit for modern-day operation. These works included the demolition of some buildings on the site to provide a wider total space, new engineering facilities, new washrooms for staff, and expanded covered parking. Also, the opportunity was taken to replace the garage roof.

The London General business unit was purchased by its management in 1994, although this only lasted for two years before the business was sold to the Go Ahead Group.

Ten years later in 2004, Go Ahead purchased the Grade II listed King’s Head public house located next to Merton, converting it into offices, and moved the company’s head office from Mitcham to the site.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London Central
Address: Blackpool Road, Peckham SE15 3SE
Garage Code:  PM
Opened:  1994
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 61

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400 MMC
MCV Evoseti

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Garage History

The original bus garage, designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners on nearby Bull Yard opened in 1951.

In the run-up to Privatisation, the garage was found to have severe problems with its roof. The repair costs, with the value of the land the garage occupied, led to the decision to close the garage in 1994.

On the day of closure a new facility, formerly a Council depot, was opened in Blackpool Road. The new facility operated on a low-cost basis and had a capacity of 75 vehicles.

The former 1951 garage was demolished in 1995 and the site became an extension to the local Safeway (now Morrisons) supermarket, as well as the site of Peckham bus station.

The new garage was the first in London to operate Alexander Dennis ALX400 bodied Volvo low-floor vehicles, starting on Route 63 in 2000.

Peckham won bus garage of the year in 2004, although this was a bad omen as it lost almost half of its workload in the following year’s tender awards.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London Central
Address: 208 New Cross Road, London, SE14 5UH
Garage Code:  NX
Opened:  1906
Vehicles Allocated: 171

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400H
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400 MMC
MCV Evoseti
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus New Bus for London (NB4L)

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Garage History

New Cross Bus Garage was opened by the London County Council in 1906 as the second-largest tram depot in London (Holloway was slightly larger).

Amid the 1926 General Strike in support of the miners, the tram crews at New Cross joined the picket lines resulting in the use of strikebreakers to ensure that trams kept operating.

On 7th May of that year, a crowd of around two and a half thousand strikers blocking the depot entrance were baton charged by the Police, resulting in what was described at the time as ‘Rowdyism in New Cross’ by the Kentish Mercury newspaper.

Following the formation of the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933, the London County Council relinquished control of its tram network to the new entity.

The LPTB decided to close the London Tram network and the last tram ran from Charlton to New Cross on Saturday 5th July 1952, with a large crowd of wellwishers at the depot to bid farewell.

The end of trams in London was not the end for New Cross Depot, as it re-opened on the following day as a motorbus garage, said to be the largest in London with capacity for 300 vehicles.

In the run-up to the privatisation of the London Bus network, London Buses was divided into 12 individual business units. New Cross garage was included in the London Central unit and operated under this subsidiary from 1 April 1989.

Privatisation saw the London Central unit purchased by Go Ahead Group in September 1994 and the garage continues to operate under this company.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London Central
Address: Morden Wharf Road, Greenwich SE10 0NU
Garage Code:  MG
Opened:  29 July 2017
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 93

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 MMC
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400
Mercedes Benz Citaro O530
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus Streetlite

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Garage History

Morden Wharf was opened on 29 July 2017 as a replacement for Go Ahead London’s Mandela Way bus garage, which had ceased operation and closed the previous day.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London Central
Address: 1 Warner Road, Camberwell SE5 9LU
Garage Code:  Q
Opened:  1919
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 189

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400 MMC
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400EV
MCV Evoseti
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3
Wrightbus New Bus for London (NB4L)
Wrightbus Streetlite

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Garage History

Camberwell Bus Garage was constructed in 1914 but did not come into its intended use until 1919 due to being requisitioned for the war effort.

With the onset of World War II, Chiswick Works was required for use as an aircraft factory and Camberwell, along with 4 other central area garages (Chalk Farm, Elmers End, Muswell Hill, and Willesden) were selected to carry out body overhauls.

However, Camberwell was bombed in late 1940 resulting in 4 buses being destroyed and 13 seriously damaged, leading to the reduction in overhauls conducted here.

The garage underwent extensive modernisation in the early 1950s, with a new welfare and operational block constructed alongside an enlarged parking area. As part of the new building, a new workshop and pit area were provided in a separate block that undertook heavy maintenance for Camberwell and the adjacent Walworth garage.

In 2005, Camberwell became home to the first hybrid electric buses used in London when six vehicles were trialled on Route 360. Further examples arrived in 2010 and these vehicles were replaced with full electric buses in November 2017.

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Operator: Go Ahead London
Subsidiary: London Central
Address: 134a Erith Road, Bexleyheath DA7 6BX
Garage Code:  BX
Opened:  November 1935
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 114

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Vehicle Types Operated

Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 MMC
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro200 EV
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400
Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro400 EV City
MCV Evoseti
Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2

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Garage History

Bexleyheath Bus Garage was opened as the only new London Passenger Transport Board-constructed trolleybus depot on 10 November 1935.

The site was chosen due to its size, and that the LPTB could include a sizeable forecourt to park both trolleybuses and be used from September 1936 as a terminus for motorbus route 122.

In the early hours of 29th June 1944 a V1 ‘Doodlebug’ flying bomb landed in the centre of the depot causing extensive damage to the depot buildings and the trolleybus fleet either being completely destroyed or severely damaged.

Repairs to the depot were swiftly carried out and the fleet gained strength from other areas, along with several re-bodied vehicles damaged in the bombing.

However, Bexleyheath was the first casualty of Trolleybus withdrawal, ceasing operations on 3 March 1959 and converting to motorbus operation with an allocation of AEC Regent III vehicles.

In 1986 following the breakup of London’s bus network into several business units in preparation for privatisation, Bexleyheath garage was closed with its routes transferring to Catford, Plumstead and Sidcup garages.

The closure lasted for 2 years before Bexleybus, a new low-cost business unit formed by London Buses commenced operations of 17 routes in the area and reopened the garage.

The Bexleybus operation was beset with operational and staffing issues from its beginning and quickly lost two routes by the end of 1988.

The remaining routes followed in January 1991 when the next round of route tenders was announced, leading to Bexleybus ceasing operations and the London Central business unit taking ownership of the garage.

Following privatisation of the London Bus network, The Go Ahead Group purchased London Central, its fleet and garages as their first acquisition in London in September 1994.

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