East London Transit

East London Transit

An East London Transit Wright Gemini 2.
Parent Transport for London
Founded 20 February 2010
Headquarters Westminster
Locale London, England
Service area East London
Service type Bus rapid transit
Routes EL1, EL2
Stops
Fleet Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Operator Blue Triangle

East London Transit (ELT) is a part-segregated bus rapid transit, operated as part of the London Buses network. It was opened in phases between 2010 and 2013. The scheme has been developed by Transport for London due to the existing and anticipated demand for public transport in East London caused by the Thames Gateway redevelopment. The scheme has been planned to allow for a possible future upgrade to tram operation.[1]

It connects National Rail, London Underground and London Overground stations in the London boroughs of Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham with major population centres, such as the Barking Riverside, currently only served by bus routes. There are proposals for a variety of extensions. The first stage of the scheme opened on 20 February 2010.

Services

There are two routes. EL1 replaced the previous 369 bus service and operated 24 hours a day between Thames View Estate and Ilford. EL1 has been extended from Thames View Estate to Barking Riverside. EL2 operated over the whole length of the phase 1 route between Dagenham Dock and Ilford until March 2016 when it was amended to run to Becontree Heath after leaving Barking. Route 179 was withdrawn between Ilford and Barking and was diverted to terminate at Ilford (Hainault Street) bus terminus.[2]

Each route operates five buses an hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes and three an hour during the evenings and on Sunday; giving a combined frequency of ten buses an hour over the core route from Barking to Thames View Estate during the day.[3][4]

Routes

EL1

Route EL1 operates via these primary locations:[5]

EL2

Route EL2 operates via these primary locations:[6]

Vehicles

Both services are operated by Blue Triangle using Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL double-deckers. In February 2017, Blue Triangle will commence a new contract on both routes along with route EL3. All will be operated over by New Routemasters.[7]

Development

Delivered phases

Phase 1

Phase 1 commenced on 20 February 2010.[8]

Phase 2

Construction of phase 2 began in 2011 and was completed in 2013. It received funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.[9]

Extension to Barking Reach

In 2013 it was proposed to extend route EL1 from Thames View Estate to Barking Reach and a consultation was held.[10] The extended service started on 7 September 2013.[11]

Future

Proposed destinations

Proposals for extensions have included Gallions Reach for the Docklands Light Railway, Gants Hill for the Central line, Rainham, Barkingside, Romford, Elm Park and Collier Row and Harold Wood.[1] Havering London Borough Council has voiced support for the extension to Rainham through London Riverside.[12][13]

In 2016, Transport for London launched a consultation, proposing to re-route route 387 and renumber it EL3.[14]

Thames Gateway Transit

The East London Transit formed part of a plan for a much larger Thames Gateway Transit service. It was proposed that it would use the Thames Gateway Bridge to connect to the Greenwich Waterfront Transit on the south side of the River Thames. However, construction of the bridge and the Greenwich busway was cancelled in 2008.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mapping The Changes" (PDF). The Londoner. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  2. ↑ Barking and Dagenham Transport for London
  3. ↑ "Service changes – 18 January to 1 March 2010" (PDF). Transport for London. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/bus-service/el1-el2-leaflet.pdf
  5. ↑ Route EL1 Map Transport for London
  6. ↑ Route EL2 Map Transport for London
  7. ↑ "Blue Triangle and Arriva London North win new London tenders" Coach & Bus Week issue 1251 2 August 2016 page 7
  8. ↑ All aboard East London Transit as new bus service launches Transport for London 22 February 2010
  9. ↑ "East London Transit". Transport for London. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  10. ↑ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387/results/el1--387-full-consultation-report--2-.pdf
  11. ↑ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387
  12. ↑ "Mayor of London blocks Havering's Casino bid". Havering London Borough Council. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  13. ↑ "Proposed Light Transit Schemes in London". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  14. ↑ Bus service proposal: routes EL1 and 387 Transport for London
Wikimedia Commons has media related to East London Transit.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/20/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.