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251
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| Overview | |
| Operator | London Sovereign |
| Garage | Edgware (BT) |
| Vehicle | Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Dart 10.2m |
| Peak vehicle requirement | 12 |
| Nighttime | No night service |
| Route | |
| Start | Edgware |
| Via | Burnt Oak Mill Hill Whetstone |
| End | Arnos Grove |
| Length | 9 miles (15 km) |
| Service | |
| Level | Daily |
| Frequency | About every 12-20 minutes |
| Journey time | 33-48 minutes |
| Operates | 5:10am until 0:20am |
| Transport for London • Performance |
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London Buses route 251 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London Sovereign.
Contents |
Route 251 [1] 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It was extended via Edgware to Stanmore in 1968 to replace the withdrawn section of route 245. 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 It was withdrawn between Edgware and Stanmore in 1993, and replaced by route 142; the Sunday service was also withdrawn but was reinstated in 1996.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.