East London Transit

East London Transit

An East London Transit Wright Gemini 2.
Parent Transport for London
Founded 20 February 2010
Headquarters Westminster
Locale East London
Service area Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge
Service type Bus rapid transit
Routes

3

Fleet New Routemaster
Operator Blue Triangle

East London Transit (ELT) is a part-segregated[1] bus rapid transit, operated as part of the London Buses network, 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, and has been planned to allow for a possible future upgrade to tram operation.[2]

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

History

There are three routes. EL1 replaced the previous route 369 bus service and operated 24 hours a day, initially between Thames View Estate and Ilford, and has since 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. EL3 replaced the previous route 387 operated between Little Heath and Barking Riverside, the route change through Barking Town Centre. As a result of these changes, route 179 was withdrawn between Ilford and Barking and was diverted to terminate at Ilford (Hainault Street) bus terminus.[3][4]

Each route operates five buses an hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes and three buses an hour during the evenings and on Sunday; this gives a combined frequency of ten buses an hour over the core route from Barking to Thames View Estate during the day.[5][6]

Delivered phases

Phase 1

Phase 1 commenced on 20 February 2010.[7]

Phase 2

Construction of phase 2 began in 2011 and was completed in 2013. It received funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.[8]

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.[9] The extended service started on 7 September 2013.[10]

Current network

Route EL1 operates via these primary locations:[11]

Route EL2 operates via these primary locations:[12]

Route EL3 operates via these primary locations:[13]

Vehicles

All services are operated by Blue Triangle using New Routemaster double-deckers. In February 2017, Blue Triangle commenced a new contract on routes EL1 and EL2 along with new route EL3 (which replaced the similary routed 387). All routes gradually introduced New Routemasters along the three routes.[14]

Future developments

Proposed destinations

Early proposals for extensions have included Gants Hill for the Central line, Rainham, Barkingside, Romford, Elm Park and Collier Row and Harold Wood.[2] Havering London Borough Council has voiced support for the extension to Rainham through London Riverside.

In a bus network development paper from 2016, a new route EL4 was proposed between Barking Riverside and Becontree Heath bus station via Becontree tube station. Additional proposals include services to Gallions Reach for the Docklands Light Railway, East Ham, Silvertown and Stratford.[15]

Thames Gateway Transit

The East London Transit formed part of a plan for a much larger Thames Gateway Transit service, which 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. ↑ "Barking Riverside Extension Transport options summary report" (PDF). Transport for London. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Mapping The Changes" (PDF). The Londoner. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Bus service proposal: routes EL1 and 387 Transport for London
  4. ↑ Barking and Dagenham Transport for London
  5. ↑ "Service changes – 18 January to 1 March 2010" (PDF). Transport for London. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  6. ↑ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/bus-service/el1-el2-leaflet.pdf
  7. ↑ All aboard East London Transit as new bus service launches Transport for London 22 February 2010
  8. ↑ "East London Transit". Transport for London. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  9. ↑ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387/results/el1--387-full-consultation-report--2-.pdf
  10. ↑ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387
  11. ↑ Route EL1 Map Transport for London
  12. ↑ Route EL2 Map Transport for London
  13. ↑ Route EL3 Map Transport for London
  14. ↑ "Blue Triangle and Arriva London North win new London tenders" Coach & Bus Week issue 1251 2 August 2016 page 7
  15. ↑ http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-services-in-barking-riverside.pdf
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