East London Transit
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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the route change through Barking Town Centre.[clarification needed] As a result of these changes, route 179 was withdrawn between Ilford and Barking and was diverted to terminate at Ilford (Hainault Street) bus terminus.[3][4]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]
- Ilford Hill
- Loxford Polyclinic
- Barking station
- Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
- Barking Kings Edwards Road
- Creekmouth Waverley Gardens
- Thames View Christ Church
- Barking Riverside Riverside Centre
Route EL2 operates via these primary locations:[12]
- Becontree Heath bus station
- Dagenham Heathway
- Becontree Avenue
- Loxford Faircross
- Barking station
- Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
- Barking Kings Edwards Road
- Creekmouth Waverley Gardens
- Thames View Christ Church
- Dagenham Dock Terminus for Dagenham Dock station
Route EL3 operates via these primary locations:[13]
- Little Heath Chadwell Heath Lane
- King George Hospital
- Goodmayes station
- Loxford Faircross
- Barking station
- Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
- Barking Kings Edwards Road
- Creekmouth Waverley Gardens
- Thames View Christ Church
- Barking Riverside Riverside Centre
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
- ^ "Barking Riverside Extension Transport options summary report". Transport for London. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Mapping The Changes" (PDF). The Londoner. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Bus service proposal: routes EL1 and 387 Transport for London
- ^ Barking and Dagenham Transport for London
- ^ "Service changes – 18 January to 1 March 2010" (PDF). Transport for London. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/bus-service/el1-el2-leaflet.pdf
- ^ All aboard East London Transit as new bus service launches Transport for London 22 February 2010
- ^ "East London Transit". Transport for London. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387/results/el1--387-full-consultation-report--2-.pdf
- ^ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387
- ^ Route EL1 Map Transport for London
- ^ Route EL2 Map Transport for London
- ^ Route EL3 Map Transport for London
- ^ "Blue Triangle and Arriva London North win new London tenders" Coach & Bus Week issue 1251 2 August 2016 page 7
- ^ http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-services-in-barking-riverside.pdf
External links
- Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from April 2017
- Guided busways and BRT systems in the United Kingdom
- Transport in the London Borough of Newham
- Transport in the London Borough of Havering
- Transport in the London Borough of Redbridge
- Transport in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Thames Gateway