East London Transit

East London Transit

Service vehicle
Parent London Buses (Transport for London)
Founded 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 Go-Ahead London: Blue Triangle
Website http://www.tfl.gov.uk/elt

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 and London Underground, 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. Bus route 179 was withdrawn between Ilford and Barking and was diverted to terminate at Ilford (Hainault Street) bus terminus.

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.[2][3]

Routes

EL1

Route EL1 operates via these primary locations:[4]

EL2

Route EL2 operates via these primary locations:[5]

Vehicles

Both services are operated by Go-Ahead Blue Triangle using Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 double-deckers. The vehicles have air cooling and utilise the London-wide iBus system which is standard on all London Bus services.

Development

Delivered phases

Phase 1

Phase 1 was opened on 20 February 2010.

Phase 2

Construction of phase 2 began in 2011 and was completed in 2013. It received funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.[6]

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.[7] The extended service started on 7 September 2013.[8]

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.[9][10]

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. ↑ "Service changes – 18 January to 1 March 2010" (PDF). Transport for London. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/bus-service/el1-el2-leaflet.pdf
  4. ↑ Route EL1 Map Transport for London
  5. ↑ Route EL2 Map Transport for London
  6. ↑ "East London Transit". Transport for London. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  7. ↑ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387/results/el1--387-full-consultation-report--2-.pdf
  8. ↑ https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/el1-387
  9. ↑ "Mayor of London blocks Havering's Casino bid". Havering London Borough Council. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  10. ↑ "Proposed Light Transit Schemes in London". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 4 February 2010.

External links

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