Route 266: Metroline's Finale - By George and Lawrence

Route 266 runs between Hammersmith and Brent Cross via Willesden. The route is operated by Metroline, from Cricklewood Garage (W). The route has a Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 24 buses, and is 10 miles long.

In August of 2011, a tranche was announced, which had devastating consequences for Metroline. They had lost some major routes such as the: C2, 206, 266 and route 70.

This week commences the end of route 266's 70 year old life with Metroline.

The route is allocated a batch of  05 reg 9.9m Dennis Tridents with ALX400 Bodywork, but these are undergoing refurbishment in preparation for Olympic Shuttle duties in which Metroline have been allocated 91 buses according to a source of mine.

Currently a range of buses can be found on the route ranging from: TPLs to TEs with some T reg TAs and some TALs in which we have photos of them all working the route.

A Brief Summary of the History of the route:

The route was created in in 1962, running between Edgware and Hammersmith using Routemasters.
Eight years later (1970), the section between Colindale and Edgware was droped. However, another six years later, the route was extended to Mill Hill Broadway Station still using Routemasters.

In 1985 as the push for OPO conversions on bus routes started, MCW Metrobuses with MTL London Northern were later purchased by Metroline in 1996. However, workings of Volvo Olympians of the 52 were common on the route, as it was worked from both Cricklewood and Willesden at the time.

The route was the transferred fully to Cricklewod when Metroline won route 260 and housed it at Willesden. The route was later housed at Harlesden Garage (HR).

In July 2003, the Night Service that terminated at Cricklewood Garage was dropped, and the route terminated at Brent Cross at all times.

One year later in June 2004, Harlesden garage was renamed Park Royal.

In 2005 the route was retained and the 05 reg Tridents were ordered for the 266, with the allocation being transferred to Cricklewood where it as remained since.

This section is solely devoted to photos of what could be considered the "Normal":

266 Metroline (W) TA653 LK05 GGZ Brent Cross

T reg TAs have been drafted in to help cover for the 05 reg TAs currently undergoing refurbishment but TEs seem to be making an apperance more than TAs as they the T reg appear working on the 32 on route 32

266 Metroline (W) TA73 T43 KLD Brent Cross

TALs: These are for route 32

166 Metroline (W) TAL123 X343 HLL Brent Cross

266 Metroline (W) TAL121 X337 HLL Cricklewood Bus Garage

266 Metroline (W) TAL122 X322 HLL Brent Cross

TEs: 

266 Metroline (W) TE992 LK59 DZT Brent Cross

 

266 Metroline (W) TE881 LK08 DXS Brent Cross

266 Metroline (W) TE1104 LK60 AHU Brent Cross

TPLs: Slightly less common as there are few left at Cricklewood Bus Garage (W).

Summary:
We are sad to see the route pass to First, as we have remembered the 05 reg TAs,  even before we were bus enthusiasts, but we guess there is always time to move on, and no need to live in the past. So we wish First the best of luck with the route, and to look forward to what the future brings.