New garage opens its doors
RIVER Road garage was officially opened with the help of some distinguished dignitaries in July. Go-Ahead Group Chief Executive David Brown and TfL Managing Director Leon Daniels were among the guests invited to the launch. David said: “The opening of a new London bus garage is a rare event and I am proud of what my colleagues have achieved.” The three-acre site represents a
£7m investment and is now home to approximately 425 drivers and 155 buses. It is also home to Blue Triangle’s 12 day routes, one night route and 13 school routes, which were previously operated from Rainham garage. Area General Manager Gavin Smith said: “Preparing the new site and moving the routes across from Rainham, which closed on July 1, was a massive project. The whole team did a fantastic job and completed the project on time without
any disruption to the ongoing operation of the routes. “River Road is in an area of massive development. More than 12,000 new homes are being created in Barking and so we are perfectly placed to acquire new bus routes.” Leon Daniels said: “River Road is a welcome addition to the bus scene. It is a well-designed garage with good staff and maintenance facilities. I congratulate GoAhead London on a job well done.”
Green technology from the land of the pharoahs A FLEET of Egyptian hybrids arrived at Camberwell in April. The MCV (Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles) and Volvo hybrids are being used on route 35, which runs from Dulwich to Aldgate, and route 40, from Shoreditch to Clapham Junction. Camberwell Engineering Manager Mick Reavill said: “We are very pleased with the new vehicles. The bodywork is made in Egypt and the chassis is from Volvo. “They are £30,000 cheaper than conventional hybrids and the drivers love them.” The garage is in the process of conducting a fuel consumption comparison between the new vehicles and the Alexander Dennis double-deck hybrids. Mick added: “Go-Ahead London is always on the lookout for new products and we are delighted to be trialling these new hybrids at Camberwell.”
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