Boro'line London

Boro'line London was a bus operator that operated bus services under contract to London Regional Transport. It was owned by Maidstone Borough Council who already operated Boro'line Maidstone.

Boro'line London
ParentMaidstone Borough Council
Ceased operation1992
HeadquartersNorthfleet
Service areaLondon
Service typeBus operator

It experienced initial rapid success, gaining and operating some of the first services to be contracted out in the Bexleyheath area of South East London. Later services reached Greenwich, Stratford and Euston station. However, the company quickly encountered problems, and on 17 February 1992 sold its London operations to Kentish Bus. Two days later, Boro'line was placed into administration.[1]

History

Boro'line successfully tendered to operate several London bus routes, with the first contracts being won in 1987. In January 1988 Boro'line started its London operations with Bexley-based routes from a Bexley council site in Crayford.[2] Another site in Greenwich later came into use for two Greenwich services working into Euston, Stratford and Lewisham.[3][4] Contracts were won initially in competition with the London Buses low cost Bexleybus unit. Further routes in the area were gained after being given up by the poorly performing strike prone Bexleybus operation.

Routes awarded were operated with a mixture of purposely ordered new buses, and second hand vehicles.[3][5] The large orders were in marked contrast to the piecemeal fleet replacement in Maidstone. Boro'line's bright blue livery contrasted with the traditional red of London Buses in the centre of the capital.

Additionally, while waiting for new deliveries of buses for its tenders, a motley crew of second hand buses were hired or bought to operate in the meantime, a large number being ex Ipswich Buses Leyland Atlanteans, bringing more odd bus types and liveries to London.[4][6][7]

Routes

The following London bus routes had been operated by Boro'line: 108, 132, 188, 233, 272, 422 and 492.

In 1990 Boro'line lost the tender for route 188 to Selkent due to performance issues.[3][4]

Vehicles

The vehicle batches used in London were as follows:

Double-deck buses
Single-deck buses

Upon sale of the London operations, all vehicles purchased specifically for London contracts passed to Kentish Bus.[8] Some of the second hand vehicles used were moved to Maidstone. Ironically some of the London Lynxes later found their way into Maidstone & District colours and then passed into Arriva Southern Counties Kent and Sussex division.[3]

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References
  1. Maidstone Municipal Corporation Southbus
  2. Boro'line Breaks New Ground Commercial Motor 4 February 1988 page 40
  3. Countrybus website Boro'line Leyland Lynx page
  4. London Bus Routes website Route 188 history
  5. London Bus Routes website Route 422 history
  6. Countrybus website Boro'line Leyland Olympian page
  7. Boro'line London Southbus
  8. Talks continue on Maidstone sale Commercial Motor 27 February 1992 page 18
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