THE LONDON SHOWBUS GALLERY
National Express | Travel London
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In June 1998, National Express entered the London tendered bus market with routes C1 and 211 using the Travel London name, matching the style of its Travel West Midlands bus operation. Two years later they sold the business to Limebourne Buses, who the following year sold their operations to Connex. In February 2004, National Express re-entered the London bus market by taking over the entire Connex operation and expanding further the following year by buying the London bus operations of Tellings Golden Miller. This set up lasted five years when Travel London was sold to Dutch state railway operator, NedRailways. The businesses were rebranded as Abellio London and Abellio Surrey, the latter folding in 2018.
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The first incarnation of Travel London included the C1 route and a fleet of Optare Solos though initial operations were with temporarily transferred buses from the Midlands fleet including white, blue and lime Travel Merry Hill Mercedes Vario/Plaxton Beaver 2 minibuses. Solo 231 (S231EWU) is seen in March 1999.
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 A nearside view of 237 (S237EWU), also in 1999. |
 Solo 238 (S238EWU) and the other Solos on the C1 returned to National Express' Travel London ownership after a spell with Limebourne. Seen in June 2004, 238 is in a slightly revised colour scheme. |
Travel London's other initial route, the 211, first used Volvo B6 buses from the Midlands until new Optare Excels arrived. These dual door buses only seated 26 and were replaced by UVG bodied Dennis Darts by Limebourne and later by low floor deckers by Connex. The picture of 421 (R421HWU) is from early in 1999.
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Most of the 211 Excels were moved to the TWM fleet when replaced by Connex Tridents as they were still owned by National Express, 413 (R413HWU) is seen back in Birmingham in December 2003.
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