ROUTE FOCUS › ROUTE 24 Not just ‘any old’ route

Metroline driver, George

onCostaras, ’s talks oldest, about his experiences driving Elizabeth Howlett unchanged route.

historyvisits Holloway behind the garage route to uncover some of the

and provides a passenger perspective

on’t let the modern �leet of New transport industry as the development of the now demolished Chalk Farm garage, in Routemasters on route 24 fool of petrol motors was still in its infancy. A Harmood Street. D you, as there is nothing new resolution to horse powered was sorely The trail was part of an experiment to see Starting at Grosvenorabout the journey,Road, the which red liveried has needed as animals require constant care. if the new ‘hop-on’ front-entrance would be remained unaltered since 1912. Horses could only work for short stints during more ef�icient in built up areas and if running the day and were not capable of enduring long them without a conductor would be a viable ‘LTs’ as they’re known, will take you past some journeys – resulting in lameness or death. option in congested areas – the following year of the capital city’s iconic landmarks. The Omnibus Company (LGOC) saw the Leyland Atlanteans replaced with crew service makes stops at Westminster had been working on petrol engines since the operatedOperators AEC Routemasters. and liveries Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Camden Town, turn of the century but had not made anything to name a few, before making its �inal stop on sustainable. Hampstead Heath. The 24 really isn’t just ‘any LGOC purchased its competitors, Road Car Co The 24 has had several operators over the old’Long route. History and the Vanguard Co in 1908. In 1910 it began years, but contrary to popular belief it was not mass production of the B-type bus, it was the �irst central London route to be ‘privatised’. so successful that a year later the last horse In 1988, it became the �irst central London The 24 route dates back to 1910 and was run powered LGOC bus was taken off the road. route put up for tender. The £3m contract by London General Omnibus Company (LGOC), The petrol engine became so reliable that new was won by Cowie Group-owned Grey-Green, the principal bus operator in London. routes started to be mapped, linking villages which invested in a �leet of 30 Volvo Citybuses It initially ran between Hampstead Heath and towns for the �irst time. This is when the and operated the route out of its coaching base and Victoria Station, but Pimlico was added 24 came into its own. at Stamford Hill. to the journey in 1912 and it has taken the As well as being steeped in history, the route The distinctive grey, green and orange livery same route (with one minor change in 1928 has also made history. In 1965 it trialled a stood out against a sea of red London vehicles diverting it between Belgrave Road and �leet of 30 front-entrance – making it the �irst non-red bus in central Lupus Street via St. George’s Square instead of double-deckers. They had a PDR1.1 chassis, London since the 1930s and earning it plenty Denbigh Street) ever since. powered by a 0.600 rear-engine derated to give of media attention. The 1900s were an exciting time for the an output of 130bhp. The new vehicles ran out The Cowie Group transformed into Arriva 16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 15, 2016 www.cbwmagazine.com

016_020_CBW1266_Route24.indd 16 14/11/2016 11:58 The tender for route 24 has been won by Metroline twice in 2002 and 2012 – it was also the route to fully convert to New Routemasters. ELIZABETH HOWLETT

in 1997 and the fleet once again changed George Costaras, 44, has been in the industry colour and depots. The Citybuses moved to for 20 years and driving route 24 for eight of Tottenham Garage and were later repainted those. He told me how a friend had encouraged in Arriva’s trademark aquamarine and cream him into the bus industry: “My friend had been livery. The tender was lost to Metroline in 2002 working at Metroline and kept telling me how and it upgraded the vehicles to new Volvo great everything was so I applied and the rest B7TL Presidents. is history. I didn’t start driving route 24 until In 2005, Metroline purchased new Alexander around 2002,” said George. Dennis (ADL) Enviro400s originally intended George has seen his fair share of different for routes 4 and 186, the first of their kind to vehicles since 1996. When asked about his serve London’s busy roads. After further re- preferred bus, he said: “I will always like the tendering, the route was awarded to Go-Ahead MCW Metrobus as I trained in it and drove it on owned London General in 2007, and it also service when I started. There is nothing fancy used Enviro400s, making it the first route to about them, the technology is really ‘no-frills’ receive brand new Enviros. unlike these new fandango computers. It was The 2012 re-tender of the route saw it just a simple bus that did its job. back in the hands of Metroline, where it has “I do like the New Routemasters, I know remained ever since at Holloway garage. It they had some teething problems with air- was here that the route yet again made history conditioning but I felt that they have proven when in 2013 it became the first London route their worth and are very reliable. You need Driverto fully convert Perspective to New Routemasters. reliable and simple technologies on a central London bus route. That way you know where you stand if anything goes wrong.” Holloway garage is tucked away in Pemberton When asked why he loved the route so much, Gardens. The striking New Routemasters can George explained: “For me the route length often be seen pulling in and out. Drivers in and the journey are perfect. I was approved to yellow Metroline branded hi-vis jackets are transfer to Potters Bar garage a few years back. constantly walking to and from their vehicles. “When I found out Metroline had secured The atmosphere at this bustling London garage the 24 again, I withdrew my transfer so I could is as busy as the roads it serves. remain at Holloway and continue driving it. Posed accident showing man lying on road after ‘slipping’ from the back platform of B-type bus B237 whilst attempting to board. MUSEUM

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016_020_CBW1266_Route24.indd 17 14/11/2016 11:58 ROUTE FOCUS › ROUTE 24

Transferring would have meant being able to go home on my break. I gave that up to drive the 24s again. I really enjoy the route and I wouldn’t want to change it for anything. “The route changes from one trip to the next and everything affects it. Things like roadworks or demonstrations go on all the time. If there is anything going on in central London, and there usually is, you can guarantee it will affect the 24s. “Every day is different. Most days you don’t even go the same way due to diversions. It goes through Downing Street and Parliament Square. Any marches or demonstrations tend to happen there, so we will either get diverted or offer a split service.” George was not the only driver to have a soft- spot for the route, as many of his colleagues in the depot were in agreement; it is certainly a popular drive despite the sometimes congested roads. Metroline Driver, George Costaras, has been driving the central London route for eight years and withdrew a Many London buses, have had alterations to transfer request to continue on it. He is pictured here inside Holloway depot. ELIZABETH HOWLETT their route, but the 24’s most recent change is that it now runs a 24 hour service. George believes that the route has not changed help each other out through the day. We have because there is simply no need: “The route in driving a central London bus because of the a really good team. Holloway’s allocations itself is set in stone; there is no need to change is traffic. I know some people would be put off manager, Tony, is an asset to the company. We it or extend it. We now run a 24 hour service have patience you will probably end up with a have so many drivers here, but he seems to and that suits everyone,” he said. lottraffic of incidences. and potential stress levels. If you don’t remember us all and what we need. He looks “I have driven the night shift a few times “As a driver we absolutely cannot retaliate after each and every one of us in the depot and because it isn’t safe, professional or acceptable. I don’t know how he does it.” The passengers using the night bus are either For some people patience is something they inand very it is high definitely spirits busier or just than coming the dayoff a shift. night have to learn and unfortunately some drivers to unwind on your break after a long shift shift, more than likely, at University College learn the hard way in this job. That’s why it You would think that finding a peaceful spot Hospital.” requires a certain type of person to do what On the contrary, apparently there is a great we do.” spotthrough in Pimlico: rush hour “In trafficthe morning might be I would challenging. often hot-spots such as Trafalgar Square isn’t for The Holloway garage has such a vibrant walk over to the Thames and look out at the everyone,Driving around but this some doesn’t of London’sbother George: traffic and friendly atmosphere. George believes river while on my break. You get to see all the “I really love the route and the different that driving his favourite route is only part of boats and the goings on while having some experiences I get every day, even when there why he enjoys his job: “The staff at Holloway peace and quiet. That was always my favourite part of the route.” If he could offer any advice to someone driving a London bus route, it would be: “You need patience and awareness of everything. If you have eyes in the back of your head and you can have a friendly chat with your passengers then you are a perfect candidate. “London is busy but it is also a fantastic place. It is constantly changing and the passengers are mostly tourists. For them it’s all about the novelty of getting on a London bus and they can be really chatty, so it’s good to be a people person.” George added: “It is essentially the cheapest tour bus in London. For sightseeing it is second to none.” A passenger perspective When driver George Costaras told me that the 24 could be the cheapest tour bus in London, I decided to get a taste of the historic journey

‘propermyself. Oncecup of I hadcoffee’), finished they talking very kindly to him gave and meother a lift drivers to Hampstead at Holloway Heath (and in finished the ‘driver my taxi service’. I shared my taxi ride with two other long-standing route 24 drivers, whom both completely agreed that it was a fantastic route. Leyland Atlantean or XA-type bus, reg no CUV30C, fleet no XA30, on Route 24 to Pimlico. These With a list of stops that could compete with any rear-engined buses were trialled as part of an experiment on the route. DR HEINZ ZINRAM/LONDON open-top sightseeing tour in the Capital. TRANSPORT MUSEUM I rarely visit London, let alone travel on The first thing I should mention is that

18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 15, 2016 www.cbwmagazine.com

016_020_CBW1266_Route24.indd 18 14/11/2016 17:37 ROUTE FOCUS › ROUTE 24

its buses. As we reached South End Green, Hampstead Heath, I thanked the drivers and A rare sight as made my way to the bus stop. There were a striking blue, two New Routemasters with destinations set American Airlines for the 24 parked up next to the memorial liveried New fountain. I took this moment to grab a quick Routemaster photo before scanning my Oyster card and departs from its heading off on London’s oldest, unchanged stop at Kentish route. Town and If you are like me and don’t frequently visit heads towards London, it is worth mentioning that you need Camden Market. an Oyster card as the drivers don’t handle ELIZABETH cash on central services. You can pay with HOWLETT a contactless card, but you can only pay for

unless each member of that group had their ownone ticket. contactless This would card. You not needsuf�ice some for a type group, of bus pass/travel card, Oyster card or a contactless card to hand before you travel. I thanked the driver and went up to the top- London life than from atop a 24 bus. very good look at the CCTV system which was deck where I found an ample red patterned The residential areas of Kentish Town were encouraging to see as each corner of the bus seat, right at the front. I parked myself down easy enough to get around but the bus started was visible on the screen. and had a look around at my chariot for the to become a bit cramped as more passengers I eventually settled on a more conventional next estimated 40 minutes. As my experience boarded. When I looked at the time, I realized window seat just in the nick of time, as the of buses goes, it was clean and the interior that the school children would be let out soon. I passenger numbers once again grew, along was in fairly good condition. Considering the didn’t know what effect that would have. passenger volume this route must get, it could I was slightly disappointed when I noticed we College Hospital. I didn’t especially notice any have been different. weren’t going to drive through Camden, due to excessivewith the traf�ic engine when noise approaching or rattling that University seemed As the bus approached the Cressy Road stop, a diversion, and George’s mention of roadworks out of the ordinary on this vehicle –the noisiest as at others, the on-board iBus equipment popped into my head. Although, we did get a feature was the rear door. made an announcement and displayed the short glimpse of the very edges of Camden Lock, details – making it virtually impossible to miss I think any tourist would be foolish to forego a your stop. I looked down and noticed what walk around the famous market. approachingThere were Tottenham �lashes of colour, Court Roadglitter and and once an I decided to pop downstairs when we got to againincrease went in traf�ic;upstairs I guessed to the top that deck. we Themust other be Parked cars on one side of the narrow street Mornington Cresent, and sat on a very sociable passengers stared glumly out the windows, can only be described as traf�ic pandemonium. seat directly opposite another passenger. While heads propped up by hands and elbows rested these seats are good for groups of friends, on windowsills. My head was pivoting in every compromiseforced the two and way work �low together of traf�ic and to become a few I noticed reluctant commuters plonking direction and my eyes stretched as far as hornssingle were�ile. Cars, beeped. buses and pushbikes had to themselves down and desperately looking possible to see the theatre displays. You could It was a blessing in disguise as I got to take everywhere, but at each other. tell that this was a commonplace bus journey in my surroundings fully and appreciate the I moved away and sat on a solitary seat hustle and bustle. The tour buses will only take facing the back. This gave me a lovely view of I remained on the top deck throughout and you so far, but you can’t get a better view of a pole, the stairs and a noisy rear door. I got a managedfor some, butto secure it de�initely my coveted wasn’t front for me. seat, ensuring I got the best view of St Martin’s Place all the way through to Victoria Station – it was A 24 spotted on Camden Bridge on its way back to Hampstead Heath spectacular. I was able to bask in some of the after the diversion had been removed. With fares costing very little, it could be London’s cheapest sight-seeing tour. ELIZABETH HOWLETT as Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade and Westminstersights people Abbey.travel far and wide to see; such With a quick Google search on my

information I could possibly need about the areasmartphone I was travelling I was able in, toand �ind thanks all the to the

moving on. traf�ic,As the I hadjourney plenty came of time to an to end, digest I was it before quite glad to get off the bus and stretch my legs. The route took just under an hour one-way, which I

and distance travelled. I can see why drivers enjoythink isthe reasonable journey so given much the as diversions, it really is a traf�ic feast for the eyes, and provokes a sense of pride for our vibrant capital city. It says something for the route that it hasn’t required any alterations over all these year. It isn’t just any old bus route. The 24s are part of London’s history – and very much a part of its heritage. If you’re in London, ditch the Tube and travel on the top deck of a New Routemaster – you never know, it might help you see the capital from a different perspective. ■

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