The Circle of London : Abellio London Beddington Cross Garage [BC]

Today saw a visit to Abellio London's Beddington Cross garage. The garage is home to Abellio London who are the remains of Connex and Travel London who were part of the national express group. The Garage is one of three garages that are situated within close proximity of each other, the other two being Metrobus Croydon (C) which was also visited and Arriva Beddington Farm (CN), albeit now mothballed.

The relatively small base was opened at the start of the Millennium in the year 2000 following the unexpected expansion of the unsettled Connex Bus who also ran the Southern and South Eastern Rail franchises at the time. The purpose built garage was built to house the route 3 which was won of London Ceneral in 1999. after a very long stint with the operator.

The small base is comprised of two storage units as well as a compound which includes a bus wash amongst the other normalities you'd expect in a Bus Garage. From the compound visible, is the Metrobus Croydon Depot which is located literally across the road! That tied up with Arriva Garage TC which is only a short distance away makes for perfect competition across the whole Croydon borough especially at the time when tenders are submitted.

Although not a purpose built depot, in its own right, the company Abellio, since taking over Travel London, who themselves took over the below-par Connex operation, have gone a long way to somewhat turning it into a base fit for a purpose, which is to win, sustain and retain work, this has become evident in the recent tender wins which has seen 455 and T33 won in recent times.

Credit to the Abellio London staff for allowing us onto their premises and ensuring that all safety codes and conducts were followed whilst we were on site to ensure that our safety was paramount.