The Circle of London : Metrobus Croydon Garage [C]

There's a first time for everything they say and today was the first time we ever visited a Metrobus Garage, the Sussex based company have three garages and operate 42 TFL tendered routes. In 2006 they were purchased by 'super-group' Go Ahead but their operations are not a part of the Go Ahead London group and operate with a different O'License.

The Garage located on the Beddington Lane was opened by Metrobus in December 2005 to house the recently won Route 127 that was surrendered by the ill-fated now defunct operator Centra buses. However the garage building was not actually completed until February of 2006, this caused inconveniences to shunters as most of the garage work was done in the day time.

The Garage has been credited for their excellent route performance including that on the well used X26 which was sadly lost to Quality Line on the 14th of April 2012 and on the 19th of May 2012, Abellio gained the contract for the Route T33 who interestingly operate it from literally across the road! Nevertheless the garage gained more work from this move as the 54 was transferred from Orpington (MB) which allowed the 30 Scania Olympus' Metrobus own to be housed at the same facility, reducing engineering work yet maximising maintenance opportunities.

A big thanks must go out to the Metrobus staff for allowing us onto their premises and ensuring that all relevant safety procedures were followed to keep us safe whilst on site!