London Buses Route 251 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Edgware and Arnos Grove Station, it is operated by Metroline.
History[]
Route 251 commenced operation as route 551 in 1925, running from Whetstone via Arnos Grove and the North Circular Road to Edmonton. It was operated by a number of independent operators before all were absorbed into the London General Omnibus Company. By 1933, the route had been extended via Mill Hill to Burnt Oak, and the following year was shortened to terminate at Arnos Grove. Later that year it was renumbered as route 251.
Routed 251 in 1934 was based at Palmers Green (AD) garage using AEC Renown LT-class 'Scooter' single-deckers. The operation was transferred to Edgware (EW) garage on 7 June 1939 and to Muswell Hill garage over 1941/42. On 13 April 1949, the Scooters replaced by Weymann bodied Leyland TD-type single deckers. AEC Regal RF buses were introduced at weekends on 7 October 1953 and completely replaced the TDs on 1 May 1957. The allocation was transferred again to Edgware garage on 27 February 1963.
On 7 September 1968, was extended via Edgware to Stanmore to replace the withdrawn section of route 245.
On 3 January 1977, RFs were replaced by BL Bristol LHs, then by midibus Dennis Darts on 10 November 1990. Apart from a brief period using the infamous Optare StarRider, Darts in various forms became standard fare.
On 25 July 1987, the route was extended to Stanmore Church. It was withdrawn between Edgware and Stanmore on 3 July 1993, and replaced by route 142; the Sunday service was also withdrawn.
On 31 August 1996, the route was retained by Metroline and the Sunday service was reinstated.
On 1 September 2001, the route was retained by Metroline.
In 2001, the route was converted to low floor operation using Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 4 September 2004, the allocation was moved to North Wembley (NW) garage.
On 2 September 2006, the route was retained by Metroline.
In April 2007, the Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs were replaced by brand new MCV Evolution bodied MAN 14.240s.
On 30 May 2009, the North Wembley (NW) garage was announced closed and the allocation was transferred to Cricklewood (W) garage. The MCV Evolution bodied MAN 14.240s were replaced by existing Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs at the same time.
In September 2009, the Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs were replaced by Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
On 3 September 2011, the route passed to Transdev London operating from their Edgware (BT) garage using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
In March 2014, the route was included in the sale of Transdev London’s Edgware (BT) garage to London Sovereign.
On 3 September 2016, the route was retained by London Sovereign.
On 1 September 2018, the allocation was transferred to Parr Road (CP) garage.
On 5 September 2020, the allocation was transferred back to Edgware (BT) garage.
On 24 June 2023, the route was given a new timetable with the Monday to Friday peak reduced to every 12 minutes reducing PVR from 13 to 12.
On 2 September 2023, the route passed back to Metroline operating from their Edgware (EW) garage temporarily using existing Enviro 200 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E20Ds.
On 8 January 2024, brand new MCV EV bodied Volvo BZL Electrics were introduced alongside the existing Enviro 200 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E20Ds.
On 14 March 2024, the route converted to a full MCV EV bodied Volvo BZL Electric operation.
Current Route[]
Route 251 operates via these primary locations:
- Edgware Bus Station
- Edgware Community Hospital
- Burnt Oak Station
- Burnt Oak Leisure Centre
- Mill Hill Broadway Station
- Mill Hill Circus
- Mill Hill / The Rising Sun
- Totteridge Common
- Totteridge & Whetstone Station
- Whetstone The Griffin
- Betstyle Circus
- Arnos Grove Station