London Buses route 224 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between St Raphael's Estate and Alperton, it is operated by London United RATP.
History[]
Route 224 commenced operation on 24 February 1990 between Willesden Junction Station and North Wembley Preston Hotel via Acton Lane - Park Royal ASDA - (double run shop hours) - Heather Park - Alperton Station - (double run) Wembley - Park Lane - Preston Road as a Monday to Saturday service. The route was initially operated by CentreWest from their Alperton (ON) garage using MCW Metrobuses. The route was introduced to replace the withdrawn section of route 226 between North Wembley and Park Royal.
On 29 September 1991, the route was converted to minibus operation using Alexander bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds.
On 21 January 1995, the route was withdrawn between North Wembley and Wembley Stadium Station, with this section being taken over by new route 223.
On 14 October 1995, the Alexander bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds were replaced by Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Darts and a Sunday service was introduced.
On 13 October 2001, the route was retained by First London using low floor Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Dart SLFs.
On 14 October 2006, the route was retained by First London.
On 15 October 2011, the route was retained by First London. On the same date, the route was withdrawn between Harlesden Station and Willesden Junction and diverted via route 206 to St Raphael's Estate.
In May 2012, the Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Dart SLFs were replaced by brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
On 22 June 2013, the route was included in the sale of First London's Alperton (ON) garage to Metroline.
On 13 October 2018, the route passed to London United operating from their Park Royal (RP) garage using Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts.
In November 2018, the Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts were replaced by brand new Enviro 200 MMC bodied Alexander Dennis E20Ds.
On 7 December 2019, the route was withdrawn between Alperton Sainsbury's and Wembley Stadium Station.
Current Route[]
Route 224 operates via these primary locations:
- St Raphael's Estate Pitfield Way
- Brent Park Tesco
- Neasden Temple
- Harlesden Station
- Central Middlesex Hospital Bus Station
- Park Royal Asda
- Park Royal Iveagh Avenue
- Alperton Station
- Alperton Sainsbury's
Previous route 224s[]
- Until 22 April 1978, a Uxbridge to Laleham route 224 ran via Yiewsley, West Drayton and Staines. The 224B (see below) was renumbered 224 in March 1979.
- Between 16 February 1955 and 16 January 1971 route 224A ran from Uxbridge to West Drayton.
- Between 23 January 1957 and 27 May 1989 a Uxbridge to Stockley Park route 224B (renumbered 224 in March 1979) ran via Cowley, Yiewsley and West Drayton. (replaced by route U5).
- Between 14 March 1961 and 8 May 1963 route 224C ran from Uxbridge to West Drayton or Heathrow (peak times).