Picture Archive Post 49

London United VA72 on Route 222, Hounslow West, 23/08/12 (© Aubrey)

The current incarnation of Route 222 started on the 16th January 1971, however a route numbered 222 between Hounslow and Uxbridge had been in service since 1934, running between Hounslow Central and Uxbridge as a single decker route due to the low bridge at West Drayton Station. The route was replaced by a re-routing of Route 223 in March 1961, when the height restriction at West Drayton was removed as the road was lowered. It ran from Ruislip to Hounslow with RTs. This lasted just over 10 years, when the 222 was reintroduced, with RTs from Uxbridge Garage. The RTs lasted only 11 months, as the RTs were replaced by SMSs to convert the route to one person operation. This lasted not too long, as DMSs later double decked the route (for the second time). In 1981, the DMSs were replaced by MCW Metrobuses.

Sectorisation brought the 222 to Centrewest in 1989. A Sunday operation of midibuses lasted between 1990 and 1994, when the whole route was converted (again) to single deck. This time, it was one of the very first routes that converted to low floor, using Dennis Lance SLF/Wright Pathfinders (LLW11-24). On 16th September 2000, the route passed to London United under tendering, running with Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers (10.8m DPs). More modern DPSs displaced some of the Darts from the route towards the end of the second contract and by 2010, the route had gotten so busy, a small contingent of double deckers were allocated. Soon enough, after the 111, 120 and H32 gained a large enough contingent of SPs in 2010, the VA/VP/TAs started to stray onto the 81 and 222 (and less so on the H98), all very busy Bath Road corridor routes. Although they do serve Heathrow Airport North, they collect less airport related traffic as there are other, more direct ways to get to the airport. The route was formally converted to double deck in September 2012 with the new contract, and new Enviro 400s. As part of the Night Tube programme, the 222 was given a night service on 12th September 2015.

The bus (Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400), from the low floor conversion of Route 220, started out on Route 220 from Shepherd's Bush Garage. When Shepherd's Bush gained newer double deckers between 2010-2012, these VAs were displaced, with most going to Hounslow initially. VA72 was at Hounslow until 21st September 2012. This bus moved to Fulwell running on the 281, 131, 267 and 681 until removal from London service on 7th February 2013.


London United VA72 on Route 267, Turnham Green Church, 26/01/13 (© Aubrey)

This bus then passed to Confidence Coaches, where it still is today.