THe 64 Returns to TH

Upon sectorisation, the 64 started out as a South London (sector) route. That later became Cowie South London then Arriva London South. The route was later lost to Metrobus but however was recently re-gained by Arriva London from Thornton Heath.


Arriva London T15, T144 and T120 on Route 64, East Croydon Station (© Aubrey)

Triple, curtailed bunching. Yup. Due to roadworks in the Croydon area, there were large delays on through routes in Croydon. This meant that the 64 had large amounts of curtailments to East Croydon, as well as other routes being stopped short of their destination (the X26, for example, terminated at East Croydon).


Arriva London T165 on Route 64, East Croydon (© Aubrey)

The 64 is allocated Enviro 400s off the 341, where the replacement is VDL DB300s. These buses were refurbished (i.e. refreshed, as proper refurbishments do not happen in London anymore), and is one of the many new operator changes with existing buses.


Arriva London T156 and T151 on Route 64, New Addington Vulcan Way (© Jacek)

The 64 at Vulcan Way used to, under Metrobus, stand next to the stop. However, the new Arriva 64s stand at the stand ahead of the stop. Then they double back Vulcan Way and the turnaround to serve the first stop. Metrobus 64s used to just pick up where they stood, although this was away from the kerbside.


Metrobus 960 on Route 64, New Addington Vulcan Way (© Anthony)

Metrobus won the route from Arriva London South in August 1997 with Volvo Olympians. The route before passing to Metrobus was run from both Croydon and Thornton Heath garages. Afterwards, a 19 year period of Metrobus on the 64 appeared, including a last few years under Go-Ahead London control (as opposed to being separate from the rest of Go-Ahead London). Many types of buses could be found on the last day under Metrobus, including the shown Scania Omnicity.


Metrobus PVL377 on Route 64, East Croydon (© Aubrey)

A newer type for the 64 was the Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President, transferred to replace similar-aged Scania Omnicity buses (to standardise the fleet).


Metrobus WHV58 on Route 64, East Croydon (© Anthony)

Types allocated on other routes also found themselves on the 64, including this B5LH from Route 119.


Metrobus E216 on Route 64, New Addington Vulcan Way (© Aubrey)

And finally, some of the leftovers from LT conversions including these Enviro 400s were also on the route on the last day with Metrobus. Most drivers are not transferring to Arriva. Due to the rerouting of the 64 in New Addington to replace the T31/T32, drivers find the 64 pretty slow as opposed to before the Addington changes.

The 64 arrives back at Thornton Heath, having been based there between 1962 and 1997 (Sunday only 1992-1997).


Arriva London T164 and T153 on Route 64, East Croydon (© Jacek)

It hasn't been the smoothest start, with a lot of bunching on the 27th August (first day), and a fire on T154 just a few days later on the route. However, the 64 isn't the easiest to run as it goes through Croydon as opposed to terminates in Croydon.


Arriva London T151 on Route 64, New Addington Vulcan Way (© Aubrey)

However, it's not the hardest route to run in London by any margin, and with the various existing Enviro 400s, Arriva should be able to get a hold on running the route.