Arriva, Serving Stratford

On 2nd March 2019, the first of a few Stagecoach London losses early in 2019 centred around Stratford was the 158. Awarded to Arriva London with existing buses, the route is now based at Edmonton (EC).

VLW909 on the first morning of Arriva operation on Route 158 at Stratford Bus Station.
(© Aubrey Morandarte)

The route uses the existing buses from Route 123, with hybrid B5LHs replacing the DB300s and B9TLs usually on the 123. The B9TLs are from First London (via Tower Transit), which did once operate the 158 (and the 123) prior to their tenders in 2005.


DW493 close to the end of the journey, enroute to the second bus stop for Stratford Bus Station.
(© Aubrey Morandarte)

The Stratford two-way scheme has led to the 158 running directly to the bus station than via the Stratford Gyrotary. There is a new bus stop outside the Stratford Centre, opposite the station which buses stop at before entering the bus station. Thus the last stop for the 158 is very seldom used now, as it is quicker to walk to the station from the prior stop.


DW498 at the start of a journey to Chingford Mount.
(© Aubrey Morandarte)

Based at Edmonton, the weekend night service is currently run using hybrid B5LHs off the 123. The route had a weekend night service introduced in August 2016 as part of the Central Line night tube.


A token photo here: a Trident from the previous regime displaying 158, whilst the new order is shown by VLW905.
(© Aubrey Morandarte)

The route is the first Arriva full-time bus route to serve Stratford. Although Route 473 was initially operated by Grey-Green, it was under Cowie leadership, prior to the Arriva branding in 1998. Route 678 has been operated by Arriva London in the past.

The introduction of Arriva into the mix at Stratford further increases the operator diversity. A former Stagecoach stronghold ever weakens with the losses of Route 262 and 473 later on in the year.

Post by Aubrey Morandarte

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