London Buses route 266

Infobox London Bus
number=266


ibus=yes
operator=Metroline
garage=Cricklewood
vehicle= Dennis Trident 2 /Alexander ALX400
Dennis Trident 2/Plaxton President
pvr=24
start=Hammersmith
via=Acton
Harlesden
Willesden
end=Brent Cross Shopping Centre
length=10 miles (16 km)
level=24-hour service
frequency=About every 8-30 minutes
time=49-98 minutes
night=24-hour service
day=24-hour service

London Buses route 266 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.

History

The 266 replaced the former trolleybus route 666 between Edgware and Hammersmith in 1962, the Colindale and Edgware section was discounted in 1970.

In 1976, the 266 was rerouted Mondays to Fridays except late evenings and Saturdays except evenings to the new Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

It was extended from Colindale to Mill Hill Broadway, via Grahame Park and Montrose Avenue.The section between Staples Corner and Mill Hill Broadway section was withdrawn in 1981. It was converted to opo in 1985 using MCW Metrobuses and it was operated by MTL London Northern. In 1996 the contract was handed over to Metroline and the Metrobuses were painted in Metroline livery they were also supplemented by Volvo Olympians from the 52 and in late 1998 low floor Tridents entered service. Not all the Metrobuses were painted in Metroline's livery as they were going to be converted to Arriva London. Eventually the Volvo Olympians replaced the Metrobuses between 2001 and 2003 during which the odd single decker working was not uncommon using both Plaxton and Marshall-bodied darts and even Lances were used. In early 2005 the route was converted to low floor operation using Alexander bodied Tridents and Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs.More recently Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s were introduced to the route.

The 266 gained a night service (N266) in 2001 but only running to Cricklewood Garage. Brent Cross Bus station was subsequently opened for 24 hours operation and now the route runs there day and night. The 'N' prefix was dropped in 2004.Bus Route 266 is a 24-hour service today.

Current route

Route departing Hammersmith

* Hammersmith (District/Piccadilly Lines) "Lower Bus Station"
* Talgarth Road
* Queen Caroline Street
* Broadway
* King Street
* Starch Green
* Askew Road
* The Vale
* Acton Vale
* Uxbridge Road
* Acton High Street
* Horn Lane
* Acton Mainline Station
* Gypsy Corner
* North Acton Station
* Victoria Road
* Willesden Junction Station
* Harlesden "Jubilee Clock"
* Harrow Road
* Craven Road
* Church Road
* Willesden Bus Garage
* High Road
* Willesden Green Station
* Walm Lane
* Cricklewood Broadway
* Edgware Road
* Cricklewood Bus Garage
* Staples Corner
* Slip Road
* Brent Cross Shopping Centre "Bus Station"

Route departing Brent Cross Shopping Centre

* Brent Cross Shopping Centre "Bus Station"
* Staples Corner
* Cricklewood Bus Garage
* Edgware Road
* Cricklewood Broadway
* Walm Lane
* Willesden Green Station
* High Road
* Willesden Bus Garage
* Church Road
* Craven Park
* Harrow Road
* Harlesden "Jubilee Clock"
* Willesden Junction Station
* North Acton Station
* Gypsy Corner
* Acton Mainline Station
* Horn Lane
* Acton High Street
* Uxbridge Road
* Acton Vale
* The Vale
* Askew Road
*Goldhawk Road
*Paddenswick Road
*Dalling Road
*Glenthorne Road
*Beadon Road
*Hammersith Station "Hammersmith & City Line"
*Hammersmith Broadway
*Hammersmith Road
*Hammersmith (District & Piccadilly Lines) "Lower Bus Station"

ee also

* List of bus routes in London
* Metroline

External links

* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk Transport for London]
* [http://www.busesatwork.co.uk London Bus Routes]
* [http://www.busmap.org/tt4/266.pdf Full timetable (PDF)]