111
Abellio London Wright StreetDeck Electroliner BEV in Kingston upon Thames in December 2023
Overview
OperatorAbellio London
GarageFulwell
VehicleWright StreetDeck Electroliner BEV
Peak vehicle requirementDay: 24 (Plus two buses from route 481Ds allocation)
Night: 4
Began service16 February 1944
PredecessorsRoute 110
Night-time24-hour service
Route
StartHeathrow Central bus station
ViaCranford
Heston
Hounslow
Hanworth
Hampton
EndKingston upon Thames
Length15 miles (24 km)
Service
Level24-hour service
FrequencyAbout every 8-15 minutes
Journey time52-103 minutes
Operates24-hour service

London Buses route 111 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Heathrow Central bus station and Kingston upon Thames, it is operated by Abellio London.

History

London United Scania OmniCity at Heathrow Central bus station in August 2013

Route 111 commenced operating on 16 February 1944 from Hounslow garage to Hanworth.[1] It was converted to driver-only single-deck operation with AEC Swifts on 23 August 1969. At the same time a self-service system was introduced on routes 110 and 111, with passengers buying tickets from a machine.[2] It was extended to Heathrow Airport in 1981.[1]

From 1 December 2007, route 111 was converted into a 24-hour service; before its introduction a number of residents in Hampton complained to the local newspaper and Transport for London, who named the alternative of more route 481 buses bypassing Hampton to the north-east.[3] Supporters of the extension in hours of operation included the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.[4]

Weekday peak hours service increased to every 8–9 minutes in 2010.[5] The service was free within the Heathrow free travel zone, until the travel zone was abolished in June 2021 after Heathrow Airport Holdings withdrew funding.[6]

Having been operated out of Hounslow garage since its inception, on 30 April 2022 it was taken over by Abellio London and began being operated out of Fulwell bus garage. The route was temporarily using New Routemasters prior to the arrival of 30 new Wright StreetDeck Electroliner battery electric buses, which began to be delivered in January 2023.[1][7][8]

Current route

Route 111 operates via these primary locations:[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 London United loses route 111 Buses issue 798 September 2021 page 22
  2. ↑ Graeme Bruce, J; Curtis, Colin (1977). The London Motor Bus: Its Origins and Development. London Transport. p. 116. ISBN 0853290830.
  3. ↑ "24-hour bus scheme fury". Richmond & Twickenham Times. 24 October 2007.
  4. ↑ "24 hour service for 111 bus route" (Press release). Transport for London. 26 November 2007.
  5. ↑ "Councillors' Details – London Borough of Richmond upon Thames". April 2022.
  6. ↑ Heathrow free travel zone to end – 12 June 2021 Transport for London 12 June 2021
  7. ↑ Crawford, Alex (18 March 2022). "Abellio expected to operate first Electroliner fleet in England". routeone. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  8. ↑ McNabb, Rachel (18 January 2023). "30 new zero-emission Wrightbus Electroliners heading to London". Ballymena Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  9. ↑ Route 111 Map Transport for London

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