NSL Buses
| File:NSL Buses Logo.jpg | |
| File:493 bus.jpg Route 493, using Enviro200 Dart buses | |
| Founded | 12 November 2005 |
|---|---|
| Service area | Greater London |
| Service type | Bus |
| Routes | 7 |
| Manager | Matt Larkin |
| Website | ncpchallenger.co.uk |
NSL Buses, or NSL, (previously known as NCP Challenger) is one of many operators of London Buses. It was founded by Matt Larkin in 12 November 2005.
NSL is based in Middlesex. It is owned by NSL Services Group, which was emerged from the car park operator National Car Parks as NCP Services in 2007.
History
The company started operating TfL bus services as NCP Challenger on 12 November 2005. They had obtained the contracts for routes 33 and 419, both were previously contracted to London United (now Transdev London). A depot was established at Twickenham Trading Estate (off Rugby Road), and a number of London United staff filled the management positions.
Route 493 was added from 31 March 2007, having been operated by Armchair (now Metroline) on a nine month emergency short term contract.
A second depot was opened at Park Royal in North West London after winning the contracts to run routes 272, 440 and E11. Both 272 and 440 were transferred from London United (now Transdev London), and the E11 was transferred from First London. NCP Challenger started operation of all three routes on 26 May 2007.
On 28 February 2009, route 283[1] has been operated from the Park Royal depot, having been previously operated by Transdev London.
In April 2009, NCP Challenger was renamed as NSL Buses, because the owner (NCP Services Group) was renamed as NSL Services Group.
NSL is currently rebranding their bus fleet to replace the old NCP-Challenger logo with the new NSL ones.
Overview
NSL Buses currently operate 7 routes on contract to TfL, all are operated by single-decker buses.
Route 33 will be converted into a 24-hour service from 10 January 2010, allowing NSL to have the first ever 24-hour route.
NSL uses Enviro200 Dart, Optare Versa, and Plaxton Pointer 2 buses.
Garages
NSL Buses currently operate from two garages.
Park Royal
This garage can hold approximately 50 buses, and runs London bus routes 272, 283, 440 and E11.
History
Park Royal (PK) garage was opened on 26 May 2007, on the site of the former Metroline Garage in Atlas Road, Harlesden, which had been closed in 2005.
The garage is actually located in a 3 places boundary, which are Park Royal, North Acton and Old Oak Common.
Bus types in use
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 10.2m for route 272 and 440 (ADL)
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 8.9m for route E11. (ADS).
- Optare Versa 10.4m (OVL) for route 283
Twickenham
This garage is located on Twickenham Trading Estate, off Rugby Road. The garage holds approximately 45 buses, and runs London bus routes 33, 419 and 493.
History
Their Twickenham Garage (NC) was the companies first garage, opened on 12 November 2005, to operate routes 33 and 419, and later the 493.
Bus types in use
- Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m / Plaxton Pointer 2 (NCP) for routes 33/419
- Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart 10.2m (ADL) for route 493
References
See also
External links
Bus operators in London | |
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| London | |
| National | |
Bus operators in London | |
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| London | |
| National | |