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In April, Essex County Council awarded the contract for route 369’s Grays to Shenfield section to Ingatestone Coaches (re-numbered 269), leaving London Country with just the Gatehope Drive to Ockendon Station peak hour workings. Route 370 was withdrawn between Tilbury Asda Store and Tilbury Ferry, though an Essex County Council contract route between Chadwell and Tilbury Ferry was awarded to Highfield Minicoaches - meaning the quickest way to reach Tilbury Ferry from Grays was now by train!
Also during the changes in April, London Country picked up the contract for Essex County Councils new sundays only route 378 from Grays to Tilbury Feenan Highway.
London Country’s fleet details for April 1985 can be found by clicking here.
On 29th June 1985, Green Line route 721 was extended from Tilbury to East Tilbury and route 723 was improved by running direct along the A13 between Dagenham and Poplar.
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The table below shows bus services operating in Thurrock as per the Essex County Council timetable dated September 1985:
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ROUTE
|
OPERATOR
|
|
|
Days
|
Notes
|
|
152
|
Eastern National
|
Chelmsford
|
Grays
|
Daily
|
via Stanford
|
|
153
|
Eastern National
|
Chelmsford
|
Grays
|
Daily
|
Via Corringham
|
|
154
|
Eastern National
|
Chelmsford
|
Grays
|
Mon - Sat
|
via Stanford
|
|
155
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Stanford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Fobbing
|
|
156
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Stanford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Langdon Hills
|
|
157
|
Eastern National
|
Pitsea
|
Bulphan
|
Wed Only
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
158
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Grays
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Fobbing
|
|
257
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Bulphan
|
Tue Only
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
265/266
|
Eastern National
|
Brentwood
|
Bulphan
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
269
|
Ingatestone Co
|
Grays
|
Brentwood
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
367
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Docks
|
East Tilbury, Bata Shoe Factory
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
368
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
East Tilbury, Bata Shoe Factory
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
369
|
London Country
|
Ockendon Stn
|
Belhus Gatehope Drive
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
370
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
Romford
|
Daily
|
Via Feenan Highway
|
|
371
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
Romford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via St Chads Road
|
|
373
|
London Country
|
Chadwell
|
Aveley (To Rainham Mon - Fri peak)
|
Mon - Sat
|
Grays only Sundays
|
|
374
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
Linford
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
375
|
London Country
|
Stifford Clays
|
Rainham
|
Daily
|
Aveley only Sundays
|
|
377
|
London Country
|
Tilbury
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
morning & evening only
|
|
378
|
London Country
|
Orsett Hospital
|
Purfleet
|
Daily
|
Tilbury - Grays Sundays
|
|
383
|
London Country
|
Chadwell
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
Early morning only
|
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389
|
London Country
|
Orsett Hospital
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Fri
|
|
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396
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
Stifford Clays (Town Circular)
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Little Thurrock
|
|
399
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
Stifford Clays (Town Circular)
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Lenthall Avenue
|
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402
|
Eastern National
|
Southend
|
London, Victoria
|
Daily
|
Via Dartford
|
|
403
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Romford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via West Horndon
|
|
405
|
Eastern National
|
Romford
|
Corringham
|
Fri Only
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
721
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
London, Victoria
|
Mon - Fri
|
2 peak return Journeys
|
|
722
|
EN & GL
|
Corringham
|
London, Victoria
|
Daily
|
2 peak return Journeys
|
|
723
|
Green Line
|
Tilbury
|
London, Victoria
|
Daily
|
|
|
795
|
See notes below
|
Southend
|
Brighton
|
Daily
|
|
|
Highfield
|
Highfield M’coach
|
Chadwell
|
Tilbury Ferry
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
TW
|
Thames Weald
|
Sevenoaks
|
Romford
|
Wed - Fri
|
Via Aveley
|
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TW
|
Thames Weald
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Maidstone
|
Romford
|
Sat Only
|
Via Aveley
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X1
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Southend
|
Heathrow Airport
|
Daily
|
|
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X11
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Southend
|
Heathrow Airport
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
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X31
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Canvey Island
|
London, Green Park
|
Mon - Fri*
|
Peak Hours Only
|
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X21/X41
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Basildon
|
London, Green Park
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
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795 Joint operation by Eastern National, Green Line and Southend Transport. X31 * One return journey on Saturdays
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From 1st October, London Country started to change the appearance of it’s vehicles by changing the White stripe to light Green - the ‘London Country’ fleetname was changed from White to light Green sometime later on.
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1986
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The table below shows bus services operated by London Country as per their timetable dated 5th July 1986:
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ROUTE
|
OPERATOR
|
|
|
Days
|
Notes
|
|
367
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Docks
|
East Tilbury, Bata Shoe Factory
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
368
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
East Tilbury, Bata Shoe Factory
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
369
|
London Country
|
Ockendon Stn
|
Belhus
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
370
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
Romford
|
Daily
|
Via Chadwell
|
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371
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
Romford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Little Thurrock
|
|
373
|
London Country
|
Chadwell
|
Aveley (Rainham at peak times)
|
Daily
|
Grays only Sundays
|
|
374
|
London Country
|
Linford
|
Grays
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
375
|
London Country
|
Stifford Clays
|
Rainham (Avelely only in peaks)
|
Daily
|
|
|
377
|
London Country
|
Purfleet
|
Tilbury
|
Mon - Sat
|
Early & Late only
|
|
378
|
London Country
|
Purfleet
|
Orsett Hospital
|
Daily
|
Tilbury & Grays only sundays
|
|
383
|
London Country
|
Chadwell
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
Early morn only
|
|
389
|
London Country
|
Purfleet
|
Orsett Hospital
|
Mon - Fri
|
|
|
396
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
Stifford Clays (Town Circular)
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Little Thurrock
|
|
399
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
Stifford Clays (Town Circular)
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Lenthall Ave
|
|
721
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
London Victoria
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
722
|
See Below
|
Corringham
|
London Victoria
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
723
|
Green Line
|
Tilbury
|
London Victoria
|
Daily
|
|
|
795
|
See Below
|
Southend
|
Brighton
|
Daily
|
|
|
990
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
Eastbourne
|
Wed
|
Summer only
|
|
991
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
Ramsgate
|
Sun
|
Summer only
|
|
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|
722 Joint operation between Eastern National and Green Line. 795 Joint operation between Eastern National, Green Line and Southend Transport.
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Details of London Country’s fleet during summer 1986 can be found by clicking here.
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On 7th September 1986, London Country was split into four separate companies, in preparation for the forthcoming privatisation of the National Bus Company. Grays garage became part of London Country North East, along with Harlow, Hertford, Stevenage and Ware.
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26th October 1986 - deregulation day.
Deregulation day, bourne out of the transport act 1985, was a particularly important day as it spelled the end of the National Bus Company and allowed other independent operators to register their own routes. Many routes were subject to contracting out by Essex County Council as they were socially necessary, but not financially viable.
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The table below shows bus services operating in Thurrock as per the Essex County Council timetable dated 26th October 1986:
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ROUTE
|
OPERATOR
|
|
|
Days
|
Notes
|
|
150
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Grays (Via Corringham)
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
152
|
Eastern National
|
Chelmsford
|
Grays (Via Stanford)
|
Daily
|
|
|
153
|
Eastern National
|
Chelmsford
|
Grays (Via Corringham)
|
Daily
|
Eve & Sundays
|
|
154
|
Eastern National
|
Chelmsford
|
Grays (Via Stanford)
|
Mon - Sat
|
via Stanford
|
|
156
|
London Country
|
Basildon
|
Stanford (Via Langdon Hills)
|
Mon - Sat
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
157
|
Eastern National
|
Pitsea
|
Bulphan
|
Wed Only
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
158
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Stanford (Via Fobbing)
|
Mon - Fri
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
159
|
London Country
|
Basildon
|
Stanford Via Fobbing & Corringham
|
Mon- Sat
|
|
|
257
|
Eastern National
|
Basildon
|
Bulphan
|
Tue Only
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
265
|
Harris Bus
|
Brentwood
|
Bulphan
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
269
|
Harris Bus
|
Grays
|
Brentwood
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
368
|
London Country
|
Grays
|
East Tilbury, Bata Shoe Factory
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
369
|
London Country
|
Ockendon Stn
|
Belhus Gatehope Drive
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
370
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
Romford
|
Daily
|
Via Chadwell
|
|
371
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Byron Gdns
|
Romford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Little Thurrock
|
|
372
|
Harris Bus
|
Grays
|
Orsett Hospital (Grays Sundays)
|
Daily
|
Via Tilbury
|
|
373
|
London Country
|
Chadwell
|
Aveley (To Rainham Mon - Fri peak)
|
Mon - Sat
|
See notes below
|
|
373
|
Harris Bus
|
Chadwell
|
Grays
|
Sun
|
|
|
374
|
Castle Point
|
Grays
|
Linford
|
Mon - Sat
|
2 return Journeys
|
|
375
|
Harris Bus
|
Aveley
|
Orsett Hospital (Grays Sundays)
|
Daily
|
|
|
376
|
London Country
|
Stifford Clays
|
Lakeside (Tesco Store)
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Lenthall Avenue
|
|
377/378
|
London Country
|
Stifford Clays
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
Eve jny’s by Harris Bus
|
|
377
|
Harris Bus
|
Stifford Clays
|
Grays
|
Sun
|
|
|
379
|
Harris Bus
|
Tilbury
|
Grays
|
Sun
|
|
|
380
|
Cunnigham
|
Tilbury Ferry
|
Chadwell (Orsett Hospital Sundays)
|
Daily
|
|
|
383
|
Harris Bus
|
Chadwell
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
Morn & Eve only
|
|
389
|
London Country
|
Fobbing
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Fri
|
|
|
402
|
Eastern National
|
Southend
|
London, Victoria
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Dartford
|
|
403
|
London Country
|
Basildon
|
Romford
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via West Horndon
|
|
405
|
Eastern National
|
Romford
|
Corringham
|
Fri Only
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
721
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
London, Victoria
|
Mon - Fri
|
2 peak return Journeys
|
|
722
|
EN & GL
|
Corringham
|
London, Victoria
|
Daily
|
2 peak return Journeys
|
|
723
|
Green Line
|
Tilbury
|
London, Victoria
|
Daily
|
|
|
795
|
See notes below
|
Southend
|
Brighton
|
See below
|
1 Return Journey
|
|
TW
|
Thames Weald
|
Sevenoaks
|
Romford
|
Wed - Sat
|
Via Aveley
|
|
X1
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Southend
|
Heathrow Airport
|
Daily
|
|
|
X10/X11
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Southend
|
London, Green Park
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
X21
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Shoeburyness
|
London, Green Park
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
X30/X31
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Canvey Island
|
London, Green Park
|
Mon - Fri*
|
|
|
X41
|
Southend Trans’t
|
Prittlewell
|
London, Green Park
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
 |
 |
|
Details of London Country’s fleet during summer 1987 can be found by clicking here.
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 |
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|
1988
|
 |
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|
London Country North East was the last company sold to a private operator, going into the hands of AJS Holdings on 22nd April 1988. AJS Holdings created County Bus & Coach, and further created local operating names for each garage - Grays became known as ThameSide, though this change happen straight away hence the reference to London Country North East in the table below.
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The table below shows bus services operated by London Country North East as per their timetable dated 5th July 1988:
|
 |
|
|
|
ROUTE
|
OPERATOR
|
|
|
Days
|
Notes
|
|
370
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
Romford
|
Daily
|
Grays only Sundays
|
|
373
|
London Country
|
Chadwell
|
Aveley (Rainham at peak times)
|
Mon - Fri
|
Extended Aveley - Romford Wed, Fri and Sat
|
|
376
|
London Country
|
Stifford Clays
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
Via Lenthall Ave
|
|
377
|
London Country
|
Tilbury Asda store
|
purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
378
|
London Country
|
Stifford Clays
|
Purfleet
|
Mon - Sat
|
|
|
722
|
See Below
|
Corringham
|
London Victoria
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
723
|
Green Line
|
Tilbury
|
London Victoria
|
Daily
|
Grays only Saturdays
|
|
733
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
London Victoria
|
Mon - Fri
|
Peak Hours Only
|
|
990
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
Eastbourne
|
Wed
|
Summer only
|
|
991
|
Green Line
|
East Tilbury
|
Ramsgate
|
Sun
|
Summer only
|
|
|