Thurrock Transport - Green Line




		Green Line

Green Line was a London Transport brand which came with London Country when that
company was created on 1st January 1970. As far as I can make out, Grays garage were
using Routemaster double deckers (RCL & RMC) on route 723 (which ran from Grays to
Aldgate, via Barking and East Ham) at that time.

In 1972 the Routemasters were replaced by single deckers in the form of the RC class,
though these proved unreliable and were all soon sent to Hertford garage on bus work.
Their replacements were more single deckers, this time in the form of coach seated
Leyland Nationals. I believe the Leyland Nationals lasted until 1981. The next type to
operate on route 723 were proper coaches classed as the RS.

1981 saw the 723 extended from Aldgate to Victoria, then in 1983 the 723 sprouted a
spin off route in the shape of the 722, which originated from Corringham. Route 722
was a joint operation with Eastern National. 1984 saw route 721 added (Tilbury - Marble
Arch); route 721 gained an extension to East Tilbury in 1985.

By 1985 the RS coaches had been replaced with the TD class coaches - and according
to my research, Grays garage also became involved in National Express work - 1 vehicle
was provided on a 4 day cycle (the other 3 days of the cycle were operated by Midland
Red) running the following schedule:

Route	Dep Time	From	To
850	1020	Romford	Burnley
820	2205	Burnley	Gatwick
825	0810	Gatwick	Manchester
825	1815	Manchester	Birmingham
825	0900	Birmingham	Manchester
825	1415	Manchester	Gatwick
820	2230	Gatwick	Burnley
850	1030	Burnley	Romford

The summer of 1986 saw two day trip routes introduced; route 990 ran from Grays to
Eastbourne, whilst route 991 ran from Grays to Ramsgate via Margate.

I don’t have any more specific information on Green Line at Grays garage, but given that
there is a couple of pictures, in the gallery below, of a Grays Green Line coach on route
733 at Lakeside, it can definitely be assumed that Grays garage ran Green Line’s till at
least 1990.

The Green Line name returned to Thurrock in 1995 when Arriva Southend’s X1 service became associated with Green Line. By 1999 Arriva Southend had secured an
agreement with First Thamesway which saw the two operators join forces to provide a single service under the Green Line banner.....and they numbered it the 721.

The partnership lasted until 2001, when First Thamesway pulled out - then Arriva gave
up in 2002. Another Southend operator, Stephensons stepped in and took over in a
limited capacity (and again, the service is Green Line associated) - a situation that
continues today with a few peak hour only journeys......
appropriately numbered X1, of course!

**Update - Stephensons withdrew their X1 service on 11th July 2008**