Next month sees Route 455 transfer to Abellio London. Route 455 was originally a part of Route 450 which from 1993 - 1996 ran Canons Hill - Crystal Palace via Croydon. Then on the 28th September 1996, Route 455 was introduced by Cowie South London at their TH garage . The route provided a Monday - Saturday service from Canons Hill - Wallington via Croydon. On the 19th July 1997, Cowie lost the contract to London Links from their CR garage. London Links used Midi type buses. On the 6th December 1997 a Sunday service was intoduced. The midi buses were also replaced by Dennis Plaxton Darts. On the 30th October 1999, London Links lost the contract to Arriva London South and they used Dennis Plaxton Darts from their Beddington Farm Garage. On the 26th February 2000 the Sunday service was withdrawn. Then on the 2nd March 2002, the Sunday service was reinstated again. On the 31st August 2002, Route 455 was allocated PDL type buses which were much younger than the buses previously. On the 8th July 2003 Route 455 gained some brand new DWL type buses. These were Arriva's last bus of this type to be coded DWL and the order for Route 410 which gained new buses shortly afterwards were coded DWS. In 2006 the buses gained a light refurbishment including removal of perch seats and removal of cow horns. In 2011 Route 455 was awarded to Abellio London with 10 Caetano Nimbuses formerly with Ealing Community Transport. These buses were sourced through Dawson Rentals. The new contract will begin on 3rd March 2012. I have grown up with these buses and it will be sad to see them go. Lets hope that they find a new home soon. They will more than likely leave London for another part of England or they may even be transported abroad!
