Route 444 was created in 1991 after routes 102 and 144 were withdrawn from serving the Chingford area. The 444, which runs across the Lea Valley between Chingford and Turnpike Lane via Edmonton, has been run by Arriva and predesscors since 1991, beginning with CountyBus at Edmonton using Darts. The route then transferred to the Leaside subsidiary, before being rebranded as Arriva London North in 1998. The route was run from Edmonton garage between 1991 and 2012, before being transferred to Lea Valley in 2012 due to the closure of Edmonton. The route lasted at Lea Valley until May 2014, when the land was complusiroly purchased by the National Grid, and transferred back to a reopened Edmonton garage. In June 2014, it was announced Arriva London had lost the contract for route 444 to Tower Transit. Shortly after this, Tower Transit announced plans to open a new depot at Picketts Lock in Enfield, however due to delays with that project, the route will be run from Lea Interchange until the new depot is ready. Yesterday, the route passed to Tower Transit along with route 212, and if I'm honest, it didn't seem to be going very well. Chingford Bus Station was chaotic with 6 buses (2 444's and 4 212's) all stuck at the bus station. However, the journey was good with an even service the other way. The new buses ordered, are 10.8 metre Wrightbus Streetlites, the first to be equipped with 5.1 litre Daimler engines, and are also equipped with Chapman Nova Urban high backed drivers seats with a seatbelt. They are very nice vehicles, and also carry Tower Transit's new green and grey interior. I wish Tower Transit every success with the route in the future, and I hope you enjoy reading this post.
