On October 21 2022, garages across Metroline took part in WearItPink day to help raise money for Breast Cancer Now and fund vital research and care that will help those affected by breast cancer. Local depots held bake sales and sold sweets to raise money and we even had a pink bus travelling between garages!
In total, a fantastic £2,200.88 was raised for essential Breast Cancer research and care. Well done to all of our Metroline colleagues who raised a brilliant amount for an important cause.
Interested in driving for Metroline? We have a host of Recruitment open day events coming to Edgware Bus Garage over the coming weeks! This is a great opportunity to find out what it takes to be a London bus driver, and to ask our drivers and trainers what to expect.
For Fast-Track progression, please have your Valid Passport, Valid UK driving licence and National insurance number available on the day.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and condolences are with His Majesty the King and the Royal Family.
Her Majesty gave 70 years of dedicated service to the country and the Commonwealth, providing stability over decades of change around the world.
Queen Elizabeth also made many visits, including to Metroline’s Willesden Garage during her Golden Jubilee year in 2002.
Valiben, a Metroline bus driver who saw the Queen’s visit to Metroline and still works at the garage said: ‘I was truly honoured to be chosen and have the opportunity to meet the Queen during her visit to the Willesden Metroline bus garage in 2002. Farewell to such a truly remarkable and inspiring woman. May her soul rest in eternal peace.’
She will be missed by many across the world.
Congratulations to Marian Wudu on winning the Garage Hero (other) award at the London Bus Awards! Taking place on 14th July 2022, Marian won the award for her fantastic work keeping her Garage running during the height of the 2020 pandemic.
As the United Kingdom went into lockdown in March 2020 and the outbreak worsened in April 2020, Metroline’s Alperton garage experienced a significant drop in staff attendance. It was during such a time that Marian stepped up to the challenge. With her can-do attitude, she took on extra responsibilities by doubling up as a Garage Administration Supervisor (GAS) and Mileage Clerk to support ad hoc business requirements such as scheduling the redeployment of GAS, who were able to drive, on the roads. To maximise mileage and prevent staff cuts, Marian ensured the right number of drivers were deployed to work overtime and paid accordingly.
Despite these extra responsibilities, Marian never missed the deadlines for her work as a Missing Trip Verification Clerk. She continued to maintain high standards with zero errors in her reports. Even when she was offered the option to work from home, Marian chose instead to work in office so as to better support the garage.
Her passion for her role did not stop there. She would often volunteer her help on weekends and evenings to ensure the continued smooth operations of the garage during the pandemic, such was her dedication.
Congratulations on the well deserved recognition Marian!
Want to find out what it is like to work for Metroline? You won’t just have one opportunity but two with our Recruitment Open Days at our Harrow Weald and Potters Bar sites taking place this month!
Come in and have a chat with our friendly Recruitment Team to find out all the benefits of joining Metroline.
Taking place at Harrow Weald on Thursday 23rd June and at Potters Bar on Tuesday 28th June from 9.30AM to 2PM.
Visit our Recruitment Open Days page for the latest updates.
** Updated 17 February 2022**
Following an unsustainable decline in passenger numbers, Metroline have notified Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) that we will be deregistering route 84. This decision was not taken lightly and we have tried to try find viable solutions to maintain the service in some form.
We introduced a number of initiatives to stabilise passenger numbers, including investing in new ticket machines to offer convenient contactless payment options and revised timetables. Unfortunately, Covid-19 totally undermined our plans and has had a detrimental effect on the amount of people using the service. This is compounded by operating costs significantly increasing. We have been in communication with HCC whilst investigating the options, and with no support available at the level required, this route is no longer sustainable.
Discussions between HCC and other bus operators have resulted in Sullivan Buses registering a partial replacement service between Potters Bar and St Albans. Further details can be viewed on their website www.sullivanbuses.com.
HCC and Transport for London are still in discussions regarding providing any replacement service between Potters Bar and Barnet.
Metroline would like to apologise for the inconvenience this change will cause but would thank customers for their support in using the service over the years.
Leading Bus operator Metroline has launched its first electric bus outside of London today. The new zero emission single-deck bus on the Route PB1 has entered into service, operating from Metroline’s Potters Bar Bus Garage, and will play a key role in the county’s drive towards a cleaner, greener, healthier Hertfordshire.
The new electric bus was decided upon as part of Metroline’s renewed agreement with Hertfordshire County Council to continue to operate the Route PB1 in Potters Bar and the surrounding area. Metroline’s industry leading credentials as the operator of London’s most environmentally friendly fleet which already includes 90 electric vehicles and 20 hydrogen powered vehicles, makes them uniquely positioned to launch Hertfordshire’s first fully electric route.
First launched in 1977, Route PB1 is an essential route for the people of Potters Bar. Starting and terminating at Potters Bar railway station, the route is a highly important one for many of the residents in the Potters Bar area, allowing easy access for all and those without any cars or other means of transport to travel independently. The route has 32 stops with a total duration of just under 30 minutes, serving the High Street with access to local shopping, doctor’s surgery and other amenities.
The new bus was delivered by Optare, an award-winning British manufacturer known for their lightweight Metrodecker series of double deck buses, based in Yorkshire, and who previously supplied Metroline with their double deck electric buses for the route 134. The bus is Optare’s first single deck electric vehicle; built to order, it is a versatile and lightweight model able to seat up to 24 passengers and well suited to serving the community of Potters Bar. The bus has a forecast range of at least 150 miles on a single charge.
The bus is charged by the same power supplies that serve the other electric buses at Potters Bar garage, with charging taking place during the night and other periods of low local demand in order to ensure the garage’s energy demand remains moderate. As the UK’s reliance on renewable energy increases, the environmentally friendly credentials and sustainable benefits of all electric buses will continue to increase.
Speaking about the launch of the bus, Andrew Hunter, Group Performance & Commercial Development Director, Metroline, said: “We are delighted to be launching our first electric bus outside of London into service on the Route PB1. As our first electric bus on Hertfordshire’s roads, we are proud Metroline is able to play a role in making the county more environmentally friendly, and helping to keep the air clean for our customers and residents. Over the last three years we have been industry leaders in electric and hydrogen vehicles, and our engineering teams are experienced in working with zero-emissions, pollution free vehicles, and are confident in maintaining a high quality electric experience for our customers who use the route.
we deliver safe, reliable and sustainable transport to our communities
