London Buses route E1

London Buses route E1 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.

History
Route E1 began on 30 November 1968 as a flat fare route running between Greenford and Brentford via Ealing Broadway, West Ealing and Hanwell. It replaced parts of route 211 (between Greenford and Ealing Broadway) and 255 (between Hanwell and Brentford).

The route was initially operated by MBS-class AEC Merlin single-deckers based at Hanwell (HL) garage. On 7 December 1975, it was converted to double-deck operation using DMS-class Daimler Fleetlines, which in turn were replaced by MCW Metrobuses in 1981.

In November 1990, by which time the E1 had come under the operation of the London Buses Limited subsidiary Centrewest, the Ealing to Brentford section was split off as new route E8. At the same time, the E1 was converted to minibus operation using RW-class Renault S75 / Wright Nimbuses, marketed under the name of E-Line, though Monday to Friday peak services continued to be operated by Metrobuses.

In 1993, Hanwell garage closed, and the RWs were transferred to the new Greenford (G) garage, while the Metrobuses moved to Alperton (ON).

Centrewest was privatised in 1994, and retained the E1 upon retender in 1997. Subsequently, the RWs and Metrobuses were replaced by Leyland Olympians transferred from London Buslines (which Centrewest had acquired the previous year) and Dennis Dart SLF / Marshall Capitals. At the same time, the Alperton allocation was withdrawn.

In May 2002, the route was restored to full double-deck operation using TN-class Dennis Trident 2 / Plaxton Presidents. Seven years later, in August 2009, these were replaced by new Alexander Dennis Enviro400s.

Current route

 * Ealing Broadway Station
 * Gordon Road
 * Drayton Green Station
 * Greenford Avenue
 * Greenford Red Lion