Ash Grove garage holds community open day

LT 2 & a new HV Hybrid

Garage open days are an ideal way of giving our customers and neighbours the opportunity to see and understand how we operate our services, and how important it is to have these garage facilities to maintain our vehicles in service on the routes we operate on behalf of TfL.

Giving to St. Joseph's Hospice

Last weekend saw Ash Grove garage hold such an event, with the added benefit that all the proceeds from the day were donated to the local St Joseph’s Hospice.

Peter & Dave, our route 48 drivers

In association with TfL and HCT Transport, we opened our doors to welcome the public, giving them the opportunity to explore the garage, meet our operations teams, ride on a bus through the bus wash, tour our operations control centres and see & ride on some historic preserved buses.

RM 6

Our historic Heritage Fleet Routemaster RM 2217, which was London's last production standard Routemaster and operated London’s last Routemaster journey on route 159, was, with the kind permission of TfL, run in service on route 48 from Ash Grove to Liverpool Street station, with passengers asked to donate to the hospice rather than paying a fare.

Various stands selling bus memorabilia were also on hand, with face and balloon painting artists, and representatives from both operating companies and TfL to answer any questions concerning the bus operations.

A young enthusiast

A face-painted Spiderman

Ash Grove’s Deputy Operating Manager Fabio said:

"We had a fantastic turn out for our open day, which was run in association with HCT Group and TfL. It was a pleasure to allow the public to experience our behind-the-scenes activities which help keep London moving. Not only was it a good experience for ourselves and the public, but also brought back some great memories for our longer service drivers, when viewing some of the classic buses on show."

As Operating Manager Davina explained:

RM 2217 out on route 48

"This was the first open day that I have had the opportunity to partake in.  It was very successful with many bus enthusiasts and local residents with their families attending.  Thanks to Management, Engineering, Customer Services and TfL, we ensured that everything went to plan and everyone had an enjoyable time.  

Our Platinum bus

Arriva London has already achieved Platinum status with our Payroll Giving campaigns, but this event ensured that our local hospice, St Joseph’s, benefited as well, receiving all the money raised on the day. I’m very proud to have been involved, and for my team for what they achieved."

If you’d like to be part of our winning team please visit our careers page.