Arriva has marked the 60th anniversary of its high-profile route 724 between Harlow and Heathrow Airport by painting an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 into 1960s-era Green Line livery and announcing that a fleet of new Volvo buses will be introduced later this year.
The latter vehicles will also be used on service 725 between Stevenage and Heathrow, with Arriva having recently confirmed a vehicle procurement programme that will see over 800 new buses introduced across the group’s UK bus operations when it is complete.
The 724 was launched as a London Transport country area Green Line service between High Wycombe and Romford in 1966, with route variations since then having led to its current operating sphere under Arriva.
To mark the 60th anniversary, the Amersham and District Motorbus Society held an event in and around Watford, including the operation of vintage buses. The Enviro200 in Green Line livery attended.
Both the 724 and 725 are delivered in partnership with Heathrow Airport and Hertfordshire County Council. The new Volvos will have what Arriva says is “luxury coach-style seating” along with amenities including luggage racks.
The routes will also join the Heathrow Flightline network, which will better integrate them with other bus services connecting the airport with the Home Counties.
Arriva UK Bus Managing Director Martijn Gilbert says the new buses will “transform the experience for customers,” noting that the group’s vehicle investment sits alongside a new website, app, and other improvements.
Adds Route Development Lead in the Heathrow Airport surface access team Matthew Wooll: “Travelling sustainably to Heathrow is a priority for us, and the expansion of the Flightline network to cover routes 724 and 725 is fantastic news.
“We want all of Heathrow’s passengers and colleagues to have access to good public transport when they need it, helping to take cars off the road and to reduce emissions and congestion in line with our sustainability goals.”
