Route Ahead: Route 238

 ©EastLondoner 2014

Stratford Bus Station is home to a variety of different routes, one of those routes is the 238. It is operated from the United Kingdom's largest and greenest bus garage, West Ham (WH). The route is allocated with Euro 5 engine, Voith Enviro400/E40D buses. 

The route starts off at Barking, Station Parade then proceeds around the corner onto London Road, then it continues along past the North Circular Road onto Barking Road. Once it reaches Newham Town Hall the route takes a sharp left turn onto High Street North and it continues past East Ham Station onto Plashet Grove. From there it continues onto Plashet Road which turns into Portway. From Portway it turns onto West Ham Lane then onto Stratford High Street. From there it goes to Stratford Bus Station.

The route has had a pretty long history, it started off in 1959 running between Becontree and the Woolwich Ferry via Barking and Canning Town, very soon in 1961 it was diverted to start at Little Heath instead of Becontree. Then further change came in 1965 when it was diverted to Serve Stratford via West Ham Lane. (Like the current routing today.) 

©EastLondoner 2014

Then in 1966 the route was extended from Little Heath to Chadwell Heath Hospital and converted to Single Deck operation. In 1991 the route was cut back from Chadwell Heath and Little Heath and started to run only between Stratford Bus Station and Barking Bus Garage. In 2000 the route was withdrawn between Barking Bus Garage and Barking Station. Leaving the routeing how it is today. In 2003 the route was converted to Low Floor Double Deck operation with Dennis Tridents, and this was converted to Enviro400/E40D Double Deckers in 2012.

©EastLondoner 2014

Until 2011, this route was operated out of the second largest garage in East London at Upton Park (U) found just off Green Street. But due to West Ham being so large and more than half empty, it was economical to close down U and send its routes to WH and BK. The 238, like many routes moved to West Ham (WH), changeovers take place at Stratford Bus Station with drivers going via the 69

© GloriousWater 2014

The 238 doesn't have much going for unallocated workings, the most common is a Dennis Trident which happens every day. Although something which is really rare on the route is a Scania Omnicity. These have only been blinded for the 238 since March, and only two duties have managed to stay out on the route for the whole day. Jack managed to catch up with one doing the 238U which operates when the District Line is closed.

So what do you think about the route? Do you want to ride it? Or would you prefer to stay away from it? Please let us know your thoughts and views on this route by posting a comment below. 

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