London Buses route 65

65
London United BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV at Richmond bus station in May 2025
Overview
OperatorLondon United (First Bus London)[1]
GarageFulwell[1]
Night-timeN65
Route
StartEaling Broadway station
ViaBrentford
Kew
Richmond
Petersham
Ham
EndKingston upon Thames

London Buses route 65 is a Transport for London bus route in London, England. It runs between Ealing Broadway station and Kingston upon Thames. Route 65 is operated by London United, which is owned by First Bus London.

History

Transdev London Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident 2 in Kew in May 2010

Route 65 first ran from Ealing Argyle Road (now Scotch Common) to Leatherhead via Ealing Broadway, South Ealing, Brentford, Richmond, Petersham, Ham, Kingston, Tolworth, Hook and Chessington. In the summer months, the route also covered Kingston to Chessington Zoo. It was first operated from Kingston (K) and Turnham Green (V) garages, using STL-class AEC Regents and, after World War II, AEC Regent III RTs, Leyland Titans, and Routemasters. In 1946, "pay-as-you-enter" was tested on route 65, running between Ealing Broadway and Leatherhead.[2][3]

In the 1960s, the section between Chessington Zoo and Leatherhead was withdrawn. This section went to route 71. In 1975, the old AEC Regent III RT were replaced by AEC Routemasters. The route went from Chessington Zoo to Chessington Fox & Hounds during Monday to Friday peak hours.[4]

In February 1979, the route was split into two parts in Petersham. This is because there was a big sinkhole called the 'Petersham Hole'. The route did not operate fully again until September 1980.[5]

In 1984, the northern section to Argyle Road was cut back to Ealing Broadway. In 1985, the 65 started using MCW Metrobuses, all based at Norbiton. These buses only needed one person.[4] In 1987, the route was reduced further. The route was withdrawn between Chessington and Kingston.[4]

The route passed to London United on 29 June 2002 with new Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident 2s from Fulwell garage.[6]

London United kept the route with a new contract starting on 4 July 2009. The section between Kingston and Chessington returned for night-time services on the N65 only.[7]

In 2022, the bus fleet became electric, as BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV battery electric buses entered service.[8]

On 28 February 2025, RATP Dev Transit London was bought by FirstGroup, therefore London United is now owned by First Bus London.[9]

Current route

Route 65 operates via these main locations:[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Our services". RATP Dev Transit London. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ↑ Graeme Bruce, J; Curtis, Colin (1977). The London Motor Bus: Its Origins and Development. London Transport. p. 74. ISBN 0853290830.
  3. ↑ Day, John (1973). The Story of the London Bus: London and its buses from the horse bus to the present day. London Transport. pp. 96. ISBN 9780853290377.
  4. 1 2 3 "Route 65 ~ a brief History - London Bus Museum". London Bus Museum. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Petersham Hole (1980), Richmond Transport (1992)". London's Screen Archives. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Aldridge, John (January 2002). "It's the end for Armchair on the 65". Buses (562). Ian Allan Publishing: 12.
  7. ↑ "Change to night bus services for south west London". www.tfl.gov.uk. Transport for London. Retrieved 12 October 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ↑ "Transport for London plan for new electric buses in South West London". South West Londoner. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "First Bus London born as RATP Dev Transit purchase completes". RouteOne. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  10. ↑ Route 65 Map Transport for London

Other websites

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