Bus route between Woolwich and Bexleyheath to see new electric vehicles
Bus route 301 which links areas to Elizabeth line stations at Woolwich and Abbey Wood is set to see new electric vehicles next year.
Transport for London also announced that Stagecoach will take over operation on 11 July 2026.
The route begun in 2019 as part of a shake up across south east London with the Elizabeth line set to begin. It offered a new route between Bexleyheath and Abbey Wood station in addition to the B11 which it part duplicated.
In west Thamesmead it’s the only route to stop beside Lombard Square which is seeing almost 2,000 homes constructed.
Buses then continue in a west-bound direction to Woolwich town centre.
Future changes
There was recent talk of a further extension west to serve new homes in Charlton. Up to 8,000 homes are proposed as part of the Charlton Riverside masterplan though so far just one block is near completion. An adjacent block may begin construction soon.
A possible extension would serve a far bigger site with 1,212-homes approved at Herringham Road.
An extended route would also assist residents moving in 766 new homes being built at former Greenwich Council estate.
Another thing to consider with the 301’s future is a Bus Rapid Transit plan between Abbey Wood and Woolwich which is now set to begin in 2029. That could well run alongside the 301.
A total of £23 million was awarded in recent years with a 2026 start date given – which is now delayed.
Route 301 will transfer from Arriva to Stagecoach London at the end of July 2026.operating from Plumstead Garage. As John states with new electric buses being used on the route.
With route 472 being axed in January 2026 being replaced with limit stop superloop route SL11. I wonder if route 301 should be extended to Charlton when the new contract starts with Stagecoach to partially replace the 472 between Abbey Wood and Charlton via Thamesmead and Woolwich..
Route 208 Lewisham Station to Princess Royal Hospital is also to change from Go Ahead London General (Metrobus) to Stagecoach London (Bromley Garage) from the July 2026 also with new electric double deckers.
It seems that more and more electric buses is needed all over London which is ideal to reduce pollution and to make public transport lot more greener, reliable and efficient.