History
During the 1950s, Route 142 was a somewhat different route that it is today. It started at Watford Junction, ran via Bushey, Bushey Heath & Stanmore and to Edgware Station. From Edgware it continued to Kilburn Park Station, except in the evenings and during weekends.
The 142 was extended to Kilburn Park full time in 1962 (but cut back to Edgware on Sundays in 1963) and again in 1966. It was withdrawn between Kilburn Park and Colindale in 1970, with this section replaced by the route 32. The 142 was extended at peak times to the new Brent Cross Shopping Centre in 1976 and a little further to Brent Cross Station (Mon-Fri except peaks and Saturdays). The section to Brent Cross Station was withdrawn in the same year.
Buses travelling towards Brent Cross were diverted via Edgware Bus Station in 1989. Later in 1993 it was rerouted via the withdrawn section of the 251 between Edgware and Stanmore.
The allocation was transferred to London Country Bus Services' Watford garage, and became part of London Country North West in 1986. Luton and District took over London Country North West in October 1990 and retained the contract shortly afterwards, ordering 15 new Leyland Olympians to operate the route. The route was retained again in 1995, making it the first route to be retained by its existing operator through two consecutive retenders.
When the 142's contract was renewed in 2003, Arriva The Shires bought new low-floor DAF DB250LF/Alexander ALX400 double-deckers for it. They carried Arriva London's red livery and 'cow horn's' instead of Arriva Shires & Essex's turqurise blue livery. On 4 January 2003, the route was extended to Brent Cross at all times.
On 9 February 2013, route 142's contract was retained by Arriva The Shires with existing Volvo B7TL 10m / Alexander ALX400's.
Read more about this topic: London Buses Route 142
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