During the revamp of the Green Line network in the ’70s and ’80s route 726 was proposed for withdrawal. However, the majority of the route ran within Greater London, and London Transport decided to put the route out to tender and retain its operation within the London area, still retaining the established “Green Line” marketing name. The contract was won by Luton & District and the 726 ran daily between Dartford and Heathrow Airport via Bexley, Sidcup, Chislehurst, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Kingston, Hampton Court, Feltham and Hatton Cross. The route has since been progressively cut back to Bromley and more recently was curtailed at Croydon, and now remains as route X26 between Croydon and Heathrow Airport, rerouted away from Hampton Court. The 726 was the only Green Line route put out to tender by London Transport, and was the only route to have special vinyl “E” stickers made for it. It is unfortuante that the Green Line network had sunk to such a sad state of affairs that it was necessary to add DAILY to indicate the 726’s operation. |
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