Quality Line
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bus transport |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Defunct | July 2, 2021 |
| Fate | Operations ceased; services transferred to London United and Go-Ahead London |
| Headquarters | Epsom , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | South West London and Surrey |
| Parent | RATP Group |
Quality Line was a bus operator headquartered in Epsom, England. Functioning as a subsidiary of the RATP Group, it provided bus services throughout South West London and Surrey, with numerous routes operated under contract for Transport for London. The company ceased operations on 2 July 2021, with all services being transferred to RATP’s London United division.
History
Following the deregulation in 1986, Epsom Coaches launched local hopper bus routes serving the area around Epsom.
By 1997, Epsom Buses had expanded its presence into London, securing contracts for routes S1 and 413. These were initially operated using Optare MetroRider vehicles before transitioning to Plaxton Pointer-bodied Dennis Dart buses. The company also acquired additional London contracts, including route 293.
In 2003, the bus division adopted the Quality Line brand and introduced an all-red livery to comply with Transport for London standards. Starting in July 2006, with routes E15 and E16, Quality Line recommenced services outside of London using its traditional cream and brown color scheme; however, some vehicles reverted to red following fleet updates. By late 2012, buses operating beyond London featured a cream base with burgundy detailing.
The fleet consisted solely of single-deck buses until May 2007. From June that year, double-deck Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses were deployed on routes 406 and 418 alongside new single-deck Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart models.
On 20 April 2012, the RATP Group acquired Epsom Coaches. Later that year, Quality Line briefly operated Surrey County Council’s route 479 after Countryliner entered administration but discontinued it shortly thereafter due to registration complications.
On 3 December 2016, Quality Line assumed control of route 413 from Go-Ahead London, investing in nine new Citaro K buses specifically for this service.
In June 2017, following RATP’s operational restructuring, Epsom Coaches ceased trading; remaining routes were continued under Quality Line and integrated with RATP’s London United and London Sovereign operations.
On 24 April 2020, routes 406, 418, and 465 were transferred to London United’s Tolworth garage. In January 2021, RATP announced plans to close Quality Line. By June that year, several routes had moved to London United; all remaining services ended on 2 July 2021 when routes 413, 463, and S1 were handed over to Go-Ahead London upon contract expiration.