Arriva Withdraws ...
The 477 has been around for a long time. It was a London Transport country (GREEN) bus as seen above, snowbound at Hextable. Here is an RT in traditional country bus livery.
And fbb thinks this is an ex Green Line double deck coach. 
It carries the London Country brand. The Southern end terminus does vary over the years.
London Country South East was sold to Arriva ...
... who continued the route as per this Robert Munster timetable
The rot set in when Arriva pulled out of Bluewater, terminating at Dartford.
The Go Companies Get Going
Then along came GoCoach of Sevenoaks and started a competitive 477 between Dartford and Swanley.
So Arriva walked away announcing the closure of the long-standing 477.
Confused? Have a Map!
Reading from top right to bottom left we have Dartford. Hextable (snow), Swanley (GoCoach terminus)! Chelsfield and Orpington. Bluewater is due east of Dartford, just off the map.
Then up pops a new company (or is it just a "brand"?).
This is a GoAhead operation, managed via GoAhead London and based in the Fastrack depot at Dartford.
This runs HOURLY seven days a week ...
.... whilst Arriva's 477 was half hourly. BUT GoCoach were there going as far as Swanley.
The two "competitors" have a joint day ticket ...
... which shows a measure of common sense way beyond normal for the UK bus industry!
We have to assume that the 477 was/is a success; So it should come as no surprise thar GoAhead, a k a Kent Country, should win a clutch of local authority tenders.
After all, there us a ready-made Fastrack depot ...
... part of the industrial area served by the ieTrams.
fbb will prognosticate tomorrow.
Next Dartford Plus blog : Tues 10th Nov
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