tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13230735827666240622024-03-29T00:09:04.916+00:00London ConnectedKeeping London Connected. Everywhere. London Bus Brehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14593314194767502984noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-5414829638713771122024-03-29T00:08:00.001+00:002024-03-29T00:08:03.930+00:00The Stagecoach Liners<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As electric buses start to enter London tick and fast, Stagecoach are part way through introducing a large batch of Wright Electroliners onto routes 86 and 199 out of North Street (NS), Lea Interchange (LI) and Catford (TL) garages. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyPl3caxSQunM79vutOOxOe_5RkiXMoS4sNsnJffq037R4K7nbb-Zm8Jd7p6yo_piGKhl4WFSPeWxIWr-685oLlRFz95N4rUWHh4tbprd1iYwQir0aJWZJoMEDzcW8DBu8rBNf4nO8iAzV32mcVdvnJ-YwMhWXFRtkuVoITcRgV_DD-ZLesnKwIylXc8/s4000/20231118_155502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyPl3caxSQunM79vutOOxOe_5RkiXMoS4sNsnJffq037R4K7nbb-Zm8Jd7p6yo_piGKhl4WFSPeWxIWr-685oLlRFz95N4rUWHh4tbprd1iYwQir0aJWZJoMEDzcW8DBu8rBNf4nO8iAzV32mcVdvnJ-YwMhWXFRtkuVoITcRgV_DD-ZLesnKwIylXc8/w400-h300/20231118_155502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">It's certainly been a long time coming for these buses and their entry into service, with the tender award for route 199 being in October 2022 and the tender award for the 86 being in November 2022. While we knew that brand new electrics were on the way for the retains, Stagecoach and other sources remained tight lipped for a few months until it was announced that both routes would be recipients of Stagecoach's first batch of Wright Electroliners, a departure from Stagecoach's usual orders from Alexander Dennis, but notably not their first order from Wright as they had previously placed an <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/stagecoach-shambles.html" target="_blank">order for route 53</a>. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These buses were to be the first for Stagecoach that were going to be specified to 'high spec', and Stagecoach were also the last major operator which were to introduce the new spec. The buses were spotted on delivery towards the end of summer 2023 before eagle eyed enthusiasts noticed that the standard Stagecoach interior was not present on these buses, followed by the revelation that the interior present on the buses wasn't a Stagecoach themed interior at all but was actually the TfL specified interior that had been seen on Sullivan Buses, CT Plus' buses and Arriva's E40H Citys. Did this signify the end of the famous and much loved Beach Ball interior? Quite possibly. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These buses were unique in being the only batch of buses in London specified to the new specification interior, but having blinds on the front of the buses as opposed to LED displays. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTewOZdioyC8WfqgjHazPklFo33fIk9M_0YB_SceviDYWXli5OraLoPQMwL7P6GiVcEeqtAIVS-uaxJq9Exdke13fcy1X8Sh6DgbI5iykDmUDgoOu8x42-yUn2TpIQm1BTB3QlROBB5hRbPXWIKCPgsWwYH7iPmj2a1G4OkLsLqDBT8MiwvAX7QU4_Lcg/s4000/20231118_155011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTewOZdioyC8WfqgjHazPklFo33fIk9M_0YB_SceviDYWXli5OraLoPQMwL7P6GiVcEeqtAIVS-uaxJq9Exdke13fcy1X8Sh6DgbI5iykDmUDgoOu8x42-yUn2TpIQm1BTB3QlROBB5hRbPXWIKCPgsWwYH7iPmj2a1G4OkLsLqDBT8MiwvAX7QU4_Lcg/s320/20231118_155011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I went out in November shortly after the buses made their debut on the 199 to take a ride on the vehicles to get an impression for them. Following a very long wait due to a protest in Lewisham an Electroliner eventually turned up and I made myself comfortable on the upper deck. The new specification for buses require a digital LCD screen displaying next stop information on both decks. TfL have a standard format that they use across all routes but it needs to be programmed. When I rode the bus Stagecoach and/or TfL had not managed to do this yet and the next stop information was being displayed on the standard McKenna Brothers software, which actually isn't much use as it can only display the final destination and not the next stop information. Thankfully this problem has since been fixed and the next stop is now displayed in the standard TfL format alongside the final destination on all routes that these buses operate. The floors on the vehicle are a wood effect - laminated flooring and not actual wood and the seats have leather headrests with priority seats having a 'Priority seat' sign on them so that passengers know whether they are sitting in one or not. The new bus specification also required a rear facing iBus display so that passengers in the wheelchair area can see the next stop information without needing to turn around, although on Stagecoach's vehicles these are to a slightly lower quality than the forward facing screens. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_uHouHLsH4LWyai7NVjSNWWPoIux2GiOupcgBDqbr01wuV4FNiGQR7Xit2jXb1Jr4YlEE4OgQ9ljsya9Zw6WyXCW2HtA0mxPoGy91C_PZYwswsEZ7HpJPpeKAkTZDamWB3C_4vrvAenJcU_DP6AE6Vp3UF42E4u06aZRegku650LTcEirA-KyPnIo6A/s3665/original_3a325848-ee24-4a9a-87ad-b6028b064b0c_20231118_155018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="3665" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_uHouHLsH4LWyai7NVjSNWWPoIux2GiOupcgBDqbr01wuV4FNiGQR7Xit2jXb1Jr4YlEE4OgQ9ljsya9Zw6WyXCW2HtA0mxPoGy91C_PZYwswsEZ7HpJPpeKAkTZDamWB3C_4vrvAenJcU_DP6AE6Vp3UF42E4u06aZRegku650LTcEirA-KyPnIo6A/w400-h176/original_3a325848-ee24-4a9a-87ad-b6028b064b0c_20231118_155018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The rear facing display has the slightly annoying quirk of not being centred, and the righting is slightly offset towards the right. The display also does not have the ability to scroll text (yet), which means longer destinations and stops often get cut off. I would imagine this will get solved in a future software update, but at the time of writing this post that is yet to happen. The buses also have the standard bells and whistles of USB charging points and up lighters on the stairs. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ28B_KrIQiOnIikNw0CD1Zxvl2FumknZfR_0wxnZ_Do3ubSkqkuSuvdL0EwRfrWcxm0IuhTPYkOWFy5pQKrwzrqWZZbMtDQFrSbjFgM05zR2u_o0BCTcin-3h9DMVHdDN2XAD3GePlk0X-Ld979FxZr6lTButtlsuzyrA-mO5uEuOJXykt9MPxqUmVX8/s3594/20231118_144133~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="3594" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ28B_KrIQiOnIikNw0CD1Zxvl2FumknZfR_0wxnZ_Do3ubSkqkuSuvdL0EwRfrWcxm0IuhTPYkOWFy5pQKrwzrqWZZbMtDQFrSbjFgM05zR2u_o0BCTcin-3h9DMVHdDN2XAD3GePlk0X-Ld979FxZr6lTButtlsuzyrA-mO5uEuOJXykt9MPxqUmVX8/w400-h225/20231118_144133~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">82006 seen at Canada Water Bus Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdy-28bvDJKEgUscseeEzowDULIu0ucmU3_HWTwJ5eF8sMOgL4W64NrNhDVykIUDs3squ35wfBIxDoLvSjicvJDNCiep7Dl3BFDNK7iIjXotX7NrIgipAe2j3wVFpGDvyKo1UAAFKcjsGS6Hq2_3nHnsHMl0j1KnUa5ks5ahpqm8Hu9Q1Fma3edn9wvE/s2551/20240316_170113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2551" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdy-28bvDJKEgUscseeEzowDULIu0ucmU3_HWTwJ5eF8sMOgL4W64NrNhDVykIUDs3squ35wfBIxDoLvSjicvJDNCiep7Dl3BFDNK7iIjXotX7NrIgipAe2j3wVFpGDvyKo1UAAFKcjsGS6Hq2_3nHnsHMl0j1KnUa5ks5ahpqm8Hu9Q1Fma3edn9wvE/s320/20240316_170113.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">As I alluded to earlier in the post, the 199 and 86s batches of buses were ordered as one big batch. With the 199 getting the earlier buses (82001-82014) and the 86 taking the later buses (82015-82048). The batch for the 86 suffered a bigger delay with getting into service due to Romford garage (NS) facing delays with its electrification and the introduction of a partial allocation at Lea Interchange (LI) as well to ensure that all the buses could be accommodated. It wasn't until 2024 that buses started entering service on the 86. While I'm writing this post, the full batch of buses is still yet to enter service on the 86 and it's a really slow process due to the various restrictions at the garages that the route is running from. The buses otherwise are identical to the batch that is found on the 199. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciYi39x4EkTpqqmHKx239Y12EhsgVk-0MGxAssg3Bjzb3WlgiIeB9HSetGPgtz4hwi6YCDlD92gpC7mEE4QIuqe89ma2LckO992jre5sgqMmvR1hWf_8yZLQhzEWCCmBg4jHqahT5PplZLFRFLK3UPj8bRacjZKAe1krxm0jrnxgd3T7yXhqnZQIqrnA/s2488/20240316_170359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2488" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciYi39x4EkTpqqmHKx239Y12EhsgVk-0MGxAssg3Bjzb3WlgiIeB9HSetGPgtz4hwi6YCDlD92gpC7mEE4QIuqe89ma2LckO992jre5sgqMmvR1hWf_8yZLQhzEWCCmBg4jHqahT5PplZLFRFLK3UPj8bRacjZKAe1krxm0jrnxgd3T7yXhqnZQIqrnA/w400-h225/20240316_170359.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new at Ilford, 19807 and 82025</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq8IQIwS5S1Kh-W7TggzZUIZej3vOLixnmHCHAi2BZeSQVvyhSfbWy0a-fU9ZAxLY6JAhmHK2TnDFE72eHtGA6xRPfPdQU_pNO5F00GtusrIH-QXqk2yXERxF9Jpcfi2rjj6WkP4Mg3j2cWsQrltbzZUDqd0wau5MhAD1ANsH59MOE_FgtR9sB0EtWK8/s4000/20240328_144606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq8IQIwS5S1Kh-W7TggzZUIZej3vOLixnmHCHAi2BZeSQVvyhSfbWy0a-fU9ZAxLY6JAhmHK2TnDFE72eHtGA6xRPfPdQU_pNO5F00GtusrIH-QXqk2yXERxF9Jpcfi2rjj6WkP4Mg3j2cWsQrltbzZUDqd0wau5MhAD1ANsH59MOE_FgtR9sB0EtWK8/w400-h225/20240328_144606.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">82045 seen at Stratford Bus Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While these were Stagecoach's first order for Wright Electroliners, they certainly aren't the last. A second batch of Electroliners is currently in the process of delivery for the recent acquisition of route 242 from Arriva, this newer batch have even more features such as a sky light and LED destination blinds. Alongside this there are also brand new MCV bodied Volvo BZL single decker buses arriving for routes 276 and 314, some new MCV bodied Volvo BZL double decker buses for routes D7, 58 and 277 and Switch MetroCity EV buses arriving for route W11. There are certainly exciting times ahead for the company!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos used in this post are © EastLondoner and may not be reproduced without permission. Please email LondonTransportConnected @gmail.com for photo use queries</span></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-42801013583806078342024-01-25T22:34:00.004+00:002024-01-25T22:35:44.352+00:00The Arriva Calamity<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEjD1vsK7EqQ5tKIFVzWFHmsXzCvdin52NpkN8mJ1oHHisCzo-SvWUuoo6HNQ54_bPvNxd5eyKJr9lybR6LWEfibfPgKoLbYuBRKh07NALOZy3cwRoMkg6xNx9jPfkKKtG8I6pt9-uKRBvA6uUTUlZTENFIlVMv5kQatsA9FM3eV52qpfi4a9UpziebE/s3028/20240123_131711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="3028" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEjD1vsK7EqQ5tKIFVzWFHmsXzCvdin52NpkN8mJ1oHHisCzo-SvWUuoo6HNQ54_bPvNxd5eyKJr9lybR6LWEfibfPgKoLbYuBRKh07NALOZy3cwRoMkg6xNx9jPfkKKtG8I6pt9-uKRBvA6uUTUlZTENFIlVMv5kQatsA9FM3eV52qpfi4a9UpziebE/w400-h225/20240123_131711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">20th of January 2024 saw Arriva once again on the receiving end of a tender blow, with route 133 making its way to Transport UK (previously Abellio London) at Battersea (QB) and route 333 returning to Go Ahead operation at Stockwell (SW). </span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Routes 133 and 333 both operate in South London. Route 133 operates between Streatham Station and Holborn Station and route 333 operates between Elephant & Castle and Tooting Broadway. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Their previous contracts saw them both with Arriva London operating out of Brixton garage (BN) with route 333 being allocated Alexander Dennis E40H Citys and route 133 was allocated with a mix of E40H Citys and Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LHs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o0OKX77InwrLSsSuhj2xWkDC08I-qRRW7vaLrEe9PS4XW9KKi-FodageaBNjYJokUn1Fruzs2RudPu-bl0AnVA7x4r78pmHc9uH-QpPwvCtxqKqkur-DUfSY8vcRNT51rZzRyky_HOTMnaiOOmkLv_1Vqvi4V9ph1TG060MmflCm7Mam0kvBGCiLiqE/s4000/20240119_181323.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o0OKX77InwrLSsSuhj2xWkDC08I-qRRW7vaLrEe9PS4XW9KKi-FodageaBNjYJokUn1Fruzs2RudPu-bl0AnVA7x4r78pmHc9uH-QpPwvCtxqKqkur-DUfSY8vcRNT51rZzRyky_HOTMnaiOOmkLv_1Vqvi4V9ph1TG060MmflCm7Mam0kvBGCiLiqE/s320/20240119_181323.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Route 133 has a long history from prior to 1934, originally operating between Croydon and Liverpool Street via Elephant & Castle, Brixton and Streatham. 1942 saw the route cut of the main day service from Croydon to Streatham, but evening variations of the route continuing to Croydon continued for a while alongside a short lived Hendon extension on Sundays. 1971 saw the route permanently cut to Streatham in the South while Liverpool Street continued to be the northern terminus. 1985 saw the route restructured to run between Tooting Broadway and Liverpool Street. 2003 saw the route cut back to Streatham, St Leonard's Church from Tooting with that section being replaced by brand new route 333. 2012 saw the route extended from St Leonard's Church to the new bus terminus at Streatham Station. Further change didn't come until April 2023 when route 133 was rerouted at Bank via route 8 to terminate at Holborn, taking it away from the Liverpool Street area for the first time in its history. </span></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Unlike the 133, route 333 does not have such a long history, as mentioned above it was introduced in 2003 to replace the 133's Tooting leg. The only change to its routing ever came in 2008 when it was rerouted between Brixton and Oval via Stockwell. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4FVBX4iiRJ5Ouy6iwzCr2ETC7qC_57nVVtkg3FxDLxS1N5OlXia8OYKXwv5d9qtDiAqPuvxG3jpYA8auc8nG_oyy3bn0V4tWhrxCZp23eGwzi-aMCEexcihRS8rZcp3bnAKnWTV9Pg7dJ6GRy0bhn11TZzoC6fVXTDgr205E_eeweisNstgO-zwyrUQ/s2301/27041113487_0f69459ef7_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="2301" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4FVBX4iiRJ5Ouy6iwzCr2ETC7qC_57nVVtkg3FxDLxS1N5OlXia8OYKXwv5d9qtDiAqPuvxG3jpYA8auc8nG_oyy3bn0V4tWhrxCZp23eGwzi-aMCEexcihRS8rZcp3bnAKnWTV9Pg7dJ6GRy0bhn11TZzoC6fVXTDgr205E_eeweisNstgO-zwyrUQ/w400-h225/27041113487_0f69459ef7_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> © EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Both routes 133 and 333 were awarded to their new operators on the premise of using brand new electric buses. Go Ahead London opted for their mainstay, the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City bodied BYD electrics while Transport UK chose their new standard, the Wright Electroliner. Needless to say that both routes at the time of writing do not have their allocation in place due to production delays of the vehicles alongside time required to prepare the garages they operate out of for electric operation. Route 133 in the meantime is using a mix of Electroliners from elsewhere in the fleet, New Routemasters and Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC buses while route 333 is using MCV EvoSeti buses.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFXdW1BTUOC5o_0SAvu30pEN1TKXMdO82OJ1q0gnYEYFTrx8nfpy6rsbR0J1LuUGGKyBlRul6ncHRQrWgJ1HD454j6zzlwX_I6mkGPXc1vJF_EVfKzVAM2Q6yWL1W47s3zu0jDg_5VEgqpc1n-pSJLhaGFMWykefSt8oFUCymuQNiVp3YYX9Qk9UiGA8/s4000/20240123_142705~2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFXdW1BTUOC5o_0SAvu30pEN1TKXMdO82OJ1q0gnYEYFTrx8nfpy6rsbR0J1LuUGGKyBlRul6ncHRQrWgJ1HD454j6zzlwX_I6mkGPXc1vJF_EVfKzVAM2Q6yWL1W47s3zu0jDg_5VEgqpc1n-pSJLhaGFMWykefSt8oFUCymuQNiVp3YYX9Qk9UiGA8/s320/20240123_142705~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table>I went out a few days after the new operators took over to grab a few rides. My ride on the 333 was MHV70, which judging by its state had a very rough morning with the passengers with litter all over the bus and a very weird smell on board, but other than that there wasn't much to report. My ride at midday meant that I pretty much had the entire bus to myself and had a relatively quiet journey with minimal traffic apart from at Brixton, I'll savour those when I get them as with the increasing presence of LTNs within the borough of Lambeth it won't be often we'll be getting fast journeys such as this. It certainly wasn't long until we reached the last stop on the route at Elephant and Castle. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9b-c8RH1SOjfN1QrioiNgVe_TyKaRTZKBafT1I5BZHrU85hh4h847jQ2BvzciB89eBNw_avl-fL20gDCXwUokMQkjkilxayEFy3qc-mKyzUCXMSlSpwMeLP8F0FBLc4OG9drBrrf_GWknzojjPbOl7kQ6tG5WRN8uFHC0Cfsv-8zQFtbku38KivZL0fo/s3292/20240123_134503.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="3292" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9b-c8RH1SOjfN1QrioiNgVe_TyKaRTZKBafT1I5BZHrU85hh4h847jQ2BvzciB89eBNw_avl-fL20gDCXwUokMQkjkilxayEFy3qc-mKyzUCXMSlSpwMeLP8F0FBLc4OG9drBrrf_GWknzojjPbOl7kQ6tG5WRN8uFHC0Cfsv-8zQFtbku38KivZL0fo/w400-h225/20240123_134503.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqe06pI9f5fKq_5gQdEG17XMYLKuAR3IIMQWB3Bso9gaOWxW5MTeJWka14BoEPsdu-gsLMh961BACTiR2hG02hnXCestPWdkxLgY5awS0ErwVw3IeiCrgDIM7DPfmidmPsEKPRhmuTFXLHUq3ngoUdE_l-W-fQxPI6GTGqMH4vn3HQm3INmSBWZsYk_g/s3915/20240123_144355.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="3915" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqe06pI9f5fKq_5gQdEG17XMYLKuAR3IIMQWB3Bso9gaOWxW5MTeJWka14BoEPsdu-gsLMh961BACTiR2hG02hnXCestPWdkxLgY5awS0ErwVw3IeiCrgDIM7DPfmidmPsEKPRhmuTFXLHUq3ngoUdE_l-W-fQxPI6GTGqMH4vn3HQm3INmSBWZsYk_g/s320/20240123_144355.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table>Upon disembarking I made my way to get the 133, hoping to get one of the Electroliners on the route that were borrowed from various other routes within the Transport UK fleet. Much to my luck I got 3034. The bus was to the new higher TfL specification, with high backed seats and an updated iBus display. The bus also had wood effect flooring and glass pillars at the front instead of the standard opaque ones. But journey wise this was the complete opposite to the 333 that I had earlier, we were travelling really slow and got caught up in traffic all over the place. We regulated for a while at London Bridge before slowly trundling through the City despite an obvious lack of traffic. One thing I was certainly glad for was the high backed and more padded seat, a small consolation in the grand scheme. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWDuWEAIF5Izu9Zqa8TFUXdXg-wbYbGuPo0_eVZXUFPhM-oj21Du0GmQR07hakaUkhwM_uZFra9kxxJNP73E2AjlBA5TR-NxY78Akcl9vtyKCiHefFIYocqAc-CJ7CfHWnzJQv73DxEwfbapcbcinlbYdUgBDEnRwXKYXxuY5TYS3lG6P_Ml5vwB5iXM/s3499/20240123_150647.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3499" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWDuWEAIF5Izu9Zqa8TFUXdXg-wbYbGuPo0_eVZXUFPhM-oj21Du0GmQR07hakaUkhwM_uZFra9kxxJNP73E2AjlBA5TR-NxY78Akcl9vtyKCiHefFIYocqAc-CJ7CfHWnzJQv73DxEwfbapcbcinlbYdUgBDEnRwXKYXxuY5TYS3lG6P_Ml5vwB5iXM/s320/20240123_150647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table>After what felt like forever we eventually made it to Holborn Station where I was the only passenger left on the bus. My journey today had given me two completely different experiences, a mediocre bus that was worn down and desperately needed a clean, but a very fast and seamless journey which was then followed by a nearly brand new bus with all the bells and whistles that you'd want but accompanied by a really slow and painful journey. I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to decide what you'd prefer out of the pair but I can certainly say that when I want to get somewhere I'd much rather be there in a timely manner and maybe have a less comfortable journey rather than having a comfortable journey just to arrive with a higher than average blood pressure and later than you expected.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkYI1oYQmuM3DPvnropLyHLW9Dm5dtpr4Vkc7QBtU5OlDqKEsIbOZw8u4U7cCl7XvtNMybOiZmpf7FChuun2TK5g5JfuCjGgQ9jG1SvkGdHc0OXvrvWCJ4uz-gOyNndQmr837s5ImNBh1492GEm47LM39NghFOVksWWMqaPkj_DHMQQuI0TBhXLetVbw/s3724/20240123_151413(0).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="3724" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkYI1oYQmuM3DPvnropLyHLW9Dm5dtpr4Vkc7QBtU5OlDqKEsIbOZw8u4U7cCl7XvtNMybOiZmpf7FChuun2TK5g5JfuCjGgQ9jG1SvkGdHc0OXvrvWCJ4uz-gOyNndQmr837s5ImNBh1492GEm47LM39NghFOVksWWMqaPkj_DHMQQuI0TBhXLetVbw/w400-h225/20240123_151413(0).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My rides showed the past and the future. Both routes will get their permanent allocations over the next few months. If you'd like a ride on the 133 and 333 before the electrics (fully) take over on the routes you will need to get a move on! The future is most certainly zero emission.</span></div>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-56789076067444462312023-12-23T15:41:00.010+00:002023-12-23T15:44:19.762+00:00From Finchley to Walthamstow<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCPtw6cOuq9P5JIKUBJqv-IXFdlN-y8WRBJ6gkXDJAJWGkl6rgl9wGfpuspY3S2jVJqtvVtLpVErAchC5SmrRHAf1JfeJfCzEfuV_jo2csCXCqW-vFFq-0iL4Dy10XPw7IxZ6dm33774QY6mTs5ierXsRyRSazehqkNANMxwKHbHZP5HHkUkqEfuUI7I/s4000/20231222_183705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCPtw6cOuq9P5JIKUBJqv-IXFdlN-y8WRBJ6gkXDJAJWGkl6rgl9wGfpuspY3S2jVJqtvVtLpVErAchC5SmrRHAf1JfeJfCzEfuV_jo2csCXCqW-vFFq-0iL4Dy10XPw7IxZ6dm33774QY6mTs5ierXsRyRSazehqkNANMxwKHbHZP5HHkUkqEfuUI7I/w400-h300/20231222_183705.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Superloop is a scheme which incorporates new and existing express routes to form an orbital loop around London, with a few extras. On London Connected we will try our best to provide coverage on the new routes being introduced as part of the scheme. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today's post will focus on brand new route SL1 which has been recently introduced running express from North Finchley Bus Station to Walthamstow Central Bus Station. This route is operated by Arriva from their Palmers Green (AD) garage. But before I get into some details about the SL1 in particular I've listed the various routes below that will make up the complete scheme.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL1</b> - North Finchley to Walthamstow Central via Arnos Grove (Arriva from Palmers Green AD)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL2 </b>- Walthamstow Central to North Woolwich via Gants Hill, Ilford and Barking (Arriva from Barking DX) - To be introduced early 2024</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL3</b> - Thamesmead to Bromley North via Bexleyheath (Stagecoach from Plumstead PD) - To be introduced early 2024</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL4</b> - Grove Park to Canary Wharf via Silvertown Tunnel (Go Ahead London from Henley Road DS) - To be introduced 2025</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL5</b> - Bromley North to Croydon (Arriva from Croydon TC) - To be introduced early 2024</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL6 </b>(formerly X68) - Croydon to Russell Square (Go Ahead from Camberwell Q)</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL7</b> (formerly X26) - Croydon to Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 via Kingston (Go Ahead from Croydon C)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL8</b> (formerly 607) - Uxbridge to White City via Ealing and Acton (Metroline from Greenford G)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL9</b> (formerly X140) - Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 to Harrow, Bus Station via Hayes (RATP from Harrow SO)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route SL10 </b>Harrow, Bus Station to North Finchley via Kenton (RATP from Harrow SO)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All routes together will make up the Superloop network, an initiative to improve bus services in outer London. This will involve buses wearing a special livery to help distinguish them from standard bus services which will be calling at all stops.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Route SL1 was introduced on the 9th of December running express between North Finchley and Walthamstow Central, being the first route linking these two areas, the route predominantly follows the line of route of route 34, using the same route between Walthamstow and Arnos Grove before following route 232 to New Southgate, and then route 221 to North Finchley.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPetcyearbMEjzW3UUd1YtxEIeIehDjzdi6rh_0jsfQjIqFieAaXTCwIhUdaU2f0d3SIZah-Fcnc9RmwFArnAcTLTEsggHKGf_Cc_yNdmFI7RTtfT_KP6Cy1bXiHleo7SDuM6gZIkLwGoEDEsleK_DoyZKZ4oGzSpPIVKkxfcxXrsBakomw9TBWZn5E4/s4000/20231222_183613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPetcyearbMEjzW3UUd1YtxEIeIehDjzdi6rh_0jsfQjIqFieAaXTCwIhUdaU2f0d3SIZah-Fcnc9RmwFArnAcTLTEsggHKGf_Cc_yNdmFI7RTtfT_KP6Cy1bXiHleo7SDuM6gZIkLwGoEDEsleK_DoyZKZ4oGzSpPIVKkxfcxXrsBakomw9TBWZn5E4/w400-h225/20231222_183613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As mentioned earlier, the route is operated by Arriva from their Palmers Green (AD) garage, operating as a spin off on the existing 34 contract. The route uses E40H City buses that have been made free by the loss of route 78 a few weeks prior from Ash Grove as that moved to Go Ahead operation from Peckham (PM) south of the river. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDGcZIHMkf62Lh3X8t_RSaWWvdBw-mQdHAIt0Nf9shD_-4XB6bgX-2QPbQmNa8MDlHhxa9jW0yXY_QlFhReqoD9Gk7XOgeODI5l6nV1fns1bRed_rZKpot-YtZYgWu5o7lvHKkfv7N1FB95A3eJQjc5f8LN74IkeHf1x6Sr0PwNbdkc288VDP4P7KySQ/s2528/20231222_173924.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2528" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDGcZIHMkf62Lh3X8t_RSaWWvdBw-mQdHAIt0Nf9shD_-4XB6bgX-2QPbQmNa8MDlHhxa9jW0yXY_QlFhReqoD9Gk7XOgeODI5l6nV1fns1bRed_rZKpot-YtZYgWu5o7lvHKkfv7N1FB95A3eJQjc5f8LN74IkeHf1x6Sr0PwNbdkc288VDP4P7KySQ/s320/20231222_173924.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iBus display for the SL1</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I went down to Walthamstow Central on the 9th of December to try to ride the route, however faced with the prospect of a half an hour wait for 4 to turn up together I decided against riding the route and opted to come back another day. I went back on the 22nd of December, this time to North Finchley to have a second attempt at the route. Upon arrival I was lucky to see HA4 preparing to depart and it wasn't long until I was sat comfortably on the front right hand side of the upper deck. I was only one of two people who boarded at the first stop, but there were a few people at the second stop slightly further down on Woodhouse Road. It wasn't long until we were breezing down the road towards Friern Barnet and New Southgate, although we did get caught at some traffic on the approach to Betstyle Circus. Up until this point the bus had been relatively empty, however once we pulled up to the bus stop at Arnos Grove station we picked up quite a healthy load with only a few seats left on the bus to spare. <br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ5nHvv2b_hNqN8c1yrdT2uBpZvxzcbv2rQPHIdA1ylxuakD2VSf9ytp1bRG1gOsfcNx-CHpkJzZ2mLpesAluhqARwUJ6YC0GQ0VPYOXm8bLH58vDL5pn_mB565FbQ_XC3kbKNLhtVShcmcrSSxZfP_a7LexWNypOoSiih23DNokE-B9-XEiMl3tkwUM/s3000/20231222_183215.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="3000" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ5nHvv2b_hNqN8c1yrdT2uBpZvxzcbv2rQPHIdA1ylxuakD2VSf9ytp1bRG1gOsfcNx-CHpkJzZ2mLpesAluhqARwUJ6YC0GQ0VPYOXm8bLH58vDL5pn_mB565FbQ_XC3kbKNLhtVShcmcrSSxZfP_a7LexWNypOoSiih23DNokE-B9-XEiMl3tkwUM/s320/20231222_183215.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New USB ports have been installed</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After Arnos Grove, route SL1 uses the North Circular road to get to Walthamstow so I was expecting a fun ride. But before the fun ride could start we had to negotiate a long line of traffic spawning from the junction at Palmers Green. Just as we made that stop the dreaded announcement of a driver changeover went off on the iBus display and a unanimous groan came out of the mouths of many passengers - the first I've heard many people do this so loudly! To say it was quick would be a lie, during the time we were waiting we got overtaken by the all stops 34 before we could eventually make it on our way. Our new driver however was not hasty with the foot pedal, it wasn't very long until we caught up and overtook the 34 which had passed us during the driver changeover. One of the biggest benefits of the SL1 is that it can use flyovers and underpasses while the standard 34 has to exit at them to serve the various communities. We went through the underpass at the Great Cambridge roundabout before existing the North Circular Road to serve Angel Corner and Silver Street Station before we were back on the North Circular. We also had the luxury of using the flyover to go above Meridian Water and Ely's Estate before we could see the Sainsbury's at Crooked Billet, the sign that we were entering Walthamstow. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjExR2sybzLjHlu4TweXKo8Jcqv1pg6vaXTRmT_Og8l5jEpDIN2bMFsYHfWp331-zF4G2lAVJmQNE0WJx1NLLktJgDeW9rgxOtpuuyLXWsj9KnXrnSFcnHGmvynQod4L7NajVPLplfElAgEx_AkP6rETDpSERuWBusikG0ioY41ldw6Hl59QLSAFN_Uc/s3535/20231222_183153.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3535" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjExR2sybzLjHlu4TweXKo8Jcqv1pg6vaXTRmT_Og8l5jEpDIN2bMFsYHfWp331-zF4G2lAVJmQNE0WJx1NLLktJgDeW9rgxOtpuuyLXWsj9KnXrnSFcnHGmvynQod4L7NajVPLplfElAgEx_AkP6rETDpSERuWBusikG0ioY41ldw6Hl59QLSAFN_Uc/s320/20231222_183153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All new Superloop buses have an interior map</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Unfortunately this is where it all ended up going slightly pear shaped, severe traffic leading to the Crooked Billet ended up in us wasting 15 minutes on the entrance ramp, before we knew it another SL1 had caught us up behind (despite this bus was 20 minutes behind us as we had left North Finchley). Once we finally managed to break free from the traffic at the Crooked Billet, we were greeted by another line of cars with their brake lights on stemming from Bell Corner. After what felt like forever we finally pulled into Walthamstow Central Bus Station with the second SL1 right behind us, and just as I was walking to the station a third one pulled up too! </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What was a great journey, showing the strengths of express routes and their obvious place within our bus network was ruined at the end by excessive traffic and a lack of bus priority. I think many of us are in agreement that the public should be encouraged to use buses where they can, and that schemes such as the Superloop should be welcomed with open arms, but what's the point when they're subject to the same drawbacks as your standard bus services?</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you are interested in checking out the new SL1 route, below are the stops that the route will stop at. Remember it's an express bus service so will not stop at every bus stop that it passes.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">North Finchley Bus Station</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">North Finchley High Road</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Friern Barnet/Friern Barnet Lane</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Beaconsfield Road/New Southgate Station</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Arnos Grove Station</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Palmerston Road</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Angel Corner/Silver Street Station</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ely Trading Estate</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Crooked Billet/Walthamstow Avenue</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Walthamstow/Crooked Billet Roundabout</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Forest Road/Bell Corner</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Walthamstow Market</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Walthamstow Bus Station</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiSz26GU16kugHv-3l-IdL5GkeQvxPIiE45Bxv40_sn1AIuFl9AYmhDMCuGPXthhRpkZ14mrgRa_NUU5R5yOfB5TivrjDrjIb8UR0UxVp10SPJ8wW2mm9n4fMM6SCkE1ptbZRkVYvSTesmpMhParAglAW3XQSLAWoWeupR3DsSCr3Q2AC5m6b-ye96Nc/s4000/20231209_155739~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiSz26GU16kugHv-3l-IdL5GkeQvxPIiE45Bxv40_sn1AIuFl9AYmhDMCuGPXthhRpkZ14mrgRa_NUU5R5yOfB5TivrjDrjIb8UR0UxVp10SPJ8wW2mm9n4fMM6SCkE1ptbZRkVYvSTesmpMhParAglAW3XQSLAWoWeupR3DsSCr3Q2AC5m6b-ye96Nc/w400-h225/20231209_155739~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have to say we've not been posting as much as we'd have liked to over the past few months, unfortunately all members of the London Connected Team have been very busy over the past few months. However you can always keep up with the latest on the <a href="http://wlbb.chatango.com" target="_blank">London Connected Online Chat</a> where we are frequently found </span></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-25179825839304552132023-02-05T14:30:00.001+00:002023-02-05T14:30:26.162+00:00South takes on North<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">10 years of this blog, who knew we'd still be here all this time later! It's been a while since the last post, but here's one today. We are focussing on route 91 and its recent move to Go Ahead London operating obscurely out of Stockwell (SW). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvU-3_KquI3X0pxYrIXUZGz1agdxZqi8XagisrtSe4zr4gIeDABTtN_yBnCoXunb8ldwBYMdy0I0E3ABtj7hIkUnqu1saskP-JAIfpj3AfPq9_DMq5w_hzU0fTLStW71mk5INwBJYXjQ-LBf2BLxTPKJL3pN7C-yEqc2hhST-DXBGdNtuEYHLU2B2/s4000/20230204_154201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvU-3_KquI3X0pxYrIXUZGz1agdxZqi8XagisrtSe4zr4gIeDABTtN_yBnCoXunb8ldwBYMdy0I0E3ABtj7hIkUnqu1saskP-JAIfpj3AfPq9_DMq5w_hzU0fTLStW71mk5INwBJYXjQ-LBf2BLxTPKJL3pN7C-yEqc2hhST-DXBGdNtuEYHLU2B2/w400-h225/20230204_154201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes, the route that runs between Trafalgar Square and Crouch End is being operated out of a garage in South London. There's a multitude of reasons for this, however the most widely acknowledged one is the crippling driver shortage at Northumberland Park (NP) up in North London (which was the garage which actually won the route) meant they were not in a position to take over the route. Stockwell garage isn't suffering as badly so were able to take the route on for now. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Go Ahead are a new operator to this route, but if we look back into history the original plan where the 91 was meant to operate out of Northumberland Park isn't a completely new idea. The route is a relatively young one, starting operation in October 1992 running between Crouch End and Trafalgar Square via Holloway, Kings Cross, Euston, Russell Square and Aldwych. This is the same route that is in operation today. In 1992 when the route was introduced, it ran out of Holloway (HT) garage, at the time part of London Northern (Later MTL, and later Metroline). 1997 saw the route move to Northumberland Park (NP) under Capital City's (later First London) and in 2009 the route returned to operating from Holloway (HT) where it remained until Go Ahead took on the contract recently. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gIQOEJZM91XbEfu2EZOFxz58SBuxUmf5bqgs0CQTxMAV6LNCE1tYEpiGcDub3ztKHzE2iiBB87gBpJG4QY6wx2Hq1E58I0Q6z-5BAtZqlcMmOZf513KpNZxkQmH4TGYPK74zduv-2PsOL8JfTokAqDqiEPLApYvzQWcageKbQbyNN1E_WRw1KYS1/s5152/26855641453_b6f5055db0_o.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gIQOEJZM91XbEfu2EZOFxz58SBuxUmf5bqgs0CQTxMAV6LNCE1tYEpiGcDub3ztKHzE2iiBB87gBpJG4QY6wx2Hq1E58I0Q6z-5BAtZqlcMmOZf513KpNZxkQmH4TGYPK74zduv-2PsOL8JfTokAqDqiEPLApYvzQWcageKbQbyNN1E_WRw1KYS1/s320/26855641453_b6f5055db0_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© LondonBuses72</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The previous two contracts at Metroline saw the route have an interesting allocation with it being allocated Enviro400s, then New Routemasters which were removed due to a variety of incidents on the route before using a mix of Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 and MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B5LH. The Go Ahead contract was won using existing hybrids, and these were soon after confirmed to be the unique EHVs that were previously allocated to the 135. Unique in the sense they are the only Enviro400 MMC bodied Volvo B5LHs in the Go Ahead fleet, and are part of only three batches in London completely. After being relieved from their duties on the 135, the EHVs initially made their way to Merton (AL) to provide cover for some grounded Optare MetroDecker EVs on the 200. They were then found on other routes at Merton before making their way to Stockwell. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcFrkcKtJrelcNJ1Zsuw89A0zKrTNzQVVF6SPA9QRK9LVmwVQRFvj1Gm4ZZt1GjeDb-0fJ0pcwkw1ioaCJs9y0P3uikQXRJieVKRQypKUVyqsrP418oHwUc1AasJA5x5GX-yGNWKcpZN1XaQqBMU7gRMYdRDFGP9EPJ1T-ycc4j_Acde3PX572KUF/s3612/20230204_151647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="3612" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcFrkcKtJrelcNJ1Zsuw89A0zKrTNzQVVF6SPA9QRK9LVmwVQRFvj1Gm4ZZt1GjeDb-0fJ0pcwkw1ioaCJs9y0P3uikQXRJieVKRQypKUVyqsrP418oHwUc1AasJA5x5GX-yGNWKcpZN1XaQqBMU7gRMYdRDFGP9EPJ1T-ycc4j_Acde3PX572KUF/s320/20230204_151647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Enviro400 MMC as a type are iconic to say the least, being present in almost every area of London, and you're never far from one. But I had special interest in doing the 91 on its first day at Go Ahead as the EHVs were the first MMCs that I rode. I made my way to Crouch Hill then grabbed a ride on the W7 to Crouch End broadway. I had to run to the bus stop to make my bus, which was going to be EHV8. Internally the bus felt like new, the refurbishment had very clearly been carried out to a very high standard. The ride itself was nothing out of the ordinary, we didn't have much traffic throughout the journey but this did have the negative effect of needing to stop three times to regulate the service. I wasn't too bothered about the regulation, but there was a large portion of people who got off my 91 that when the regulation announcement went off rushed off the bus and piled onto the 259 behind. Before I knew it we were along the Strand, stuck in traffic from the inevitable weekend closure of Whitehall due to a protest. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While EHVs are to be the mainstay of the 91s allocation for the foreseeable future, Stockwell do have a variety of Hybrids available that can run the route. The first day itself saw WHV50, a Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 make an appearance on the route. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6nvoCE4vj1AkeCG2Lbb6u11HrcEOb3uYP42w-32yVrsPS7ehrowhoLESiku60ZjdxHbdC7fP4Wa-8NEEPHF76BZ2zSunWNMxKqctzzqpksPQNlarwRXWuSZiVCzjaLlkC7FirvrjXLTy9JrWaRPKd9UNqOJOhnTieOTQ5D9yJGhl__YhpLvFZAIx/s3570/20230204_151339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="3570" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6nvoCE4vj1AkeCG2Lbb6u11HrcEOb3uYP42w-32yVrsPS7ehrowhoLESiku60ZjdxHbdC7fP4Wa-8NEEPHF76BZ2zSunWNMxKqctzzqpksPQNlarwRXWuSZiVCzjaLlkC7FirvrjXLTy9JrWaRPKd9UNqOJOhnTieOTQ5D9yJGhl__YhpLvFZAIx/w400-h225/20230204_151339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I believe the eventual intention will be to move the 91 to Northumberland Park (NP) when the circumstances permit, so you may be limited in your time if you'd like to ride the route while it's operating out of Stockwell (SW). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzyzdrgjuKDYZb6YYPd0EqsdryzrnE5s5AxvekA7KrwEsJ2TZc-lti5kuED7JyoQxTYWxTvX1ErQkJHA4bOQIkceegmeMuyKhtoL9us9mFN3u9TOlMXwhrbteMkoJ57JBY7bH9ffMhntuhVkByeWqTrVhxFVBXveBIbSt0_ZqDIV7yH3aLOVFrTQG/s3843/20230204_154046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3843" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzyzdrgjuKDYZb6YYPd0EqsdryzrnE5s5AxvekA7KrwEsJ2TZc-lti5kuED7JyoQxTYWxTvX1ErQkJHA4bOQIkceegmeMuyKhtoL9us9mFN3u9TOlMXwhrbteMkoJ57JBY7bH9ffMhntuhVkByeWqTrVhxFVBXveBIbSt0_ZqDIV7yH3aLOVFrTQG/w400-h225/20230204_154046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Go Ahead have been managing alright on the route so far (it's only been 2 days!), hopefully the operation remains consistent under their operation, and matches the standard set by their predecessor for the next 7 years!</span></div><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-59875564590231504682022-06-01T17:10:00.003+01:002022-06-04T11:30:52.312+01:00TfL's Central London Bus Review 2022<span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the 1st June 2022, Transport for London (TfL) in light of the current financial climate announced a wide amount of changes to bus services across zones 1, 2 and 3 in London. This has wide impacts across the city as <b><u>sixteen</u> </b>(yes, you read that right) bus routes around the city are being proposed for complete withdrawal, with around 75 others being subject to large scale re-routes, diversions and cut backs. We also will include for wider context, changes already confirmed to be happening to a number of routes in South and North London.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YYspTXyE1fqjLHcRqu5YYS6FdgwpCE_CCLIuVeKu3kT6H0YkkLHDwo01jYKERhmJ-8p2GUUcmsbPtdBKI2VyfHMYkPSimr4HIXxRmQTfeS42dGimj4vDMS1UP_7eFejvi-kS9nWMvA8TyJdWd8veNCIRUul_jYrtiZo9Y1F7EiZmEp-BtmfQ4wY9Vw/s6000/IMGP0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YYspTXyE1fqjLHcRqu5YYS6FdgwpCE_CCLIuVeKu3kT6H0YkkLHDwo01jYKERhmJ-8p2GUUcmsbPtdBKI2VyfHMYkPSimr4HIXxRmQTfeS42dGimj4vDMS1UP_7eFejvi-kS9nWMvA8TyJdWd8veNCIRUul_jYrtiZo9Y1F7EiZmEp-BtmfQ4wY9Vw/w400-h266/IMGP0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route 205 is one of over 75 bus routes subject to change</td></tr></tbody></table>The purpose of this post is to try and simplify the changes for you in an easier to understand way, to let you know how you can make your comments heard and to potentially better explain TfLs rationing behind these changes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can leave all your comments on the <a href="https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/busreview">Transport for London website here.</a> The consultation process is running until the 12th July with the aim of implementing service changes from the end of this year.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica;"><i>This list will be updated regularly throughout the coming days so keep refreshing and revisiting this page and feel free to post comments and share with those who may be interested.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">--------</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Bus changes in Islington borough</b></span></h2><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Routes 4, 56 and 236</b></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route 4 </b>is being proposed for complete withdrawal. It currently runs between Archway and Blackfriars, having been diverted from Waterloo in 2019. Metroline currently operate this from Holloway (HT) garage. The route operates via Whittington Hospital, Tufnell Park, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Islington, Barbican and Blackfriars. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is being proposed that the route is replaced on the northern end with single decker route 236 (currently Hackney Wick to Finsbury Park), which currently parallels the route between Highbury and Finsbury Park. <b>Route 236</b> would be extended from Finsbury Park Station via the current route 4 to terminate at Archway Station. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the southern end, <b>route 56</b> (currently St. Bartholomew's Hospital to Whipps Cross, near Walthamstow) would be extended to Blackfriars via current route 4. By doing this, it would allow for the links between Angel Islington and Blackfriars to be retained. Passengers needing to travel north of Islington would need to get a 19 (which follows the 4 to Finsbury Park), or the 43 to Holloway and Archway (albeit a different route). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Current routes:</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>4 - Archway to Blackfriars</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>56 - St. Bartholomew's Hospital to Whipps Cross</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>236 - Hackney Wick to Finsbury Park</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Proposed routes:</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>4 - <span style="color: red;">WITHDRAWN</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>56 - Blackfriars to Whipps Cross</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>236 - Archway to Hackney Wick</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>This is expected to take place between the end of 2022 and the start of 2023.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">--------</span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Bus changes in Brent, Barnet and Camden boroughs</b></span></h2><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Routes 31, 113, 189 and N189</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>It is being proposed that route 31 is withdrawn.</b> Route 31 currently is operated by Metroline from Willesden Junction (WJ) garage and operates between White City and Camden Town, via Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park, Kilburn, Swiss Cottage and Chalk Farm. The 31 has a 24-hour service between Camden Town and Notting Hill Gate numbered <b>'N31' </b>which then continues onto Clapham Junction via Kensington. Both 31 and N31 would no longer run and would be replaced by restructured routes 113 and 189. Passengers on N31 would be required to use the N28 and change where necessary to continue onto Clapham Junction.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route 113 </b>currently operates between Edgware and Marble Arch, having been cut back from Oxford Circus a few months ago. The route follows the A41 Watford Way for much of its length, providing an 'express' route into Central London from the most suburban parts of the borough of Barnet. It is being proposed to restructure the route so that it operates between Edgware and Swiss Cottage as it does now, before being diverted via the current 31 route via Kilburn and Notting Hill to terminate at White City. Night service N113 would remain unaffected.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Those wishing to travel between Swiss Cottage and Marble Arch would need to use the 13 instead, changing anywhere along the section of Finchley Road that the 113 would continue to use. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzTdIVs6NQPvHrg37g879LdOYcicXkvwvWslO6h7E6DnzsQUfsqoCJNKSQ4tUmtqlUOQB1_4KOJPeIiv9xbtVb6u8Hv8hA_PRM9l681Coi4iU1IC24BkqAFWYGjBJcvzU0n6dL3w8DY84ngiorYq9D62BU_RNfozsAOCs5WDIckxc32lrhofUq0Sp4Q/s2048/29346594615_19111092b6_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzTdIVs6NQPvHrg37g879LdOYcicXkvwvWslO6h7E6DnzsQUfsqoCJNKSQ4tUmtqlUOQB1_4KOJPeIiv9xbtVb6u8Hv8hA_PRM9l681Coi4iU1IC24BkqAFWYGjBJcvzU0n6dL3w8DY84ngiorYq9D62BU_RNfozsAOCs5WDIckxc32lrhofUq0Sp4Q/s320/29346594615_19111092b6_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposals could see the 189 re-routed to Camden</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><b style="font-family: helvetica;">Route 189 </b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">currently operates between Brent Cross and Marble Arch. The route would be cut back to operate between Brent Cross and Kilburn, before following the current 31 route to Camden Town via Swiss Cottage and Chalk Farm. This change would only apply to the day service, with the night service continuing to run into Marble Arch as now, but numbered </span><b style="font-family: helvetica;">N189. </b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Passengers needing to go via Lisson Grove and Baker Street would need to change to the 139 at the eastern end of Quex Road. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Current routes:</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>31 - White City to Camden Town</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N31 - Clapham Junction to Camden Town</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>113 - Edgware to Marble Arch</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>189 - Brent Cross to Marble Arch</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Proposed routes:</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>31/N31 - <span style="color: red;">WITHDRAWN</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>113 - Edgware to White City</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>189 - Brent Cross to Camden Town</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N113 - Edgware to Trafalgar Square</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N189 - Brent Cross to Camden Town</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Our best guess is that these set of changes would most likely take place around the end of March 2023 when the current route 31 contract is set to expire.</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>--------</i></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Routes 6, 16, N16, 23, N32, 98 and N98</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><b>It is proposed that routes 16 and N16 are withdrawn.</b> Route 16 currently operates between Cricklewood, Bus Garage and Victoria, with the night service starting from Edgware and following route 32 to Cricklewood before following its namesake into Victoria. Metroline currently operate the 16 and N16 (as one of their flagships) from the terminus at Cricklewood Bus Garage (W).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><b>Routes 98 and N98</b>, which mirrors the current routes 16 and N16 between Kilburn High Road and Marble Arch, would be diverted from Oxford Circus and Holborn to instead serve Hyde Park Corner and Victoria following the 16/N16 route. This means the 98/N98 would no longer service Oxford Street. This would make the 98 a Willesden, Bus Garage to Victoria route, and the N98 a Stanmore to Victoria route. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><b>24-hour route 6</b>, which currently runs between Willesden, Bus Garage and Aldwych would be re-routed (again) to serve Oxford Street and the lost section of the 98 through to Holborn. This would partially reverse the changes of 2019, as route 6 used to go via Oxford Street and Regent Street prior to 2019. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><b>Route 23 </b>would also see a partial reversal of the 2019 bus changes, with the route set to make a return to the West End to retain the links lost by the diversion of route 6 to Holborn. The 23, which currently operates between Westbourne Park and Hammersmith via Paddington, Marble Arch and High Street Kensington would be diverted after Hyde Park southbound via the current route 6 - taking in the sights of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square before terminating at Aldwych. This is a 24 hour service.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><b>New night route N32 </b>would operate every night between Edgware and Oxford Circus, following the 32 to Kilburn High Road and following the current N98 to Oxford Circus. Day route 32 would remain unchanged.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Current routes:</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>6 - Willesden, Bus Garage to Aldwych</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>16 - Cricklewood, Bus Garage to Victoria</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N16 - Edgware to Victoria</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>23 - Hammersmith to Westbourne Park</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>98 - Willesden, Bus Garage to Holborn</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N98 - Stanmore to Holborn</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Proposed routes:</u></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>6 - Willesden, Bus Garage to Holborn</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>16 - <span style="color: red;">WITHDRAWN</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N16 - <span style="color: red;">WITHDRAWN</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>23 - Aldwych to Westbourne Park</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N32 - Edgware to Oxford Circus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>98 - Willesden, Bus Garage to Victoria</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N98 - Stanmore to Victoria</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>These set of changes is expected to take place between the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">--------</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Routes 24, 88, 205, 214, N88 and N205</b></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>It is proposed that stalwart route 24, between Hampstead Heath and Pimlico, Grosvenor Road would be withdrawn in its entirety.</b> The route has operated for over 100 years using the exact same route, and as of late is operated by Abellio London from their Battersea (QB) depot using the first prototype batch of 'Boris Johnson' New Routemaster buses first introduced in 2013. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The 24 runs 24 hours a day and currently links Hampstead, Camden, West End, Victoria and Pimlico. Route 29 parallels the 24 between Camden Town and Trafalgar Square. It is proposed to withdraw the 24, and replace it with a number of restructured routes in the Camden area.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route 88 </b>currently runs between Omnibus Clapham (Clapham Common) and Parliament Hill Fields 24 hours a day, via Stockwell, Vauxhall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Oxford Circus, Regent's Park, Camden Town and Kentish Town. It is proposed that it would replace the leg of the 24 between the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead Heath and Trafalgar Square. Route N88 would run the same as the revised 88 but after Camden Town would go Parliament Hill Fields as is the case now, and will not serve Hampstead Heath. This would leave Hampstead Heath without a night bus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This means the 88 would be withdrawn between Camden Town and Parliament Hill Fields (having been sent there in 2019 to replace the now-withdrawn C2) and diverted to Hampstead Heath. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The 88 would also see a major re-route to follow the current 24 route between Camden and Westminster via Warren Street, Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square instead of going via Regent's Park and Regent Street. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route 214 </b>would replace this section of the 88 and the southern part of the 205, no longer running between Camden Town and Moorgate and instead run via the current 88 route to Trafalgar Square before following the current 24 route to Pimlico via Westminster and Victoria.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Route 205 </b>would replace the section of the 214 between King's Cross and Camden Town, and replace the 88 between Camden Town and Parliament Hill Fields. This means it would no longer run between King's Cross and Paddington. The 205 would also be cut back from Bow Church to terminate at Mile End. This would mean Liverpool Street loses its bus link to Euston, Baker Street and Paddington. Route N205 would also be diverted to terminate at Parliament Hill Fields.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Current routes:</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>24 - Hampstead Heath to Pimlico</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>88 - Parliament Hill Fields to Clapham Common</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>205 - Paddington to Bow Church</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>214 - Highgate Village to Moorgate, Finsbury Square</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N205 - Paddington to Leyton, Drapers Field</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><u>Proposed routes:</u></b></span></div><div></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>24 - <span style="color: red;">WITHDRAWN</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>88 - Hampstead Heath to Clapham Common</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>205 - Parliament Hill Fields to Bow Church</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>214 - Highgate Village to Pimlico, Grosvenor Road</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N205 - Parliament Hill Fields to Leyton, Drapers Field</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>N214 - Highgate Village to Pimlico</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">--------</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="font-family: helvetica;">These set of changes could take place as early as November 2022 but may be within the following few months after.</i></div><div><i style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></i></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bus routes in Tower Hamlets and Hackney boroughs and the City of London (Square Mile)</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2OqE0-3-bIULIyxZ7TdyN8A0yyLfO-a43sE2ZK6HZrPOJRgs_L-XGUqbDFfjw_E5xZdDwSvJ4DektILZc2muJRy90l-NcpcBwayymqJHCOBisxDMLa68QFZ613tfobJAyBgbPAWQhOLTgZTFtV2VPxDULXTPh9WwST7ZfutPnAN473A_P3iUXTvOhA/s6000/IMGP0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2OqE0-3-bIULIyxZ7TdyN8A0yyLfO-a43sE2ZK6HZrPOJRgs_L-XGUqbDFfjw_E5xZdDwSvJ4DektILZc2muJRy90l-NcpcBwayymqJHCOBisxDMLa68QFZ613tfobJAyBgbPAWQhOLTgZTFtV2VPxDULXTPh9WwST7ZfutPnAN473A_P3iUXTvOhA/w400-h266/IMGP0153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQhlXSYnrAyNN-z7QJ0ODThglGZ0mvq117rycd2ZzLHOWYoDffecaw-0X7YDKfLuRNQppvPiPX4MybutAOjLxX7YCEDeCsHsDbcMGbVuhEfsLGJcMR9ZJlcHj6VflHg4EwlkzBS-72wDD9i5W_vlcYe11TnDA6lfKzP1LLsv60BQdVVHMip0HmIbaNQ/s2048/41760158604_329c09290f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQhlXSYnrAyNN-z7QJ0ODThglGZ0mvq117rycd2ZzLHOWYoDffecaw-0X7YDKfLuRNQppvPiPX4MybutAOjLxX7YCEDeCsHsDbcMGbVuhEfsLGJcMR9ZJlcHj6VflHg4EwlkzBS-72wDD9i5W_vlcYe11TnDA6lfKzP1LLsv60BQdVVHMip0HmIbaNQ/w400-h266/41760158604_329c09290f_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To keep it in one place, all route 205/N205 changes including the changes within Bow have been documented underneath Camden's entry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">--------</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bus routes in Haringey and Enfield boroughs</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqOzyfl8boJKH6aMi4V7yfSFSiKaKC_K3mi7MQ_mQxNiVSCXM8W8-fXArKw7frxDedZhnsqh3EJW5F3XsKER0ppAIvd2BTf7RDdyUTpwI504kJsx7la_Vu6lyZYiJ47tzvNv3T1bWcOMFeGkJAWhybcOgyi8HUZgj0bSPs1MpuowiEujuwTn4wkPNfA/s2048/36065288403_d902ef1f78_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqOzyfl8boJKH6aMi4V7yfSFSiKaKC_K3mi7MQ_mQxNiVSCXM8W8-fXArKw7frxDedZhnsqh3EJW5F3XsKER0ppAIvd2BTf7RDdyUTpwI504kJsx7la_Vu6lyZYiJ47tzvNv3T1bWcOMFeGkJAWhybcOgyi8HUZgj0bSPs1MpuowiEujuwTn4wkPNfA/w400-h300/36065288403_d902ef1f78_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">--------</span></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bus routes in Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth boroughs</span></h2><div>---------</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bus routes in the City of Westminster</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">-----------</span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bus routes in Lambeth and Southwark</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQhuCnR3MZbatpglKxCojR261zD_BcvtNQ_po77lwfo2rdFRg_RTjLxsqPNaCCLuKsD26eoNnNcwYDjD6qo8E_wRujsmBHBIhEH8yRCIWH8jJZZOJrUjhZr-ANKwEFeu2nc3HI9hDM_aRqKBzx4sUK9Lq0NbSkhk-0UHRY6xYMmHFe2L9ReL2Ir_ndA/s6000/IMGP0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQhuCnR3MZbatpglKxCojR261zD_BcvtNQ_po77lwfo2rdFRg_RTjLxsqPNaCCLuKsD26eoNnNcwYDjD6qo8E_wRujsmBHBIhEH8yRCIWH8jJZZOJrUjhZr-ANKwEFeu2nc3HI9hDM_aRqKBzx4sUK9Lq0NbSkhk-0UHRY6xYMmHFe2L9ReL2Ir_ndA/s320/IMGP0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUdPBRjR3hZbZvzcPDcpg8ZAL7LuLUkgezKMMwv7EcUkgucR2R4ww6R-JksQ1UJhKhtOT4xAjS5n_oYCFDT7aLEOqk76iNB_khaUWLskBdY8s1dqyYurH3lxzw3Z_YuV3lvwxLdP9e-3uO2A3u-PTvPHhYNon51ZbkbKdiTPo2cNqYa-TJCy8ufqoOQ/s6000/IMGP0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUdPBRjR3hZbZvzcPDcpg8ZAL7LuLUkgezKMMwv7EcUkgucR2R4ww6R-JksQ1UJhKhtOT4xAjS5n_oYCFDT7aLEOqk76iNB_khaUWLskBdY8s1dqyYurH3lxzw3Z_YuV3lvwxLdP9e-3uO2A3u-PTvPHhYNon51ZbkbKdiTPo2cNqYa-TJCy8ufqoOQ/s320/IMGP0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div>London Connectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11287662204344788819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-84807777383954079372022-05-29T15:29:00.002+01:002022-05-29T15:29:40.391+01:00The Scottish Tower<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are some routes that just can never stay with one operator. 7 years later we revisit route 135 which has yet again made a change of operator, this time moving from Go Ahead operation to Tower Transit operation at Lea Interchange. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-yNL5SKyGp2gQvaeOmhwo3ChG6Bi4c-qFLt4JYnj650CbZjQf7gsIrB3KlrqPLRKlJjor5d8VHJkZX6hsdVLwX_mDv9nieYjGbfNqIERJXpG8vxjriB3tjvZ0fwgXnqVJ-ONIvu01Wyd-xebnFRkN-GcrjwXSffo9UksmCdLyAd2VndnAxbQ-OG6/s2949/20220521_121610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="2949" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-yNL5SKyGp2gQvaeOmhwo3ChG6Bi4c-qFLt4JYnj650CbZjQf7gsIrB3KlrqPLRKlJjor5d8VHJkZX6hsdVLwX_mDv9nieYjGbfNqIERJXpG8vxjriB3tjvZ0fwgXnqVJ-ONIvu01Wyd-xebnFRkN-GcrjwXSffo9UksmCdLyAd2VndnAxbQ-OG6/w400-h225/20220521_121610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have previously written about </span><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/old-street-to-new-road.html" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank">route 135 on this blog</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">, although that was covering the change from Arriva to Go Ahead. A lot of the route's history can be found on that post, but since then the 135 has also had its fair few changes, but that can all be read about on a post that </span><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2016/11/some-changes-for-dogs.html" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank">I wrote in 2016</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. For a short route it's no doubt had its fair share of history!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/SAasdDv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://i.imgur.com/SAasdDv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This post however will focus on the most recent change the route has undergone from Go Ahead London operation to Tower Transit operation. When the route's tender came up towards the end of 2021 it was probably given that having a relatively young allocation complaint with the Central London Ultra Low emission Zone would mean Go Ahead would have a comfortable time retaining it. At most Stagecoach and Arriva could potentially provide some competition, although it certainly took many people by surprise when Tower Transit were the operator that came out victorious. Bidding to run the route out of their Lea Interchange garage using buses that were previously found on route 328, but had made a quick <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2021/10/its-been-long-time.html">stop at Stagecoach</a> to cover for the delivery of late electrics in south London. Although prior to take up of route 135 they ran on temporary route 733 which operated between Oval and Moorgate to cover for the Northern Line closure (as seen in the above picture). <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/myYhke3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://i.imgur.com/myYhke3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of vehicles which appeared on route 135 during Go Ahead's tenure<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/F0sGNBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://i.imgur.com/F0sGNBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://i.imgur.com/F0sGNBJ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Go Ahead's time on the 135 ended pretty uneventfully in the early hours of the 21st of May, with EHV6 being the last bus to run on the route. Tower Transit picked up service the next morning. Tower Transit didn't have the smoothest start to operating the route, with extreme traffic down the A13 making gaps in the service and short turns very evident. I did go out later in the afternoon to experience the route, thankfully a quick gander on Google maps gave me adequate warning to avoid the Central London portion of the 135 and instead confine my trip predominantly within the Docklands. Upon arrival at Canary Wharf I didn't need to wait long to get a photo of VH38113 on its way into the City, proudly displaying the updated final destination of "Old Street, Provost Street" that TfL had now mandated. Whether this more specific destination is of use to anyone is another question considering many people don't seem to know where Provost Street even is. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The journey was relatively unremarkable, those aware of my preferences know that the Volvo B5LH and Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC combination is one of my favourite bus types currently in operation in London, while I was sad to see them go from route 135, the newer Tower Transit vehicles are no doubt a worthy replacement. Amazing care from Tower Transit's engineering team at both Westbourne Park and Lea Interchange has resulted in these buses still looking and feeling brand new. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/7C96xAr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://i.imgur.com/7C96xAr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH38112 seen on stand at Crossharbour</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Like many operator changes, there's not much else to say about the route...or is there? Usually at this point in the post I would make a comment about the future of the route but in this case we already know vaguely where the future is heading with this route. It was announced on Friday the 27th of May that Lea Interchange garage, along with all its routes and buses have been sold to the Scotland based Stagecoach group, and shall be absorbed into Stagecoach London's bus operations, all due to be finalised on the 24th of June 2022. This means that route 135 will be making yet another operator change hot on the heels of the last one and shall become a Stagecoach route, but this time will be staying at the same garage and keeping the same fleet of buses. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tower Transit haven't had the smoothest start, but no doubt there'll be room for improvement as time goes on. They don't have particularly long left on the route, with just a couple of weeks remaining. But hopefully the route has a bright future, both under the temporary Tower Transit reign and the more longer term Stagecoach reign on the route that is yet to come. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">All photos on this blog post are © EastLondoner, please do not use without permission.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">For photo use queries please e-mail LondonTransportconnected@gmail.com</span></div><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-56231788752825043602021-12-25T18:15:00.003+00:002021-12-25T18:15:49.813+00:00The French Tower<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It might be a stretch to ask whether anyone reading remembers the weird situation route W16 had in 2012 when it had three operators within the space of a month. Arriva lost the route to First, who then sold Northumberland Park (NP) to Go Ahead 4 weeks later. It's very rare any route has this happen, and naturally no route has matched that until a few weeks ago when route 414 became another route to go through three operators within the space of a month.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1FBIWxecKSIpMVuNV5BbtxjSyQ6hupiiTvWy4KP7jq1mMGviHgg4b69lqxDcyn87WnsHyOFdxrMJSYTkX7ZtUdlVqZyXI_5_rh3VHgyUbmeZ-c_Lo1zTAogTfnixJZW2CaB6L-k9-F0yE5BSLn2UPJ28Zvbw28Eegjw6RfYVzKTJoQpAoj7vFQ5r2=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1FBIWxecKSIpMVuNV5BbtxjSyQ6hupiiTvWy4KP7jq1mMGviHgg4b69lqxDcyn87WnsHyOFdxrMJSYTkX7ZtUdlVqZyXI_5_rh3VHgyUbmeZ-c_Lo1zTAogTfnixJZW2CaB6L-k9-F0yE5BSLn2UPJ28Zvbw28Eegjw6RfYVzKTJoQpAoj7vFQ5r2=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Abellio London up until the end of the 12th of November used to hold the contract to operate the 414, but Tower Transit took the helm on the 13th of November, although this wasn't to last for very long as RATP and Tower Transit had both announced a plan to merge operations into a company called RATP Dev Transit, and this would involve Westbourne Park moving over to a new company controlled majority by RATP, with Tower Transit retaining a minority shareholding. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT_zU7_SF4nnF7CuexDr8_RFZdmQiNdt37sfFVdUWXRwf7Nbbqz15n-ByrfcChSbU59a_-ZcqL86pKM3rQlUcbp-hnUYgkjqt0oOyV8paqh5mKSUFKNkGAgeyaVoz4VeEyCimVLNtC_tWeMyQEc2kSAq_ty7Eh2h6t-q_9ZvZquFQBVug1A_lAXc5p=s3717" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="3717" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT_zU7_SF4nnF7CuexDr8_RFZdmQiNdt37sfFVdUWXRwf7Nbbqz15n-ByrfcChSbU59a_-ZcqL86pKM3rQlUcbp-hnUYgkjqt0oOyV8paqh5mKSUFKNkGAgeyaVoz4VeEyCimVLNtC_tWeMyQEc2kSAq_ty7Eh2h6t-q_9ZvZquFQBVug1A_lAXc5p=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9487 seen on stand at Maida Hill<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Route 414 is one of London's younger routes, only starting operation in November 2002 operating out of Westbourne Park (X) under First London, and running between Maida Hill, Elgin Avenue and Fulham, High Street, although buses would have to dead run to Putney Bridge Station from Fulham to stand. This arrangement was then changed so that buses would continue all the way to Putney Bridge in service from June 2002. January 2005 saw the northern terminus altered to be Maida Hill, Chippenham Gardens. No change then came until 2009 when tender saw Abellio London taking over the 414 out of their Battersea (QB) garage where it would spend the next 12 years. The tender in 2020 saw the route's tranche come up at a time when TfL were looking at many ways to save money, and it was decided that upon tender the route would be withdrawn between Marble Arch and Maida Hill, running only between Putney Bridge and Marble Arch. Tower Transit won the contract on tender using Alexander Dennis Enviro400 Hybrid buses previously allocated to route 23.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbEYGzo0JWtuXXdtSgCK4ZhFI67h6xeakfBMb7z8LSljaJ-SgMHt6jrfoTSW5AjXTcrIW2bgpOUz1QQhjY6B99Skif5-XV74swIgKLNCDbUpKlClbluM84WO7ZYcHOfhTDjszu-0LWZLvRSw9-kha6I0g_EM5b-HHtzkBW0pWLyoE2Bu2fluM_mRfD=s3442" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="3442" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbEYGzo0JWtuXXdtSgCK4ZhFI67h6xeakfBMb7z8LSljaJ-SgMHt6jrfoTSW5AjXTcrIW2bgpOUz1QQhjY6B99Skif5-XV74swIgKLNCDbUpKlClbluM84WO7ZYcHOfhTDjszu-0LWZLvRSw9-kha6I0g_EM5b-HHtzkBW0pWLyoE2Bu2fluM_mRfD=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DNH39131 at Putney Bridge<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tower Transit took on the contract on the 13th of November, a couple of weeks earlier than planned in order to allow Abellio to take on route 63 at the same time. The route was cut back to Marble Arch on the same day, as planned. I went out a couple of weeks later on the 9th of December to take a look at how the route was doing, and to also try to do the route while still under Tower Transit operation. One thing that automatically stood out was the still the 'as new' state of the buses. Although they'd now undergone two refurbishments within the space of 10 years I'd not blame members of the public for thinking that these buses were completely brand new. Upon arrival at Putney Bridge I didn't need to wait long for a 414 to turn up. The journey itself was quite quick, with it just taking us over half an hour to make it to Marble Arch. Although while the journey was quick, it seemed the bus behind us had left very shortly after we had, and we managed to catch up the bus ahead of us. When we managed to reach Knightsbridge we were the middle bus in a triple bunching. Although these service control issues should hopefully be ironed out over the next couple of months as the controllers and drivers get used to the various challenges presented by the route. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM4dXAyLsY7jwAMg4qRTxpWpKxSMfayAnzxwTM4Rzw4g0eC-WkpRvJja3Xag0hVcKK4QOB5PmydJYf69zjtbsgTqHOXNdUY-n-yJd16vUwBLJeCSsm5oZ2wvV9Cgs-KImvXSbtj0yya4JGj84YicXKQnjhh-JwhRn2vqlgseVpNdxGhurlGTgXtS1R=s3577" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="3577" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM4dXAyLsY7jwAMg4qRTxpWpKxSMfayAnzxwTM4Rzw4g0eC-WkpRvJja3Xag0hVcKK4QOB5PmydJYf69zjtbsgTqHOXNdUY-n-yJd16vUwBLJeCSsm5oZ2wvV9Cgs-KImvXSbtj0yya4JGj84YicXKQnjhh-JwhRn2vqlgseVpNdxGhurlGTgXtS1R=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DNH39131 on stand at Marble Arch with Winter Wonderland in the background<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The cut back to Marble Arch has made the 414 a very similar route to the 14, with all but three stops shared with the route now. At a time where TfL is extremely cash strapped, this obviously raises questions about the long term future of the route. Is a route that parallels another route almost end to end really worth the money? I'll leave that to you, the readers to decide. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At the start of the post I did mention that RATP have since taken on route 414, and you're probably expecting the next part of the post to focus on their tenure on the route. However if you ventured out now you'd be hard pressed to find any sign of RATP on the 414, with the only giveaway being the legal lettering on the buses changing from Westbourne Park to Stamford Brook, which is the RATP head office. It's expected towards the start of next year that logos should start changing, alongside fleet codes which will see the "DNH" class codes replaced with "ADH" class codes alongside new numbers to fit in with the RATP system. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghXUsP-ModpUKQeaEiLmlY9MHs3VWiMS8pA5kuGzzGoCMRQYkQMqRnYriPUXlqY-T3qBzfcJDTNxv6zYt_p8Fveh7k8zSepxqMPI6_FiDCF9RLZTkaHdQatRVmSnKu2zUbMZ6wE2FoGf-takQG0liG5Lz-iQKE2B8gnXUufbO20V5nI1x0l4CcKJW0=s2873" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="2873" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghXUsP-ModpUKQeaEiLmlY9MHs3VWiMS8pA5kuGzzGoCMRQYkQMqRnYriPUXlqY-T3qBzfcJDTNxv6zYt_p8Fveh7k8zSepxqMPI6_FiDCF9RLZTkaHdQatRVmSnKu2zUbMZ6wE2FoGf-takQG0liG5Lz-iQKE2B8gnXUufbO20V5nI1x0l4CcKJW0=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DNH39122 seen on Park Lane<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's not much else to write about on this change, however the only thing that can be said is that this change sets the precedent for many future ones to come. It could be argued the 414 has got off very lightly with its cut back to Marble Arch, with rumours that some routes in the future could be at complete risk of withdrawal or much more severe cuts. Once upon a time the future for public transport and TfL looked very bright, however now the future looks to be a very bleak one indeed. </span></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-6559443013121969072021-10-03T14:42:00.002+01:002021-10-03T14:42:21.298+01:00It's been a long time<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The title of this post has many meanings. Notably the fact it's been a long time since the last post on the blog, but it can also be applied to today's post directly. Routes 160 and 180 have returned to their traditional operating after many years away at others.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1JkCuKLwxW7S1fo6rZll1gBUkyn0-F9dV8dhVrRMVLPlQQHTuRDY83r54ZXpmgrlt-lsznP0ndaefO-Ko17swrmyTPqcxNMcWYAmua54FNSiiWvgveAKSmlbTXvXjN5QR998UjSV3ss/s3212/20211002_134236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="3212" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1JkCuKLwxW7S1fo6rZll1gBUkyn0-F9dV8dhVrRMVLPlQQHTuRDY83r54ZXpmgrlt-lsznP0ndaefO-Ko17swrmyTPqcxNMcWYAmua54FNSiiWvgveAKSmlbTXvXjN5QR998UjSV3ss/w400-h225/20211002_134236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Routes 160 and 180 both operate in South-East London and have recently been taken over by Stagecoach, with the 160 coming from Arriva and the 180 coming from Go Ahead. The 160 now runs out of Catford (TL) garage and the 180 runs out of Plumstead (PD) garage, but while they're new contracts both routes have links to these garages going back many years. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImYBcnyT35JxwhB4gFwDkG9CWe4b_iEiW0luhCxY93w1vMJjxYVzGp3wUwTZs9jbuqecfhBB7WNXojLWKrViA6_zED7jov_oBrhiF3d1IDAmSTXYvDxnjo4HlrE5dng9I0qLVqfCAZwk/s3572/20210911_145748.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="3572" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImYBcnyT35JxwhB4gFwDkG9CWe4b_iEiW0luhCxY93w1vMJjxYVzGp3wUwTZs9jbuqecfhBB7WNXojLWKrViA6_zED7jov_oBrhiF3d1IDAmSTXYvDxnjo4HlrE5dng9I0qLVqfCAZwk/s320/20210911_145748.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T315 seen at Catford Bridge<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It makes sense to talk about the routes in numerical order. Starting off with the 160, the route today operates between Sidcup Station and Catford Bridge Station. It has a very long history dating back to 1938 operating out of Catford Garage (TL) and running between Catford, St Dunstans and Welling. It managed to remain unchanged all the way to 1985 when it was extended to Bexleyheath bus garage, although in 1989 it was cut It back from Bexleyheath to Eltham. 1996 saw the route extended from Eltham to Sidcup Station, forming the same route in operation today, although the Catford terminus changed from St Dunstans to Catford garage in 2000, before changing to Catford Bridge in 2006 when the route was lost on tender to Arriva's Dartford (DT) garage. The route ended up remaining at Dartford for the next 15 years, with the last 10 years seeing it allocated with Enviro400s. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0rmkBprQTOcseGaiE2XvnjjUCPeQ3AFUVpWZVtF2ahgH5kB-XrUgk5wZuQUMKxCh9TCvcVYxyq0zGqeeLDGXXyAQAigdqxqXR3xqPlCYXMw3FFxDYpiVqHseFrseKbbWCVbZpdXwWfQ/s3592/20211001_153549.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="3592" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0rmkBprQTOcseGaiE2XvnjjUCPeQ3AFUVpWZVtF2ahgH5kB-XrUgk5wZuQUMKxCh9TCvcVYxyq0zGqeeLDGXXyAQAigdqxqXR3xqPlCYXMw3FFxDYpiVqHseFrseKbbWCVbZpdXwWfQ/s320/20211001_153549.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WVL357 and 327 at Cutty Sark<br />© EastLondoner</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Moving on to route 180, a route a lot younger than the 160 which started operation in 1951 between Catford and Woolwich, operated out of Catford (TL) garage. The route was extended to Lower Sydenham in 1953. In 1963 the route was rerouted to Abbey Wood, 1981 saw a partial Plumstead (PD) allocation introduced with it becoming the full allocation in 1981, and in 1984 the route was cut back to Catford. In 1994 the route was cut back from Abbey Wood to Thamesmead East while also being cut back to Lewisham from the other end. It was in 1998 that Plumstead (PD) lost possession of the route, at the time to Harris Bus operating out of a garage in Belvedere (BV), which the route was subsequently extended to terminate at in 2002. BV garage eventually fell out of Harris Bus' hands, passing to direct TfL operation under the banner East Thames Buses before then passing onto Go Ahead London. The base was closed in 2017 and the route moved to terminate on a stand on Anderson Way, while the main allocation was moved to Morden Wharf. The loss of the garage terminus no doubt ended up coming full circle and Stagecoach took the route back to one of its old homes at Plumstead (PD). Its most recent contract at Go Ahead saw it allocated with Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The tender announcement in November 2020 which announced the move of routes 160 and 180 to Stagecoach operation also mentioned that the routes would use brand new electric buses, although the 180 would have its fleet supplemented by some spare Enviro400 bodied E40H Hybrids which were already floating around the company. It was soon announced that the bus of choice was going to be the Alexander Dennis/BYD Enviro400 EV City which had become the standard choice for most London operators. Although for this reason, RATP, Abellio and Go Ahead also had a batch of the same type on order meaning Alexander Dennis was already very busy, coupled with the time required to install electric chargers at the garages it was no surprise to hear that the 160 and 180 route had to start their contracts off using existing buses before they could be replaced by electrics, much like the situation <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/letting-go.html" target="_blank">route 173</a> had to deal with a year ago. Stagecoach had some spare buses lying around, but nowhere near enough. An interesting chain of events led to Stagecoach loaning out Tower Transit's Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses that were previously allocated to route 328. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The loaned buses started to arrive at Catford in advance of the 160 contract, which was to start two weeks before the 180, on the 18th of September. Prior to starting service the buses started to be run in on route 199 which terminates at Catford (TL) so it made it easy to swap the buses should any issues have arisen. They were given the numbers from 80112-80136, with the last three numbers being the same code that the buses had at tower transit (e.g 80112 is Tower Transit VH38112).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86KN2ZAXwMjjmw_zm_W8uYXOp6TeTs9JuNvTgbFSuZhSEj9Rn97xxLbNBVDUT15bA2dZ3okEvv3iSYPhKnOeRM4WQCjVRcQP0-SYg3rT9gEL6UNzWyprsGkTA4PNj4OeqFR6tDT0XfAw/s3830/20210913_190247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2154" data-original-width="3830" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86KN2ZAXwMjjmw_zm_W8uYXOp6TeTs9JuNvTgbFSuZhSEj9Rn97xxLbNBVDUT15bA2dZ3okEvv3iSYPhKnOeRM4WQCjVRcQP0-SYg3rT9gEL6UNzWyprsGkTA4PNj4OeqFR6tDT0XfAw/w400-h225/20210913_190247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80127 seen at Canada Water on the 199<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSDdrlJIPQESE1hRed4QbuV11lYb0cUOb804w1OdhYbQ1hn5__BkyEe4HB7Ks3Z3w05WYYLys3k1EFnm8sn0QPBPO0emQwrpFHFV6F8DASpPsKe5mPQAu2Fhb87MxFRHtp9TYyPEE-TI/s3505/20210918_154020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3505" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSDdrlJIPQESE1hRed4QbuV11lYb0cUOb804w1OdhYbQ1hn5__BkyEe4HB7Ks3Z3w05WYYLys3k1EFnm8sn0QPBPO0emQwrpFHFV6F8DASpPsKe5mPQAu2Fhb87MxFRHtp9TYyPEE-TI/s320/20210918_154020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11001 seen at Catford Bridge<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The 18th of September saw Stagecoach resume operation on the 160 after 15 years. As expected the allocation on the route was predominantly made up out of the loaned Tower Transit buses, although a few native Stagecoach Enviro400 MMCs also were on the route. I did go out on the first day to see how the route was doing, and truth be told I wish I didn't. Traffic within Catford, coupled with the fact that buses go back to Catford garage to change their drivers meant that the service was in tatters. I ended up waiting 45 minutes for a bus to turn up, this was despite many buses actually arrived but then ended up leaving out of service to go back to the garage to change their drivers. Eventually one did turn up, but by that point I didn't have the willpower to take a ride on the route and I just ended up taking a few photos and going home. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Service since the first day has no doubt improved, it's not taken long for Stagecoach to realise the mistakes that took place on the first day, and adapt to the challenging conditions presented on the route. I'm sure over the next couple of weeks Stagecoach will adapt to the route and hopefully manage to provide a consistently good service similar to what was provided by Arriva at Dartford (DT) for the past 15 years.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPBYbg1vTXyOtlgjoNbWk18ee59UTLAddFeOSLIlT9qjHHSKOb7cdg2qmThwS2_0T2vb_nhmD-MTgEvmK4qcbibNrxP0RgNOPF4M42DAl1i0p4MEc3V17ts86TG6WUXK7omLuHrLa-rw/s3690/20210918_150351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="3690" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPBYbg1vTXyOtlgjoNbWk18ee59UTLAddFeOSLIlT9qjHHSKOb7cdg2qmThwS2_0T2vb_nhmD-MTgEvmK4qcbibNrxP0RgNOPF4M42DAl1i0p4MEc3V17ts86TG6WUXK7omLuHrLa-rw/w400-h225/20210918_150351.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80127 seen at Catford Bridge<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeBEq9UdmGVUih6TJvnj4IRk8rBxd6ZCbc0Jt-Sl9OS3bRHhZfVYE_M5cb4J4kfS4x665R3uSU0DfoRr1zz26SBPgx4ePPWO9TJnZrJmYq2oMXjYM1utoqirR0Zt2CMwnAfGgouZ5vTQ/s2980/20211002_122352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2980" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeBEq9UdmGVUih6TJvnj4IRk8rBxd6ZCbc0Jt-Sl9OS3bRHhZfVYE_M5cb4J4kfS4x665R3uSU0DfoRr1zz26SBPgx4ePPWO9TJnZrJmYq2oMXjYM1utoqirR0Zt2CMwnAfGgouZ5vTQ/s320/20211002_122352.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12361 seen in Woolwich<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table>Route 180s takeover plan was a bit different to that which had been executed on the 160, while there were loaned Tower Transit buses available for the route, the decision was taken to keep all the loaned buses at Catford (TL) and buses were transferred from Catford alongside other garages in the Stagecoach London empire to make up the numbers at Plumstead (PD), allowing the 180 to have a fully native Stagecoach allocation. The first day on the 2nd of October saw the allocation made up out of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied E40H Hybrids, with a few Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC bodied E40Hs too, there were also a few loaned Smart Hybrids from West Ham (WH) on the route that had LED displays, although sadly I was unable to photograph one of these buses out. Operation on the 180 for the first day was a far better display than what was presented on the 160 two weeks prior, buses were generally running as expected and apart from a breakdown in Greenwich there wasn't too much out of the ordinary. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ5P8uxIXaiOFmkI_XWN8dze6oUf0s6aDAAHWq3fUFlPmPknw2PocvqR8rdrDB35C3dMcV_XjVa9k8slGOvHhzhidppLnNeqU-47vCHlDsXbjHKjlScKHZF2nMFGVXa4S3NeqMPIw9HM/s3333/20211002_124545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="3333" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ5P8uxIXaiOFmkI_XWN8dze6oUf0s6aDAAHWq3fUFlPmPknw2PocvqR8rdrDB35C3dMcV_XjVa9k8slGOvHhzhidppLnNeqU-47vCHlDsXbjHKjlScKHZF2nMFGVXa4S3NeqMPIw9HM/w320-h181/20211002_124545.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12360 seen at Woolwich Arsenal<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Go Ahead didn't set the bar particularly high on the 180, so hopefully we can safely say that the 180 is in better hands now and will be for the next 5 (or 7) years! When the electric buses start to arrive the 180 will still be allocated a few of these E40H buses, so you don't need to be in any rush to get them! Work is underway at Catford and Plumstead garages to ensure electric buses can be charged and hopefully it won't be too long until we see the brand new buses on the roads. Once the electric buses start to settle in on the 160 and 180, the buses that currently are found on the route should be released. With the loaned Tower Transit buses returning back to Tower Transit for the temporary contract on route 733 before settling down in their more permanent home on route 135 in the summer, while the plan for the buses on the 180 isn't particularly clear yet, although they should end up returning to their own garages of Leyton, West Ham and Catford. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo3FgUtSNaqx36zcBSy63QqVlWVok3jQe_L4vnJB9YGI4_PvZbHA3PF5BHfnRTh68cCFN3RzdgdGxaet4HMGP7CsbnwglPvC7rgNpe23VZEVPCQ8RVLInuSYtzO22sdnCIfsogPfobJg/s4000/20211002_135154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo3FgUtSNaqx36zcBSy63QqVlWVok3jQe_L4vnJB9YGI4_PvZbHA3PF5BHfnRTh68cCFN3RzdgdGxaet4HMGP7CsbnwglPvC7rgNpe23VZEVPCQ8RVLInuSYtzO22sdnCIfsogPfobJg/w400-h225/20211002_135154.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12344 seen at Lewisham<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's been announced by TfL that all of their new buses will be zero emission from now on, so electrics will be the norm! Although we could see some Hydrogen technology creeping in too. Routes 160 and 180 aren't the only routes waiting for their electrics, RATP in West London have a batch of over 100 waiting to enter service on routes 65, 281, 371, 290, X140, H9 and H10. Go Ahead have some arriving in the near future for route 132, Arriva are taking delivery of some for route 319 while Abellio are expecting some for their uptake of route 63 in November. This is very exciting time to be a bus enthusiast!</span></div><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-23717934401617501502021-05-04T22:50:00.001+01:002021-05-04T22:50:18.032+01:00An Attack on the Tower<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's amazing to think that five years ago that we had a huge array of changes on the last day of April. We had the 345 going to Abellio, the 368 going to Arriva, the 35 and 40 going to Go Ahead while there were many new retains throughout London. It's often forgotten that during that time of huge change, among the changes were renewals to routes 28 and 328 by Tower Transit while they also started a new contract on the 69, which got advanced to February due to other circumstances and it ended up missing out on all the attention at the end of April it probably would have got. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mQcVTnZJGxsnO4tNQ5FAxxwTH97Wab8dOCfTKMPqFqDFn1rcPXRuswtNGOiXBVXLiOL-ysLSQi1-mdds92_9srzsFf4pTxYdAt7DLrnt9fF6BwQiXqydTBOq6T1QzYbasb92Zu2MQuc/s4000/20210504_155926.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mQcVTnZJGxsnO4tNQ5FAxxwTH97Wab8dOCfTKMPqFqDFn1rcPXRuswtNGOiXBVXLiOL-ysLSQi1-mdds92_9srzsFf4pTxYdAt7DLrnt9fF6BwQiXqydTBOq6T1QzYbasb92Zu2MQuc/w400-h225/20210504_155926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two brand new electrics at Canning Town<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">5 years is either a short time, or a long time depending on how you view it. Things can change very quickly, but then it can also only feel like a day has passed. But I think Tower Transit would have wished otherwise. While they saw great success in 2016, retaining the 28 and 328 and winning the 69, 5 years later in 2021 it was a disastrous sequence of events for them. The summer of 2020 was certainly not a good time for them, losing two major contracts of routes 25 and 425, but a few weeks following the 425 loss they got further blows. A tender announced in July saw routes 28 and 69 both lost in a single round, with the 28 making a surprising move to RATP while the 69 was lost to Go Ahead from a new expanded base in Silvertown. Most notably, route 328 was missing from this announcement, prompting speculation about major alterations to the route, alongside a possible loss following on from the 28 and 69 awards. 4 long months later, the worst was confirmed for them, with an award in November seeing the 328 awarded to Metroline out of Cricklewood. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This blow was not softened by the fact that the 28, 69 and 328 were all going to leave on the same day, the 1st of May 2021. While it was clear soon after the 328 award that the route would be heading to Cricklewood (W), there was some doubt over the 28 and 69 awards. RATP did have a garage not too far from the 28, in the form of Park Royal (RP), but the award was actually to RATP: London Sovereign, suggesting Edgware (BT) were the garage taking it on. Although a couple of months passed, and it was made public that the Original Tour depot (operated by RATP) in Wandsworth would be re-opening to TfL services following a reduction in tour buses following the pandemic. This garage however is no stranger to TfL services, operating the 337 many years ago for Arriva, when they owned the Original Tour garage under the code of WD. Although times have changed now, RATP are at the helm and with it comes a new code, JE for Jews Row. This wasn't the only new garage here though. Go Ahead had been on the lookout for new land in East London, following the news that half of River Road garage was being taken over by the council for redevelopment into a multi-purpose business centre. A new site was scouted out not far from the current Silvertown (SI) garage and would be home to the 69, there was some doubt initially over the garage opening on time, but that problem <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WhD2fxN.jpg" target="_blank">seems to have been overcome</a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhdzuQfuXE5oe5gfMy7Koxauaw_pUN5TGeCtaH4w4zuopU4Wl4tIRcvsxghAbGy-D4nOiMR-k1ety4VEIGiVFYCHXnkP-gTU-0Dqlswk-Q0CC5m6Z8zs1whe6GWFzPTdd_V8I01AY6sI/s3807/20210422_141236.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2141" data-original-width="3807" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhdzuQfuXE5oe5gfMy7Koxauaw_pUN5TGeCtaH4w4zuopU4Wl4tIRcvsxghAbGy-D4nOiMR-k1ety4VEIGiVFYCHXnkP-gTU-0Dqlswk-Q0CC5m6Z8zs1whe6GWFzPTdd_V8I01AY6sI/s320/20210422_141236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VN37953 seen at Wandsworth<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Starting off with route 28, a route which has a huge amount of history with Westbourne Park (X) was no doubt a major shock to many enthusiasts. The route's history goes back beyond 1934, with Westbourne Park (X) playing a role in the route's operation since 1938 when it had a partial allocation out of the garage as a Wandsworth Bridge - Golders Green route. A couple of years later, the route was extended further into Wandsworth Town Centre, forming a Wandsworth to Golders Green route which would last an extremely long time until 1999, when route 328 took over the section to Golders Green and the 28 was cut back to Harrow Road. Although in 2006 the route was extended from Harrow Road to Kensal Rise which formed the current route in operation today. In 2011, the route had to temporarily move out to a base in Park Royal (AS), although this was only temporary due to building works at Westbourne Park, the route returned there in 2017. The latest change of operator from Tower Transit to RATP marked the first time that the route would not have an allocation out of Westbourne Park (ignoring the phase AS had) since 1938. The last contract under Tower Transit saw the route allocated with Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied B9TLs, supplemented by a few Wright Gemini 2 bodied DB300s. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OfY-vBIX2o-RkTKFy3xp81Jkt81v6Ivik_U7VeMM5LucDhpotokpZeuqFinx_jEaj3Xtyj4qGvnQ6XDfjVEDcsDq3HhsGdBzkWmwZJfIXR6RhnqlVVjbzdnmj275TOxtqUmCNAM8fug/s2046/20210504_124858-COLLAGE.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OfY-vBIX2o-RkTKFy3xp81Jkt81v6Ivik_U7VeMM5LucDhpotokpZeuqFinx_jEaj3Xtyj4qGvnQ6XDfjVEDcsDq3HhsGdBzkWmwZJfIXR6RhnqlVVjbzdnmj275TOxtqUmCNAM8fug/w200-h200/20210504_124858-COLLAGE.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I went out a couple of days following the takeover to see how the 28 was doing under RATP. The new allocation was made up out of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LH buses which were previously found on route 139 before that route was lost to Metroline in 2020. These buses were known to be in a notoriously poor state during their time on route 139, they had since undergone an extensive refurbishment. Although interestingly the refurbishment was carried out to different standards on each bus, some buses were fitted with completely new poles which can be easily identified with the new turquoise colour, while some buses continued with their orange poles which were resprayed. While initially confusing, it was later revealed that the refurbishment contract of the buses were split between two companies, Hants&Dorset and Thornton Brothers who each carried out refurbishments to a different standard. Both sets of refurbishments involved fitting of new moquettes to seats along with a deep interior clean. From my experience, the buses rode like new buses following their refurb. Certainly a major improvement from their previous state, I wouldn't even be surprised if people would mistake it for a completely new bus.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUENUukf4V27qd69DLAL5IQ7wCP_ro5tZ1IYrivyWZtXwF1NepLHmpG7TCotTdcLtURkyjmjUFBxr9KwcMJAYVfXvVL14VxkfLdw1bXTUcEthBle68P1cSHPJV0-QKKWZlBTNVcS3psSY/s3258/20210504_124346.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="3258" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUENUukf4V27qd69DLAL5IQ7wCP_ro5tZ1IYrivyWZtXwF1NepLHmpG7TCotTdcLtURkyjmjUFBxr9KwcMJAYVfXvVL14VxkfLdw1bXTUcEthBle68P1cSHPJV0-QKKWZlBTNVcS3psSY/w400-h225/20210504_124346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH45119 is seen at Kensal Rise<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGouKBbPSWu4EyFVGdkrRmPkwWr1dS-p8QhdzAqhzjHA2t8LWDwgIc2xMBgcqp58Wc1bmYRCla3B_IWB8T2vFgdKGrL_BB0Ma7Rjeo2HORVxPyb9pbMluD98ZX4uqO9WPhMGKd5fUzimc/s3496/20210504_123951.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGouKBbPSWu4EyFVGdkrRmPkwWr1dS-p8QhdzAqhzjHA2t8LWDwgIc2xMBgcqp58Wc1bmYRCla3B_IWB8T2vFgdKGrL_BB0Ma7Rjeo2HORVxPyb9pbMluD98ZX4uqO9WPhMGKd5fUzimc/s320/20210504_123951.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH45192 at Kensal Rise<br />©EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The new allocation, as mentioned earlier comes out of Wandsworth (JE), which operates as an outstation for Stamford Brook (V), which as a result means any heavy maintenance is carried out there alongside any checks the buses will require. As a result buses may rotate between the two garages, and there's one allocated journey each day which goes back to Stamford Brook garage at the end of the day as opposed to Wandsworth to allow for routine maintenance. For this reason, some of Stamford Brook's own allocation will often appear on route 28. The day I did the route there were quite a few Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses out on the route. These buses are likely to appear on route 28 every couple of days should any of its own allocation require maintenance that results in it being out of action for a few days. Service on the route so far has been of a good standard, and all that's left is to hope that this good standard of service continues over the next 5, or maybe 7 years for this route!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyVwcdfsYHe46Tr2Y-z3yhjOaQfdttlVP-b91vanBDZZy60Evy1PrZCnyFU6suQ2RzKrDAaOGEMWZrvfYG5sulmDXF1hElOQB8JlPngGEalYtKdmwAabg3pJEwQ8TMlEAhIHOMELjNrU/s3815/20210430_130227.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2146" data-original-width="3815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyVwcdfsYHe46Tr2Y-z3yhjOaQfdttlVP-b91vanBDZZy60Evy1PrZCnyFU6suQ2RzKrDAaOGEMWZrvfYG5sulmDXF1hElOQB8JlPngGEalYtKdmwAabg3pJEwQ8TMlEAhIHOMELjNrU/s320/20210430_130227.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH38132 seen at Chelsea<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I mentioned, the lost section of the 28 to Golders Green was replaced by route 328 which was introduced in 1999, making this route a lot younger compared to its sister. It was introduced in 1999 as a Chelsea to Golders Green route and has remained as such ever since. The route was based at Westbourne Park (X) since inception, although it too did move out to the temporary site in Park Royal during the building works at Westbourne Park in 2011 before returning in 2017. Its most recent contract saw it allocated with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs which were brought for a retained contract in 2016. These buses are similar to what it will eventually be allocated at Metroline, although currently they are on route 7 as that route waits for the introduction of Hydrogen buses. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi033nh8kKiD5bFBMQpaukvUOYSzaxrukrzXXZP1lpxol39AwqSwlnvQo_gPNI6ffC3nnugEMFjqyZsE_dgCRfv02Qn0_gvceCmdjfELCyMAoyNYl8j5w1vBqeJ6JBS4qShFlGMzssuEzk/s4000/20210504_131305.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi033nh8kKiD5bFBMQpaukvUOYSzaxrukrzXXZP1lpxol39AwqSwlnvQo_gPNI6ffC3nnugEMFjqyZsE_dgCRfv02Qn0_gvceCmdjfELCyMAoyNYl8j5w1vBqeJ6JBS4qShFlGMzssuEzk/s320/20210504_131305.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A loaned TT bus on the 328<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">However, due to a delay with the Hydrogen buses, Metroline found themselves in a sticky situation where the buses the intended to use on the route would not be ready. Due to spares not being available elsewhere in the fleet, the decision was taken to loan the buses from Tower Transit in order to start the service out of Cricklewood (W), with them gradually being replaced by the intended allocation of native Metroline Gemini 3s as the buses became available following the introduction of the Hydrogen buses. When this will happen at the moment is unclear, the pandemic has delayed the Hydrogen programme considerably and it could range from just a few weeks to many months until the buses are ready. Despite the loaned buses are the exact same allocation as Tower Transit, the move to Metroline did mean that native Metroline buses kept at Cricklewood (W) can appear on the route. Workings of native VWHs, TEHs and MMC TEHs have already happened on the route.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQTPDqVmtiSHe9ZpV5IwP4CykvJlEYQALsuLSymw4DKUMyIV03GFAN-AHxXGsnYydn5rssI3wDSUNiQRY8mN6tb2OnfwSzbS0nclg0tx4UPS8QL6K-hzeMwcxKXWVIr2-oSnhmXc5OKY/s3253/20210504_133238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1829" data-original-width="3253" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQTPDqVmtiSHe9ZpV5IwP4CykvJlEYQALsuLSymw4DKUMyIV03GFAN-AHxXGsnYydn5rssI3wDSUNiQRY8mN6tb2OnfwSzbS0nclg0tx4UPS8QL6K-hzeMwcxKXWVIr2-oSnhmXc5OKY/w400-h225/20210504_133238.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEH2087 seen at Elgin Avenue<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Arguably the most notable change of the trio was to that of route 69, which was the only route to get new buses. Unlike the 28 and 328, this route has managed to bounce around operators quite a bit. It still feels like yesterday when I wrote the post about <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2016/06/its-virtual-age.html">route 69 making the move from Stagecoach to Tower Transit</a> and it's already changed operator once again.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RFmjNh3-zNdTDUmt-7u5-ZKVqzUDmvnAjvUkqPiClER17PbC9HDsnklWqANW9-TYnxUuI1_foAAAh5dDL6rYCyCgNygtMUYyrdoKS6viP963tiy2gsGE1mcsuhyphenhyphenGu0IGn2NlgLewDPw/s4000/20210430_141436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RFmjNh3-zNdTDUmt-7u5-ZKVqzUDmvnAjvUkqPiClER17PbC9HDsnklWqANW9-TYnxUuI1_foAAAh5dDL6rYCyCgNygtMUYyrdoKS6viP963tiy2gsGE1mcsuhyphenhyphenGu0IGn2NlgLewDPw/s320/20210430_141436.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DN33653 seen at Walthamstow Central<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Route 69 under Tower Transit was often a route that left a lot to be desired, bunching all over the place and unreliable service made the route very infamous among the local demographic. Therefore despite coming at a time when Tower Transit were suffering many route losses, it was probably a very welcome award. Fittingly, the move to Go Ahead was to bring brand new electric buses to the route, following on from the virtual electric buses that the route used to have a partial allocation of under Tower Transit. As expected, the preferred order was to be ADL BYD Enviro400 City EVs, a type that is becoming increasingly common in London. Currently as I type this the orderbook for that type alone exceeds 150 across all operators for London alone. Alongside the virtual electric buses, the majority allocation were standard Alexander Dennis Enviro400s. These buses have now been predominantly withdrawn from the TT fleet, although two are expected to remain at Lea Interchange (LI) for spares. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ep3zRbJ6C2Pg6r69GBGM_C0A_kgywbEaVYBvKE-aHus3ZqnwXIajVVADD54U-tvYtT60XH28DCiVwpAroEE1cgVrbMcbZ2Pa7pQ3sxqVlcXFR2AFTjlqv0KSbC3PVn2d8BhbBFZM-HQ/s2048/27040875054_5e06873a3f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ep3zRbJ6C2Pg6r69GBGM_C0A_kgywbEaVYBvKE-aHus3ZqnwXIajVVADD54U-tvYtT60XH28DCiVwpAroEE1cgVrbMcbZ2Pa7pQ3sxqVlcXFR2AFTjlqv0KSbC3PVn2d8BhbBFZM-HQ/w400-h225/27040875054_5e06873a3f_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DH38503 seen at Canning Town<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT8c-JojgCqh9Y7U4BJRIUCg8KGrSrOozu4bSJpjGulL9Y_hrkYdF5g_yf5A_9YBNbck_KQ4L3wBQwhKV9FYQ6UwHx6MBlX11mdwl9R4YdL9xlEXApPI_jpc7Ujbiw2jTC2WHuPxKXNA/s4000/20210504_160459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT8c-JojgCqh9Y7U4BJRIUCg8KGrSrOozu4bSJpjGulL9Y_hrkYdF5g_yf5A_9YBNbck_KQ4L3wBQwhKV9FYQ6UwHx6MBlX11mdwl9R4YdL9xlEXApPI_jpc7Ujbiw2jTC2WHuPxKXNA/s320/20210504_160459.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ee50 seen at Canning Town<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The new garage operating route 69 was given the code DS, and is being referred to as Henley Road, presumably to avoid confusion with other garage a few units down. Prior to the announcement of River Road's downsizing, the intention was for Henley Road (DS) to actually be a fully electric operation, although that's no longer happening, planning documentation says the intention is for it to have a fully electric fleet in the future which makes it London's first purpose built garage for electric bus operation. This shows us increasingly where the future of London buses now lies, despite fully electric routes were once a pipe dream, they are now very much a reality and route 69 is just one addition to a growing number of routes. The buses themselves are not too different from the other electric BYD double deckers in London, although for some reason they have the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AW2sYuU.jpg">middle seat at the rear of the lower deck blocked off</a>. Other than that there's nothing special about the batch compared to other Go Ahead examples. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW8AMmHMtrS808aksNL8GzKX4hJeiObzB8jiqv6V-9JxFFrjs_XHlUIX3N0xeYZbarDi8gRgm85NlRdVudUgxz51niiSCeWYx2qOZmek1qteDJrkcZe7g2CYnT3bIN4aP1Hrd5RN-66k/s3424/20210504_145352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="3424" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW8AMmHMtrS808aksNL8GzKX4hJeiObzB8jiqv6V-9JxFFrjs_XHlUIX3N0xeYZbarDi8gRgm85NlRdVudUgxz51niiSCeWYx2qOZmek1qteDJrkcZe7g2CYnT3bIN4aP1Hrd5RN-66k/w400-h225/20210504_145352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ee56 seen at Walthamstow Central<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While these three routes all show promising future at their new operators, what does the future hold for Tower Transit? Every operator has its ups and downs, we only need to remind ourselves of the time when Stagecoach lost the <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/cry-me-river-road.html">5, 15 and 115 all on the same day</a> to Go Ahead just to bounce back a couple of years later taking on the 25 and 425 from Tower Transit. Arguably Tower Transit are having a far rougher patch, due to their small size. Routes 212, 444, 25, 425, 28, 328 and 69 have all been lost since the start of 2020, with only the C3 coming in as a result. Although route 414 will be making a move to Westbourne Park (X), it doesn't make up for the losses faced by the company. Routes 308 and 488 have been welcome retains for the company since the start of this year, however routes W15 and 13 are both due tender results over the next few weeks. Can they keep a hold of them and maybe win some additional work? Time will only tell. </span></div><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-64594380404773450172021-04-03T23:05:00.001+01:002021-04-03T23:05:22.947+01:00A Tale of Two Halves<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's rare that a route is the centre of attention as soon as a year after it last got some attention, however that's exactly what recently happened with the 306 which runs between Acton Vale and Fulham, Sands End Sainsburys. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_BotzUqQvAmZ2W9gBLmlLBJrXEVtOC195O5WEjVaioxpwbhrE4Mk0YX6MixPPegBv8lgTTRXovue9NEHpPnAWRhVwqQanu6GlpOMHrzMdMLnG4vkDH6mU0kkZR9buHf5-OhmD-XJysE/s4000/20210403_132430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_BotzUqQvAmZ2W9gBLmlLBJrXEVtOC195O5WEjVaioxpwbhrE4Mk0YX6MixPPegBv8lgTTRXovue9NEHpPnAWRhVwqQanu6GlpOMHrzMdMLnG4vkDH6mU0kkZR9buHf5-OhmD-XJysE/w400-h225/20210403_132430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you remember back a year ago, I wrote a post on some changes that took place in the Hammersmith and Acton areas where a couple of new routes were introduced in replacement for ones that had been cut back, one of these routes was route 306 which was introduced as a replacement for the lost sections of route 266 and 391. Now while route 266 has managed alright since it was cut back, route 391 hasn't been managing so well ever since it was shortened and TfL have made further changes to the route in the form of a merger with route 110. At the same time, route 306 has also been tendered on a brand new 5 year contract with potential for a 2 year extension and Metroline came out victorious for that route. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAV7QMK32fFhHhazYXL7GBQ8i0yl3LPSuYlezSI4xjIAIP42cREmqOC_IVganGHXniXeTU3QbEl1qD2x_4KAbx3D5-bvcrfPeo29WSUlPrM6R6-XW88g7uzbX3Glypy_MQA7hUXRGK-Q/s2048/20191209_164945.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAV7QMK32fFhHhazYXL7GBQ8i0yl3LPSuYlezSI4xjIAIP42cREmqOC_IVganGHXniXeTU3QbEl1qD2x_4KAbx3D5-bvcrfPeo29WSUlPrM6R6-XW88g7uzbX3Glypy_MQA7hUXRGK-Q/s320/20191209_164945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Usually with routes that change operator I give you a bit of background to the route, talking about its history and how it evolved over time. However with the 306 only being a year old there isn't much to talk about, the most I can do is point you in the direction of <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/12/hammering-changes.html">this post</a> where I covered the introduction of the route. It might be a bit weird, a route changing operator a year after it was introduced although I assure you there's a really good reason for that. Route 306's introduction resulted in a hefty cut to the 391 last year, and the cut was big enough to a point RATP would require some compensation. Therefore TfL decided to split the 391 contract into two and hence RATP took over the 306 under the terms of the old 391 contract, but as a result the new 306 shared the same contract end date as the 391 which happens to have been this December when both 306 and 391 were put up for tender. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I already mentioned, Metroline were the winners of the route with RATP unable to retain the route when it was put out for tender. When the route was awarded it was mysteriously awarded with its bus type "To be confirmed" which led to speculation about what the route would end up using. Eventually it was confirmed that the buses that would operate the route were actually the buses that were previously allocated to route 212 under Tower Transit operation (VH38101-VH38111), these were coded VWH2697-VWH2702. Prior to their entry into service they were given a refurbishment and temporarily put to work at Uxbridge (UX) as school extras before making their way down to Brentford (AH) where route 306 was planned to operate out of. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuKqlTBJPaqPZvJLbSIrQVQZ0rewwws_1nQLkRkM468mky1wB1kIQHZ4R91xiAXqCIhzxfMRKQNRfRC-gtVEhTScYUbVNSUvGucy6mcJlyHZsGtCxdZ4lX73gr4kQnJvfql6QXltSgG0/s2048/20210403_124111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuKqlTBJPaqPZvJLbSIrQVQZ0rewwws_1nQLkRkM468mky1wB1kIQHZ4R91xiAXqCIhzxfMRKQNRfRC-gtVEhTScYUbVNSUvGucy6mcJlyHZsGtCxdZ4lX73gr4kQnJvfql6QXltSgG0/s320/20210403_124111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">My ability to go out and cover the 306 change was put short by two separate lockdowns due to the Covid pandemic, so by the time I managed to cover the 306 it was April by which point Metroline have been operating the route for 5 months. I went out on the 5th of April, a couple of days after non-essential travel was allowed once again. Having rode the 306 from Acton Vale to Hammersmith last time I covered the route, this time I opted to cover the route from Hammersmith Bus Station to Sands End Sainsburys. While I was waiting for the bus I did see VWH2705 pass me heading towards Acton Vale which is illustrated in the picture on the right. Shortly after that bus passed my ride arrived in the form of VWH2707, which was one of the 15reg examples on the route. The 306 leaving Hammersmith follows the previous 391 route heading through Kensington Olympia and then through Fulham Broadway before reaching Sands End Sainsburys via Imperial Wharf station. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQUAMQRTycP4CiLJHG56eopJ7KmOpbu1ipsGfHDNyIJIq6Tu4bwFYPf6-LX5VOzj03BUjrD-APadLImWbzis9Fwbto9hQo-EIbdorfEuESkX5lVeGNCHr0f75VzlDCf3nOF136EjMLkk/s4000/20210403_131702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQUAMQRTycP4CiLJHG56eopJ7KmOpbu1ipsGfHDNyIJIq6Tu4bwFYPf6-LX5VOzj03BUjrD-APadLImWbzis9Fwbto9hQo-EIbdorfEuESkX5lVeGNCHr0f75VzlDCf3nOF136EjMLkk/w320-h181/20210403_131702.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The interior remains largely unchanged</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The buses themselves aren't too different as to how they were found on the 212, even going so far as to still having the same moquette design, although new upholstery was put in during the refurbishment process, probably a decision by Metroline as their blue moquette would have probably clashed internally with the green theme of Tower Transit's old interior. So far on this route, service seems to have been provided to an acceptable standard. Although currently roadworks taking place at Fulham are affecting the route, although from my experience today I didn't find any major issues. My bus came at the correct time, and when I took a look on LVF the route was certainly coping a lot better than some other routes in the area were. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsoY7Csx73nr948u10Fc97Q2aWcH5oYxWWJQgR7niCnWpl6bYnMblmj901gJorDUfbzQX5GokCwRCnwvUGCsSrbtQ7aJuqQCgcHDQgEWKYhyphenhyphenVao0OgdnUrHGEUIRQ5pkgcbHSQ7Z_LAc/s3395/20210403_132727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="3395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsoY7Csx73nr948u10Fc97Q2aWcH5oYxWWJQgR7niCnWpl6bYnMblmj901gJorDUfbzQX5GokCwRCnwvUGCsSrbtQ7aJuqQCgcHDQgEWKYhyphenhyphenVao0OgdnUrHGEUIRQ5pkgcbHSQ7Z_LAc/s320/20210403_132727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Since its introduction in 2019, the route seems to be a tale of two halves. Its terminal point of Acton Vale has proved to be quite controversial. Route 266 that it replaced along that section would often pick up passengers from Acton High Street, but as the 306 only starts at Acton Vale single decker route 218 has to bear the brunt of the work here. But then the other half, from Hammersmith to Fulham has no doubt thrived under the presence of double deckers, my journey today had healthy loads despite were were just starting to come out of a lockdown, you can tell that the extra deck the 306 carries as opposed to the previously single deck 391 is very much appreciated among the locals. As for the new link beyond Hammersmith to Acton, it is yet to be seen how well that has taken off. When I boarded the bus today at Hammersmith a large number of people alighted before a decent number of people boarded, suggesting that this route is effectively two routes operating as one. Although now that lockdown is over, we will be able to see if people are starting to warm up to the new link beyond Hammersmith.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT1CS7T_TrO4Etz1_jYXzgnKh2FRRhHoQlsDNJJW1KDPYzcf7khHWEjGsyae-_h0bXVr1XDM0UuSkLOW1CwWlnxp2lEt5NlE6Y5kdRzy0C9AI_d5Ah5BgISYOsR0UNOfSJmPeJYBHplw/s2048/20210403_134118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT1CS7T_TrO4Etz1_jYXzgnKh2FRRhHoQlsDNJJW1KDPYzcf7khHWEjGsyae-_h0bXVr1XDM0UuSkLOW1CwWlnxp2lEt5NlE6Y5kdRzy0C9AI_d5Ah5BgISYOsR0UNOfSJmPeJYBHplw/w400-h225/20210403_134118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All that's left to say now is that hopefully Metroline keep up the standard they have shown so far on the 306 for the next 5, or maybe 7 years!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>I know lately the blog has been quiet, the lockdown has meant we have been unable to travel outside and cover the latest changes. But now it's been lifted rest assured we will try out best to cover most of the changes we missed and to cover the ones in line next. In the meantime remember to keep up with all the latest changes on the London Bus Scene on the <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">tenders page</a>. Also take a look at our <a href="https://twitter.com/LConnectedBlog">Twitter feed</a> to keep up with the latest news on the bus scene.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: right;">All photos on this post are © EastLondoner. Please do not use without Permission</div></span><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-43459925784112337262020-11-24T00:37:00.004+00:002020-11-24T00:37:29.073+00:00Letting Go<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">33 years is a long time, isn't it? However things cannot remain the same forever, change is good and change will eventually need to come for many things. Route 173, being one of Arriva's longest standing routes has just made the move from Arriva at Barking (DX) to Stagecoach at Barking (BK)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdrP08DQuXRgWN77EXUaKa1Gvgr5pDPHYM_vf_2lE8D7TYi4-d-eyYioueuI4t1PgvTjgRweMVmtUKWA-8pADc5oMRYH_ieqNVAtHPP9c1WDaeGAmVHBcE5GSphz0mA48hdc5bX8sXnQ/s2048/49697315911_deb8f8a9a6_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdrP08DQuXRgWN77EXUaKa1Gvgr5pDPHYM_vf_2lE8D7TYi4-d-eyYioueuI4t1PgvTjgRweMVmtUKWA-8pADc5oMRYH_ieqNVAtHPP9c1WDaeGAmVHBcE5GSphz0mA48hdc5bX8sXnQ/w400-h225/49697315911_deb8f8a9a6_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T73 seen in Barking on route 173<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Depending on where you live, and what groups online you are a part of and what website you visit, you have either heard of route 173 endless times over the past few months or you've not heard about the route at all. The route runs between Beckton Station and King George Hospital in East London and is known for having a good portion of its route running down the A13 road, one of London's busiest and most troublesome roads. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Route 173 started operation in 1973, however was quite a different route to what it is today running between Canning Town and Becontree Heath via Dagenham Heathway and Newham Way, with peak hour extensions continuing the few stops ahead to Poplar from Canning Town. In 1979, the route was extended from Canning Town to Stratford, running via West Ham Station. In 1983, the portion where the route used Newham Way after Canning Town was altered so that the 173 would run via Asda in Beckton to provide some better links to shoppers. In June 1993 the route was extended from Becontree Heath to Little Heath via Chadwell Heath. A few months later in September 1993 the route was cut short from Stratford to Beckton, with the lost section being partially replaced by route 473 forming the 173 as we know it today. An extension in the late 90s saw the route extended the extra stop from Little Heath to King George's Hospital. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfALXRJ-F8OmMA4LjqXn4FdywQ4yvQBm_37zu8Kqu8KiRhK8BiqRnj_VGdlhtCwBWTvgeCpyP4t3YRlC8b0KMU9wqPP-o722lEjK5BZCAwBqNj1HLSVdwHD32ID9LbLp004mTr4qdtrow/s4006/20200724_171410.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="4006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfALXRJ-F8OmMA4LjqXn4FdywQ4yvQBm_37zu8Kqu8KiRhK8BiqRnj_VGdlhtCwBWTvgeCpyP4t3YRlC8b0KMU9wqPP-o722lEjK5BZCAwBqNj1HLSVdwHD32ID9LbLp004mTr4qdtrow/s320/20200724_171410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Enviro400s on the 173 stand at Beckton<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So the obvious question is what makes the 173 change special? It just seems like a normal route end of the day. However once we look at the heritage of Arriva London, what is now London's second largest operator had quite humble beginnings in the capital. In the late 1980s, the 173 was operated by a small company called Grey-Green, with their base in Barking along Ripple Road which is DX garage today. Grey Green was purchased by the Cowie Group in their first step to becoming a London operator, making the 173 their first route. The Cowie Group is what was later rebranded as Arriva, the same Arriva that we know today. At the time I write this post, Arriva has a PVR of 1410, making it London's second biggest operator, the same operator who purchased route 173 as their first route. Up until the recent tender change route 173 had run out of DX garage since 1987 making it 33 years of operating there which is a really long time, probably longer than the lifespan so far of some of you reading this.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpjsk81yrvEVmxhmU8BiUhyphenhyphenDDnaQlFjKSH2OCrk8IgTbPTanYPogaraUTCKQ2tjPR195D6lhsd31gHQjhyphenhyphenm2p9t96JO6YT517lrEOxAAkUwI8LUzz_jI1fan4uIigUCARUNJY3w-YtEY/s2048/49617969352_30131952fd_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpjsk81yrvEVmxhmU8BiUhyphenhyphenDDnaQlFjKSH2OCrk8IgTbPTanYPogaraUTCKQ2tjPR195D6lhsd31gHQjhyphenhyphenm2p9t96JO6YT517lrEOxAAkUwI8LUzz_jI1fan4uIigUCARUNJY3w-YtEY/s320/49617969352_30131952fd_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Wright Gemini 2 buses at Beckton<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The past 5 years of the 173s operation has had its ups and downs to say the least, when the contract was renewed last time I wrote about the upgrade of the route to double decker <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-173s-change.html" target="_blank">on this blog</a>. The allocation was made up out of Enviro400s which were initially brought for the 38s conversion from bendybus operation in 2009, however these got supplemented with a few Wright Gemini 2 bodied DB300 buses when route 175 was won in 2017 by Arriva alongside the sporadic appearances of Enviro200s the route certainly had an interesting allocation. However towards the end of the contract the allocated Enviro400 buses started to feel extremely tired and worn down while the Wright Gemini 2 buses that would appear were just too slow to be suitable for a route that has a decent portion at 50mph speed limits. Towards the end of the contract the prospect of a brand new allocation looming was becoming more and more attractive. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33PasisHKue6ffM2Os8hW7BjxpQdDkoSfAQlJQpa8z6i05DrOUIRAWWRaNYJgCXPO6jgCH9PHVGg2UlxH1Q0MzCPj-4xN1WgpeR3cuLMeTxuSLdb-3W1-OWxgHHNbg9IKGC0hl0GGIq8/s3497/20201012_124350.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33PasisHKue6ffM2Os8hW7BjxpQdDkoSfAQlJQpa8z6i05DrOUIRAWWRaNYJgCXPO6jgCH9PHVGg2UlxH1Q0MzCPj-4xN1WgpeR3cuLMeTxuSLdb-3W1-OWxgHHNbg9IKGC0hl0GGIq8/s320/20201012_124350.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loaned buses being prepared for takeover<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, the intended electric buses due for the route were going to arrive late as the factories were all impacted by the lockdown that was imposed. This left Stagecoach in a scramble to find suitable buses to run the 173 with in the meantime. Many operators in this case would usually just hire buses from the incumbent operator, as has been the case with previous changes such as route 285 and K1, but instead Stagecoach hired buses that RATP had spare. The reason for this is anyone's guess as the reason hasn't been made public, although judging by the state of some of the Arriva Enviro400s it was certainly good news to hear that they wouldn't be sticking around on the route. The buses that were hired ranged from ADE40410-17, ADE40425 and ADE40455-ADE40461. Prior to entering service on the 173 the buses were given their new numbers, in the 80*** range alongside temporary logos and new BK blinds. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Luckily as I live on the route, it didn't take me much effort to go and cover the service on the first day. My first bus was actually a native Stagecoach bus in the form of 19847, which was drafted in from Leyton (T) to help out. The ride wasn't anything too special, apart from the bus feeling like a completely new vehicle compared to the 173s old allocation with Arriva which left a lot to be desired. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5Wna0oQs1hV4mc3NSI8ABPO62v6a9DsVq9Si_dtO-SHB6Dcrzuq7KF6EmdJ1Mm-kIWGDzdFXc0THcQsNytLpwnVTujn5_GbujTGvEKruTmeYNzOHrJriDgbxjtaZHBQlsFFHs9lTiV8/s3511/20201018_151525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3511" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5Wna0oQs1hV4mc3NSI8ABPO62v6a9DsVq9Si_dtO-SHB6Dcrzuq7KF6EmdJ1Mm-kIWGDzdFXc0THcQsNytLpwnVTujn5_GbujTGvEKruTmeYNzOHrJriDgbxjtaZHBQlsFFHs9lTiV8/w400-h225/20201018_151525.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80413 seen at King George Hospital<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2UyO2hZH0r0CbwiKOTNOopv32vQSvHpAUKRGZ23HKJCl5eLntNsFz_Qx3iTZnoLziYg3oHgkwIetod1MyF2cbjGQuOZnzElOYFc-EtCpB4xzVTSAd20oQgRKMLvYf8Xqu9w__uiPzPg/s2048/50505985703_092de1c756_o.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2UyO2hZH0r0CbwiKOTNOopv32vQSvHpAUKRGZ23HKJCl5eLntNsFz_Qx3iTZnoLziYg3oHgkwIetod1MyF2cbjGQuOZnzElOYFc-EtCpB4xzVTSAd20oQgRKMLvYf8Xqu9w__uiPzPg/s320/50505985703_092de1c756_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80425 and another Enviro400 at Beckton<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When my bus reached King George Hospital the driver wasted no time in switching the blinds and dead running the bus back to the garage. A quick look at the Stagecoach schedule shows that the 173 has quite an interesting changeover arrangement. Due to the 173s slightly C shaped nature, both Beckton Bus Station and King George Hospital aren't particularly far from Barking (BK) garage, so at times of day (and all day during weekends), buses run back to the garage for their changeovers from both ends. As a result the route can look incredibly unbalanced on tracking apps due to the constant turnover of buses running the route. During the week this arrangement is still in place for some journeys, however live changeovers also take place at the Lodge Avenue flyover (which is the same place they happened when Arriva used to operate the route). These changeovers are eventually expected to move to Becontree Heath when the drivers rest facility is modified there. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Euro5 Voith Enviro400s were never going to be the most enjoyable buses down the A13, so later on in the day I tried out a loaned RATP bus, my bus was going to be ADE40456, or 80456 as it was now numbered. This bus was a lot more enjoyable than the existing Stagecoach stock that it was working alongside and was in a really good condition, so thumbs up to RATP for that! Before I knew it I was home. Since the first day I've used the 173 quite frequently, sampling a variety of the buses on loan from RATP and many are in excellent condition, although 80412 does make a weird whining noise. Regardless it's quite easy to say that the temporary allocation of the 173, despite being 8 years old is a massive upgrade to the buses that were previously used on the route. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsG_TOIqj5qB5knNaRGrnfMs9CCQubvlo8nKuveYabH8_mmfTKtLIGfzZLIYfQvhkjiMMSVLv5f0LQYttPzdquCdvHrOBmG8EB-goFOg5lv46x3YcMHSCGA0Wucnx22EmP9PS-u4TZXA/s4032/20201120_190433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsG_TOIqj5qB5knNaRGrnfMs9CCQubvlo8nKuveYabH8_mmfTKtLIGfzZLIYfQvhkjiMMSVLv5f0LQYttPzdquCdvHrOBmG8EB-goFOg5lv46x3YcMHSCGA0Wucnx22EmP9PS-u4TZXA/w400-h225/20201120_190433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10136 on stand at Beckton Bus Station<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Stagecoach have had the 173 for over a month now, and have brought a noticeable step forward for the route. While Arriva had quite a lot of history with the route, service was quite poor and the buses it used were dreadful. With Stagecoach a noticeable improvement in service is already visible alongside the obvious improvement in the quality of buses operating the route - even if they are temporary cast offs! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Electric buses have started arriving for route 174, and the buses for route 173 are expected to follow suite. Barking (BK) garage have their chargers installed now so keep an eye on the blog for a post covering the new electrics in East London soon!</span></div></div><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-38687687852375310772020-10-27T10:51:00.002+00:002020-11-10T11:45:04.325+00:00First, but also the last?<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Arriva have been having quite a beating as of late in Tenders, losing quite a few routes. However a silver lining for them has seen the gain of route 202 out of Norwood garage (N) from Go Ahead London at Croydon (C). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXx3DPCv9HjtVO0SrPxbf64kK9_xo6cXEao_jIGokXqYCiXcsx31jgqlAYY7B4eH2TTN0aTjsaCItcFBdJh42pqqcwbcyPBEedw3gO0d8v3GIC00kwq9ij60Mm13B5zcy1DO9VGJ2Rvg/s3453/20201026_143220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="3453" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXx3DPCv9HjtVO0SrPxbf64kK9_xo6cXEao_jIGokXqYCiXcsx31jgqlAYY7B4eH2TTN0aTjsaCItcFBdJh42pqqcwbcyPBEedw3gO0d8v3GIC00kwq9ij60Mm13B5zcy1DO9VGJ2Rvg/w400-h225/20201026_143220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtyNf43eMqIAcYBbnjoVj84W1j0Es2a8B3m8XozX-ko6zjTb6deE_zzwqbVjpJvaCpn6uVaJC5gEjS7w7O1ewKhSoXbrhrJUUEmQ_BszBZQ1kjULA1-nbe3bjnsyRMFcw9JqDjez2dSY/s3773/20200828_112528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2122" data-original-width="3773" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtyNf43eMqIAcYBbnjoVj84W1j0Es2a8B3m8XozX-ko6zjTb6deE_zzwqbVjpJvaCpn6uVaJC5gEjS7w7O1ewKhSoXbrhrJUUEmQ_BszBZQ1kjULA1-nbe3bjnsyRMFcw9JqDjez2dSY/s320/20200828_112528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHV73 on stand at Blackheath<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The 202 initially started operation in 1991 as a single decker route, running between Crystal Palace and Blackheath via Sydenham, Catford, Lee and Blackheath Village. Those of you familiar with the route will have already realised that this is the same route which is followed today, making it one of the few routes which haven't changed much through their existence. When the route was initially introduced, it was operated by Stagecoach out of Catford (TL), however a tender change in 2008 saw Metrobus take over the route running it out of their Croydon base (C). The contract renewal in 2015 gave the route a much needed double decker conversion with some brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbPmrA1t-UqfuLTHvogkFVSuYWl4PG0XhwNGRlMN3x91r75MjPA8YUgqbQ8GWQZYGQ3rjsIvrEaVlyF9P5ZlkntgOUkTrk_eYyk1nX7N70SOswuNLWiPIpaL47E0w1bZ0Ut7Zx3k4Tig/s3628/20201026_143256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="3628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbPmrA1t-UqfuLTHvogkFVSuYWl4PG0XhwNGRlMN3x91r75MjPA8YUgqbQ8GWQZYGQ3rjsIvrEaVlyF9P5ZlkntgOUkTrk_eYyk1nX7N70SOswuNLWiPIpaL47E0w1bZ0Ut7Zx3k4Tig/s320/20201026_143256.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two buses stand at Blackheath<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The tender award towards the end of 2019 resulted in Arriva winning the contract to the route running out of Norwood with brand new Hybrid buses being introduced, an award many people didn't see coming. This did throw up some interesting questions though, as Arriva's preferred manufacturer for hybrid double decker buses, Wright, had just fallen into administration and any delivery and fulfilment of orders would have been in doubt. However, near the start of 2020, it was announced that Alexander Dennis were the company who would be getting the order with them delivering brand new Enviro400 MMC bodied E40H buses, the first of the type for Arriva London. Although, they do have E40H buses already, in the form of E40H Citys based at Brixton (BN) on the 133 and 333 alongside Ash Grove (AE) who operate them on the 78. Sadly, while Arriva may have dodged a bullet by not ordering with Wright, they couldn't avoid the one caused by the Coronavirus pandemic where all buses were delayed. However, luckily for Arriva, fellow route 405 also had a batch of E40Hs due, so the buses were conveniently swapped around to allow the 202 to have a full E40H allocation from the first day. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjtAj61Ccw2SC1KvNdj3VbWZXz8dTe0bFTKt1IWcclETrFDjSlDo24W9LBzvwkkU4G9LJJSpQxMID8YqUb4DmB3FZHrtFOuyxRyp6IFJIQc-VKLpAEZspL24s5KeAUidMsZuZAMJqkHw/s3990/20201026_142240.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2244" data-original-width="3990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjtAj61Ccw2SC1KvNdj3VbWZXz8dTe0bFTKt1IWcclETrFDjSlDo24W9LBzvwkkU4G9LJJSpQxMID8YqUb4DmB3FZHrtFOuyxRyp6IFJIQc-VKLpAEZspL24s5KeAUidMsZuZAMJqkHw/s320/20201026_142240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since the changeover in September, I've used the route a few times alongside the buses. Starting off with the positive aspect the buses are amazing, a part of me hopes that Arriva had been forced away from Wright a lot sooner. The interior suits the buses well and so far they have been well kept, albeit it's only been a month. While Arriva do have E40H Citys in the fleet, these buses come with the standard TfL interior with red seats and gold poles. Arriva's own interior with blue seats and ivory poles gives the already nice and spacious MMC interior an even more spacious feel, making it a really nice ride from a passenger's perspective. Oh, and of course there's USB ports at most seats as is standard on London's buses these days. So far the allocation of the route has been solidly E40H MMC, but a few strays of Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses have happened from batches kept at Norwood for other routes. I imagine these will eventually start to become common as more of the fleet is reblinded. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbJ5-vsM2EAg3zd1eMbbHJCNMhx90Rt-FM43Ryii2-wfzfqACE-TvHZunknEKKb2qKlAT-itzJ1N7GTpgAMKJuLItivFFW6cHmMWtU4zEbgj747J9Mmg3O5W0vpNvoMa6-9Nw0C77fpo/s3675/20201026_145922.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2067" data-original-width="3675" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbJ5-vsM2EAg3zd1eMbbHJCNMhx90Rt-FM43Ryii2-wfzfqACE-TvHZunknEKKb2qKlAT-itzJ1N7GTpgAMKJuLItivFFW6cHmMWtU4zEbgj747J9Mmg3O5W0vpNvoMa6-9Nw0C77fpo/w400-h225/20201026_145922.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HV398 seen at Blackheath<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I did say earlier that talking about the buses would be the positive aspect, there sadly has been a negative aspect as well to these changes. Route 202 while initially may come across as a small suburban route does have a substantial portion running along the A205 between Lee and Catford. This section is often filled with traffic in the peaks and can cause a headache for controllers and as a result the service quality has seen a drop since the route left Go Ahead. Initial days saw almost all of the northbound service turned to Blackheath Village during the evening peak, however it's calmed down a lot now although far from perfect, showing that with a few more months Arriva are likely to get the hang of this challenging route and provide a good quality service to match the amazing standard of the buses. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_aDBE6Nhc6Tx1X9szcEl_6lFAW1BrHHbslFEuCCnGYEjFPsZewOP5BwM3exSNDPKPyI6YceJXmdvjhGB3av-2eLuv3ja6NjXIdI9V_SQNqk56lgU2KHQgoEbds6jRRBFG56OmiBZGwA/s3781/20201026_141948.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="3781" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_aDBE6Nhc6Tx1X9szcEl_6lFAW1BrHHbslFEuCCnGYEjFPsZewOP5BwM3exSNDPKPyI6YceJXmdvjhGB3av-2eLuv3ja6NjXIdI9V_SQNqk56lgU2KHQgoEbds6jRRBFG56OmiBZGwA/w400-h225/20201026_141948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side view of HT17 at Blackheath Station<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With the increasing drive to get London's bus fleet closer towards zero emission, it's unknown whether Hybrids will soon be confined to the history books. Since the delivery of these buses, London for the first time in years has no diesel powered buses on order from any manufacturer. While routes 202 and 405 make up the first batch of Arriva's Enviro400 MMCs for London, they could also very well form the last batch of them. </span></div><p></p>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-88354522812116761962020-10-20T00:04:00.000+01:002020-10-20T00:04:10.384+01:00Route 139 returns to Metroline<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Swings and roundabouts, we hear this term a lot these days. Many routes change operator on tenders, no matter how long standing they are. However sometimes a route with a history at a particular operator can "return" following a new tender, and route 139 has been the latest recipient of this when it returned to Metroline operation in August</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ_avPaZTC4OqMfIQ7bZwckDt0ea6KGtAazFw6LhoKTpwTAnk0KzzllRRpy17MFgZn1eIUs5ALg9ghngJglenAElFCIPX0IM36W4M7hmNotvaow2h07OYHh7Q-zICQGLDGzeukAco7sQ/s2048/DSC_4334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ_avPaZTC4OqMfIQ7bZwckDt0ea6KGtAazFw6LhoKTpwTAnk0KzzllRRpy17MFgZn1eIUs5ALg9ghngJglenAElFCIPX0IM36W4M7hmNotvaow2h07OYHh7Q-zICQGLDGzeukAco7sQ/w400-h266/DSC_4334.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="3215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT6QVZH8cX4NH8IOkgHiAdeyqayO9TVlvGcWHTxoIAiHClUX3JpW8pg_nHmC_a6aP8ARAhYwOYvnodY62Ka_huX6EDH0CgkKdGBVJhdC0uooCx7b2drfzDEwUtXokC3xc3vaRRcBa_k0/s320/20200828_150213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH45115 at Waterloo<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Route 139 traditionally has a really long history at Metroline, however wasn't always based out of Cricklewood under their tenure. The route started operation in 1992 running out of a now closed garage in Chalk Farm, running between Trafalgar Square and West Hampstead, major change didn't come again until 2003 when the route was extended to Waterloo. The route was also moved into its long term home of Cricklewood (W) in 2002. 2017 was when the biggest change arguably happened to the route, with an extension to Golders Green to give the area a link south of Oxford Circus following the rerouting of the 13 to Victoria. At this time what ended up happening was as the 139 contract was due for renewal, the contract wasn't tendered and was just passed onto RATP to see out the remaining 13 contract, while route 13 was taken over by Tower Transit. This did place Metroline at a loss of two routes, but the 2020 tender as I mentioned earlier saw the route returning to Metroline operation. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Soon after the tender was announced, it was made public that the buses to be used on the route would be the buses which were previously found on route 34 at Potters Bar (PB), as that route had been lost to Arriva in November 2019. This would also mark the introduction of Wrightbus vehicles to Cricklewood for the first time (ignoring the New Routemaster buses). The buses started arriving at Cricklewood prior to the national lockdown of March 2020 and managed to start spreading themselves over the garage's double decker routes, with them mostly being found on route 210. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv44a3kB7TQP1TG982Zi76tEz81rlHqDTF-8ic0_WpgqXSvIny8FEH0rAZXJ2GCDWQPfIPHvsgpSePf27mD93ypAdG7D2NSonxIebDspVYPsCNgzsZXyCyXcZcoNoHOwM_7fSTxJP72Jc/s2931/20200909_134809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="2931" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv44a3kB7TQP1TG982Zi76tEz81rlHqDTF-8ic0_WpgqXSvIny8FEH0rAZXJ2GCDWQPfIPHvsgpSePf27mD93ypAdG7D2NSonxIebDspVYPsCNgzsZXyCyXcZcoNoHOwM_7fSTxJP72Jc/s320/20200909_134809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VWH2032 seen at Golders Green<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Metroline took over operation of the route in the early hours of the 29th of August 2020, with VWH2023 being the first bus to welcome route 139 back to Metroline operation. I went out the following week to see how Metroline were getting on with the route and how they had settled in to their returned route. I had decided to bus it into Central London, and that was a big mistake so I ended up needing to use the ring road to get to Baker Street which meant that I would be unable to complete an end to end journey on the route, however that would be no loss as I'm already accustom to that section really well, and social distancing measures throughout Central London meant that it was all full of traffic anyway. Upon boarding the bus it was nice to see the familiar interior of a Metroline bus on the 139 that I was used to for all those years prior to the Finchley Road changes. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3XsRyaVY3ZIzPwuAeFzJ7nsKb7G-Fd6i7NcLBv16Krl9kacE-ROFtIKLAm5no2yjuRVyEpJTDFmT33WBol299KIamxVXsBmADAoz4U9EEr98PVy0BQGNgaCWsRR6SqcRnUNmhNHOsv4/s4006/20200909_133530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="4006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3XsRyaVY3ZIzPwuAeFzJ7nsKb7G-Fd6i7NcLBv16Krl9kacE-ROFtIKLAm5no2yjuRVyEpJTDFmT33WBol299KIamxVXsBmADAoz4U9EEr98PVy0BQGNgaCWsRR6SqcRnUNmhNHOsv4/s320/20200909_133530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEH1113 on stand at Golders Green<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The ride itself, well was nothing to get too hyped up over. As with many contract changes these days, the new schedule seemed to have had extra running time incorporated into it, which meant that when the roads were empty and not many people were boarding the bus the journey would be filled with extremely slow and agonising driving, or regulating at stops to a point you wish you could just get off and walk. Sadly this 139 ride was exactly like that, I was starting to feel impatient the closer and closer we got to Golders Green. Once we finally reached, I was the first person off that bus because I needed to stretch my legs. What made this worse is that when I reached Golders Green there were already 3 139s on stand, when only two are meant to be on the stand at any one time, suggesting that we had in fact arrived early as well. One of those buses was a standard Alexander Dennis Enviro400H, which are also found in Cricklewood's fleet and made up the 139s allocation prior to its move to RATP. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirz_pF2zY_r7Idi4ie60RAaSD6wxPJpILN9sOSOEd6TFwRHYobiGZnOa7_ghXPXU-DuxGX_uJ7YHUch6kbks2zjlfzXaJwBhpuhrAe4mUxHar1_9beGS4KTpv-qrAqztqTNH4QlniO0s/s3248/20200929_083948.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1827" data-original-width="3248" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirz_pF2zY_r7Idi4ie60RAaSD6wxPJpILN9sOSOEd6TFwRHYobiGZnOa7_ghXPXU-DuxGX_uJ7YHUch6kbks2zjlfzXaJwBhpuhrAe4mUxHar1_9beGS4KTpv-qrAqztqTNH4QlniO0s/w400-h225/20200929_083948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VWH2028 seen at Oxford Circus<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sadly the 139 seems to have become a victim of the extra running time group of tenders, where operators incorporate extra running time into the schedule in order to allow buses to stick to timetables and schedules better, reducing the risk of any excess waiting times and lost mileage. This is quite good for the operator, not particularly good for the passenger though. The 139 has also been a source of controversy within the company itself, being one of the first routes where Metroline has employed remote sign on, a practice where drivers clock onto work along the route itself as opposed to the garage. This hasn't particularly fallen well within Metroline's staff base, with </span><a href="https://unitetheunion.org/campaigns/no-to-remote-sign-on/" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank">staff being balloted for strike action</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> as many of them are against the practice, however it does show the lengths operators are now going to save money and cut costs in order to win further work due to increased competition. The tendering system was initially introduced to cut costs, but have we reached a point where costs have now been cut too much? Leave your answer to that in the comments!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzP5KsHRvApQvx-xIcgkrK1jS3USaXsIX4DMtWmIPzZwfxHC8NypYIuxtQ1RT0jwBqVfgnm5-mRYdZuzXzVA1cZGQPE5qPrydfONgeqlIO7ot7w5rlOYz6H9o8DB1H3sMlMexaA0-ZE0/s3707/20200909_134211.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="3707" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzP5KsHRvApQvx-xIcgkrK1jS3USaXsIX4DMtWmIPzZwfxHC8NypYIuxtQ1RT0jwBqVfgnm5-mRYdZuzXzVA1cZGQPE5qPrydfONgeqlIO7ot7w5rlOYz6H9o8DB1H3sMlMexaA0-ZE0/w400-h225/20200909_134211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VWH2029 seen at Golders Green<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's always nice to see an old operator take on a route again, but whether Metroline returning to the 139 is a step forward for the route remains to be seen. It's been a fair few weeks since the takeover and the few times I've used it since, both for enthusiast and non-enthusiast related reasons have shown excess regulation and slow journey times. However it seems that it's something we might need to get used to on the majority of routes going forward from now on. </span></div>EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-58853124335174543822020-08-28T00:24:00.001+01:002020-09-10T02:13:19.385+01:00Being Reunited<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It's been a couple of months now since route 25 returned to Stagecoach operation, more recently sister route 425 has also moved to operation with the company to be reunited with the 25. </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Before we move onto the change the 425 has undergone, let's pay a quick re-visit to what has happened at Stagecoach and Tower Transit since <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/its-back.html">the 25 changed operator</a>. I did mention in the post that route 25 spent its last year at Tower Transit allocated with Wright StreetDeck HEV96 buses which were to move to the 262 and 473 upon the loss. </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cCV9Wfzz35n4C2Q_zsvuYFayIGNy45f1MtcwaBUPndP77C5eMnbRfSt-48h3skULNlWPuJLUd6AM3fT8W0KB1kGukXwRpp4L24dgCWIK99uHdWDfqLu01_g673LyShDjmqpAtHGTxw4/s1600/49882888826_3e50616b45_o.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cCV9Wfzz35n4C2Q_zsvuYFayIGNy45f1MtcwaBUPndP77C5eMnbRfSt-48h3skULNlWPuJLUd6AM3fT8W0KB1kGukXwRpp4L24dgCWIK99uHdWDfqLu01_g673LyShDjmqpAtHGTxw4/s320/49882888826_3e50616b45_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WH31103 seen at Gallions Reach<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The StreetDecks have never been the most popular buses in London among enthusiasts, known for being completely gutless and sounding like a washing machine on its last spin cycle. So I wasn't the happiest bunny out there that they were being put onto my local route, the 262. Especially as the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 buses that the 262 had prior were amazing vehicles, full of character and always a nice pleasure to ride on, despite being 9 years old by that point. Type-training for the 262 and 473 drivers started in Spring 2020, with the StreetDecks being seen along the routes through the day with drivers on board. The buses then started appearing in service in May 2020, a few weeks before the loss of route </span>25. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4CsClQuzwdyWwQIMLfI7FHcGS-vvRNXLrhLnIjN__UBBsoopfPVW-aJeCRPArXnvnIA-BxszNG2likAAA81kFPNaxIaO19-pu4inBM-D2-nleezIpmG68SooRYa1iP1VO_npv8V623g/s1600/20200716_155859.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4CsClQuzwdyWwQIMLfI7FHcGS-vvRNXLrhLnIjN__UBBsoopfPVW-aJeCRPArXnvnIA-BxszNG2likAAA81kFPNaxIaO19-pu4inBM-D2-nleezIpmG68SooRYa1iP1VO_npv8V623g/s320/20200716_155859.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WH31105 seen at Stratford<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The day the 25 was lost the 262 and 473 took up their full allocation of StreetDecks as expected. I didn't ride them for a couple of weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however once restrictions were eased I did use one on the 262 on my way to Stratford, which got turned and then I also happened to get one on the 473. They manage alright along the much more suburban sections on the route, however a decent portion of the 262 is also down many more quieter roads and there's a short bit on the North Circular Road which the buses really seem to struggle with. It's not hard to see why only three batches of StreetDecks were ordered for London operation, with the other batches being the <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2018/06/micros-and-circles.html">Go Ahead ones on the 44</a> and the Arriva ones on the 340 (which don't seem to actually do the 340 much). The Streetdecks released from the 25 also found themselves a third home on the 308, however I don't have a picture of one of those to hand sadly. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfge-3As3gBp9E_E13ATyE-4hXw2Xu98Nel8BRzVIZYNQEJq5X4fvMTNPZpHYa-mPdostDNEnR6aqdgQqxNc4N7M7XA7_Ucl6AJM5flrcUYRGTSRlQQd4R5t2O89K-DN_gfOkWdv1RsIc/s1600/20200702_170222.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfge-3As3gBp9E_E13ATyE-4hXw2Xu98Nel8BRzVIZYNQEJq5X4fvMTNPZpHYa-mPdostDNEnR6aqdgQqxNc4N7M7XA7_Ucl6AJM5flrcUYRGTSRlQQd4R5t2O89K-DN_gfOkWdv1RsIc/s320/20200702_170222.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DN33796 seen at Stratford<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Going back to the 425, I'm not going to go too much into the history of the route as I covered that in a <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2018/09/for-good-or-for-bad.html">post two years ago</a> and not much has changed since then. The route's recent tenure at Tower Transit saw the route allocated with a mix of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 vehicles, originally ordered for the route in 2013, which were then later topped up with some </span>B9TL-<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Gemini 2 buses made free from the 25, following the 425's extension to Ilford. </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Due to the pandemic sweeping the world, the buses that were to be allocated to route 425 were running around a month later than expected. As a result, they weren't going to be available for the first day of the route and Stagecoach had to scrape spare buses from throughout their fleet to operate it, so what would </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">actually end up operating on the route became a lottery until the morning Stagecoach started its first day of running the service.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VN36133 seen at Ilford Broadway<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12300 seen at Ilford<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The allocation was scraped together using various buses that were stood down due to service reductions on routes due to the pandemic, with the allocation being made up out of a few spare standard Enviro400 E40H buses. Some of WH's Smart Hybrids which were fitted with LEDs, some of the 261s spare Smart Hybrids which were made spare due to the service reductions, alongside some buses which were not needed on route 25, again due to the pandemic. However due to all the short notice of gathering buses from across the fleet, not all buses ended up having their blinds programmed correctly - most notably, the existing standard E40H buses on the route were drafted in, which led to the buses displaying blank when heading towards Ilford.</span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loaned from TB, 11070 is seen at Ilford Broadway<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11383 seen at Stratford Bus Station<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Like the 25 change, the 425 was also due to receive some brand new Smart Hybrid Enviro400 MMCs to be its allocation under Stagecoach. These were to be identical to the batch that was already introduced on route 25, with the only differences being some changes to the cab to prevent Coronavirus spread and red advert frames as opposed to gold advert frames. The buses started entering service during the month of August to very little fanfare, alongside the delayed examples over at Abellio for routes 285 and 270. In practice, the buses are mixed in with the batch that was delivered for route 25 due to being exactly the same specification alongside being ULEZ compliant. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11348 seen at Ilford<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">There's not much else to say about this change, other than some form of normality is slowly starting to resume again. There's a fair few interesting service changes coming up over the next few weeks so it will certainly be interesting to see them take place. Remember to keep an eye on our </span><a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Tenders</a><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> page for the latest information! </span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-45329975386960032092020-08-04T01:08:00.000+01:002020-08-04T01:08:38.670+01:00Three For the Price of One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One year we will all certainly remember throughout our lives will be the year of 2020, when everyone was trapped inside, unable to ride buses as frequently as we did and unable to go about our normal lives. However while we were stuck at home, advised against public transport use many operator changes did take place. I managed to get the 25 covered as I live local to it so could get to it without using public transport, however relaxation of restrictions meant that I could finally catch up with a few changes in North London. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Routes 67, 106 and 230 have made a move from Arriva London to Go Ahead at Northumberland Park (NP) while route 191 has made a move from Go Ahead to Arriva at Enfield (E). Route 191 is using Wright Pulsar Gemini 2 buses made free from Arriva's losses while Go Ahead have added to their growing fleet of electric buses at Northumberland Park. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The changes all initially had different contract start dates, with the 67 and 106 due to move to Go Ahead on the 25th of April, route 191 due to move on the 1st of May and the 230 due to move on the 20th of June. However due to the pandemic the changes on the 25th of April and the 1st of May were both postponed to take place on the 6th of June instead.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LT236 seen at Dalston Junction<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 67 was no doubt going to be the quietest change out of all the routes that changed in this round. Under Arriva it had received an updated allocation of New Routemaster running out of Stamford Hill (SF) buses around a year before the contract change. This meant that the route would continue with a similar fleet of buses under Go Ahead, although the buses would move garage and would now bear the logos of Go Ahead as opposed to Arriva. Route 67 was introduced in 1961 running between Northumberland Park and the London Docks (just near Aldgate). In 1966 the route was extended from the London Docks to Wapping and in 1971 the route was withdrawn between Northumberland Park and Stamford Hill which remained the case until 1979 when the route was cut back from Wapping to Aldgate Station and extended from Stamford hill to Wood Green. The route then remained like this until 2019 when the route was cut back from Aldgate to Dalston Junction as part of the Central London bus changes. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LT172 seen on stand at Wood Green<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The changes the 67 had weren't too noticeable on the date of contract change. It was just like most other changes that were underwent bu routes operated by New Routemaster buses. A few logos were changed on buses and that's pretty much all that was changed to the public eye. The most unique feature about this change was the fact that the new Go Ahead logos applied to the buses were yellow, like the ones initially found on the LTs for route 11 as opposed to being fully white which became the standard for New Routemaster buses afterwards. Other than that there's not much to say about the route change apart from the fact I hope Go Ahead have a successful five, or maybe seven years on the route.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DW520 seen on stand at Whitechapel<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only change on the 6th of June that called for new buses was route 106 which ran between Finsbury Park and Whitechapel. This route has an extremely long history, dating back records beyond 1934. In 1934 it was a route that ran between Finsbury Park and Chittys Lane in Becontree running via Clapton, Roman Road, Mile End, Burdett Road, Canning Town, Barking By-Pass, Movers Lane, Barking Town Centre and Longbridge Road. The route remained in that state until 1971 when it was withdrawn between Becontree and Poplar and then in 1989 cut back to Mile End apart from a few journeys which would continue to the Isle of Dogs. In 1993 the route was rerouted from Mile End to Whitechapel where the Royal London Hospital was and has remained like that since. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ee6 seen at Finsbury Park<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The previous allocation of the route under Arriva saw it with the early 2010s standard of Wright Pulsar Gemini 2s on the VDL DB300 chassis with the route running out of Ash Grove (AE). These buses have now moved to route 191.The new allocation under Go Ahead was to be brand new electric buses in the form of Enviro400 City Electric buses on Alexander Dennis' E40H City body on BYD's electric chassis. This type was previously already seen on route 212 which operates out of the same garage and also come with similar technology installed including the Intelligent speed assist system which limits a bus to the speed limit of the road it is travelling on along with new cameras instead of wing mirrors which are designed to improve the visibility for the driver and reduce blind spots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While route 67 and 106 went from Arriva to Go Ahead on the 6th of June, route 191 which runs between Edmonton Green and Brimsdown went the other way from Go Ahead to Arriva operation. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EN15 seen on the 191<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 191 started off very different to what it is today. The route was introduced in 1954 running between Chingford Hatch and Lower Edmonton, 1966 saw the route extended from Edmonton to Enfield Town running via Ponders End and Nightingale Road. In 1981 the route was withdrawn between Chingford Hatch and Chingford Station, with that part being taken over by route 212 and in 1982 the route was withdrawn between Chingford and Lower Edmonton. 1985 saw the route being extended to Brimsdown from Enfield. The most recent change to the route happened in 1998 when the terminus in Lower Edmonton was shifted to the bus station at Edmonton Green.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Nm_6h8YR44FyntjNE67N6539xmfrcYGLmb0C_yBhyphenhyphenjcChyphenhyphenRdxJaIO7MCsMkxAE9X66lPBjbveZeGVQ8SOEDlQa2x02NbDKtaD_8m9fnlIq_4Rd_Rqjt5ul15VtHa5TFIspOmzExuBQQ/s1600/48439875317_fc1f7652c0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Nm_6h8YR44FyntjNE67N6539xmfrcYGLmb0C_yBhyphenhyphenjcChyphenhyphenRdxJaIO7MCsMkxAE9X66lPBjbveZeGVQ8SOEDlQa2x02NbDKtaD_8m9fnlIq_4Rd_Rqjt5ul15VtHa5TFIspOmzExuBQQ/s320/48439875317_fc1f7652c0_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WVL359 seen on stand at Edmonton Green<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Its last contract saw the route running out of Ex First Garage Northumberland Park, when Northumberland Park garage was sold by First to Go Ahead in 2012 route 191 was one of the routes included in the sale, as a result its allocation was predominantly made up out of Ex First vehicles, although refurbished into the Go Ahead variation of the livery upon the contract renewal of the route in 2015. However alongside the Ex First vehicles standard Go Ahead vehicles would also regularly stray onto the route so I've included pictures of both types in this post. Route 191 also was the last full time route Go Ahead operated in Edmonton, previously having a huge presence in the area. Route 616 is now their last route in the area which itself will be moving to HCT Group in the future. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DW567 seen at Edmonton Green<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new allocation under Arriva is made up out of Wright Pulsar Gemini 2 bodied VDL DB300 buses, which were previously found on route 106, these have also been topped up with examples from elsewhere in the fleet Arriva operate the route out of Enfield garage in Ponders End which the route passes and who also operated the route in the early 1990s up until around 1996. Route 191 has a challenging nature to it, crossing the major A10 road a couple of times in its convoluted route which in the past which certainly made Go Ahead's operation on it rocky, and it will no doubt take Arriva some time to get used to the route and the challenges that it presents. I wish Arriva all the best of luck with it as it's something that they are certainly going to need over the next five or maybe seven years operating the route. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DW573 seen turning into Edmonton Green Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DW545 seen at Tottenham Hale<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final operator change in this round wasn't due to take place the same day as the others, instead happening two weeks later on the 20th of June. Route 230 which runs between Upper Walthamstow and Wood Green made the move from Arriva London to Go Ahead. Route 230 was introduced in 1973 running quite a different route to what it does today between Manor House and Stratford via Leyton, Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters. In 1981 the Stratford terminus was adjusted to become Whipps Cross alongside an extension to Finsbury Park and in 1982 the route was extended to Leytonstone. In 1987 the route was diverted to terminate at Wood Green, this remained the case until 1996 where the route was diverted to terminate at Upper Walthamstow instead of Leytonstone forming the same route in operation today. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ee38 seen at Wood Green<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most recent tenure of the route at Arriva saw it allocated with Wright Pulsar Gemini 2 bodied VDL DB300 buses, much like the 106. The route was operated out of Tottenham garage (AR) which it passed. There's not much else to say about this change, effectively being a repeat of the 106 and 212 changes which had taken place prior with pretty much identical buses now on the route, as a result this bus mixes and matches the bus type with routes 212 and 106, alongside recent convert route 357 as well. Like most other routes in this round of operator changes, route 230 poses a challenge to operate being susceptible to traffic along Hoe Street and Ferry Lane approaching Tottenham Hale however so far Go Ahead have proven themselves well on the route and offering a reliable service. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear of a BYD Enviro400 City<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall these changes have been good news for Go Ahead, one loss in the form of route 191 was cancelled out by the gain of three routes. It's also nice to see the rapid shift towards electric buses on newly gained routes as well as the ever growing fleet at Northumberland Park (NP). Sadly Arriva fared much worse with this round of changes, losing three routes and only gaining one in return. The company has in the past few days just announced the closure of Stamford Hill garage to reduce overall operating costs in order to remain competitive in an ever more increasingly competitive market.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for the electric fleet in London, this is now only going to grow. There's a few more Hybrid buses to trickle into service on various routes however more electrics are soon expected later this year for routes 173 and 174 at Stagecoach and route C3 at Tower Transit so there's plenty more to look forward to over the forthcoming months.</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-75068843335999119262020-06-24T00:25:00.001+01:002020-07-07T02:20:15.229+01:00The Electric Stage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The current situation we are in has led to many delays. However, one substantial delay occurred to a change that was meant to take place all the way in January and has </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">only</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> just been completed. Route 323, which runs between Canning Town Bus Station and Mile End Station in East London, has just finished its conversion to electric buses. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">29201 seen alongside a 147 at Canning Town<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2bNLpYpUTWThEe_fZnTQz0HZciecZU5SRk42mxuyciP1LFDijq73apvE5wxqcuNZVTHBIuitnqQxDr2e_otKparzjmB3htizMBKSmjrhBjt26IPWKn2JzJ2ZA7e3BCxqW-4EZtl61Ys/s1600/49329841607_fc5bbe5241_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2bNLpYpUTWThEe_fZnTQz0HZciecZU5SRk42mxuyciP1LFDijq73apvE5wxqcuNZVTHBIuitnqQxDr2e_otKparzjmB3htizMBKSmjrhBjt26IPWKn2JzJ2ZA7e3BCxqW-4EZtl61Ys/s320/49329841607_fc5bbe5241_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">36364 seen at Canning Town<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before we go into some detail about the buses, let me go through some history of the route. This very short route has a fittingly short history. It was introduced in January 2003, running between Canning Town and Mile End via Manor Road, Stephenson Street, Prologis Park, Twelvetrees Crescent and Bow Common Lane. This is still the same route followed today. The </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">contract,</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">however, was </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">initially</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> held by First London, operating out of their Hackney garage. The route was transferred to Lea Interchange (LI) when Hackney garage was forced to close, but was then lost to the East London Bus Group out of West Ham (WH) in 2010 which had conveniently opened up on the line of route a few years prior where the route has remained since. The East London Bus Group was purchased by the Stagecoach group in 2010 and the 323 is now a Stagecoach London operation.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODnL29vKWmi5kzcCWab2C5IHmU6yN34RgecvmGtz4mB-wC3vKIL9zDf-bv6zc0jVq38hA2R2NAeRGX6Nn0M-daiGZEtaESN-LUJXWIf4L4-efjHR7gGdMhSTV3PQkOuedcSinytqneJI/s1600/20200623_160549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODnL29vKWmi5kzcCWab2C5IHmU6yN34RgecvmGtz4mB-wC3vKIL9zDf-bv6zc0jVq38hA2R2NAeRGX6Nn0M-daiGZEtaESN-LUJXWIf4L4-efjHR7gGdMhSTV3PQkOuedcSinytqneJI/s320/20200623_160549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">29201 seen at Mile End<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The renewal in January 2020 called for brand new electric buses (29201-29205) to be introduced on the route. There was no sign of them in January. January became February, and February became March, before they finally got delivered towards the end of March. However, by this point, the Coronavirus pandemic had started to cause havoc through the country and entering these buses into service was not the biggest priority at hand. Time passed and it was only on the 20th of June that these buses finally turned a wheel in service due to the various delays that the pandemic had caused. However I can certainly tell you that the wait was worth it!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High back seats<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unexpectedly, the buses were delivered with a few unique features that nobody thought we'd see anytime soon. The most obvious one being the inclusion of high back seats throughout the bus. These could be found on some seats on Stagecoach ALX400s and Abellio Enviro400s, but it was not normal to see them span the whole bus. However, that was not the only additional feature that the buses had, as they also came with phone holders on the back of seats along with the now expected USB port. Certain seats also had a more accessible stop bell on their rear, although from my experience they weren't the smoothest to push. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of how the rear of the seats look, including a USB port, stop bell and USB charger<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT0407is1OEkr33_kNwiEf-O1ZK0y2p-1PiXALa5mgRLt0X8vXR7j8_nsI68P2s33Yk0fQx7AJHT9EXG4J_aOWK97z3Ls-B2bLWdAnpEeiyuT88oPET-wo7yeM0OFZ_XmyqottElZ1qU/s1600/20200623_160156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT0407is1OEkr33_kNwiEf-O1ZK0y2p-1PiXALa5mgRLt0X8vXR7j8_nsI68P2s33Yk0fQx7AJHT9EXG4J_aOWK97z3Ls-B2bLWdAnpEeiyuT88oPET-wo7yeM0OFZ_XmyqottElZ1qU/s320/20200623_160156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">29201's rear<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due to the increased size of the seats, the rear row only consists of 4 seats. I couldn't get a picture of them as someone was already sitting there and I wanted to adhere to social distancing guidelines so you'll have to take my word on it! The exterior design of the buses is to the new updated design of the Enviro200 EV that was introduced initially with the brand new batch of buses for the 444, including a battery pod that spans the whole length of the roof of the bus as opposed to just a small portion. Although this does also mean that the rear number display is also slightly off centre for some reason - although I'm sure there's a logistical reason behind it! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">29201 seen at Canning Town<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall these buses are a great addition to the London bus network, bringing brand new features to their passengers - albeit buses out of London have had these features for a long time. It's unclear whether these features will become standard on future deliveries, we'll have to wait and see for that. But for now it's great to see TfL take baby steps on improving on board facilities for passengers - hopefully they get to the service aspect next!</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-28019022952874404882020-06-05T23:00:00.000+01:002020-07-07T02:25:32.915+01:00Giving the Go-Ahead to Abellio<b>South London route 270 is the latest route to change operators during lockdown, leaving the hands of Go-Ahead London and venturing to its new home at Abellio London.</b><br />
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Route 270 is a new-ish route, having only been about for almost 30 years. It was introduced in 1991 as a response to changes of the bus network in Wandsworth. Routes 219, 220 and 280 were cut or re-routed in a bid to aid reliability. Those that don't know or use the 270 will probably recognise it as the route in our website banner!<br />
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London General were the first operator of the route, running the route from their head office Merton (AL) garage with MCW Metrobuses. The route has been operating between Putney Bridge Station and Mitcham <i>Cricketers </i>following the same routing it has today via Wandsworth and Tooting.<br />
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10 years later, the route saw its first low floor double decker buses introduced in the form of Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs, falling under London General's 'PVL' class.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PVL375 (PJ53 NKM) is seen leaving Putney Bridge on route 270, almost 10 years ago.<br />
<b><img alt="Copyright" height="15" src="https://combo.staticflickr.com/pw/images/icon_all_rights.png" style="background-color: #fefefe; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;" width="15" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"> London Bus Breh</span></b></td></tr>
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Other than a minor reroute in the Mitcham area, the route has had a fairly boring and limited history up until Saturday where it was lost for the first time. Rapidly growing London operator, Abellio, had won the route from their Battersea (QB) depot with brand new Enviro 400 MMC 'smart hybrid' buses. However, a 'last minute' change occurred with Abellio opting to mobilise the route from Beddington (BC) garage instead. No official reason for this was given, but spectators assume that Abellio may be using the spare space at Battersea (QB) to win more higher profile work from rival competitors, given their prime location and proximity to Central London. But of course, there's no substance to this so don't take it as gospel.<br />
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This was Abellio's third route takeover during the nationwide lockdown, which had severe ramifications on the bus network as a whole. One of the consequences is that bus manufacturers have had to pause output for several weeks, and even months, meaning many buses haven't been built and delivered on time. Route 270 was one of the routes impacted by factory shutdowns, with only some of the buses being delivered on time and the rest being held at the factory.<br />
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This has forced Abellio to temporarily pull a number of buses from across their fleet to cover the missing buses, mostly from their dedicated Rail Replacement fleet which consists mostly of the 2006/2007-plated Enviro 400s ex-route 452. The buses themselves haven't really made it to the 270, instead being placed on route 407. The newer, hybrid vehicles from the 407 have then made it to the 270 instead as demonstrated below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abellio 2583 (YY67 GZD) is seen leaving Putney Bridge station forecourt on route 270. </td></tr>
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The brand new Enviro 400 MMCs ordered for route 270 are equipped with ISA (an automatic, electronic speed limiter), lazzerini seats with the red Abellio moquette, USB chargers (as is standard with new buses) and are mirrorless too. Instead of mirrors, new cameras on the nearside and offside replace these, providing higher quality and clearer imaging for drivers. Many staff have hailed these as fantastic advances in technology.<br />
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Seen also at Putney Bridge is new bus 2024 demonstrating the 'mirrorless' rear-view mirrors (see the black compartments above the driver's windows).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abellio 2024 (SK20 AZO) on route 270 at Putney Bridge showing the new order.</td></tr>
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Abellio have settled onto the route quite well. The company were quite excited to take over the 270 last weekend. The takeover also saw the route resume its Monday to Friday schedule for the first time in several weeks and is also taking fares again.<br />
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The fleet list for the route can be seen below:<br />
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<b>SK20 AZL - 2022</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZN - 2023</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZO - 2024</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZP - 2025</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZR - 2026</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZT - 2027</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZU - 2028</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZV - 2029</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZW - 2030</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZX - 2031</b></div>
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<b>SK20 AZZ - 2032</b></div>
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<b>SK20 BAA - 2033</b></div>
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<b>SK20 BAO - 2034</b></div>
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<b>SK20 BAU - 2035</b></div>
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<b>SK20 BAV - 2036</b></div>
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We'd like to take a shout out to say thank you to all the transport workers putting their lives on the line in this time of difficulty. Please support them by following government guidelines - wear masks on public transport for the whole of your journey, carry disinfectants such as hand sanitiser and also wear gloves if possible. Don't take unnecessary journeys on buses and trains for the time being, as tempting as it is to. We will be reunited with our beloved big, red buses soon enough.<br />
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Just as a disclaimer, this blog does have key workers who do occasionally work very close to the 270 route and had covered this service change on the way from home to work. If it wasn't for this, the service change wouldn't be covered in respect to the transport workers and also to comply with government guidelines.<br />
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Also, this is post 300 - thank you for sticking with us for the last 7 years, and we hope you continue to stay with us for some more. This wouldn't have happened without you.<br />
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<b>Thank you for reading this and please do stay safe, it's more important now than ever.</b>London Connectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11287662204344788819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-56292586373890312642020-05-23T19:45:00.000+01:002020-05-23T19:59:25.246+01:00It's Back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The London Bus game has always been a risky business. The words swings and roundabouts are always thrown around. Today we focus on one of London's most famous routes. Route 25 which runs between Holborn Circus and Ilford has made a Transit-tion (excuse the old joke) back to operation under Stagecoach London. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two 25s stand at Ilford<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you don't know about route 25, then you disappoint me - however do not fret as this post will cover it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 25 up until last year was the busiest route in London. It runs between City Thameslink Station and Ilford via St Paul's, Bank, Aldgate, Whitechapel, Mile End, Stratford, Forest Gate and Manor Park with a night variant running further from City Thameslink to Oxford Circus. This route no doubt makes it a vital artery of East London. To truly appreciate the story of the 25 we need to go through some history of the route.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DN33645 seen at Redbridge Central Library<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 25 has its records lasting before 1934, no surprise considering it's a very old route and records of route history before then are far and few between. The route has generally run between East London and Central London, during this time it frequently fluctuated and at one point only being a Stratford to Goodmayes route. The route's history is so long that I'll probably bore you all if I go through it, however if you do want to see some information I'll point you in the direction of </span><a href="https://londonbuses.co.uk/_routes/current/025.html" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">this wonderful page by Ian Armstrong</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following privatisation in the 1990s, route 25 (now an Oxford Circus to Ilford route) was being operated out of Bow (BW) which fell onto the operation of Stagecoach London. However its tender in 1999 saw First winning the route out of Dagenham (DM), although later years saw it transferred temporarily to a base in Rainham (R). The reason for this is unclear as it was said to be a provisional move to prepare for bendy bus operation on the route. However all this ended up going down the drain anyway, as despite it did convert to articulated operation it moved back to Stagecoach out of a new garage in Waterden Road (WA). The type chosen was Mercedes Benz Citaro Gs, as was the standard order for London. Following London winning the 2012 Olympics, Waterden Road (WA) garage had to close as it was on the site of the Olympic Park and the route was transferred, coincidentally to a new base in Rainham (RM). This was actually exactly the same site First operated the route from ironically. Once West Ham (WH) was built the route was transferred there in 2008. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VN36162 seen on Regent Street<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This arrangement continued until the route was tendered in 2010, with a new contract in 2011. Funnily enough the route transferred back to First operation, this time out of Lea Interchange (LI). Brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL buses were ordered for the route. 2013 saw the sale of First London and route 25 passed to Tower Transit. Re-tender in 2016 for a change saw the route being retained with the same operator, it was widely expected the route would have its fleet changed to a full Hybrid allocation due to the impending ULEZ in 2020. However, TfL instead put the route on a short term contract with the intention to re-tender it just before the ULEZ kicked in so it could have its fleet renewed then. In December 2018 route 25 was cut back from Oxford Circus to Holborn Circus.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WH31114 seen at Woodgrange Park<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since then the date for the ULEZ was brought forward to October 2019, which posed a problem as the 25 now needed a mid contract upgrade. The Tower Transit <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-transit-ion-in-plaistow.html">win of the 262 and 473 </a>came as a saving grace as new Hybrids were ordered against the contract to those routes and aptly swapped with the 25s own allocation to give that route a fully Hybrid fleet in the form of Wright StreetDeck HEV96 buses - being topped up with some buses from the 328s frequency reduction in West London (these buses went onto route 308 in return for some EvoSetis to go onto the 25). However as a short term contract had been awarded in 2016, there was no choice but to tender it again after the short term, although it got extended by a year. The existing allocation of Wright StreetDecks were planned to move to routes 262 and 473 upon the 25s new contract so a new fleet would be needed. Despite the 25 was retained on tender in 2016 that didn't hold true for 2020s tender, Stagecoach won it back again - along with route 425.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MV38239 seen at Ilford Broadway<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was quickly confirmed route 25 would be returning to its traditional home of Bow (BW) and the new allocation under Stagecoach would consist of brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC Smart Hybrids (11341-11375). This was the company's first win of a route in Central London since they won the 25 back in 2004 (Route 205 was however won by the ELBG in 2009). The buses were sighted in build in December, and the first buses were spotted being tested in Scotland in January. Everything seemed to be going well, however since then the Covid-19 pandemic had a massive impact on the whole UK economy, leading to Alexander Dennis to temporarily suspend production of buses, and some of the 25s buses which were on delivery were put into storage at one of Stagecoach's depots in Carlisle. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11351 seen at Hainault Street<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new contract commenced on the 23rd of May, during a period of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Doubts had been cast over whether the change was going to take place as planned due to the disruption in deliveries and training however the change did go ahead as planned. Stagecoach took on the contract just after midnight on the 23rd of May, starting operation with route N25 which was 11359, in the morning they took on route 25 which was kicked off with 11369. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was not an easy change to cover, as I would have thought for a route which was pretty close to me. However joy-riding a bus route during times like this is not something to promote, therefore the best I could do is drive my car to see how the 25 was getting on during its first day back at Stagecoach. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11361 seen at Redbridge Central Library<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would imagine quite a few readers are already aware of how it feels like to ride an Enviro400 MMC so I don't think I'll be depriving you guys of content by not divulging too much into that because I couldn't ride the buses. However like all recent buses the batch for the 25 come with the latest trimmings. These include USB ports on the back of seats, rear view cameras instead of rear view mirrors and intelligent speed assist which limits the bus to the speed of the road that it is travelling on. Passengers in the East London area area already well accustomed to the Enviro400 MMC type as it's found on many routes already paralleled by the 25 - either as an allocation or as an unallocated working. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11369 seen at Redbridge Central Library<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Routes have been known to suffer "first day syndrome" when they initially move to an operator, the chances of this being increased with the "difficulty" of a route to operate. However none of that was evident on the 25 on its first day, with operation already showing a decent standard. Maybe helped by the fact they used to operate the route and operate routes 8, 86 and 205 which share substantial parallel sections with the 25. The only notable issue spotted was a single turn at Bow Church, there might have been a few more that escaped me however. I'm also not quite sure how Stagecoach are dealing with running time and regulation, as you need to be able to ride a route to find that out. The route has been allocated the running numbers of BW1+ for the day service, funnily enough the exact same sequence it used when operating out of Bow prior to 1999. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11354 seen leaving the Ilford stand<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adjusting to the "new normal" is hard, and will no doubt affect the way us at the blog cover future changes. It won't be as easy to cover changes all around London for a couple of months but hopefully it won't be that long until we are once again free to do so. In a couple of weeks Stagecoach will also take on the operation on route 425, and soon electric buses will also enter service on route 323 so there are exciting times ahead for the company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until then, remember to stay away from using Public Transport non-essentially and to help save lives.</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-11089315870024431772020-05-09T19:35:00.000+01:002020-05-09T19:35:06.333+01:00Taking you through the years: 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've done 2013, we've done 2014. It's now time for 2015. To give you all something to read during lockdown today's post focuses on how the bus scene looked like in 2015 and what notable changes took place. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 139 and 137 on Oxford Street © EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">January</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SD57 seen on route S3<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I mentioned in the last post, route S4 prior to its loss to Abellio had some brand new Enviro200 buses ordered for it. Following the loss these were diverted to route S3 instead and the buses entered service this month. More news with Enviro200s also saw route 407 get its fleet upgraded with brand new Enviro200s, however this route today operates as a fully double deck service</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cuts, a word we would get used to over the next few years. This month saw its fair share of temporary cut backs due to roadworks. Although the biggest causalty here was route 3, which was temporarily cut back to Regent Street from Oxford Circus due to roadworks. The route has never returned to serving Oxford Circus since, shortly being cut afterwards back to Piccadilly Circus, then Trafalgar Square and now only runs as far as Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However more positive news saw a major change this month. Abellio introduced London's first batch of Enviro400 MMC buses, although on a win nobody expected at the time - route 109 which up until then had been one of the jewels in Arriva's crown. This change attracted its fair share of attention, so much so that another change which happened on the same day was pretty much ignored, <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-forgotten-route-change.html">route 125 was taken over by Metroline</a> from Arriva. It certainly was not a good day for Arriva that day but Abellio and Metroline had a good time. Route 109 has since been renewed for another 5 years with Abellio London from January 2020. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>February </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbNGY-hQv5x-4v3WvYLAhNiocgnI8dzuTTZTZnQP5no5IEuv-yHbk3KXopDLp5jnlC27WiRUqo0h1daSpqS9ZpjaS6sESiqlV_epEnI6Y4P0NoyJDFfihhy4wSu7SGo-hbYy2qQLdkhA/s1600/19907782010_ee592d594d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbNGY-hQv5x-4v3WvYLAhNiocgnI8dzuTTZTZnQP5no5IEuv-yHbk3KXopDLp5jnlC27WiRUqo0h1daSpqS9ZpjaS6sESiqlV_epEnI6Y4P0NoyJDFfihhy4wSu7SGo-hbYy2qQLdkhA/s320/19907782010_ee592d594d_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a January with no New Routemaster conversions, the type made its <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-stagecoach-masters.html">next conversion on Stagecoach route 55</a>, which at the time ran between Leyton and Oxford Circus, since then the route has been extended to Walthamstow Central. Route 56 also had its contract retained, but for an extra month it held onto its allocated Scania Omnicity buses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tower Transit this introduced their own interior to buses, this happened with the buses on the <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-new-transition.html">newly won contract to route 488</a>. This was technically their first win in London too, the 425 in 2013 was their first takeover however was a First bid, and First did order the buses. The 488 bid was submitted by Tower Transit, also was Tower Transit's first order of buses in London. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>March</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-stagecoach-masters.html">Route 15</a> became the latest New Routemaster conversion this month, its existing E40H buses were moved onto route 56 for the new contract on that route which had started a month prior. This month also was the first where we had two New Routemaster conversions,<a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-difficult-phase-made-fun.html"> route 12 also converted</a> to the type at the end of the month to release its buses for another win in the Go Ahead empire. More wins saw Tower Transit take on <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-new-transition.html">routes 212 and 444</a> from CT Plus and Arriva respectively. Both these routes have since moved on to Go Ahead operation at Northumberland Park. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TE1727 at Heathrow © EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 482 this month moved from RATP operation to Metroline over at Greenford (G) using some Ex First Enviro400s which were made available throughout the company. This route has since moved to Abellio London earlier this year. More changes in the Heathrow area saw route <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/set-to-skies.html">350 gain an allocation of E400H MMC buses</a>, this route has since been converted to single deck and the buses that were ordered for it are now found on route U5. Further success for Abellio, but more misery for Arriva saw <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-415s-upgrade.html">route 415 moving over to Walworth (WL)</a> with new Enviro400H MMC buses being introduced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>April</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFp3rz54gvidEX2JbJ1BHiCsp9SRLeKDg1kWIuTazeFkgWT-_zRQrFhnkq8yIcf3eGrlvxG7HhRm9tfWGbYOL3kGZ_YWsky5Pq_0aKuzPwY9Gu2ov2EM70oSMFFYQP4Z4F4bDoOr6PFs/s1600/19951327315_bb81058f16_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1523" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFp3rz54gvidEX2JbJ1BHiCsp9SRLeKDg1kWIuTazeFkgWT-_zRQrFhnkq8yIcf3eGrlvxG7HhRm9tfWGbYOL3kGZ_YWsky5Pq_0aKuzPwY9Gu2ov2EM70oSMFFYQP4Z4F4bDoOr6PFs/s320/19951327315_bb81058f16_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEH2081 at Brondesbury. © EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I mentioned that route 12s buses were going to go to another win in the Go Ahead empire, this month they found themselves on route 432 which was another loss by Arriva. Nobody quite knew what buses the 432 would use until the day it was taken over which proved quite interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something else that happened in April was the introduction of <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/metroline-model-change.html">Enviro400H MMCs on route 332</a>, they were the first and since then only batch ordered from Metroline and have gained themselves quite a negative reputation over the past couple of years. These buses are still found on route 332 today, although during the Coronavirus pandemic they have temporarily found a new home on route 112. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>May</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month saw more tendering success for Go Ahead London, route 322 made the switch from Abellio London to Go Ahead operating out of Stockwell (SW). Route 135 was more success for the company, yet another huge blow for Arriva when it transferred from Arriva to Go Ahead. The new buses which were ordered for the route were running late so Enviro400 buses were temporarily drafted in route route 436 in South London. Route 436 in turn got some B5LH buses released from the conversion of route 12 to New Routemaster in March. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067s8yy0f16ZB2-7ZF68MHm00ERvzbk4e72r-ub8WmEf7Ox5KWDcVO9_z5zOFvma9Md40fGmlIEv39sWcRzzZlmmB3Tmp-GMflAx11-0sLxwX1gGyZ2J0m8hhwq4nyCu4-dUaruxAcp0/s1600/18645363614_2fafd6d369_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067s8yy0f16ZB2-7ZF68MHm00ERvzbk4e72r-ub8WmEf7Ox5KWDcVO9_z5zOFvma9Md40fGmlIEv39sWcRzzZlmmB3Tmp-GMflAx11-0sLxwX1gGyZ2J0m8hhwq4nyCu4-dUaruxAcp0/s400/18645363614_2fafd6d369_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E215 at Crossharbour Asda<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>June</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYt_dpBm_-yxJvcyUqIC0-HEHl7o3gnxo-AXhes0X7ZCxmcAR5k6192et3pBt70zuznTxjQNOLoZzub_ekAo1AxewszYskbYoe3dO1qUXzJBC4BAr1rEa6bpMDYOVyqcEJwUWlsWY5d4/s1600/19267871185_f77ca02c20_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYt_dpBm_-yxJvcyUqIC0-HEHl7o3gnxo-AXhes0X7ZCxmcAR5k6192et3pBt70zuznTxjQNOLoZzub_ekAo1AxewszYskbYoe3dO1qUXzJBC4BAr1rEa6bpMDYOVyqcEJwUWlsWY5d4/s320/19267871185_f77ca02c20_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EHV10 seen at Crossharbour on its first day in service<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2015 was undoubtedly the year of the Enviro400 MMC. This month saw the introduction of <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/volvos-cross-meridian.html">another variant of the type on route 177</a>. These were Enviro400 MMC bodied Volvo B5LHs. These were also the first of the MMC bus type in service with Stagecoach London, the first of hundreds. Shortly afterwards <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/old-street-to-new-road.html">Go Ahead introduced their first of the same type of bus on the 135</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alexander Dennis didn't take all the glory this month though, the RATP group introduced their first Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs on a double deck conversion of route 285. These would become the first of many conversions. Since then a tender of route 285 resulted in RATP losing the contract and the route will be taken over by Abellio London in a few months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month also saw <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/essex-takes-to-stagecoach.html">Stagecoach take over routes 498 and 499</a> from Go Ahead and Arriva respectively. Their buses were running late so route 499 borrowed buses from a temporarily double decker converted 296 and route 498 used some spare Tridents that were available through the company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>July</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1daB1r8Y3FmsJqrEs0JS9cngjjt8EfSOwh9hghK8WY5BjDi3Xoe80xMSB3_25AxdVsB9SmuGNR91jB2UmBiL0bDYHwNwEe1bjx8pYKVN4c3BxU6Hv4r8V71SGCfkDaDEGSEjV_Z7OVg/s1600/20349568406_4e386b4093_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1daB1r8Y3FmsJqrEs0JS9cngjjt8EfSOwh9hghK8WY5BjDi3Xoe80xMSB3_25AxdVsB9SmuGNR91jB2UmBiL0bDYHwNwEe1bjx8pYKVN4c3BxU6Hv4r8V71SGCfkDaDEGSEjV_Z7OVg/s320/20349568406_4e386b4093_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">36601 seen at Gallows Corner © EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More MMC glory this month saw routes 498 and 499 get their ordered buses, route 498 got Enviro400 MMCs while the 499 got the first ever London batch of Enviro200 MMCs, the first of many. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 285 went double decker last month, its Enviro200s were made free and they were put to use on route 326 which was taken over from Metroline this month. However a more interesting change in the Barnet area was the <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/uno-paso-para-uno.html">383 being taken over by Uno</a>, their first route in the London market also taken over from Metroline. The buses allocated to route 383 have since been given route branding. Uno have also won routes 692 and 699 to start operation under them later this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>August</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6XBe-77lvKjATmKk_VFGSoPnIq0JR1LhjnyMb1oDWV1uMzpw8By4JhqzMklN5cZVzNzrsIHIdroXJQNATQjMtsCp-DsLPGvAbQ7Pj90LeON7-bC5aSPKP_MStwichTFs18vDUAQBtvI/s1600/35327849394_a0bbe0c886_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6XBe-77lvKjATmKk_VFGSoPnIq0JR1LhjnyMb1oDWV1uMzpw8By4JhqzMklN5cZVzNzrsIHIdroXJQNATQjMtsCp-DsLPGvAbQ7Pj90LeON7-bC5aSPKP_MStwichTFs18vDUAQBtvI/s320/35327849394_a0bbe0c886_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHV67 at Croydon<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month was relatively quiet. The only two notable changes that took place were RATP welcoming their second batch of Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses on a double deck conversion of route 116. An interesting fact there is that 116 was actually tendered as a single decker route, however RATP's tendering skills meant it turned out to be cheaper operating it as a double decker route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next New Routemaster conversion took place in the form of <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-general-balance.html">route 88 between Clapham Common and Camden Town</a>. Its Enviro400 Hybrids moved onto route 87, which they were initially ordered for. Since then the <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/from-parliament-to-parliament-hill.html">88 has reverted back to operating with standard buses</a> and uses the same Enviro400 Hybrids, with the New Routemasters going the other way to route 87 instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month also saw London receiving its first batch of redesigned Gemini 3 buses, not known colloquially as "frog face" buses. They were due for Go Ahead at Croydon (C) for routes 202 and 119. However since then route 202 has been lost on tender to Arriva at Norwood and will be moving there towards the end of summer 2020. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>September</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpxuNVkehrwbSJarDeV6CD_l_aSfL8PTQ-IZD3HtE_AUZdTq39drBIwME0WoR0PJqzNokoFl_kQRemjuZDu9e30Ey3dYp2UQ7hM-FcFVD1_OEQr4Ke8-mmo76YIHzwBsRurz5ttN6XMU/s1600/22544355481_9cd2e4b5ef_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpxuNVkehrwbSJarDeV6CD_l_aSfL8PTQ-IZD3HtE_AUZdTq39drBIwME0WoR0PJqzNokoFl_kQRemjuZDu9e30Ey3dYp2UQ7hM-FcFVD1_OEQr4Ke8-mmo76YIHzwBsRurz5ttN6XMU/s320/22544355481_9cd2e4b5ef_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MEC64 seen at Crystal Palace<br />
© London Bus Breh </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The good news for Go Ahead at Metrobus continued as Orpington (MB) started a new contract to regained route 246 this month using some of the MAN MCVs which were made spare from the conversion of route 202 to double deck. Route 358 introduced the first new style Citaro buses to the streets of London as well. However since then route 246 has been lost again to Stagecoach London from September 2020 and the Citaros on route 358 will be replaced by electric buses in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next New Routemaster conversion came in the form of route 16 between Cricklewood bus garage and Victoria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This months saw route 331 gain an allocation of brand new Enviro200 buses. While route 149 became another New Routemaster conversion. More changes with Arriva saw route 173 converting to double decker buses which were made free from r<a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-bundle-of-laughs-in-city.html">oute 78 which was restocked with some brand new E40H City buses</a>, a first for London. However since then route 173 has been lost on tender to Stagecoach London and will be moving to the company in October 2020 with brand new electric buses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 295 this month made a switch from Westbourne Park (X) to Metroline at Willesden Junction. This route saw Metroline's first new style Gemini 3 buses starting service however a few late delivery meant some old style VWH buses were put to use temporarily alongside some existing Gemini 2 buses. There were also numerous changes in New Addington, routes T31, T32 and T33 were all withdrawn along with a few other changes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvD8fidG7eGIHQr7pA_sD79riG501iyO1aA8MTs01aDWuNdLYmykfVkz_m9CSoogRuMjD27juVBM1jSVJPE8ksB52DiwiTvCJUVuMXa_haC9ccd-tioyLr_3Chp2Q_Fawcgv2k5DcPD0/s1600/22654357441_b72d5733a0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvD8fidG7eGIHQr7pA_sD79riG501iyO1aA8MTs01aDWuNdLYmykfVkz_m9CSoogRuMjD27juVBM1jSVJPE8ksB52DiwiTvCJUVuMXa_haC9ccd-tioyLr_3Chp2Q_Fawcgv2k5DcPD0/s400/22654357441_b72d5733a0_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VWH2099 and VWH2130 at Hammersmith<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>November</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The quietest month of the year. The only notable change this month was Sullivan buses taking over routes 692 and 699, these routes have since been lost on tender and will be moving over to Uno in November 2020. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K_8SBR5l6vO9h7eeudUH7tBCUO7s-BRPaViUo34t00B-xu-hi7TcA-aRbtHyMGQJdsTV67t1Y9O9fUKqUnxd6BC0NFiJWxXCdgyf61gx7DgNcPh3GUZZehGvOZ9jFui8eJpyuZ5FZSU/s1600/30126790771_f1c5efc6c7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K_8SBR5l6vO9h7eeudUH7tBCUO7s-BRPaViUo34t00B-xu-hi7TcA-aRbtHyMGQJdsTV67t1Y9O9fUKqUnxd6BC0NFiJWxXCdgyf61gx7DgNcPh3GUZZehGvOZ9jFui8eJpyuZ5FZSU/s320/30126790771_f1c5efc6c7_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LT638 seen at Oxford St © EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>December</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriva didn't have themselves a great yet, there were a few retains but among them but mostly losses. It started with the loss of route 109 this year until route 159, a route which had a long history with Arriva converted to New Routemaster operation...but also transferred to Abellio operation. On the same day route 307 was taken over by Metroline. from Arriva London</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hope that this has given all of you a nice reflection on 2015, and how the bus scene roughly looked like back then. We'll be back soon with the look back on 2016! But for now remember to stay home, save lives and protect the NHS!</span><br />
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-4667248824249737852020-05-01T00:00:00.000+01:002020-05-01T00:14:19.728+01:00Taking you through the years: 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another week has gone by, more time everyone has hopefully spent indoors. Continuing from our last post we are looking back at what happened a couple of years ago in order to lighten everyone's mood at home! Today we focus on 2014, the 'Year of the Bus'.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3OOVkd_9k3RfaN-DzPMJ2v1m3ab_6UJ8xNuyINxs3_iR66tRNVnvIvV1YCUH6_pXYwTJjD7ZC35ncYJpKZdi4ua58OJHHcvwl4A87E5mKLNRN57TUKneSLmQSWjQJadfHhY1hL8ZaPE/s1600/14418901572_e1614876e8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3OOVkd_9k3RfaN-DzPMJ2v1m3ab_6UJ8xNuyINxs3_iR66tRNVnvIvV1YCUH6_pXYwTJjD7ZC35ncYJpKZdi4ua58OJHHcvwl4A87E5mKLNRN57TUKneSLmQSWjQJadfHhY1hL8ZaPE/s400/14418901572_e1614876e8_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">January</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2014 was off to a slow start. The most notable change was the eventual entry of the 319s then new Volvo B5LH buses finally entering service after being delayed from November 2013. At the time the buses were split between route 319 and 59, as the 59 was more Central London - TfL really wanted Hybrids in Central London back then! However since then the 59 converted to New Routemaster operation and route 319 got its full allocation of B5LHs back. Route 319 is now in line for an electric conversion with brand new Enviro400 City EVs next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>February</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Routemaster conversions were still particularly special back in 2014, r<a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sneaky-phase.html">oute 148 became the latest route</a> to receive the vehicles in February. This was big news at the time as route 148 was to become the first route with no PA operation at all, operating as a three doored bus at all times with no rear platform. That of course was very unique at the time but we all know how that ended...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>March</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first major change this month was when route 159 was still back at Arriva - the section between Paddington Basin and Marble Arch was withdrawn. TfL claimed the route wasn't being used very well hence the withdrawal. This however did conveniently remove a sharp turn from the route...I wonder if that was related to a future change coming up.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZojVkhGzLj0H2bBysIhsTW_rkEvdbjr_3hIxt0_pN1tjf8G67Bd-iO4Hizk_kk7u5n0I72nssQyiQVi3GEX3xCopVeABa1Al0mx2b9oqPPOzTeXHbgZ7dm0y7OwuqoxRqhAN28W31Ack/s1600/14610279921_6aa880c98b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZojVkhGzLj0H2bBysIhsTW_rkEvdbjr_3hIxt0_pN1tjf8G67Bd-iO4Hizk_kk7u5n0I72nssQyiQVi3GEX3xCopVeABa1Al0mx2b9oqPPOzTeXHbgZ7dm0y7OwuqoxRqhAN28W31Ack/s320/14610279921_6aa880c98b_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15087 at Beckton<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stagecoach over at West Ham (WH) retained the contracts to route 262 and 473 with existing buses. The existing buses were to be Scania OmniCities released from the conversion of routes down at Plumstead (PD) in the form of routes 122 and 53 to Hybrid operation. Route 53s case was especially special as it was due to receive Stagecoach's first Wright bodied buses in the form of Wright Eclipse Gemini 3s. Since then Stagecoach stood the buses down in 2019 following the expiration of their 5 year lease and these buses are now found at Palmers Green operating on routes 34 and 102 under Arriva. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>April</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">April saw two changes, the first of which was another New Routemaster conversion. This time the route chosen was the late <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/hot-demand.html">route 10 between Hammersmith and King's Cross</a>. This released the Scania Omnicity buses on the route to another route later in the year. However as we all probably know route 10 subsequently got withdrawn in 2018 and now the New Routemasters that were ordered for it are found on route 27. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second change was a "homecoming" when <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/stagecoach-shambles.html">Stagecoach won back route 75 from Metrobus</a>. Brand new Enviro400 Hybrid buses were placed into service on the route. The first week even saw a Trident appearing on the route just like old times - however following this appearances became extremely rare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>May</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqUres0F4Eonz42FmB1EPH2SQPEUHnniMVcQCVNVOjN8vp9guEOkOV5tBQtQ3QDxn0fKaWKKRC8omjkf53hMc_cbHDpfZqlKcGUTgoUe_hGfMJFmfjsfuPawJxagSc0lmABPsQc74shc/s1600/11760742185_3661973235_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqUres0F4Eonz42FmB1EPH2SQPEUHnniMVcQCVNVOjN8vp9guEOkOV5tBQtQ3QDxn0fKaWKKRC8omjkf53hMc_cbHDpfZqlKcGUTgoUe_hGfMJFmfjsfuPawJxagSc0lmABPsQc74shc/s320/11760742185_3661973235_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">889 seen on the 75, the bus moved afterwards to BE<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like route 75 a week ago, route 54 also returned to its traditional home of Stagecoach at Catford (TL) the route was also allocated with a batch of Enviro400 Hybrid buses which it was to share with route 75. The Scania Olympi which used to be allocated to the 54 (and 75) made their way to Rainham (BE) at Blue Triangle where they were put to work on school routes in an attempt to modernise the fleet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the 10th of May a huge change occurred. Route 136 was extended to Elephant & Castle to help out the overcrowding of route 343 following years of complaints. This extension over the years became extremely successful and route 136 now has higher patronage figures than the 343! which is very unique considering it was only sent there to help in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May also saw interesting changes over in Ealing. Greenford (G) hadn't done themselves too well on tendering and had lost the E1, E3 and E10 to different operators. The E1 was going to Abellio, the E3 was going to RATP and E10 was going to Tellings Golden Miller - a subsidiary of Arriva. <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/know-your-routes-route-e1.html">The E1 was to use brand new Enviro400 Hybrids</a>, <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/know-your-routes-route-e3.html">the E3 was to use the Scania OmniCities</a> made free from the 10 while the <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/know-your-routes-route-e10.html">E10 was to get London's first Euro6 Enviro200s</a>. Since then the E10 has moved once again and is now found under Abellio's roof.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfAuJ_lNizKcBozHdtPbWArSGFAVeO6P6VNIHTfzstsRk9cson_nffL_kSx40qxgwwMg20eGK1N9vcgV9VR3UHP0dN72-S4kNNj8F80z3J4twPJnb9-0xWClXraXtkTGzD2G0B12vkJVu/s1600/14173782199_a163653080_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfAuJ_lNizKcBozHdtPbWArSGFAVeO6P6VNIHTfzstsRk9cson_nffL_kSx40qxgwwMg20eGK1N9vcgV9VR3UHP0dN72-S4kNNj8F80z3J4twPJnb9-0xWClXraXtkTGzD2G0B12vkJVu/s400/14173782199_a163653080_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tellings Golden Miller 3425 on route E10 - note the yellow band -<br />
at Greenford Broadway in the first week of operation out of Heathrow.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">© LondonBuses72</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-multi-phase.html">Route 38</a> became a fully allocated New Routemaster route, with CAs only partially operating on the route between Mildmay Park and Victoria. It was the first route to have a system like this and would become the only route to have such a system. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route H98 became an enthusiast attraction as <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/optare-delivers-quality.html">four Optare MetroCity electric buses were introduced to this route</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>June</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route S1 became a star this month as it became home to <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/optare-delivers-quality.html">London's first production batch of Optare MetroCitys</a>. These were to be London's only batch Diesel MetroCitys and are still plying the route to this very day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Metroline at Perivale West (PA) started a brand <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/wright-forget-you-scania-part-2.html">new contract on route 7</a>, which led to them introducing their first batch of Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses, making them the second operator to have a batch of them (after Stagecoach). The Scania Olympi on this route got subsequently allocated to route 297 and route 79. Route 7 has since had those buses replaced with more Gemini 3s while the buses originally ordered for the route are now at Holloway (HT) on routes 4 and 17. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7OziBy5Y2RZGIu9VjzBM66g-5W6H3TtSxFKeGvzBPR8ydF4QIcbZCDlf_EOUTDteRVLqunAJknG2k_IOARQBEvKoPsqc3w7_QBGadFqVmaFtKodmgYQI5pKvqzmg6ZuGbWZ-EmelgGE/s1600/14524177581_09e4068d71_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7OziBy5Y2RZGIu9VjzBM66g-5W6H3TtSxFKeGvzBPR8ydF4QIcbZCDlf_EOUTDteRVLqunAJknG2k_IOARQBEvKoPsqc3w7_QBGadFqVmaFtKodmgYQI5pKvqzmg6ZuGbWZ-EmelgGE/s320/14524177581_09e4068d71_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LT248 seen in Bow<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/stage-eight.html">Stagecoach route 8</a> became the latest New Routemaster conversion, and the first for Stagecoach. It became the second New Routemaster route to operate with no conductor at any point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quality Line introduced a few new Euro6 Diesel Enviro400s on routes 406 and 418. These two routes since have gained a Hybrid allocation and are now found at Tolworth (TV) garage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>July</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was a relatively quiet month. One service change occurred with route 286 moving from Arriva at Dartford (DT) to Go Ahead at New Cross (NX) with Enviro200s. The Enviro200s have since moved onto route 170 and the route is now allocated Wright Streetlites. It is also now based at a brand new garage at Morden Wharf (MG) in Greenwich. It is expected the route will soon transfer to Bexleyheath (BX) garage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>August</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhwGB3UdnNvoDbMMCphmXqSJObK0am7tkuIPha4cEMp-Q7H6wCFFDMPiYXQQMKlZ7etvmcSmnEZDYl2T-AHT3bRfSPgBhuU6LSFRNymFSldWdsUvCD-IBawaY_awi1BVW1JuGQGqj5nw/s1600/14914915782_8eefcd07df_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhwGB3UdnNvoDbMMCphmXqSJObK0am7tkuIPha4cEMp-Q7H6wCFFDMPiYXQQMKlZ7etvmcSmnEZDYl2T-AHT3bRfSPgBhuU6LSFRNymFSldWdsUvCD-IBawaY_awi1BVW1JuGQGqj5nw/s320/14914915782_8eefcd07df_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TA647 seen at Brent Cross<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-homecoming.html">Route 112</a> was to change operators this month, moving from Abellio at Hayes to Metroline at Cricklewood. Brand new Enviro200s were ordered however these buses were late being delivered and then even later entering service. A temporary allocation of ALX400s and Enviro400s was scraped together to run the route for the first few weeks until the Enviro200s were ready to enter service. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/stagecoach-shambles.html"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/stagecoach-shambles.html">Stagecoach retained the contract to route 205</a> this month. The Scania Omnicity buses were reallocated to route 277. The 205 gained brand new Enviro400 Hybrids which are still found on this very day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>September</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The star of this month was no doubt route 49, which made a move from London United at Shepherd's Bush (S) to Abellio at Battersea (QB). Brand new Enviro400 Hybrids were introduced on this route and they are still on the route today. The route is up for tender later this year so we will soon find out what the future holds for this route!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqJVC6GmB-dji9kLgslEF05v-5yM4GbSsiXKz65uPu4gmoSG5C2BVM12H8hnoGcvuEK5Yn0MPD5H-wHRJHxzUzM7-ZE8G9LEhFfNnGeh5q1QplrId_F15gqQBdFOL5celItXFrZdzlM0/s1600/20304395498_68a2cb0f19_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqJVC6GmB-dji9kLgslEF05v-5yM4GbSsiXKz65uPu4gmoSG5C2BVM12H8hnoGcvuEK5Yn0MPD5H-wHRJHxzUzM7-ZE8G9LEhFfNnGeh5q1QplrId_F15gqQBdFOL5celItXFrZdzlM0/s320/20304395498_68a2cb0f19_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something unique this month was the appearance of a few transferred Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 buses at Harrow Weald (HD). For years the garage had nothing but Plaxton President Volvo B7TLs so these provided an interesting change. They were to be allocated to newly won route 640 with crosslinks onto route 140. Route 640 has since moved onto Sullivan Buses operation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 100 made a move from Abellio London at Walworth (WL) to Go Ahead at Mandela Way (MW). Its Enviro200 buses were late arriving so Go Ahead temporarily loaned the existing Abellio Darts and Enviro200s. Route 100 moved to Silvertown (SI) when Mandela Way was closed and then moved to Camberwell (Q) at the end of 2019. It is now allocated electric Enviro200 EVs, its Enviro200s ordered for the route at found at Metrobus at Orpington (MB) and Morden Wharf (MG) on route 386.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6tcJ4fhFJA1sAzfGMtq7I_-gVj-6APjmm1ZKfNcbWIch0ZxVcfJGRlzJPTgb8n_bTyDGkxQAYPXWZW5B-q9jo526Kg22nw3-14HHD89SYdA_WArRFuijCC1KDdGExnrVMViHDOtF8ag/s1600/16298661581_b1a6cfefeb_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1536" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6tcJ4fhFJA1sAzfGMtq7I_-gVj-6APjmm1ZKfNcbWIch0ZxVcfJGRlzJPTgb8n_bTyDGkxQAYPXWZW5B-q9jo526Kg22nw3-14HHD89SYdA_WArRFuijCC1KDdGExnrVMViHDOtF8ag/s320/16298661581_b1a6cfefeb_o.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8517 on route 201<br />
© Unorm</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following some time, route 453 became the next New Routemaster conversion. It too was fully driver operation only.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Abellio continued a good year for them with a win on route 201 with brand new Enviro200 buses introduced on the route. Although they were a bit late arriving so existing Enviro200s helped out temporarily drafted in from elsewhere in the company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 112 finally got its promised Enviro200 buses after two months worth of delays. These buses still ply the route today, although are now topped up by a few Enviro200 MMC buses after they were incorrectly ordered for route 393. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">November</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAm8u9mA3Z8IVIFiPo2_eirh0Yr7xn7A21yUcPXnWMJyZ0tNXPvTwR40XPblpKvBlQIErFmEcjEowcdzksAVk-9aGCjWQKCQLom0AqiLJlV0xcvNXz-aXnFWbr9HmbcihbitYLWP8now/s1600/15423965360_392815e83d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAm8u9mA3Z8IVIFiPo2_eirh0Yr7xn7A21yUcPXnWMJyZ0tNXPvTwR40XPblpKvBlQIErFmEcjEowcdzksAVk-9aGCjWQKCQLom0AqiLJlV0xcvNXz-aXnFWbr9HmbcihbitYLWP8now/s320/15423965360_392815e83d_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DEL2070 seen at Brent Cross<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">North East London had a few changes this month. Route 192 made a move from Arriva to Go Ahead at Northumberland Park (NP). New Streetlites were ordered but the buses arrived late so Go Ahead had to temporarily hire the existing Arriva Darts and Enviro200s. Since then route 192 has moved back to Arriva operation and is now found allocated with Enviro200 MMCs. Its Wright Streetlites are to move to Metrobus at Orpington (MB) for routes 354 and R7, while a few will stay for the impending gain of route 456.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriva's bad luck continued with the loss route route 34, unexpectedly to Metroline. This brought Metroline to Walthamstow for the first time. The route was to get brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini 3s, however some of the buses were late arriving so the first month saw mixed operation with the new buses and some existing Enviro400 buses. Since then Arriva has also won this route back and it is based at Palmers Green (AD).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5hBkLGI8pg399w9Aw5HfPtqfG844wp73vkRhR3a9hOiMUQ8Z0Ll80BLNZhb2sD2pz4r8vLsxQXtp2FenMWccCLLvgJ5QER2hLbvnCIwZNaZiEg_a8hdK9rKNoUSTM27-Dj220L2Zuin0/s1600/13034463034_fad8bb714f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5hBkLGI8pg399w9Aw5HfPtqfG844wp73vkRhR3a9hOiMUQ8Z0Ll80BLNZhb2sD2pz4r8vLsxQXtp2FenMWccCLLvgJ5QER2hLbvnCIwZNaZiEg_a8hdK9rKNoUSTM27-Dj220L2Zuin0/s320/13034463034_fad8bb714f_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PDL139 finishes a journey on route 192 at Tottenham Hale.<br />
© LondonBuses72</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Abellio's winning streak continued, <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/s4-s-for-stylish-or-silly.html">route S4 became the latest win</a>. This was quite a blow to Quality Line who had provisionally ordered Enviro200s for the route's tender...although these then got switched to route S3 instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>December</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month was relatively quiet to end off a busy year. <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/wright-from-wrong.html">Route 137 became the last New Routemaster conversion</a> of the year before everything quietened down for Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We thank you for reading this post. Stay safe, stay indoors, save lives. We'll see you soon to look at 2015.</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-89552999687540647652020-04-25T16:00:00.000+01:002020-04-26T00:58:06.595+01:00Taking you through the years: 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've been around for about 7 years and a bit now...and counting. It's been a rough start to the year for the world because of <i>that </i>c-word so how about something to lift those spirits by strolling down, past the better times, to Memory Lane.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01DXYo-uinCfEJhOoUP3UW48z6opHZG1oJbDth7YGl545KcENEN3cJTM7Nu2kEixjPesEH44AzbGfF_DpdjxEi14g7vzqAzahsSfvo7k7Dr5K2dBwcwomT4DEDoU5bfaYV3pBKFzMCAfG/s1600/8551867651_4288a737f9_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01DXYo-uinCfEJhOoUP3UW48z6opHZG1oJbDth7YGl545KcENEN3cJTM7Nu2kEixjPesEH44AzbGfF_DpdjxEi14g7vzqAzahsSfvo7k7Dr5K2dBwcwomT4DEDoU5bfaYV3pBKFzMCAfG/s320/8551867651_4288a737f9_h.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Phwoar, remember this!</b><br />
First London TN33191 on route 607</td></tr>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>2013</b></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: medium;"><b>The way buses look has really changed</b></span><br />
The year was 2013 back when we started, right at the beginning of it. The country was still on cloud nine following what was a rather successful 2012 Olympic, which London itself was proud to host for the third time. Times were different then in the transport industry, several bus routes were still around that aren't now, and likewise, a number of bus routes didn't exist at the time.<br />
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A massive difference which I am sure you will remember is also the fact that transport giant First operated a good chunk of bus routes in London, having built a massive empire particularly across West London. The shock that came to many of us that all of this was to be sold practically overnight on the 22nd June.<br />
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On the left is a type we sadly no longer have in London anymore, quite literally the President of buses. A Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident 2 operating limited stop route 607 - since this photo was taken, the route had been upgraded to a mixture of Wright Eclipse Gemini 1 buses and Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s shortly after. What's more shocking (where has the time gone?!) is that the route has now been upgraded once again to new MCV Evoseti bodied Volvo B5LHs.<br />
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This is a prime example of how much even the specification of buses has changed since the 2000s. London buses are not allowed to have operator logos or decals either side of the destination display as shown here, something First were well known for doing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvHLeZkPyRjkmL8S1wMjz3ABeXyjXhlUHsR0Hu7ULPU6N7lxwJ1vgbMGe1qaDIZcbfbjz2UCfz_QrDsWBwdTdV0WFW2S9dVvr47IRrtjrE9TZVOgiXaNni-LhWQLrB8mQMmAjL-cWwe38/s1600/8553231260_271dc4a70f_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvHLeZkPyRjkmL8S1wMjz3ABeXyjXhlUHsR0Hu7ULPU6N7lxwJ1vgbMGe1qaDIZcbfbjz2UCfz_QrDsWBwdTdV0WFW2S9dVvr47IRrtjrE9TZVOgiXaNni-LhWQLrB8mQMmAjL-cWwe38/s320/8553231260_271dc4a70f_h.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TP411 (LK03 CFE) on route E2 in Northfields</td></tr>
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Something else that has massively changed is the mass-disappearance of skirts on all TfL buses. It perhaps could be viewed as a shame and a loss of colour across London's busy roads, only to be done in favour of a uniform 100% corporate red on all new and refurbished buses regardless of operator. In 2020 we have <u>very few</u> buses left with skirts, notably the odd older-generation Go-Ahead London bus but it may be very likely that after this year we will have reached a state where every bus is fully red.<br />
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Demonstrating what it is that we're talking about, is TP411, now long since withdrawn, a Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident 2 with the famous Metroline blue skirt and white band and the original logo with the orange stripes through the 't' (it's the little things!) on route E2 in Northfields. The last of these types were replaced by more Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 buses around 2015-2016.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Some routes have really changed operators countless times...</b></span><br />
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Route 266, between Brent Cross and Hammersmith (or so it was at the time!), has changed countless times in the last 7 years. When we started in January 2013, the route had only been settling in at it's new home, Atlas Road (AS) (remember that?!) under a shock tender win when First had nabbed the route in May 2012. The route was to use a mixture of new and existing (but even they were only a few months old) Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs that were in use on flagship route 23 at Westbourne Park (X) garage.<br />
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The route has changed a lot since then and we'll probably see it again later in this series of commemorative posts but only in brief. But to sum up all the changes, Atlas Road (AS) had been purchased by then-new Australian bus operator Transit Systems, who would trade in London as Tower Transit. This would be the deal for the remaining 4 years of the contract until Metroline nabbed the route back from Cricklewood (W) garage in 2017 using 10-year old Enviro 400s - the exact same ones that had operated the route 2007-2012.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO0GKhiBBi9FuEKE6OvG68qYAoKwmojTiDXHe8bIsYxqIOmZ3iczOB1-AWhQJSNev1lPGYa1RJu906-qiqz9oEZCJbLU8W0fl5qcmUlN1I5rrn2-eosF7rV5REuOZKpG6Yke_Fp5jGJv4/s1600/8590697554_a766afccc3_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO0GKhiBBi9FuEKE6OvG68qYAoKwmojTiDXHe8bIsYxqIOmZ3iczOB1-AWhQJSNev1lPGYa1RJu906-qiqz9oEZCJbLU8W0fl5qcmUlN1I5rrn2-eosF7rV5REuOZKpG6Yke_Fp5jGJv4/s400/8590697554_a766afccc3_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photography skills were not great at the time - but here is VN36292<br />
at Horn Lane in Acton back in January 2013. This bus has since been withdrawn<br />
from TfL service and now lives in Bath with an independent bus operator.</td></tr>
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This was a short-term special contract that was only to last 2 years as the network of buses across West London was to be massively redesigned in the anticipation that Elizabeth line services would start in 2019. However, as we know how <i>that </i>story ended, the £15bn railway had gained a new name, the £18bn railway and was delayed into the early 2020s and depending on the impacts of this virus, it is nearly definitely to be delayed again as construction work has ground to a halt.<br />
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Despite all of this, TfL still pushed ahead with the planned bus network changes and so on the 7th December 2019, route 266 was cut so that it only ran between Brent Cross and Acton, Old Town Hall. The section between Acton and Hammersmith would continue to be served at night by a newly created N266, and during the day by new single decker route 218 (Tower Transit, North Acton to Hammersmith) and double decker route 306 (RATP Group, Acton Vale to Fulham, Sands End). The new contract was also timed to start on this day, which saw Metroline lose the route again to RATP Group using a mixture of existing diesel and hybrid vehicles from the 81 and 94.<br />
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As a bit of trivia, is route 266 the route that has changed operator the most in the last 10 years? Let us know in the comments if you find another route that can beat this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWIkAR3MKpRSMIrc4G0q6FMNH3aKiNHPO_jh5-ezn3WBV2kH0Tl0t8XedcRkuk89vxHCGJxYTplBXTXpVbNaTSJ5uiqRW6d_ivzIhNx9nnBjpa-OSrhSJr-aKwC05xdLln2Gh7eVhefxj/s1600/8844288799_af0e27a19d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWIkAR3MKpRSMIrc4G0q6FMNH3aKiNHPO_jh5-ezn3WBV2kH0Tl0t8XedcRkuk89vxHCGJxYTplBXTXpVbNaTSJ5uiqRW6d_ivzIhNx9nnBjpa-OSrhSJr-aKwC05xdLln2Gh7eVhefxj/s400/8844288799_af0e27a19d_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WVL417 (LX11 CWZ) on route 425 at Stratford</td></tr>
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Route 425 is another route that will have changed operators a couple of times. When we first started, Go-Ahead London had been operating the route from their Docklands Buses base in Silvertown (SI) using a mixture of Gemini 2 and Scania OmniCity buses. The route was introduced in 2008 as a successor to route S2 (Stratford - Bow - Clapton) and was a local service running about every 12 minutes between Stratford, Bus Station and Clapton, Nightingale Road.<br />
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First had won the route upon tender in 2013 with brand new Enviro 400 buses. However this may be one of the more weirder tender wins in the history book, as First had submitted the bid in 2012 and had won the route from Lea Interchange (LI) garage for a contract starting August 2013. But as they were keen to sell up and move away from the London bus scene quickly, the depot had been sold to Transit Systems by the end of June that year. This meant that along with all the assets they took over, the 425 contract automatically had been novated, with Tower Transit using the buses First had procured (in their livery and interior fit out too) using the same contract terms and obligations that First had won the route on. So despite winning the route, First never actually operated the route even for a day.<br />
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Fast forward several years later to 2018 and an interesting turn of events occurred. Route 425 had been chosen to be extended from Stratford, Bus Station along the A118 Romford Road to Ilford (paralleling routes 25 and 86) in a bid to boost capacity and connectivity but also merge the route with the short journeys route 25 had to Mile End. This saw Gemini 2 buses return to the 425 as a part of the allocation as the route became a high profile trunk route.<br />
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Later this year, the route alongside sister route 25 will start a new contract at Stagecoach from Bow (BW) garage with brand new buses. The contract start date may be liable to change. If this does happen, <a href="http://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">our tenders page will be immediately altered to reflect this.</a><br />
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There's a lot to get through in 2013, and we're a big believer in a picture paints a thousand words so for the rest of this post, here's some photos that sum up the bus scene 7 years ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgUyS_22GvFWDseVIZV47tnCt7WOTNTWimBn3H5hxMuq2wJWEVmhCZzAdYrndHWpWRup56IAwl1ZfwmrpQVujuW9cbILkukhE1KzEXJAHSALHt3Wr9GS_MHSL8r6PaSnEF_gm5RdpAcny/s1600/8633572345_23f68e13bf_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgUyS_22GvFWDseVIZV47tnCt7WOTNTWimBn3H5hxMuq2wJWEVmhCZzAdYrndHWpWRup56IAwl1ZfwmrpQVujuW9cbILkukhE1KzEXJAHSALHt3Wr9GS_MHSL8r6PaSnEF_gm5RdpAcny/s400/8633572345_23f68e13bf_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route 207 was host to a unique (and well missed!) batch of Scania OmniCities. These were the last production batch built for London and the only ones that First had ordered, to enable the double decking of route 207 from articulated bendy bus operation. First wanted to order Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 or Enviro 400 buses however given that the book orders were full up with Olympic 2012 deliveries, they decided to sample Scania buses instead. These have since been withdrawn and some can be found with Ipswich Buses. Route 207 is now operated by Abellio London after Metroline lost it in April 2019.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI90u6l6yx19v6ioBMr-_vmWeCY2OERlCCakg_7MvXhgMgmRCOd2kZjbLtDcXc816DbKoC3pPGF6ePaS4Es0vGV14FvaSqiCGumoZ7PtbcJYL_eZXHbafSQYCq_3J_JiQznQzJHzn3VJV/s1600/10494414953_eea5fc3400_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI90u6l6yx19v6ioBMr-_vmWeCY2OERlCCakg_7MvXhgMgmRCOd2kZjbLtDcXc816DbKoC3pPGF6ePaS4Es0vGV14FvaSqiCGumoZ7PtbcJYL_eZXHbafSQYCq_3J_JiQznQzJHzn3VJV/s400/10494414953_eea5fc3400_k.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route 185 was awarded to London Easylink in 2001 using 20 Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs - numbered VP1-20 from a garage just off the Old Kent Road. This was short lived as just over a year later, the company goes into liquidation. East Thames Buses, the arms-length company owned by TfL, took over the failed routes from their depot in Belvedere (BV) alongside a few others as this happened. In 2009, ETB was sold off to Go-Ahead London along with the routes, buses and staff and ever since, the 185 has operated from Camberwell (Q) garage. The VPs interestingly were never re-classed as PVLs, but the buses were given a charcoal skirt and Go-Ahead logos until their withdrawal a few days after this photo was taken. Route 185 uses newer hybrid buses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X0W4GgAQsh99K25XrlLs30aRXWwgmjcRkHsh-GAMhZa-0iWzl8dt8ed89_l8jXjL6y722qk9TYYyY_htF_46-tEnYLb_t9ULeiwdA12rmkeSq6mNMXYpOLI8A_-8BPrLnvYtVhjyxTmO/s1600/8817540226_66fa2a7c6d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X0W4GgAQsh99K25XrlLs30aRXWwgmjcRkHsh-GAMhZa-0iWzl8dt8ed89_l8jXjL6y722qk9TYYyY_htF_46-tEnYLb_t9ULeiwdA12rmkeSq6mNMXYpOLI8A_-8BPrLnvYtVhjyxTmO/s400/8817540226_66fa2a7c6d_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SLE34 (YN55 NKC) is seen on Oxford Street on a wet day in late May, 2013. This was back when<br />
Transdev's London operations had not been purchased by RATP Group. The same summer would see their flagship route 13 from Edgware (BT) garage be upgraded to Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LH buses (VHs) - with reg plates of the buses even altered affectionately to have 'BT13' as the first 4 digits. The OmniDekkas were then moved to route 292 to displace older Plaxton President buses. As for the 13...the route was withdrawn in 2017 (Golders Green to Aldwych) and replaced by an extended 113 and 139. Overnight also saw route 82 (North Finchley to Victoria) renumbered as the 13. <br />
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In compensation of the original 13 being discontinued, the 139 was taken over by RATP Group (on the 13's contract, it gets very complicated). Route 139's own contract had expired on the 1st April 2017, and so did route 82. This summer, route 139 (still on the 13's contract that started August 2013) will return home to Metroline's Cricklewood (W) garage using buses displaced off route 34.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAlyC2tOAaGc3INQDajG6FkTrAT7_7pNfyBZxBFBWO4x53lrfBj3xM1FhOYZZTd1x6U3egOSNsolH1ATpsjIiIxTF9J_9ccc9Nnn0nofqM383_xRnJl8p8GcubQeB3H4JRuev7mFJNacs/s1600/8590770836_0940b36ca6_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAlyC2tOAaGc3INQDajG6FkTrAT7_7pNfyBZxBFBWO4x53lrfBj3xM1FhOYZZTd1x6U3egOSNsolH1ATpsjIiIxTF9J_9ccc9Nnn0nofqM383_xRnJl8p8GcubQeB3H4JRuev7mFJNacs/s400/8590770836_0940b36ca6_h.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticking with the theme of routes that were altered in the 'Finchley Road' scheme of 2017, TA640 (LK05 GFX) is seen on a one-way Baker Street approaching Oxford Street. Diesel buses are no longer allowed in regular TfL service into the ULEZ area which mostly covers Central London but this was taken at a time long- predating these rules. Route 266 as aforementioned in this post had left Cricklewood (W) for Atlas Road (AS), leaving behind 22 7-year old TA-class buses. Whilst they found new homes on routes 32 and 210, it was still somewhat normal to see them stray on Central London routes. Route 189 has since been cut back to Marble Arch and has been converted to Borismaster (LT) operation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until 2018, route 36's allocation - truthfully, if it did actually have one! - was somewhat of an interesting combination. Buses of all ages, makes and models seemed to have frequented the route and it was effectively pot luck on what bus would turn up. One of the more veteran residents of the route out of New Cross was PVL159 (X559 EGK). As you got further into the 2010s, it became somewhat a phenomenon to actually see a bus with a skirt, the original London Central logo (and not the standard Go-Ahead London one) and a 6-point destination blind! What may have rounded this off would be the destination in full capital letters. The bus was withdrawn in 2016 and the route in 2018 eventually received a standard allocation of brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC Hybrids.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgx2QXWAfB7qXjMKLqayHi1FP0n3Rx5mbqEH0XWau-Sd33oFXhWc_ALU7R7BVkeRQexfpwe6FAcSuIpH0kkelSC7Ca9cTc2hJB3lh7tIrWhPWcDSz7XsJnbFop8osyYT4F_RIZ0TELS6X/s1600/8971945491_c86fa17f9d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgx2QXWAfB7qXjMKLqayHi1FP0n3Rx5mbqEH0XWau-Sd33oFXhWc_ALU7R7BVkeRQexfpwe6FAcSuIpH0kkelSC7Ca9cTc2hJB3lh7tIrWhPWcDSz7XsJnbFop8osyYT4F_RIZ0TELS6X/s400/8971945491_c86fa17f9d_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First's DMV33404 takes a breather at Brent Park, Tesco only a few months after taking over route 206 from Metroline. The route received new longer buses and at the time was one of the first routes in London to be allocated 10.8m Enviro 200s - this practice soon became the standard practice, in order to maximise available capacity. The irony is, only just over a year after the 206 had left Metroline...it returned back home to Metroline after Willesden Junction (WJ) garage was sold to them. The DMVs were re-classed as DELs, complying with Metroline's fleetnumbering system and can still be found on the route today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E209, covered in a Vodafone 'Freebees' all-over advert wrap, comes into Victoria on route 436 to Paddington. This was taken a couple of years after the 436 was converted from bendy-bus operation to double deckers following our now PM, Boris Johnson's, mayoral election promises. Go-Ahead London decided to allocate the route with a partial allocation (in 2010/2011/2012 this was the norm) of new Enviro 400 diesel buses, and the remaining allocation to be new Enviro 400 hybrid buses. However a few years later, TfL took what was widely regarded as a bizzare choice to withdraw the 436 away from Central London and send it to Battersea Park instead. At the same time, Go-Ahead London ousted the part diesel allocation and replaced it with WHV-class buses released from route 12.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another route that has changed operators - and at the time of posting is actually the last operator change we've had - is the 482. From its inception in 2008, it has gone between 3 different operators. At the time this as taken, RATP Group operated the route from Hounslow Heath (HH) garage using Scania OmniCities SP16-25. However a unique type in London is shown here, SP3, which is one of 15 low-height Scania OmniCities with an N94 engine (normally found on the older OmniDekkas). Following the creation of the N230 chassis soon after 2006, this combination was quickly no longer produced.<br />
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The route was lost in 2015 to Metroline West from Greenford (G) garage using cast-off Enviro 400s released from the loss of routes E1 and E3 only for the route to be awarded to Abellio in March 2020 with brand new Enviro 400 MMC 'smart hybrid' buses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner<br />
This was taken on a day when First at Dagenham (DM) were operating a rail replacement service through the Blackwall Tunnel, requiring the single deckers from routes 165 and 368 to be used. In turn the 165 and 368 used double decker allocations, and at the time this was very unique on the 368. However since then the 368 has been fully converted to Double Decker operation but is now found under Arriva's roof at Barking (DX) with Enviro400s and Wright Pulsar Gemini 2s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner<br />
17846 stands at a temporary stand at Tottenham Court Road. This was taken at a time when the 8 was temporarily cut back to Tottenham Court Road from one end and to Old Ford at the other end. Since then the Tottenham Court Road curtailment was made permanent, and on top of that the 8 has now temporarily been cut back even further to Holborn Station. The Tridents are now long gone with the 8 being operated by New Routemaster vehicles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqalsAeGs5npagZ9EFhG1Zs45aCm5qaDcAFd0C7IF-Sum_15GiNceHXFpvfhIaEd71nGfha4bCX3YJShZDavpIbee0fMLWFRWkS4byo3kbvRHXoXlUhK1NkD0OzP0thGL2AE9vi1MAzhA/s1600/10364497803_d5759ca3c9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqalsAeGs5npagZ9EFhG1Zs45aCm5qaDcAFd0C7IF-Sum_15GiNceHXFpvfhIaEd71nGfha4bCX3YJShZDavpIbee0fMLWFRWkS4byo3kbvRHXoXlUhK1NkD0OzP0thGL2AE9vi1MAzhA/s320/10364497803_d5759ca3c9_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© EastLondoner<br />
DLA213 crosses Westminster Bridge with the London Eye in the background. The 159 used to be allocated similar VLA class buses and also used to operate back to Paddington Basin. The route has since succumbed to one of TfL's Central London cuts and now only operates as far as Marble Arch in Central London. Soon after this the 159 made a very surprising move from Arriva London to Abellio London and is now found at Battersea (QB) allocated new Routemaster vehicles. </td></tr>
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We hope you found this post interesting - thanks for reading and share your memories of buses in the comments below on our Twitter @LConnectedBlog. Hopefully we'll have some more memories on the way shortly to share with you. <b>Stay safe. Stay indoors. Save lives. Protect the NHS.</b></div>
London Connectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11287662204344788819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-4681623320391970272020-03-11T20:25:00.002+00:002020-03-12T13:03:37.082+00:00Electrical Chingford<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It still feels like yesterday when I wrote my first ever post for this blog, it was a post about Tower Transit's gains of routes 212, 444 and 488. Since then five years have flown by really quickly and routes 212 and 444 have moved on once again on tender, this time moving to Go Ahead London at Northumberland Park (NP). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can only apologise due to the lack of posts on the blog as of late. I have been really busy and have been struggling to fit in time for buses, coupled with the lack of service changes between December and March it's led to a "post drought" on the blog, however thankfully I have managed to find some time to cover the first service change of the year. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BH63101 seen at Turnpike Lane<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tower Transit mysteriously had won the contract to these two routes back in 2014 despite their nearest garage, Lea Interchange (LI) wasn't particularly near either route. Soon it was made public that Tower Transit had applied for planning permission for a new garage in Edmonton which would be a good base to run both routes from, however routes 212 and 444 were operated from LI in the meantime. Some months later Tower Transit didn't continue to pursue the planning application for the site and routes 212 and 444 remained operating out of Lea Interchange (LI). </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not much had actually changed about the routes since the team wrote a</span><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-new-transition.html" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> post 5 years ago </a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the matter. Although one major change did come in following the PVR reduction and subsequent withdrawal of route RV1 when the Hydrogen buses that were allocated to that route were deployed onto route 444. Both variants of the Hydrogen vehicles would appear often on the route, the Wright and VanHool variants. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WSH62995 seen at Chingford on Tower Transit's last day of 444 operation<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WV46204 seen on stand at Chingford on LI's last day<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Hydrogen vehicles were still supplemented by the Streetlites that were initially ordered for the route. Although some of the allocation did move on to Westbourne Park (X) for use on route 218 which was <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/12/hammering-changes.html">introduced in December 2019</a>. The photo that I have included of the Streetlite isn't actually part of the batch that was ordered for the 444, but are actually part of a newer batch that was later ordered for the contract renewal of route 236, I never did get around to taking a picture of the Streetlites from the 444s own batch. However both batches did intermix quite frequently and there isn't a huge difference between the buses as a passenger. I'm not too sure what's in stock for the 444s batch of Streetlites that didn't end up going to Westbourne Park (X).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWffnuWmkiu01qeOejLVOrd45z_H-6RKG6HHWjIvUNjoeQScphZRiLUIpthWX_RhJQ7SsBpV25EPbHp4O-mqaWhoHUauAW0LCGcAuIqRGCT3__cHpa-21vj3g7cFXTLViWKWhx9hECts/s1600/20200302_171228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWffnuWmkiu01qeOejLVOrd45z_H-6RKG6HHWjIvUNjoeQScphZRiLUIpthWX_RhJQ7SsBpV25EPbHp4O-mqaWhoHUauAW0LCGcAuIqRGCT3__cHpa-21vj3g7cFXTLViWKWhx9hECts/s320/20200302_171228.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH38106 seen at Walthamstow Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 212 didn't have as an exciting allocation as route 444 did under Tower Transit, it predominantly stuck with its allocated Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses throughout the contract, however there were common appearances of Gemini 2 B9TLs which were also found at the garage. In 2017 the newer style of Gemini 3 buses did also start making appearances when they were introduced to LI following a PVR reduction on route 328 at Westbourne Park. I have included pictures of both types of Gemini 3s on the route, however unfortunately. I do not have a picture of the Gemini 2s that did the route. The Gemini 3s that were allocated to route 212 are now heading off lease so are unlikely to see further use within the company. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-Sskf8-TZcVpxJ401MmzV5Wz06fWq7SZuOsEuw87809ThbNkF4uTlGCE3ryyE2xRDLYTCSekgygn87vRd8UZ1boObR7gQ-5fW1mGO1aVgNDMps8vetZSgBJ43BULNih0OLPVBdHmwE4/s1600/20190816_174005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-Sskf8-TZcVpxJ401MmzV5Wz06fWq7SZuOsEuw87809ThbNkF4uTlGCE3ryyE2xRDLYTCSekgygn87vRd8UZ1boObR7gQ-5fW1mGO1aVgNDMps8vetZSgBJ43BULNih0OLPVBdHmwE4/s400/20190816_174005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH38115 seen at Walthamstow Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't come as too much of a surprise when on the 31st of May it was announced that routes 212 and 444 would make the move to Go Ahead London. Route 444 was to get new electric buses while route 212 was to get new Hybrid buses....or was it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Go Ahead London won/retained a few more routes the month afterwards and a few of the routes, 106, 230 and 357 were awarded with their bus type to be confirmed. A few months later it was confirmed that all three, alongside route 212 were to get brand new electric double decker buses. At the same time making Northumberland Park Western Europe's biggest electric bus depot. The electric order was for brand new Enviro200 MMC EVs for the 444, similar to those found on other routes in London and Enviro400 City EVs for the double decker routes, similar to those found on the 43 and 94. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Enviro400 Citys were delivered in time for the new contract, just barely however with some buses still arriving during the week of the takeover. Although Go Ahead did manage to avert any delay to service due to type training by using a demonstrator bus to type train the drivers in the weeks prior to the takeover. The brand new Enviro400 City EVs were to be coded Ee, similar to the SEe used for their single decker variants. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnPBOn45CHfPGCofH_BZ3C7u3eE5M-nAdy1JZE3Iyh_JeOfM-8HDUT_YjjTFS34RmtaGVUmryP3YQnpwVPTzved-UGw3bTdcfIpW4dKxiBet6OHVNrhQ0dyJR3IqrtbhMJyKNCTLVKT0/s1600/20200311_130041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnPBOn45CHfPGCofH_BZ3C7u3eE5M-nAdy1JZE3Iyh_JeOfM-8HDUT_YjjTFS34RmtaGVUmryP3YQnpwVPTzved-UGw3bTdcfIpW4dKxiBet6OHVNrhQ0dyJR3IqrtbhMJyKNCTLVKT0/s320/20200311_130041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ee8 seen at St James' Street<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went out on the Wednesday after the take-over to see how the buses performed and how the service was getting along. I met the 212 at St James' Street, my bus was Ee2 and would be my ride to Chingford. Once we left it wasn't too long until we caught up the bus in front, and were made to regulate for 5-6 minutes to help even the service out. The bus was relatively lightly loaded through the journey, probably expected for a journey just after 1pm. Like all other Enviro400 City EVs these buses do not have any rear lower deck windows due to the placement of the batteries. Like all new buses from Go Ahead these buses are also equipped with wing cameras instead of wing mirrors in order to give the driver a wider field of view and to reduce the blind spot on the vehicle. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Deck Interior</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The interior on these vehicles, apart from the lack of rear window is similar to all other Enviro400 City EVs like those you would find on the 43 and 94. Key differences between the standard Hybrid and EV versions include two sets in front of the stairs upstairs, and two seats directly behind the driver on the lower deck. There are also no rear facing seats on the lower deck due to the rear seats being placed on the wheelarch due to the space taken up by the batteries at the rear </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of the bus. This does also heavily reduce the legroom available at the rear seats, so that might be something to bear in mind should you be quite tall. The air conditioning on this vehicle also had made its presence known, something that actually made me quite happy to be wearing a thick jacket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S1Ca98v-T5irtkRY1zLr6cMhtAP-4E0tUobU475ZLVV80U1QetNciy1lKvkvCUxeqLdtsNkMSVDi3Xaj2oMtIu3CN6-wFnkZ9u4Z57gZ1ojd2tFd0MeAM5FRGcUjqgnxh_m7Letpmmw/s1600/20200311_132634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S1Ca98v-T5irtkRY1zLr6cMhtAP-4E0tUobU475ZLVV80U1QetNciy1lKvkvCUxeqLdtsNkMSVDi3Xaj2oMtIu3CN6-wFnkZ9u4Z57gZ1ojd2tFd0MeAM5FRGcUjqgnxh_m7Letpmmw/s400/20200311_132634.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Deck Interior</td></tr>
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The buses themselves are wonderful to ride on, and in my opinion some of the best buses London currently has to offer. There are also still more batches to come for Northumberland Park (NP) for the gains of the 106, 230 and the retain of the 357. Arriva are also due a batch in early 2021 for route 319 out of Brixton (BN). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ee2 seen at St James' Street<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unlike the buses for the 212, the buses for route 444 were not all on time. Some of the batch arrived in time for the takeover however during the first few days, and as I write this post some existing Enviro200s are helping make up the majority of the allocation on the route alongside a few new electric buses. The existing Enviro200s have come from route 364, which recently <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/11/light-at-end-of-tunnel.html">got an allocation of new buses</a>. These should soon be replaced as the new electric buses continue to arrive. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60SJkH5yi7ypfULtCs9pBlFs-kMjnt4WqNSTEJjyfE81RgROq6uRnHfsq5SKfvu4O6rboryIlCpxeg-TvEa0JWVSyi_Lirx1zO9Nc-8r3Tfh3QnTQtRG-MhXZ3SqfIhiyHzYaJa0pyDA/s1600/20200309_144004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60SJkH5yi7ypfULtCs9pBlFs-kMjnt4WqNSTEJjyfE81RgROq6uRnHfsq5SKfvu4O6rboryIlCpxeg-TvEa0JWVSyi_Lirx1zO9Nc-8r3Tfh3QnTQtRG-MhXZ3SqfIhiyHzYaJa0pyDA/s400/20200309_144004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SE29 seen on stand at Turnpike Lane<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j4RxDGzViITO8uf07LdrFnsu8o18Ds0UHRGtP4iOV0zqwQm3QZyDjhbjJskdjRLWJNH53dWegeIYW6xBN0PuoD1MGNtxWvy7TevqoiQGM2ncTJY3jtxah5fnUeqY0Sdy2_t-Cet9hLY/s1600/20200311_134553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j4RxDGzViITO8uf07LdrFnsu8o18Ds0UHRGtP4iOV0zqwQm3QZyDjhbjJskdjRLWJNH53dWegeIYW6xBN0PuoD1MGNtxWvy7TevqoiQGM2ncTJY3jtxah5fnUeqY0Sdy2_t-Cet9hLY/s320/20200311_134553.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SEe110 seen entering Chingford Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the first day of Go Ahead London's operation it became apparent why the 444s electric buses were running late. They were to be the first buses of a new design to further optimise the layout of the vehicle for operation. Key changes included making the battery pod at the top of the bus a bit shorter, however now spanning the entire length of the bus and making the bus slightly longer from 10.8m to 10.9m. There is also an upgraded heating and air conditioning system which uses less energy, and this in turn allows the range of the vehicle itself to be extended. This signifies further development in the successful partnership between Alexander Dennis and BYD with both sides working together to optimise the vehicle to suit the needs of its customers. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPDvIyrE1_FNE2xvycq9PYUtIdjoobp35mvsZ5gu52cVbqc07-bVVdO4Dns48AJqR05uxmm2sTf5B9RrjJZ4RYH8uzHFsa6jblF-dP3v2hmjc2IOm6_sjr47sxh00Sg2nc67ez3y4SuE/s1600/20200311_134808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPDvIyrE1_FNE2xvycq9PYUtIdjoobp35mvsZ5gu52cVbqc07-bVVdO4Dns48AJqR05uxmm2sTf5B9RrjJZ4RYH8uzHFsa6jblF-dP3v2hmjc2IOm6_sjr47sxh00Sg2nc67ez3y4SuE/s320/20200311_134808.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SEe110 seen at Chingford Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I went to do the route thankfully I didn't have to wait that long for the bus to turn up as SEe110 was already on stand. Automatically upon boarding I noticed the effectiveness of the new air conditioning system which was doing a good job in keeping the bus cool. It wasn't that long until we left. The bus itself is similar in ride quality to all other BYD Enviro200 EVs found throughout London, something I am becoming increasingly used to due to the popularity of the vehicle among operators. As we approached Chingford Mount the air conditioning showed no sign of slowing down and I was getting uncomfortably cold in the bus so I decided to get off there. It's no doubt that the improvements are working well - maybe too well!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmhVPM6Ps7Ui4SrdV-q2hrtAdFZxeHT2JyKXG6HJeJYpVNSl2yK2Np-mgbIn-aiU7tjHqYuutcfGMEaGUGy8i-coY4m-GH_VHquRyTLqk9rphPRv-JDWYIVPq_5uG0P5Tyzyfz_Taxjc/s1600/20200311_115258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmhVPM6Ps7Ui4SrdV-q2hrtAdFZxeHT2JyKXG6HJeJYpVNSl2yK2Np-mgbIn-aiU7tjHqYuutcfGMEaGUGy8i-coY4m-GH_VHquRyTLqk9rphPRv-JDWYIVPq_5uG0P5Tyzyfz_Taxjc/s320/20200311_115258.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something which took a few people by surprise over the first few days was the presence of a mysterious WVN when the route was searched on LVF. It was later confirmed that this was actually SED1, an Enviro200 MMC demonstrator which had previously been used on route 39 and route W14. I managed to come across it when waiting for SEe110 to depart Chingford. I'm not sure how long this bus is expected to be around, so if you want a ride on it this time around you might want to head for route 444 sooner rather than later, the same can also be said for the diesel Enviro200s that are temporarily plying the route alongside the electric buses as these are expected to be gone from the route within the next two weeks. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SEe110 and SED1 seen at Chingford<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall routes 212 and 444 have each gained a great batch of buses for the next 5, or maybe 7 years. Service currently on both routes does leave a bit to be desired however it's still early days and no doubt Go Ahead will get used to the route and hopefully will be able to provide the locals a service that is of the standard to match the buses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thank you to all our readers for being patient with us due to the current lack of posts. All the bloggers are unfortunately really busy with other commitments, we do still plan to post articles on further changes however they might be late and there might be large gaps between posts.</b></span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-59864185226347586442019-12-10T21:08:00.000+00:002019-12-10T21:08:58.187+00:00Hammering Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many moons ago TfL consulted on changes to bus routes that they hoped to proceed with once Crossrail had opened. However with Crossrail delayed for the foreseeable future TfL are proceeding with the changes in little phases. We have already had a few Crossrail related bus changes take place such as the 25 and 301. The latest route sees route 266 and 391 changed as well as the introduction of routes 218 and 306.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGf3QH4D5oVjyai6QaAnfYLcOJoQbVwYMzwwx3a2g5UMbEMa04Quty5AYu0I7frGVYTGwtSAYWlxXeOo0YoXXVo5nHhDZ0hbCGszPIdJaFycb-A7I5H1WJdQfwbdftp0T3cOHCWmleYQ/s1600/20191206_155254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGf3QH4D5oVjyai6QaAnfYLcOJoQbVwYMzwwx3a2g5UMbEMa04Quty5AYu0I7frGVYTGwtSAYWlxXeOo0YoXXVo5nHhDZ0hbCGszPIdJaFycb-A7I5H1WJdQfwbdftp0T3cOHCWmleYQ/s400/20191206_155254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TE1087 seen at Hammersmith<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This change is mostly focussed on the Hammersmith area of London. Route 266 has been withdrawn between Hammersmith and Acton, High Street while route 391 has been withdrawn between Hammersmith and Fulham, Sand's End. New route 218 has been introduced running between Hammersmith and North Acton and another new route 306 has been introduced running between Acton Vale and Fulham, Sand's End. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The contract to route 218 was awarded to Tower Transit who operate it out of their Westbourne Park (X) garage, while the contract for route 306 will go to RATP as a variation on the current route 391 contract which is being split into two. At the same time route 266 also ends its short 2 year tenure at Metroline and makes a move to RATP who won it on tender. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVahYPk4aIuCdLO2q0xcMU-v2_F4JoQBGn2VXFqEbEUPIaXYEJ9Ay_WNMMxY_cg3h7JtNgSGBuB66nDY01XfnY9RGULiYBtsCpNsm96Jc3aFGInKpcxzvDAUmNVlN6spfDK5X4i25OVsM/s1600/48464441782_9d9d2a161c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVahYPk4aIuCdLO2q0xcMU-v2_F4JoQBGn2VXFqEbEUPIaXYEJ9Ay_WNMMxY_cg3h7JtNgSGBuB66nDY01XfnY9RGULiYBtsCpNsm96Jc3aFGInKpcxzvDAUmNVlN6spfDK5X4i25OVsM/s320/48464441782_9d9d2a161c_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEH1467 seen at Brent Cross under Metroline's operation<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel it makes sense to start discussing the contract renewal of route 266 before moving on to talk about the newly introduced routes. The route was introduced in 1962 running between Edgware and Hammersmith running via Colindale, West Hendon, Brent Cross, Willesden, Harlesden and Acton. In 1970 the route was withdrawn between West Hendon and Edgware on weekdays and cut back as far as Cricklewood Bus Garage on weekends, however a few journeys in the peaks did continue as far as Colindale. In 1976 the route was restructured to operate between Brent Cross and Hammersmith during the day, although the Colindale workings remained and the service to Brent Cross would be cut back to Cricklewood Garage in the evenings and on Sundays. In 1978 the Collindale workings were extended to Mill Hill Broadway. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 1981 the extra journeys to Mill Hill Broadway were withdrawn and the route became Hammersmith to Brent Cross through most of the week apart from evenings and Sundays where it would still turn short at Cricklewood Garage. In 1995 the Brent Cross extension was made a feature on every day of the week and in 2003 every journey on the route ran to Brent Cross. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4WxmSmEjcxiTZNff7ajl3K9nT3AFZaEzCufXEQKYgQADfoRwCUGWsgr-5UBKe6cNLJZMEok7C0jAnEHD5-CdcE_3fV0dWk1U4B0pFDUEHuw5U7synEQMKkOBC2kldgioTy-qWjazCoE/s1600/22629495122_b589423b0f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4WxmSmEjcxiTZNff7ajl3K9nT3AFZaEzCufXEQKYgQADfoRwCUGWsgr-5UBKe6cNLJZMEok7C0jAnEHD5-CdcE_3fV0dWk1U4B0pFDUEHuw5U7synEQMKkOBC2kldgioTy-qWjazCoE/s320/22629495122_b589423b0f_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VN37973 seen on the 266 during Tower Transit's operation<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite the 266 has only spent 2 years with Metroline the last time round, what seems like a period which will be quickly forgotten actually has a much longer history. Since introduction in 1962 until an award to First in May 2012 the 266 had always been with Metroline and its predecessors, operating predominantly out of Cricklewood Garage although there were also considerable stints at Willesden (AC) and a former garage in Harlesden which was located on Atlas Road in Harlesden. First funnily enough then won the route in 2012 operating out of a temporary base on Atlas Road (AS) which then moved to Tower Transit when they purchased a part of First's London operations. Metroline won route 266 back in 2017 from their Metroline West division on a short 2 year contract, although for whatever reason they operated it out of Cricklewood (W) once again. Atlas Road (AS) was closed in 2017, just a month before Metroline regained the route. Subsequently RATP moved into the site moving their operation from nearby Park Royal (PK) garage and coded the new site as Park Royal (RP). This new site proved vital for RATP as it allowed them to win the contract to route 266 when that route was up for tender again. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7iiFnyyAQuWD_UXJmqcc5yZobjsyhV-vtznc5QUcEeHr0Khigjh49SGOfhgdKweGYT1qYVMTX4opaOqTURtsVCK1bXCEnAOlKIM8UScb7ldtEajkQtA_DyN_2bNnQ1i663BDn_dBFg/s1600/20191129_124938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7iiFnyyAQuWD_UXJmqcc5yZobjsyhV-vtznc5QUcEeHr0Khigjh49SGOfhgdKweGYT1qYVMTX4opaOqTURtsVCK1bXCEnAOlKIM8UScb7ldtEajkQtA_DyN_2bNnQ1i663BDn_dBFg/s400/20191129_124938.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TE1092 seen entering Hammersmith Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I mentioned earlier, the set of changes which have recently taken place have resulted in route 266 now being cut back to Acton from Hammersmith, and that has coincided with the new contract that RATP have taken on. RATP have allocated route 266 with a mix of Hybrid and Diesel Alexander Dennis Enviro400s, not much different from the allocation under Metroline which was the same mix. The Hybrids have come from routes 94 and E3 while the diesels were released from the loss of route 81 earlier in the year. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DBYZE1j3TGcpqmJWqKYjC1ggJnkA8aKmwJtflj_lYTb1cAIuROMeXAAgf4EUFDvOsPYXic4o8BiLCiztz86B8wEFUy9rasyVWVvwhm3ZDHHoIurnRvYDIQPH0PEqCIPT1o-yu2lZ_5s/s1600/20191209_155848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DBYZE1j3TGcpqmJWqKYjC1ggJnkA8aKmwJtflj_lYTb1cAIuROMeXAAgf4EUFDvOsPYXic4o8BiLCiztz86B8wEFUy9rasyVWVvwhm3ZDHHoIurnRvYDIQPH0PEqCIPT1o-yu2lZ_5s/s320/20191209_155848.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ADE40422 seen on stand in Acton<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RATP started operations to route N266 in the early hours of the 7th of December with VH45313 forming the first bus. Shortly afterwards Metroline wrapped up their phase on route 266...again, with TEH1457 forming the last bus into Hammersmith and TE1083 forming the last Metroline 266 into Brent Cross. I didn't have time to go out after the changes on the first day so I headed out the Monday afterwards to take a look at what was going on. Crossrail related cosmetic works have been taking place over the past couple of weeks along Horn Lane which had impacted the route a lot during Metroline's final days with the route being in complete tatters. Since RATP have taken over the route a lot of it has settled down and service has undoubtedly already seen an improvement, however as I mentioned earlier the route also got cut back to Acton High Street which might have had a bigger effect on the service rather than the operator change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Currently the 266 has been solidly Enviro400 of both the diesel and Hybrid variants, however Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 B5LHs have made appearances on the N266, although sadly I do not have a picture of that to hand. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Passengers however still seem to be struggling with the cut back, throughout my journey many passengers boarded the bus thinking it was going Hammersmith despite the driver mentioning many times the 266 doesn't go Hammersmith anymore and passengers needed to get route 218. One lady still didn't budge once the driver reached the last stop and just ended up sitting there while the bus was on stand. If you ignore the bemused passengers,</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the service and operator change itself seems to have gone pretty smoothly and I am sure RATP will operate the 266 to a decent standard similar to what Metroline provided or maybe even to a better standard. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZmG9iFcwqDc5UgZBXoAdnVLwjbfvdHvjgqj2lSTUZjPsbuaYqTkUSB63VkboBBtS41QdMpnYtfbgwbZln-__7RYpLcMG4vIf15m8t7I4f08I8u4_uMuKurBGuvaffaF-Zz26VOIlc38/s1600/20191209_160304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZmG9iFcwqDc5UgZBXoAdnVLwjbfvdHvjgqj2lSTUZjPsbuaYqTkUSB63VkboBBtS41QdMpnYtfbgwbZln-__7RYpLcMG4vIf15m8t7I4f08I8u4_uMuKurBGuvaffaF-Zz26VOIlc38/s400/20191209_160304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ADE40467 seen in Acton displaying its new terminus<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL14VZ_pUpvci2qM7QIu06Qp5elv4qrH9hW4BeWKmvOiBmAp3MBU9emPq6Kg0vKOxHOwECaIiD4guFeFiwa38UKQ2VVsvKItYhSj_RBqPI1s3ZY5GYgsTmoGKNeilUeR6Y4rX8_sqjsas/s1600/20191206_155732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL14VZ_pUpvci2qM7QIu06Qp5elv4qrH9hW4BeWKmvOiBmAp3MBU9emPq6Kg0vKOxHOwECaIiD4guFeFiwa38UKQ2VVsvKItYhSj_RBqPI1s3ZY5GYgsTmoGKNeilUeR6Y4rX8_sqjsas/s320/20191206_155732.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DLE30333 seen at Hammersmith heading to Fulham<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other route to suffer a cut to its routing is route 391 which operated between Fulham, Sands End and Richmond. It's a relatively young route, only starting operation in May 1991 operating out of Stamford Brook garage (V). Initially it ran between Fulham Broadway and Turnham Green Church via Hammersmith and West Kensington. In November of 1991 it was extended from Turnham Green to Richmond. In January 2004 the route was extended from Fulham Broadway to Fulham, Sands End Sainsbury's forming the same route that operated until 6th of December 2019. Along with the route cut, the 391 is getting a double whammy as its frequency is also being reduced to every 15 minutes throughout the day, and down to every 20 minutes on Sundays and evenings. It should be noted that following the cut back to Hammersmith route 391 despite starting and ending its journeys in Hammersmith Upper Bus Station is stands in the lower bus station.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DLE30341 seen on stand at Hammersmith<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The withdrawn part of the 391 between Fulham, Sands End and Hammersmith is being replaced by route 306 which will then continue along most of the 266's withdrawn section between Hammersmith and Acton Vale. As the cut to the 391 is quite hefty, resulting in a substantial reduction of work on the contract, RATP have been given the route as compensation for their loss of work for the remainder of the 391's contract duration, as a result this route didn't go out for tender. The buses for the route have been made available through routes 18 and 65. Route 18 had a substantial PVR reduction of 9 buses recently while two of the Wright Eclipse Gemini 3s on the 65 have also made their way over to route 306 being replaced by existing Scania Omnicities. RATP have chosen to operate this route out of Stamford Brook (V) which is the same garage the 391 is based at, with it being an ideal location for the route as well as giving the displaced drivers from the reduction on the 391 some alternative work to do. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH45159 is seen at Acton Vale<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 306 so far has been doing relatively alright, however it has probably been one of the more rocky routes in terms of operation. During the first few days many turns have been evident - most notably Seven Stars Corner. The allocation as planned has been of Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 vehicles, although a few Enviro400 Hybrids have managed to sneak out in the evenings. So far the route has seen decent usage, however it's certainly not to the level route 266 used to have prior. This could probably be put down to the fact route 266 used to continue along Acton High Street while the 306 terminates short at Acton Vale. However I'm sure as time goes on people along Askew Road will learn about the new links that route 306 provides and start using it. The same could be said about the section in Fulham where I'm sure people in the area will soon make use of their new link beyond Hammersmith towards Acton Vale.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOZgnwG68dAF7V4cO7PTN2AXhqsD1zUizf6ha4s7OEsD3Icmkl5QdK2nT72ue8MVq-mfHQfuF1I7z03kfYiMzzyZQwUDpusxZng1ON1nszAWVMcRLGCC8twmALrcxjwXkWMLmCl-15Mg/s1600/20191209_164945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOZgnwG68dAF7V4cO7PTN2AXhqsD1zUizf6ha4s7OEsD3Icmkl5QdK2nT72ue8MVq-mfHQfuF1I7z03kfYiMzzyZQwUDpusxZng1ON1nszAWVMcRLGCC8twmALrcxjwXkWMLmCl-15Mg/s400/20191209_164945.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VH45162 is seen at Hammersmith Bus Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WV46107 seen at Ravenscourt Park<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I said earlier, the 306 doesn't fully replace the withdrawn section of route 266 as the part along Acton High Street was deemed by TfL to have enough capacity that only a single decker route was needed to cover it. Therefore route 218 has also been introduced running between Hammersmith and North Acton. It follows route 266 down Acton High Street, however instead of turning down Horn Lane it continues down Twyford Avenue and then heads past West Acton station before rejoining the 266s line of route at North Acton. Route 440 as a result has been routed directly along Horn Lane to provide the residents along there an extra link. Unlike the 306, TfL had actually ben planning the 218 for a very long time with it even being put out to tender in 2017 before the decision to delay it came along. As a result TfL shortened the 266 contract to allow the 218 to be introduced on tender as opposed to being a more expensive mid-contract change. The winning bid for this route came from Tower Transit out of Westbourne Park (X) garage once again introducing the operator to the Acton and North Acton areas. The buses have come in the form of existing Wright Streetlites made available from routes 444 and 236 at Lea Interchange as well as some existing Ex First Enviro200s which were relieved from their duties at Metroline. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMeamCn3Fo3OCZanKNu3W62gespHmtPm1X5PR6aE4sUDyYj30A6w74ic5oImKQwuyPR7E8BsBy5Kpf7vu4xWmqIw4JbGNcsKJZprdEt10M_HiAYgPjHA8t-3GQZeJY_HR2Lfx6vtj7N8/s1600/20191209_171549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMeamCn3Fo3OCZanKNu3W62gespHmtPm1X5PR6aE4sUDyYj30A6w74ic5oImKQwuyPR7E8BsBy5Kpf7vu4xWmqIw4JbGNcsKJZprdEt10M_HiAYgPjHA8t-3GQZeJY_HR2Lfx6vtj7N8/s320/20191209_171549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crowd waits to board WV46219 at Hammersmith<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's probably safe to say that passengers have already become well accustom to route 218. Unlike route 306, it uses the full length of Acton High Street and also connects with the now truncated route 266 offering the displaced 266 passengers from Hammersmith a direct alternative which connects with the 266 so they can carry on their journeys that they used to make while route 266 still went Hammersmith. Unfortunately the decision to make the 218 a single decker route seems to have been a wrong decision. There were already multiple reports of overcrowding buses during the weekend of the changes and I myself saw really crowded buses on the route leaving Hammersmith. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the route meets up with the 266 at Acton High Street route 218 heads to North Acton like how route 440 used to, running via West Acton. Route 440 was instead rerouted directly via Horn Lane and extended to Wembley - however that's for another post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The operation of the route also hasn't been off to the best start with many gaps in the service evident, coupled together with the crowds it's certainly not a route I'd rush out to ride. However I'm sure Tower Transit will get used to the challenge the route presents over time and will provide a good service on the route for at least the next 5, or maybe even 7 years! Although I just wish that something is done about the crowding before then.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtpbYFMdDuX0lsZnLNfCQ7v5b32jvT_PX77W-0eNOlx8B9xYGkT-6LjSdNDsuxNBjdVrKfMISeSTNJLMBcsg1_1-R2m2-IWB2I9lqQd5YG-3IyfnVedmdDZiF9khXG_SdDsDL5ZapHqA/s1600/20191209_171942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtpbYFMdDuX0lsZnLNfCQ7v5b32jvT_PX77W-0eNOlx8B9xYGkT-6LjSdNDsuxNBjdVrKfMISeSTNJLMBcsg1_1-R2m2-IWB2I9lqQd5YG-3IyfnVedmdDZiF9khXG_SdDsDL5ZapHqA/s400/20191209_171942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DML44187 seen on stand at Hammersmith<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These changes have no doubt been a mixed bag, many new links have been created many long established links have been removed. It's still too early to say whether the change is going to be a success, especially seeing once the Elizabeth Line opens it will have a change on travel patterns in the area. But for now it's probably safe to say everything is just about managing for now!</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-9612586400508371072019-11-23T12:00:00.000+00:002019-11-23T12:00:01.077+00:00Light at the end of the tunnel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The saying goes there's a light at the end of the tunnel, that's certainly been the case with Stagecoach who after a long string of losses recently has managed to finally win a new contract. The route involved is route 128 which runs between Claybury Broadway in Clayhall to Romford Station. Route 364, a route very well known for its very unpopular allocation has also received a brand new allocation of buses.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VLA131 seen on route 128<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB1h7w9rlAR6X0VA_Qvk8EQ7DF_qmypef6mmtpVl4F8STN2U3DAo6D2OMJhtFt78F7plbRAr8KEfKr6IIy9o6WXekMJEYmi0ksoJ5tibzs8nVoN4rROWsnd9STc4GdaUxsov4BnIGQqM/s1600/20190719_151536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB1h7w9rlAR6X0VA_Qvk8EQ7DF_qmypef6mmtpVl4F8STN2U3DAo6D2OMJhtFt78F7plbRAr8KEfKr6IIy9o6WXekMJEYmi0ksoJ5tibzs8nVoN4rROWsnd9STc4GdaUxsov4BnIGQqM/s320/20190719_151536.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T79 seen at High Road Ilford<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 128 isn't a particularly old route, starting operation in March 1993 running between Romford Station and Ilford Broadway via Green Lane and Becontree Heath. It fittingly started life under Stagecoach operating out of Barking (BK) garage for a few months before moving to Romford (NS) in December. The contract was awarded to Harris Bus in 1997, although that didn't last very long as Harris Bus were placed into administration at the end of 1999 resulting in East Thames Buses taking over the contract, who themselves were a subsidiary of London Regional Transport who later became a part of Transport for London. The route was operated out of their Ash Grove garage, therefore it was no surprise next tendering 2005 saw it move a lot closer to home with Arriva operating out of Barking (DX) garage where it remained until 2019. A night service was added to the route in 2007.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qccTbUQoWfhMhxg5lEduo28yhvcaq9IZUow6FEOltQ6b77As_jCll4yfjEvklEqze_8YL1sb9QKd9H_r1nxmRmfgPPvH37fSiH7EKhWJH23dxp9wumvdym7C3a5yDv8wi-gbu8l95vQ/s1600/20190930_144758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qccTbUQoWfhMhxg5lEduo28yhvcaq9IZUow6FEOltQ6b77As_jCll4yfjEvklEqze_8YL1sb9QKd9H_r1nxmRmfgPPvH37fSiH7EKhWJH23dxp9wumvdym7C3a5yDv8wi-gbu8l95vQ/s320/20190930_144758.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VLA143 seen at Hainault Street<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriva operated it using Alexander Dennis ALX400 buses on the Volvo B7TL chassis, a model which was favoured by Arriva at the time. This gained the route a special identity, especially towards the end of the second contract where it became the last bus route in London to operate using the bus type. As you can see in the picture to the right most of the buses fell victim to a very poor branding effort by TfL, you can read more about that scheme </span><a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-colours-of-barkingside.html" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.Various other types also did appear on the route during Arriva's reign. The most prominent of these was the Enviro400 which became the allocation for the night element of the route, however since 2017 Wright Gemini 2 bodied DB300 buses also did make appearances. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdMGDXwTWXYI9sDLZ4YVmEyLGhceMyD7CVgUsyciPMZddg7TSyPEMb9nkF1Vws-pm8DvBKrMd84d9Hg63ImPoGXELroSMrcqCsgwQk4uqXrJ8dyQs4MnSB4FUUwHCEDurlzZ7KdSRk0Q/s1600/20190415_170127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdMGDXwTWXYI9sDLZ4YVmEyLGhceMyD7CVgUsyciPMZddg7TSyPEMb9nkF1Vws-pm8DvBKrMd84d9Hg63ImPoGXELroSMrcqCsgwQk4uqXrJ8dyQs4MnSB4FUUwHCEDurlzZ7KdSRk0Q/s400/20190415_170127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DW324 seen at Ilford Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the tender came out in February it was announced that Stagecoach would take on the route using existing buses, unsurprisingly these were to be the Enviro400s which were relieved of their duties on route 208 earlier this year when that route <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/07/orpingtons-model-change.html">moved over to Go Ahead London</a>. Stagecoach took on the 128 in the early hours of the 12th of August with aptly numbered 10128 being the first bus, almost as if it was intentional. Arriva followed shortly and wrapped up their phase on the route with T190 being the last bus. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAGxujTWMVGRozFke2RhGYxpCwaF0m1zV_g_kE_ETmflKeqefXVxpnx3Zi1l0G9jEt1q1lvsWGSYV2lsiqYucvook98J2NZ25YxA3DvLyQy17kKyYcM8MuISXSrYfeSlr6iRqV4G_vXs/s1600/20191012_163505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAGxujTWMVGRozFke2RhGYxpCwaF0m1zV_g_kE_ETmflKeqefXVxpnx3Zi1l0G9jEt1q1lvsWGSYV2lsiqYucvook98J2NZ25YxA3DvLyQy17kKyYcM8MuISXSrYfeSlr6iRqV4G_vXs/s320/20191012_163505.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19748 seen at Ilford Broadway<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>Since the takeover Stagecoach have had plenty of time to get used to the route, service has been excellent since the takeover with Stagecoach not taking much time at all to get used to the challenges that the route presents, probably helped by the fact they already operate many routes in the Romford, Ilford and Barkingside areas so are well accustomed to the variable conditions in the area. The allocation has been solidly 12reg Enviro400s apart from two 11reg Enviro400s - 19747 and 19748 and MMC 10301, a big change from the variable allocation that Arriva used to provide on the route. However with the way Stagecoach have performed on the route so far it's safe to say that this route has a bright 5, or maybe 7 years ahead for it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa6FQx8OG3jgzFsPXXeZ8xXjAmjyyTokkAam_Zxj6QQvB3IjUzLKKtdvTLIawAt3uQgARdFVOkdyY3m23WUz-9ZCwYv6HQGPBSnGoiLyUAj42VdBV4QQQZ9AEwv11MA9VNJgxEhzKAjU/s1600/49098884323_6643fdaf9f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa6FQx8OG3jgzFsPXXeZ8xXjAmjyyTokkAam_Zxj6QQvB3IjUzLKKtdvTLIawAt3uQgARdFVOkdyY3m23WUz-9ZCwYv6HQGPBSnGoiLyUAj42VdBV4QQQZ9AEwv11MA9VNJgxEhzKAjU/s400/49098884323_6643fdaf9f_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10148 seen at Ilford Station<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 364, a route which also operates in the Ilford area running between Dagenham East and Ilford via Newbury Park, Seven Kings and Goodmayes had its contract retained with Go Ahead London on the 2nd of November 2019. If you have already heard of the route, you will probably be aware of how unpopular the previous allocation of Enviro200s were, but like with Stagecoach there was light at the end of the tunnel as this new contract has seen those buses replaced with brand new Enviro200 MMCs. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14AylBOdbusZWnFqQ7Sx2jEUdwZrwzoE27kyHxg6V6Rb8zD0jGojQn1jvq0ywXwnsoEKbTazF1p9ZVPbk47k0AX-YQsArC26mLCvgEGHZrDUdBNev-VLpM_WqrfBjkv8bMQmKMm_sTvo/s1600/32975935370_f960f95067_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14AylBOdbusZWnFqQ7Sx2jEUdwZrwzoE27kyHxg6V6Rb8zD0jGojQn1jvq0ywXwnsoEKbTazF1p9ZVPbk47k0AX-YQsArC26mLCvgEGHZrDUdBNev-VLpM_WqrfBjkv8bMQmKMm_sTvo/s320/32975935370_f960f95067_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SE25 seen in Ilford<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route 364, like route 128 started operation in March 1993 and it initially ran between Ilford and Dagenham East running through its current route with a few extra peak workings running down Ballards Road to Ford Works. This arrangement remained until 2004 when the peak workings to Ford Works were withdrawn, forming the same 364 that is still in operation today. Although despite this relatively boring history the route has been across its fare share of operators, initially being operated out of Barking (BK) by Stagecoach before moving to First at Dagenham (DM) in 2002. In 2007 the route was won by Blue Triangle (later Go Ahead) out of their infamous Rainham (BE) base where it remained until 2016 when Go Ahead built a brand new garage in Barking called River Road (RR) where the 364 moved to. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-MuI2-DtA2kJGW06yTXO5TXew5hny3chQAx1uEBj55FVff7iJJDPpjTDCWQaTC5qE8dRL2fG8HqrVM7g6O4HFAQiZBer_bjOm7vSZwFITdV85pLk35TiinzVwzcRrJM2GgP4bYV_oug/s1600/49099591132_242c4dd418_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-MuI2-DtA2kJGW06yTXO5TXew5hny3chQAx1uEBj55FVff7iJJDPpjTDCWQaTC5qE8dRL2fG8HqrVM7g6O4HFAQiZBer_bjOm7vSZwFITdV85pLk35TiinzVwzcRrJM2GgP4bYV_oug/s320/49099591132_242c4dd418_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SE311 seen on the 364<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you've probably gathered by now, the previous contract on the 364 consisted of Enviro200s which were brought new for the route in 2007 when Blue Triangle initially gained it, being an early batch they were notorious for their rattles and uncomfortable nature. The tender result in February 2019 was for brand new buses, initially it was expected that these would be Wright Streetlites as this had been Go Ahead's preferred order for diesel single deckers however it was announced to be Enviro200 MMCs (SE304-319) - probably for the better as Wright since went into administration and any ordered buses from them would have had a doubtful future. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEonVpVDaoshmmbEa5nfDFOcr7b7skaoBbqwY8j65tYu7pzyYdLkkma6wCSKbaxhFZywGpTtH12AqTX4HooqUSt91vCLAKnjJwgAb0-uOKisVGhNJbusvj1uZBxy4wvwahT5kmMxqnw8/s1600/20191122_135640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEonVpVDaoshmmbEa5nfDFOcr7b7skaoBbqwY8j65tYu7pzyYdLkkma6wCSKbaxhFZywGpTtH12AqTX4HooqUSt91vCLAKnjJwgAb0-uOKisVGhNJbusvj1uZBxy4wvwahT5kmMxqnw8/s320/20191122_135640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The USB ports seen on the buses</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a slight delay in the buses entering service, they didn't enter service until the 21st of November. This can be attributed to a few covering Luton airport shuttles while the others were used for type training drivers with the brand new mirrorless technology, the same as those found on the <a href="https://thewestlondonbusblog.blogspot.com/2019/08/it-was-inevitable.html">buses for routes 209 and 378</a>. I didn't have time to have a ride on them on their first day of service so caught up with them the day after. Upon boarding there were many passengers taken aback by the brand new bus, with many of them commenting on it. There was also a period of excitement when one of the passengers realised the USB ports on the bus and then started spreading the information throughout the bus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The buses themselves feel like all other Enviro200 MMCs with stop-start technology. They also come equipped with intelligent speed assistance which automatically prevents the bus exceeding the speed limit of the road that it is on. Currently it's early days for these buses which are filled with technology and there's been many cases of buses breaking down at various points along the route and the old Enviro200s needing to be brought back to cover for them. However it's still early days and no doubt these issues will be ironed out over the forthcoming weeks. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvg1zgD0eaOcuZk-letTaErSexY6oYE5HyxeaejsTOLvwKjrTPlkcscKUVtxh9M0snHxTQNxfP-8VxjKUqHmWhJEKaETwR8PL0I-sEZyoy25-IM9jIVB3cgS8mMw13hyphenhyphenSck-n_cMrLTI/s1600/20191122_141825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvg1zgD0eaOcuZk-letTaErSexY6oYE5HyxeaejsTOLvwKjrTPlkcscKUVtxh9M0snHxTQNxfP-8VxjKUqHmWhJEKaETwR8PL0I-sEZyoy25-IM9jIVB3cgS8mMw13hyphenhyphenSck-n_cMrLTI/s400/20191122_141825.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SE312 and SE314 seen on stand<br />
© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both route 128 and 364 have no doubt seen an improvement with these changes, more changes are on their way in Ilford next year when Stagecoach take on routes 25 and 425 with brand new buses.</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323073582766624062.post-988027615994427592019-11-20T16:52:00.000+00:002019-11-20T16:52:45.135+00:00Going Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's coming home" is often a statement you may hear said by some enthusiasts after some tender results. Two recent service changes where that certainly applied took place in North London where route 34 returned to Arriva operation after 5 years away at Metroline and route 192 returned to Arriva after 5 years away at Go Ahead London. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkwCd06r3ZEOLyVjY8kFW5lb9kB75aUCB1fFsyvGIse7PICdNRBR_U-NPO5CjSqM0zhsmPme3MyLff3-6e0ftdsTSbycJm0uxfi7OrhUiZg_swy-bmMu_xCQXrvC4M0ivKOGZHXAbnlY/s1600/20191119_102945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkwCd06r3ZEOLyVjY8kFW5lb9kB75aUCB1fFsyvGIse7PICdNRBR_U-NPO5CjSqM0zhsmPme3MyLff3-6e0ftdsTSbycJm0uxfi7OrhUiZg_swy-bmMu_xCQXrvC4M0ivKOGZHXAbnlY/s400/20191119_102945.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in 2014 Arriva were no doubt having a hard time, losing many routes including the 192 and 34. The award to of the 34 Metroline in 2014 was to say the least, unexpected. It introduced Metroline into "proper" East London for the first time serving Walthamstow. However the award also came at a time when Arriva were losing many routes - therefore it didn't come as a surprise to many people when Arriva managed to nab the route back upon tender in 2019. The loss of the 192 to Go Ahead London was probably less surprising considering the route actually went past Northumberland Park (NP) garage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I go into the details about the service change let's go over some history about both routes. Route 34 operates between Walthamstow Central and Barnet Church running via the Crooked Billet, North Circular Road, Edmonton, Arnos Grove and Whetstone. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDeBApU18qQHH7w2qiIe4BUmzTYmWQ50dPzS4696NZKKUBluDUGK4Rc5TfayWjPhEV8rwwSNm0-G-30kStJZch2YFK1VZp758mQFjmSqUFu2Dwji2jogjkIFfmkoN7izGkpJvS2cN3lo/s1600/20191004_150817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDeBApU18qQHH7w2qiIe4BUmzTYmWQ50dPzS4696NZKKUBluDUGK4Rc5TfayWjPhEV8rwwSNm0-G-30kStJZch2YFK1VZp758mQFjmSqUFu2Dwji2jogjkIFfmkoN7izGkpJvS2cN3lo/s320/20191004_150817.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VWH2060 seen at Walthamstow<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The earliest records date to 1934 when the route ran between Whetstone and Stratford. In 1937 the route was cut back from Stratford to Leyton and in 1939 the route was further cut back to Walthamstow, Crooked Billet. In 1940 the route was extended to New Barnet Station and then further on to Barnet, Chesterfield Road in 1953, further change didn't come until 1960 when the route was extended from the Crooked Billet to Leyton Green. In 1969 the route was extended to Barnet Church forming the current western terminus that we know today. In 1973 the route's eastern end was altered to serve Harrow Green instead of Downsell Road running via Whipps Cross. In 1988 the route was withdrawn between Harrow Green and Walthamstow Central. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcP7yujVYnTfWZM3ICPwfQn2DF4L6vnZ3FCdCL1YUSZxY86cla-xiQkIdPUKmRsxS-uD0NexWjv2ZLAWV9lUBkFaeFp4q7-xGivzQmE0pimp0lCCuiLp5Sl5Qyn-At_-0MrDlDDI408E/s1600/20190802_132252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcP7yujVYnTfWZM3ICPwfQn2DF4L6vnZ3FCdCL1YUSZxY86cla-xiQkIdPUKmRsxS-uD0NexWjv2ZLAWV9lUBkFaeFp4q7-xGivzQmE0pimp0lCCuiLp5Sl5Qyn-At_-0MrDlDDI408E/s320/20190802_132252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VMH2549 seen at Angel Corner in Edmonton<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The latest contract saw the route operating under Metroline out of Potters Bar (PB) garage. It was allocated with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LH buses. This allocation was fairly consistent throughout the contract, despite initially in the early days there were a lot of rumours of the allocation being swapped with that of the late route 82, although this never came to be. Other types which were frequent visitors to the route included the standard Enviro400 (which sadly I don't have a picture of) and the MCV EvoSeti which I have included a picture of. Operation under Metroline was often of a very good standard despite the route's challenging nature and the remoteness of the garage to the route. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM2U_g7iylZagYBpZQJJjS1qO1dlM31w1EG0eMeOnGvRDMY1NfUSQePxuZURssF0BhwnkrJagmvJkjFD3dvEvonoDJAU1HraHbmU1YF_5lY5oS-TCQn-ef_V4JxnDXWItypMP1dyd9iU/s1600/20191115_141413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM2U_g7iylZagYBpZQJJjS1qO1dlM31w1EG0eMeOnGvRDMY1NfUSQePxuZURssF0BhwnkrJagmvJkjFD3dvEvonoDJAU1HraHbmU1YF_5lY5oS-TCQn-ef_V4JxnDXWItypMP1dyd9iU/s320/20191115_141413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HV162 seen at Angel Corner in Edmonton<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriva took on the route on the 9th of November 2019 operating the route out of Palmers Green garage (AD), its traditional home although a few buses each night are stabled at Edmonton garage (EC). The allocation is made up out of some spare Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs which were released from the New Routemaster conversion of route 19 as well as some Ex Stagecoach Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses (these have been recoded as HV161-HV192) which were previously based at Plumstead (PD). The 34 on paper is actually fully allocated the Ex Stagecoach batch however in reality they're intermixed across routes at the garage. Due to the similar colour schemes of the Stagecoach and Metroline interior it initially might not strike some people that a new operator had taken over the route.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So far operation of route 34 has been rocky, whenever I've tried to go and cover the route the route has been a mess with buses turned to various different locations on the route as well as large gaps being evident in the service. However no doubt these will only be temporary as they start to get used to operating the 34 once again and hopefully it won't be too long until the service is at a standard similar to that of Metroline, as well as themselves prior to 2014. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1SoRz5UiZJtAWI2nXJMdM-c9NCy2Uy0QqV9Bc6HJEyiH-H8n1IR-YDZzEbEU-ygKwOkuql3O7AJ7_gM44zeP6heqwSJV72-33p5fkx6vWtEIQ0OIXL_y4TkfyBU4B1p0rBGpZAqWazo/s1600/20191109_080845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1SoRz5UiZJtAWI2nXJMdM-c9NCy2Uy0QqV9Bc6HJEyiH-H8n1IR-YDZzEbEU-ygKwOkuql3O7AJ7_gM44zeP6heqwSJV72-33p5fkx6vWtEIQ0OIXL_y4TkfyBU4B1p0rBGpZAqWazo/s400/20191109_080845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HV252 seen at Walthamstow Bus Station on the first day of Arriva operation<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEqjUbBDbX_ymeUHkyEBvBvwT1hNAMyT7rVqg3BRyr0kscsTFrbBnEt9-r97z98d84nrKoFBgpU6AyJhfqZiGYMDoXwXdPgES3a-2mz5HXvQvNfRRh8rywxG3Iy3K7-2hIwoRmrZ-ZXE/s1600/20191107_164437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEqjUbBDbX_ymeUHkyEBvBvwT1hNAMyT7rVqg3BRyr0kscsTFrbBnEt9-r97z98d84nrKoFBgpU6AyJhfqZiGYMDoXwXdPgES3a-2mz5HXvQvNfRRh8rywxG3Iy3K7-2hIwoRmrZ-ZXE/s320/20191107_164437.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WS49 seen at Tottenham Hale<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Route 192 is the other change that took place on the 9th of November with the route moving from Go Ahead London back to Arriva London. The history of this route is not as extensive of that of route 34, it only started in 1994 running between Enfield and Angel Road, Tesco via Edmonton Green operating out of Enfield (E) garage. Its main purpose was to provide a bus service to the dense housing in the area and as a result it spent most of its time down side roads and hail and ride sections. In 2001 the route was extended from Angel Road, Tesco to Tottenham Hale Bus Station forming the same route that is in operation today. The route has since gained itself a reputation for being filled with passengers carrying flat-pack furniture back from the Ikea at Angel Road which this route passes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y9eVyPTQNmtiVJy3T9ACiRr17iSIzOHJZ5msfTnpY6ec2DjyPbwz55lsKg9s5JFMa6oWBP5j2iq0sF8d5IkcLJiNgNKcGMNLk6s4IyujENjqBT2EHv4GPsWmwSDoFAn74YYQl3XtxW0/s1600/48553599892_fbbea9f963_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y9eVyPTQNmtiVJy3T9ACiRr17iSIzOHJZ5msfTnpY6ec2DjyPbwz55lsKg9s5JFMa6oWBP5j2iq0sF8d5IkcLJiNgNKcGMNLk6s4IyujENjqBT2EHv4GPsWmwSDoFAn74YYQl3XtxW0/s320/48553599892_fbbea9f963_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WS46 seen at Tottenham Hale<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Prior to the win by Go Ahead London, Arriva had operated it predominantly out of Enfield garage with a short spell at Lea Valley garage (LV) between 2007 and 2012. Like the 34 it fell victim to Arriva's "rough patch" in 2014 and Go Ahead took on the route out of Northumberland Park garage (NP) using Wright Streetlite buses. The 192 actually had two batches of Streetlites brought for it, an initial batch in 2014 (WS33-WS48) however in 2015 these were replaced with a brand new batch of Streetlites (WS49-WS64). The older batch of Streetlites mostly made their way to route 463 with Quality Line however a few were retained for the Here East shuttle and WS46 was brought back by Go Ahead to cater for a PVR increase on the route. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklVTRd0uzNlrd0TvoEHaYMMPO8aqk3y54ruuxlH3ChlitvuTXw6ldMsURwQTG3hnvySdSsG9Z0lcUg3YIyLVpycWkF704h2tcyHeJuE6wjnBdFD6mn44ASTx3FZvO7DloAv5KzBeNuYc/s1600/20191120_135109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklVTRd0uzNlrd0TvoEHaYMMPO8aqk3y54ruuxlH3ChlitvuTXw6ldMsURwQTG3hnvySdSsG9Z0lcUg3YIyLVpycWkF704h2tcyHeJuE6wjnBdFD6mn44ASTx3FZvO7DloAv5KzBeNuYc/s320/20191120_135109.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENN64 seen at Tottenham Hale<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Arriva opted for brand new Enviro200 MMC buses for this route's return, numbered ENN55-ENN71. Once again it is being operated out of Enfield garage and has even been allocated running number E1+, which was the exact same sequence it used when initially introduced. The buses like feature USB ports which are now a standard on new buses for London as well as Stop Start technology. They do not however feature camera mirrors as found on the new buses for route 197. So far operation on the route has been of to a good standard, passengers are also noticing a difference in the new buses. I tried them out for myself a week after they were introduced and many passengers were commenting about the new bus. Hopefully Arriva will be able to continue providing a good standard of service on route 192 as they have been doing so far. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrM0feluf-1cqj23CNCNu5casTCj_B6AddqytObiS4v9ByLrvzmDhtyTm600ynOkFmUrfpYnr1ssUBU2mAVLVPFmNCC5VO0hJnNFFc-RPVsckkUlVWRuVhyphenhyphenZ7Bq1vjTCDaVBHpPia0I8/s1600/20191109_081947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrM0feluf-1cqj23CNCNu5casTCj_B6AddqytObiS4v9ByLrvzmDhtyTm600ynOkFmUrfpYnr1ssUBU2mAVLVPFmNCC5VO0hJnNFFc-RPVsckkUlVWRuVhyphenhyphenZ7Bq1vjTCDaVBHpPia0I8/s400/20191109_081947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENN57 seen at Tottenham Hale<br />© EastLondoner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Routes 34 and 192 are the first of many routes over the next couple of months which are "returning home", make sure you look out for more posts coming over the next couple of months which cover these as well as many other service changes.</span></div>
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EastLondonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10618230773975876838noreply@blogger.com0