Orpington's Model Change
Bromley garage hasn't been having much luck in the tendering game recently. Following the loss of route 227 just a couple of weeks ago route 208 follows it in a move from Stagecoach London to Go Ahead London.
Route 208 is quite an important route in South East London, running between Lewisham and Orpington, Perry Hall Road via Catford, Downham and Bromley. Up until this tender award the 208 had been with Stagecoach London and its predecessors since inception making this move quite a shocking change.
The route was created in 1982 running between Lewisham Station and Orpington, Perry Hall Road, although at this time Saturdays it was extended further to Surrey Docks and Sundays it would terminate short at Petts Wood instead of Orpington. In 1987 the Surrey Docks leg was removed and in 1990 the Sunday service was extended to Orpington in line with the service through the rest of the week which forms the same route which is in operation today. During this time operation of the 208 has been shared between Bromley (TB) and Catford (TL) garages, and appropriately its final few years saw it running out of Bromley (TB) albeit with some cross linked journeys from Catford (TL).
The outgoing type was the usual order from Stagecoach during the early 2010s, Alexander Dennis Enviro400s. The buses the 208 used in particular are from 2012 although 2013 Enviro400s would often make an appearance as they were also at the garage for routes 61 and 261. The 261s contract was renewed a few months before the 208s departure and brand new MMCs were introduced on it, these would also make a few appearances on the 208 although sadly I do not have a picture of one to hand. The 2012 Enviro400 buses will now be making their way to Romford (NS) garage in preparation for the takeover of route 128 between Claybury Broadway and Romford Station in the Autumn.
Go Ahead were to operate the route out of Orpington (MB) garage, the choice of bus type from them was the Hybrid version of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC, which has pretty much been the standard order from Go Ahead for over a year now. The buses were to be given the codes EH311-EH327.
Stagecoach London wrapped up their phase on the 208 with 10149 being the last bus. As I had commitments that weekend and had something important to do on the Monday I went out on the Tuesday after the change to see how Go Ahead were doing on the route. Initially I went to Lewisham where it wasn't long until a bus turned up in the form of EH315, this would be my ride to Bromley where I could grab myself some lunch. The journey was underwhelming to say the least, introduction of 20mph speed limits throughout the route made the journey very slow and boring. Although that's more so the fault of Lewisham council rather than Go Ahead's doing. The bus also felt quite gutless while going up hills, something E40Hs usually do very well.
I ditched the bus at Bromley, I wasn't bothered to ride the bus any further than. After I'd had some lunch I decided to give the 208 another shot on the way back to Lewisham but due to roadworks in Bromley all the bus routes in the area were on diversion. TfL did put some signs up telling everyone but didn't bother to tell anyone where to catch their bus nor how the routes were diverting which was pretty useless. I eventually worked out that the buses were diverting via Tweedy Road although by the time I'd worked that out I had a long walk to the 208 stop so I just picked up a 261 back to Lewisham. The 208s were also on diversion towards Orpington however I wasn't too bothered to find out how they were doing so, although I did manage to grab a picture of one going down West Street.
This was overall a very poor experience, although the part of it that Go Ahead were responsible for was good. The culprits were Lewisham council and TfL themselves portraying a good example of why people are starting to move away from using the bus. The operation of the route so far from Go Ahead has been quite good, apart from a couple of reported break downs on the first day of their operation.
These brand new E40H MMCs are believed to be among the final few buses in London which come equipped with wing mirrors, buses are now believed to be gradually moving away from using them being replaced by new side mounted camera, whether this will be more effective remains to be seen. Initial reports suggest that there is a big blindspot if they are used however as no buses in London service have been deployed with them there's not much information from drivers on their effectiveness.
The 208s switch is just another chapter in a scuffle between Stagecoach and Go Ahead in the south east which has been going on for many years. The upcoming month of August is going to be fun for Go Ahead lovers with the takeover of route 232, 209, 214, 378 and 197 all coming up so make sure you guys check back for posts covering those routes!
Route 208 is quite an important route in South East London, running between Lewisham and Orpington, Perry Hall Road via Catford, Downham and Bromley. Up until this tender award the 208 had been with Stagecoach London and its predecessors since inception making this move quite a shocking change.
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| 10146 seen at Lewisham © EastLondoner |
The outgoing type was the usual order from Stagecoach during the early 2010s, Alexander Dennis Enviro400s. The buses the 208 used in particular are from 2012 although 2013 Enviro400s would often make an appearance as they were also at the garage for routes 61 and 261. The 261s contract was renewed a few months before the 208s departure and brand new MMCs were introduced on it, these would also make a few appearances on the 208 although sadly I do not have a picture of one to hand. The 2012 Enviro400 buses will now be making their way to Romford (NS) garage in preparation for the takeover of route 128 between Claybury Broadway and Romford Station in the Autumn.
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| A Stagecoach 208 stands beside an 89 at Lewisham © EastLondoner |
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| EH315 seen standing at Lewisham © EastLondoner |
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| EH311 on diversion down West Street © EastLondoner |
This was overall a very poor experience, although the part of it that Go Ahead were responsible for was good. The culprits were Lewisham council and TfL themselves portraying a good example of why people are starting to move away from using the bus. The operation of the route so far from Go Ahead has been quite good, apart from a couple of reported break downs on the first day of their operation.
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| EH315 in Bromley © EastLondoner |
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| EH318 is seen at Lewisham © EastLondoner |
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