Due to problems of me saving changes on my 2016 updates page, I had to split them up, sorry for any inconvenience.
News Update 30 September:
Three new consultations out from TfL, click here to read the latest blog post talking about it.
Garston (GR)'s VLA170 has been seen on the M25 near Potters Bar with rear blinds set to 340.
PVL373-5 which were left by route 64 (transferred to Croydon [C] in a bid to remove more Scanias) will be reused by route 180 due to it's frequency increase on contract renewal this Saturday. They will then act as stop-gaps (or temporary) to refurbish the ex-21/63 B9TLs to be used on this route, 132 and 321.
Epsom Coaches order more Mercedes coaches, expressing their strong relation, a reason as to why Citaro K's were ordered for 413.
Route P13's 5 new E200MMC's (8343-7) have been registered and will replace 5 ex-100 Darts (8307/8/9/10/18). These E200MMCs are registered YX66FWD/E/F/G/H respectively. They're suspected to be in storage in Beddington Cross (BC) too.
Tiles for 108's rerouting via Langdon Park, Bow Church DLR Station and reroute to Stratford City/International have been placed in preparation for 1 October.
News Update 29 September:
After a break yesterday on new SLS's entering service on 450, 3 enter service.
ADL are investing £31m in research and development to manufacture greener buses. Research ends at the end of 2018.
Have I forgot to mention RATP will be operating the coming GOBLIN replacement? Sub-contracted by Arriva who run GOBLIN.
Rumours say River Road (RR) purposely lost routes 167/362/462/549 as they want to operate high frequency routes only. On the other hand 397 (being an Arriva commercial route at first replacing two other routes) was a sad loss as drivers had a high enough pay to be worth waiting in the queue for. An example is a driver who can't walk well but can drive well.
Metroline have got an allowance to operate trains. Their route 316 was also being surveyed today, but it seems Westfield's expansion and the redevelopment of the BBC Centre could cause bigger problems if TfL don't act on the route's current problems. Meanwhile the stand for 42 at East Dulwich Sainsbury's will be the existing stand for P13. That is until a stand is prepared for 42 (as moving out from the stand means you have to circle round to the bus stop literally left to it).
Metroline West started their new scheme of running numbers stating 'RUNNING NUMBER' and the running number as laminated paper in the cab if I recall. Otherwise Dartford (DT) have been using running number cards and the holders like other Arriva London depots.
Rumours also say route W11's ENSs may be the allocation for 410 or W6 if retained. The former is up for tender first in January.
Voith Turbo updated their gearbox software to be more fuel efficient with stop-start technology, these have been fitted on National Express West Midlands vehicles and two E200s. Fuel efficiency increases to 10% with this improvement. NXWM are ordering a further 96 E400MMCs with the new tech. 265's DE20129-45 also have Voith gearboxes and stop-start.
BYD showed off their new shorter 10.8m single decker invention at Millbrook, Bedfordshire. They can carry 76 passengers (26 seated, 50 standees) and can run 211 miles on a full charge. The model will be available to order now with deliveries from spring 2017. BYD are also in co-operation with ADL on their electric models. Nottingham are the first (non-London) to see an electric bus order by BYD, quantity of 13. These have a capacity of 66 with 42 seated. Unlike aforementioned these can run 200 miles and charge an hour or so later at 4-5 hours.
News Update 28 September:
Tower Transit's order for routes 58 (3 buses), 82 and 308 are 51 MCV Evoseti's on the B5LH chassis. 34 will be on the improved 13, 3 for 58 and 14 for 308.
Palmers Green (AD)'s Enviro400s contain blinds for 123 for but Tottenham (AR)'s HVs don't. Take note. 450's SLS13 seen dead running southbound in Bishopsgate.
Confirmed by LOTS routes 385 and W19 will move in to the now-operational (for minibuses and coaches) Walthamstow (AW).
Fun fact: Go-Ahead have 54 B9TLs free without homes: WVL451-4 (ex-12 for ELT PVR increase), WVL468-80 (ex-249, used on ELT), WVL481-95 (19) and WVN24-45 (259).
Ex-Stockwell (SW) PDL23 for sale on Ebay.
Ex-Metrobus 231 seen at Gallions Reach. Seems that route 346 will indeed get as intended SE232-4 but W19 will have 3 ex-336 Darts as to free SE232-4 to 346 this Saturday.
Stagecoach 13063 was involved in an accident and has returned service, on 53.
London United VH45183 transferred from Fulwell (FW) to Tolworth (TV) for an unknown reason.
News Update 27 September:
Tenders!
Ex-114 54-plate VLEs have been seen at North Wembley (storage depot of RATP) waiting disposal and are expected to travel through Stamford Brook (V) and Hounslow Heath (HH).
Amidst SE236 having a fan on sounding like a VDL SB120 roaring, the loss of route 379 to CT Plus makes a rumour, that EN14/15 will replace PDL136/7 [spares] on route E10.
It seems to be EH61-73 for 363, EH74-91 for 42, MHV21-55 for 63, MHV56-85 for 185, WHV112-167 for 1, 74 and 430. Also EHV17-54 for 14. Baring in mind the MHVs for 63 have started to begin service and will be used for 42's double deck conversion first until it's intended EHs arrive.
News Update 26 September:
Go-Ahead's WHV147/152 have been sighted parked in Lancaster on their way to London.
West Croydon is due to open 8th October.
Due to Oyster and Ticket Machine limitations new LTs for 189, 253 and VWHs for Harrow Weald (HD) including newly built MHVs and WHVs for 63/185 and 1/430 respectively are held up from going in service.
Tube staff notified Northern Line night tube will begin on 18 November.
New timetable on route 1 to coincide with contract change with 8 min Monday-Saturday frequencies including an extra AM trip towards Tottenham Court Road on Monday-Friday.
Route 42 will meanwhile temporarily end at Dog Kennel Hill (I'd assume East Dulwich Goose Green to be precise) while works are being complete for the stand etc and will also be curtailed at Tower Bridge Road Druid Street due to Tower Bridge works. These will put routes 17/21/35/43/172/344 in emergency curtailments. 172 not relating would find stand space elsewhere to make way for 17 to stand at St Paul's. Routes 35/344 are expected to curtail at London Bridge.
School route 150D and 474 transfer from Silvertown (SI) to River Road (RR) next Saturday while 300 goes the other way, the 346 also moves in to River Road (RR).
N1 will be fully based in Mandela Way (BV) and will have a new timetable to reduce punctuality. Last buses will be made 28 mins earlier.
New timetable on route 450 incorporating 20mph speed limits and frequencies of every 8 mins Monday-Saturday and 15 mins Sundays and evenings.
Former Tolworth (TV) VLEs 14 and 16 have been refurbished at Stamford Brook (V) for use on Kingston Uni services, they are repainted fully grey with seat moquettes similar to 13's VHs and their new codes are VLE40514 and 40516 respectively. DE20188 has also been refurbished. VLE35 visited the depot for sale as well.
News Update 25 September:
RATP's DE29 and DE36 in Harrow (SO) have been refurbished and given the new system code, DE20029 and 20036 respectively. The new buses for Kingston Uni services are to arrive at Hounslow Heath (HH).
News Update 24 September:
Stagecoach in London's fleetcard change shows a few more Tridents going off lease and new Enviro400 hybrid 12401 due for route 54 of Catford (TL).
17 MECs to be upseated and refurbished for New Cross (NX)'s 108
3 or 4 to be upseated and refurbished for school routes 646/648 at River Road (RR)
2 MECs to Luton for work
Unknown location for the remainder
Route 42 to begin new contract with a PVR of 14 instead of intended 17 due to curtailment from Liverpool Street to Tower Bridge Road.
Former Abellio 9467 and 9486 reported at ADL Harlow.
News Update 23 September:
SLS5 is the first Arriva London Streetlite to enter service, on busy single decker route 450 with SLS14 being second.
18 EHs ordered for route 42, said route will use MHVs due for 63 from October 1. 185 will use intended MHVs from the same day too. Confirmed ex-64 Scanias to be D8's new allocation.
DLA174 has been used as a fire demonstration. It's expected to be scrapped.
Magtec willing to be the first to launch a double decker hydrogen, make a formerly used DB250 hybrid (which was used at London General as WHD1 on route 24 before going to First Scotland) into a fully electric bus. This is expected to run alongside new hybrids on route 308. Read more.
News Update 22 September:
London General's VE2 is seemingly at Hants & Dorset for refurbishment
Route D8 to gain ex-64 Scania OmniCitys to convert to double decker operation on 1st October plus reroute from Poplar via Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach to Stratford Bus Station
Arriva's T126 recovered from an injury in Croydon.
Route 242 to gain B5L Gemini 3's HV226-248
Route 259 to gain B5L Gemini 3's HV201-225
Metroline due 22 10.9m E200MMCs for route 235
Ironically a bus on 235 today has run from Sunbury Village to Lower Feltham back to Sunbury Village..
And Fulwell (FW) whom threw a DE on route 65 as an extra during diversion away from Ham have threw DE71 working as FW77 (yep as a normal 65 bus) which got subbed. As a matter of fact DE77 also did 281..
Southern Rail to have a 2 week strike next month.
DW291 which transferred to Garston (GR) from Tottenham (AR) 6 days ago along with DW292, has transferred back. But DW292 hasn't and neither has DW297 which went yesterday. T224 and T261 have also trekked to Garston (GR) from Enfield (E) and Palmers Green (AD) respectively exactly a month back.
Fun fact: One of RV1's hydrogen vehicles cost just over a million pounds.
News Update 21 September:
MEC1 has been refurbished. Meanwhile VLA53 went down to visit South Croydon (TC).
Fun fact: LT1-8 in their early years since 2012 had to be cleaned internally and externally while also having a dedicated bus wash that made them more clean than a regular bus wash.
News Update 20 September:
I'm back! As I mentioned in my latest two posts. I'm surprised EI1/2 have yet not entered service on 108, whereas WS65 is now on trial on P5. Elsewhere as the troublesome MANs on R2 damage it's lost mileage, the MAN Esteems transferred to 181/284, in swap the Scanias from 181 and perhaps one or two 13reg E200s from 284 serve as the replacement allocation on R2. It also seems the MMCs DEL2155-66 have entered service... in Uxbridge (UX).
DOE31 was involved in an accident on route 213 three days ago. Rainham (RM) are starting to cut down parking spaces in their depot. Bus stop sites for route K1 publicised. Former Abellio's 9471 which was sent to Ensign has been sold to Howard's Travel Group Warrington. LT62 has returned to Stockwell (SW). Metrobus Scanias formerly of 64's allocation seen in Silvertown (SI) on route 474 recently.
444's DWLs while at Arriva are being stripped for spares for the DWSs that transferred from Thornton Heath (TH) to Norwood (N) for 450's transfer.
Arriva's Tunbridge Wells (TW) are starting to withdraw their DLAs before October, currently have 3 delicensed.
News Flash 22 August:
Formerly used (with Dublin and National Express West Midlands) demo WHV111 (BX14TJV) has been refurbished deeply, and will be put in TfL service at last in Croydon (C).
MMC of 35's batch, EH60 makes a rare appearance on route 45. Followed by VWH2141 on route 18 of 295's VWH2122-42 batch.
Apparently the clearance issues for route 487 in the Park Royal area for the DELs was because of the exit onto the A40 which requires the use of two lanes. Brent Cross Shopping Centre bus station has been modified and therefore the 189 will see LTs soon. And once the 487 problem has been dealt with, expected in September, will also see DELs begin service.
News Flash 21 August:
Of 336's batch of Euro 3 engined Dennis Dart East Lancs Esteems:
228-9 to Bexleyheath (BX) as spares for B14 and PVR increase
230-3 to Barking (RR) for route 346*
234-6 withdrawn
SEN40 to Stockwell (SW), perhaps replacing another 06reg LDP from 315's LDP287-91 of which 287/8 are with Phoenix Blyth in Manchester.
* Question now is what will happen to SE232-4 which was the intended allocation for newly won 346
The first few SEe's (BYD K9E Enviro200 MMCs) for routes 507 and 521 have arrived and are due service sometime soon pending staff training. As I mentioned earlier on, Irizar i2e electrics EI1 and EI2 will move to New Cross (NX) for route 108 also pending staff training and availability of chargers. However EB1 and EB2 have been rumoured for withdrawal.
The first 22 Arriva London Streetlites, door forward at 9.5m length coded SLS1-22 for route 450, will all be 66-plate and convert route 450 roughly before contract date in October. Route 450 also moves to Norwood (N) on the 27th.
HV64 (reregistered to WLT664) carries a silver platinum livery to celebrate 1000 award winning Arriva staff whom support 160 charities through payroll.
Abellio's 2534-51 have mostly settled in, ousting 9467-86 off-lease and to resale at Ensign.
News Flash 20 August:
11 thousand total views, we're reaching high! Thanks to all!
Route N123 was operated from Tottenham (AR) with newer DWs to avoid complaints, first bus being DW455. The NE1 used an MMC from 350's allocation (2528), 296 seems to be snatching 499's newer MMCs. Nothing to note on other routes.
Imberbus event at Salisbury Plain meaning route 23A running, it was operated with LTs 239 (ride with pride), ST812 and LT788.
Routes U4 and U5 have transferred to Hayes (HZ). U4 has 04-plate VPs transferred from Harrow Weald (HD) which were reregistered into Metroline West's operator license. U5 took DE1807-16 and 1895/6. A bunch more VWHs due for Harrow Weald (HD) in store in Perivale (PA).
Go Ahead's Irizar i2e electrics EI1-2 will be reallocated to route 108. WS65 is at Camberwell (Q) to be trialled on an unconfirmed route (mooted for P5). Both types will begin service in garage once type training is complete.
36610 is the first Locksbottom 336 of the day with 36621 being the first Catford Bridge bound 336. Running numbers for 146 is #171 and 336 is #181+. Metrobus' 252 was the last 336 and SEN40 was the last 146.
76's LTs will go straight to Go-Ahead meaning that 253's LT conversion of its own will release HVs either directly or indirectly (via 76, allowing 76's own HVs to go refurb, upgraded to Euro6) then form 133's existing hybrid allocation. (Don't forget 34 HAs are still on order for 133/333)
News Flash 19 August:
Night Tube begins this night!
Three new MHVs containing blinds for route 1 have been spotted en-route Belvedere (BV), presumed to be 185's batch.
Refurbished WVL443 (which was roaring like an Olympian at Stockwell [SW]) has transferred to Sutton (A) perhaps for route 213's contract.
While 253's LT conversion date has not been estimated, rumours say it's HVs may end up on route 242. Otherwise, route 259 has seen a new order of 25 Volvo B5LH Wright Gemini 3's (HV153-77?). By now most of 253's LTs have been delivered. Rumours also say 76 will still have it's LTs delivered as Arriva to oust the Ts needed for 157 for refurbishment.
Otherwise, routes 42 and 355 have swapped allocations (42 to LDPs, 355 to SOEs) perhaps in a bid to retain 355 with them being okay for another contract but having a downside*, anyways route 355 will move to Croydon (C) with the SOEs on the 27th.
* Due to ULEZ the 355 will at least need new Euro6 diesels by 2018
Side note, Arriva at Ware will receive the first of Arriva's Enviro400 MMCs (6484-98) for route 310's new schedule incorporating the return of a Sunday service from Sunday 28 August onwards. Arriva Bucks and Berks receiving 10 Citaros for Wycombe, 3 VDL SB200 Wright Pulsars for Aylesbury and 2 Sapphire Streetlites & VDL DB250 East Lancs Myllennium Lowlanders for Luton.
Tower Transit's VNW32419 has white blinds...hmm.
News Flash 18 August:
Quite a few 04reg VPs prepared for route U4's transfer into Hayes (HZ) have had their Operator's License changed to begin service under Metroline West.
Route E10's Enviro200s (dubbed ENN in Arriva's books) are changing Operator's License from Tellings-Golden Miller to Arriva London North. (Note, Arriva London North instead of Arriva London).
Meanwhile, 507/521 will have their BYD Enviro200 MMC's phased between now and the end of the year. Where their new contracts start on the 27th.
Also, weekend nightly routes coinciding with Night Tube (34, 123, 145, 296, E1, W3, W7, etc) will begin tomorrow night.
News Flash 17 August:
There still seems to be identity issues with the 254* MMCs at Battersea (QB) for route 344. However 2541 on 344 is YY16YKM, therefore the UN is 2545. In any case this problem will hopefully be resolved soon.
Dean Sullivan has confirmed that route W9 will be utilising the E200MMCs intended for route W19 at a cheaper price due to the option for TfL interior (E400 City). W19 will instead receive 9.6m Enviro200 classics. Route 298's existing 2012 AE's will be refurbished to contain the TfL moquette but will not have panels changed to dark grey.
News Flash 16 August:
VLA122 joined VLA109 in transfer from Garston (GR) to Norwood (N). Reason believed to be to oust the few 60reg meant for route 64 by 27 August.
36281 transfers back from Catford (TL) to Barking (BK).
First revolutionise their Berkshire operations.
News Flash 15 August:
The first of route 450's Streetlites have been sighted at Heysham Docks. SLS2 blinded for 410 to Crystal Palace. And more LTs due for 253, of which some have been delivered to Edmonton (EC) for checks etc.
News Flash 13 August:
Route 485 to be diverted via Barnes Wetlands Centre to replace route 283 which is curtailed to Hammersmith to take place next Saturday the 20th.
27 August:
64 to be rerouted in New Addington via Salcot Crescent, Central Parade and Overbury Crescent to Homestead Way.
3 September:
140 with frequency increases. M-F morning peak from every 7 to 6-7, M-Sat from 7-8 to every 7.
158 M-F daytime frequency increased from 10 to every 8. Evening frequency increased from every 15 to every 12.
182 Sunday/evening frequency increased from every 15 to every 12.
183 Sunday/evening frequency increased from every 15 to every 12.
298 school days between 1625-1745 trips timed to be 5 minutes later, retaining 20 min headway
340 Sunday/evening frequency increased from every 20 to every 15
398 New M-Sat evening and Sunday daytime service at every 30 mins.
697/698 afternoon journeys retimed to better match school finishing times
H9/H10 Sunday daytime/general evening service increased from every 20 to 15 mins.
News Flash 12 August:
I apologise for not keeping up to date as I didn't remember to update or was there nothing piquing interest for me to post however.
Tranche 554, routes 19/N19, 82, 113/N113, 298 and W9. Has been announced for 298/W9
298 retained by Sullivan with PVR 5 > 6. Existing plus to-be-confirmed (rumoured for a DD ex-school route[s])
W9 awarded from Metroline to Sullivan. New Euro6 single deckers.
Also, following Garston (GR)'s new Streetdeck introduction, with three DLAs to spare and more on LO-T, they sent out VLA109 which was at Barking (DX) prior to Garston (GR) facing shortages, has transferred to Norwood (N) and is on route 417 as of typing.
News Flash 9 August:
The rumours are finally over concerning Arriva's latest LTs in the new over LT813+ boundary. LOTS say they're indeed for the 253.
While Sutton (A)'s DOE-class Trident Optare Olympus buses are being refurbished, Barking (RR) have lent their Scania N230UD Optare Olympus 873-878 as floats and are already seen in service.
Meanwhile, Fulwell (FW) have gone bonkers and threw their DE125 on double decker route 65.
News Flash 8 August:
Wright's new range of electric buses, which replace the hybrid-electric Electrocity and the Streetlite Electric-Vehicle, the StreetAir, available in single and double decker, has two versions.
Wheel Forward, at 8.8m and 9.5m lengths, based on the Streetlite WF and therefor replacing the Streetlite EV with the new StreetAir EV name. Some are already in service, some are operated by Arriva in Milton Keynes and so forth. Each weigh roughly 13 tonnes (the weight of a normal full size single decker!)
Door Forward, at 10.6m. Unlike Wright's other inventions, this uses the StreetDeck's chassis and the new Wright Eclipse 3's body. However a double decker version is available which will use the StreetDeck's body. For both double and single decker the StreetDeck chassis is used as a base. Anyways, a new bus (I mean the DF singledecker) is formed don't you think?
Personally to fit the Gemini 3 and StreetDeck family I would've thought an Eclipse 3 model resembling the Eclipse Gemini 3 would've been nice to follow family suit like the Eclipse [Gemini] 1 and 2 models. Though the Eclipse 3 took a bit off the Streetlite at the rear.
Wrightbus' article on their new product.
Metroline's new VWHs for Harrow Weald (HD)'s routes 140 and 182, start to enter service. VWH2213 on 140 and another on 182. Batch numbers VWH2187-2256 for Harrow Weald (HD) and VWH2257-87 for Uxbridge (UX)'s latest gain 114.
News Flash 7 August:
Excuse me being addicted to Cities in Motion recently, last night T88 had a suspected arson on the upper deck while in service on route N2, by St Matthew's Estate (Brixton). Norwood (N)'s other accident involved vehicle VLA50 (on 176 on 18/7) is still not in service.
I forgot to mention the Orpington changes take place in April 2017 instead of December as per contract dates for some routes.
I may have also forgot to mention 2400 the diesel Enviro400 MMC demonstrator has been made permanent in Abellio having got stickered up.
As promised routes 565 571 ad 572 have showed up on LVF on the 6th August.
Route 76's LTs are ready for delivery seen at Heysham Docks however they contain Arriva logos and blinds for route 253 which operates from Clapton (CT). This fact is backed up by a quote in the Buses Magazine which states route 76 will be the first NBFL route to change operators, as route 76 will change from Arriva to Go-Ahead around February. This would allow the 20 HVs from the 76 to become refurbished and upgraded to Euro6 in time for route 157's award to new home Norwood (N) which requires route 133's Ts, 133 itself requiring 34 HAs joint with 333 and HV7-24 from 76.
Having said that, the 253 is now mooted for an LT conversion.
Since 5th August, the tramlink network have been rerouted due to track works with tram replacement buses in operation. Trams 1/2 withdrawn from Blackhorse Lane to Croydon with frequency reduction to 15 mins at all times, Tram 3 withdrawn between New Addington and Reeves Corner (frequency reduced to 8 at all times) and tram 4 fully withdrawn.
On the 8th the network returns to near normal (albeit frequencies here and there and tram 3 operating between New Addington-Sandilands and Reeves Corner-Wimbledon shuttles).
News Flash 5 August:
Sorry I forgot to update, but however I am utmost grateful for the over 10000 views on my blog!!!! I plan on a post however at this rate it will only be when I return to London.
Daimler-engined Streetlite WS65 has left New Cross (NX) last seen on 108 at the end of July.
New route 5 rerouting in Romford consultation to serve Queen's Hospital.
As per Orpington R-route consultation which has finished (expect tenders soon for the R-routes):
- R1 as consultation (minor modification in Orpington), frequency reduced from every 15 M-Sat to 20, Sundays retained at 30, evenings retained at 20.
- R2 as consultation (cut from Petts Wood to Orpington Walnuts Centre)
- R3 will run between Princess Royal Hospital and Orpington Station instead of Orpington Hospital. M-Sat frequency increased to every 20, Sunday and evenings increased to every 30.
- R7 will run Chislehurst High Street (instead of Chislehurst Bromley Road) to Chelsfield Village. M-Sat frequency increased to every 30. Sunday hourly service introduced.
- R11 will continue as current but not serving Foots Cray Tesco.
Some Battersea (QB) buses have been spotted with 'On test for TfL' signs at the rear lower deck window. Though:
From today (Friday 5 August), a number of buses on route 344 are displaying real-time traffic information using digital information boards. This innovative technology will be trialled on buses between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street to help drivers avoid congestion and improve their journeys.At this stage, Edgware (BT) have most of 94's VH45153-66 and Shepherd's Bush (S) have a lot of new VHs from VH45187 up in swap.
The buses have been fitted with electronic boards by Equitech IT Solutions, which use GPS technology to give accurate and up-to-date traffic information. The information is taken from the TfL Variable Message Sign network, which is fed from the 24-hour traffic control centre.
The trial will be introduced on a further bus route – route 415 between Tulse Hill and Liverpool Street – in the autumn.
The digital information boards will not carry advertisements - have been installed without reducing the advertising potential of the buses.
A Road Traffic Accident occurred at Dartford Crossing.
Abellio's H28 drivers making effort at being drivers for H28, with 8450 seen fully displaying 969 to Whitton Lincoln Avenue.
By now I guess a lot of Enviro400's have transferred from Plumstead (PD) over to Romford North Street (NS) for route 86 if not all. Barking (BK) also lent a hand with 7 MMCs ordered for 145 to free equal classic Enviro400s to the 86.
News Flash 3 August:
In the future I may revise my popular News Flash series in sets of posts per month to a page of yearly changes perhaps called News 2016 which as frequent as I update now, will be updated as frequently there. Though this idea is not definite yet.
Anyways, the Sovereign Enviro200s in Harrow (SO) have been renumbered from DE57-99 to DE20157-99. Leaves a gap between MMC batch DE20129-42 thus leaving 43-56 vacant.
DPS694 has also been renumbered to DPS30694.
Plumstead (PD)'s 12385 (an E400MMC) decides to make an appearance on route 99. Of the first batch of MCV Evosetis MHV16 entered service on night 453.
TfL have decided to withdraw school route 647 as there was more for it than against. 55 trips are made a day on that route, with a crosslink PVR of 1 (from 678 in morning, from 128 in afternoon).
China's new elevated 'bus' which looks more of an elevated and very wide metro.
News Flash 2 August:
Yesterday a march has been going around London, Parliament Square to Brixton precisely affecting Brixton Road routes. And on that day DW99 from Croydon (TC) strayed on Norwood (N) route 133 with running number #306. Photographed by ©GloriousWater.
Routes 565/571/572 will not show on countdown until 6 August, the date for the next data fiddlings.
While they were not on countdown, the changes were not represented properly. With countdown on some stops saying 'bus stop closed' or 'check other publicity' when other publicity (i.e information) has timetables for 65/371.
A protester's march also happened yesterday in the Holborn area to Byron's Burger Restaurant, a lane for traffic was removed on the gyratory outside the station to facilitate said protesters.
I have mentioned further back that LDP287/8 of route 315's allocation have been withdrawn and replaced with SEN39/42. LDP287/8 are with Phoenix of Blyth Coaches.
News Flash 31 July:
It is the end of July, and sums 268 views yesterday! :o :). Today Ride London is going on and bus drivers are doing well of showing correct destinations *sarcasm*.
Such as 285s showing Kingston when going as far as Feltham and Teddington, or 216s to Kingston when they're diverted short to Teddington, so on so on.
To see where routes affected are going today, scroll down through TfL's digital blog until you see 'Prudential Ride London'.
Additionally, VP492 is out on route W7 making advantage of all the buses thrown onto Northern Line replacements (NL-A High Barnet to Archway, NL-C Mill Hill Broadway to Finchley Central, NL-E Finchley Central to Arnos Grove) all operated by Metroline.
Not all of the Northern Line replacements are operated by Metroline as NL-D (Finchley Road-Warren Street) is operated by Abellio who is also in control of LO-M (Clapham Junction-Canada Water).
News Flash 30 July:
Gosh! We're already reaching halfway through 9000, almost! And I'm so happy to see this small blog reaching a new height of 201 views yesterday! Can't say I'm in tears though :P
P.S. I'll be changing the polls, if you want to see the results for reference, you know the drill!
Anyways, tenders yesterday which missed out fellow routes in same tranches.
SD = Single Deckers DD = Double Deckers
- Tranche 546:
273 retained by Stagecoach Selkent. PVR 8 > 9. New Euro6 diesel SD
380 retained by Stagecoach Selkent. PVR 12 > 14. New Euro6 diesel SD
- Tranche 552:
48 awarded to Arriva London North. PVR 21 > 22. Euro6 New Routemaster
58 retained by Tower Transit. PVR 17. Existing diesel and new hybrid DD
97 retained by Stagecoach East London. PVR 21 > 22. Existing 2009 Euro4 diesel DD
215 retained by Stagecoach East London. PVR 5. Existing 2011 Euro5 diesel DD
242 retained by Arriva London North. PVR 24 > 20. New Euro6 hybrid DD
277 retained by Stagecoach East London. PVR 21 > 25. New Euro6 hybrid & existing diesel DD
325 retained by Arriva London North. PVR 12. Existing 2010 Euro5 diesel SD
EL1 retained by Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle. PVR 15 > 17. Euro6 New Routemaster
EL2 retained by Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle. PVR 15. Euro6 New Routemaster
EL3 awarded to Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle. PVR 11 > 14. Euro6 New Routemaster
- Tranche 556:
388 retained by CT Plus. PVR 14 > 15. New Euro6 hybrid DD
Notes:
58 - 16 existing 2010 diesel DD + 3 new Euro6 hybrid. Frequency increase on Sundays and evenings
97 - Allocation to be Scanias ex-277. Frequency increase on evenings.
215 - Extended from Yardley Lane Estate to Lea Valley Campsite all time of the year. Allocation to be ex-387 E400s
242 - awarded on the basis of the option to terminate at St Paul’s instead of Tottenham Court Road. Subject to consultation, this is expected to commence on 1st July 2017. From new contract commencement until this is implemented, PVR will remain 24, and four existing Euro V diesel buses will continue in operation.
277 - awarded on the basis of Option 1, rerouted to Crossharbour via Isle of Dogs instead of Leamouth (commencing 17th September 2016 in conjunction with the new route D3 contract), but retaining its existing western terminal at Highbury & Islington.
380 - AM peak frequency increase
388 - awarded on the basis of Option 1, continuing to terminate at Blackfriars Station. Option 2 (extension to Elephant & Castle in conjunction with the curtailment of route 100) may be implemented at a later date, subject to consultation.
EL1 & 387 (renumbered EL3) - awarded on the basis of extending from the current Barking Riverside terminus at Mallards Road to Crown Street. Route EL3 has a frequency increase on Monday to Friday daytimes and is rerouted via Barking Town Centre.
And that's not all, the Finchley Road corridor consultation came out. Or if you read below is literally what is just happening in simple dead points.
- 13: Withdrawn.
- 82: Renumbered 13. Converted to 24-hour operation. Frequency increased from every 8 Mondays to Saturdays (extra peak journeys weekdays) and 12 Sundays/evenings to every 6 Mondays to Saturdays (extra peak journeys weekdays) and 10 Sundays/evenings. Half hourly night service.
- 113: Extended to Oxford Circus until when pedestrianisation occurs and will be cut off to Marble Arch again. Frequency increased from 10 mins Monday-Saturday to 7-8 and 20 Sundays/evenings to 12 mins.
- 139: Extended from West Hampstead to Golders Green..again.
- 189: All day and night service curtailed to Marble Arch to make space for 113.
- N13: Withdrawn,
Only thing different this time is...the night service on 189 would go as far as Marble Arch this round compared to Oxford Circus last round. Oh and the minoric bolstered service on new 13.
Summary:
Finchley Road consultation attempt 2 with not much different at a time where people are on holiday and where there's also the EU referendum to be focused on, a decision TfL think they can make the go-ahead with less objections.
Almost 60 LTs (routes 21/76) coupled with roughly 25 (route 48) and just over 50 (ELT) closing in to just over 940 LTs. We can breathe some fresh air over the last two or so conversions begging they're not affecting me or any other Londoner thereon.
Also secretly, VH45159, 45164 and 45166 have transferred from Shepherd's Bush (S) to Edgware (BT) and new VH45188, 45194 & 45195 into Shepherd's Bush (S).
News Flash 29 July:
Yesterday I happened to be daydreaming but I'll continue on my work.
Latest Streetdeck addition from SW2-4 is SW5, leaves SW6-9 left. Another addition to Garston (GR)'s fleet is 12 ex-Stagecoach East London Enviro200's like I mentioned before. The first two coded ENL101/2 entered service on H18/H19 and 142 respectively and today on 303/340 also respectively.
Next topic, Petersham Road changes.
Petersham Road will be temporarily closed from the 1st August to somewhere in September. The changes consist of route 371 being suspended (replaced by shuttles 565/571/572) and route 65 diverted off via Richmond Road, York Street, Cross Deep, Strawberry Vale, Twickenham Road, Kingston Road, Upper Teddington Road, High Street and Horse Fair into Kingston.
As for the shuttle circular services, these will be charged for free when interchanging with 65/371. These are all operated out of Fulwell (FW).
- Route 565 (24-hour, PVR of 5 day, 1 night) will run circular between Kingston and Ham via route 65, then a loop in Ham via 371 (Dukes Avenue, Broughton Avenue, Ashburnham Road, Sandy Lane) and back to Kingston via 65. Frequency of every 10 mins Monday-Saturday, 15 Sundays and evenings, 30 nightly
- Route 571 (daytime, PVR 6) will run circular between Kingston and Ham via route 371 and loop in Ham in the opposite direction as above and back on 371. Same frequency (excluding nightly).
- Route 572 (daytime, PVR 4 M-F, 6 weekends) will run circular from Richmond Manor Road Sainsbury's via 371 to Star & Garter Hill, 65 to Richmond, 371 to Manor Road Sainsbury's.
It is expected route 565 to be run with spare double deckers and the latter two with single deckers from route 371 and/or spares released from contract losses/retains.
Oh and I almost missed, the 51 BYD Enviro200's for routes 507/521 that were supposedly coded EE1-51 are now SEe1-51. The last lowercase 'e' is not a typo.
News Flash 27 July:
A new day, something fresh. However I have another old mail to throw in the fresh mill.
As previously known the Central and Victoria 24-hour tube will go ahead on 19 August and thus routes bound to Night Tube listed will go weekend night at a frequency of every 30 except W7: 34, 123, 145, 158, 296, E1, W3 and W7.
Stagecoach's little gains that start on the 20th August with frequency amendments, 146 from 60 mins at certain times to 65 and the 336 from 20 mins on Monday-Saturdays to 15 mins and Sundays from 30 mins to 20 mins.
A new bus priority scheme for routes 89/428/N89 where (89/N89 both directions, 428 Erith-bound) they will go direct along Northend Road instead of using roundabouts along Boundary Street and Thames Road to improve journey times and will miss two bus stops on Northend Road. This is to improve journey time and will be implemented on the 15th August.
More of route 344's MMCs are arriving parking in Battersea (QB).
Campaigner Save Our Bus (SOB) are proud on route W19's frequency increase not knowing it's retaining medium sized 9.7m vehicles...
London City Airport will be expanded and funding has been made for extra DLR trains.
Fun fact: Some buses contain 'W16 Stratford City' on the side in TT's fleet. An alternative option that didn't spring to functionality.
News Flash 26 July:
Yesterday one of 146/336's Enviro200 MMC's entered service on R5/R10 to substitute a regular Enviro200 which entered an accident.
Scania 602 of route 181's allocation also entered an accident, with a car in Lewisham, damage wasn't too bad on the bus but was decent on the car.
And still 487's MMCs haven't entered service when lots of other newer batches entered service?
The first three 16reg Streetdecks for route 340 have entered service solely on it, meanwhile Uno send ex-Quality Line SD48, now known as 511, on their sole route 383.
Did I forget to mention? It was agreed that 34 more electrics and an unspecified number of hydrogen powered buses to roll in.
News Flash 23 July:
Yesterday I noticed over 160 views! Even though I kept this as a journal sort of blog of bus changes and etcetera, I'm quite happy to see this!
On to the news part of this, what we know as MBK1 (or what TT identify as MV4401) finally started service on 444 which will stay in Lea Interchange (LI) for 3 weeks. The other demo, OM1 the diesel Optare Metrodecker has blinds fitted and awaits service. Go-Ahead's WS65 has been asleep since the 20th July.
Plumstead (PD) have severed quite a few crosslinks meanwhile. 53 (with 96, 122 and I think 672 on Fridays), 51 (with 672) and 96 (with 602). The most former, 53 gains a PVR from 32 to 34 during roadworks and other delays including it's return to Whitehall though on cycle day it will be back to Lambeth North.
Metroline's commercial 714 has been discontinued today (being just over 13 months old from June 2015) most likely out of bare usage and replaced with a bifurcation of 84A to Luton via Harpenden, Kinsbourne Green and Luton Airport with a new timetable and also extended to (and certain 84 journeys) St Albans Firbank Road. Evening journeys to New Greens discontinued.
News Flash 22 July:
Abellio's first MMCs due for Battersea (QB) for route 344 are being delivered with 2534, first of the batch of 18(?) in garage.
Stockwell (SW)'s iBus room will be the victim of being seen by reporters and politicians to see how the staff do their jobs. Don't cock up SW! Lol.
News Flash 21 July:
Go-Ahead London's long due Optare Metrodecker is to trial on Bexleyheath (BX) route 486 after ETM fitting and type training.
RATP's new VHs for the London Sovereign division contain blinds for 114 and West Hampstead. On LVF, the separation London United (or LU) and London Sovereign (or LS) changed to RATP (or RTP).
Also, it seems the 6 VRHs replacing 6 Gemini 2 VHs will also transfer to 183 (which 183 is also allocated 6 new VHs) in a bid to double deck H14, previously rumoured for VEs ex-114 and now it seems to me SPs from the 183?
Take a look at this if you wish.
News Flash 20 July:
RATP have been transferring VLEs from Tolworth (TV) over to the London Sovereign division and DPSs from 265's allocation. SPs from Tolworth (TV) have been seen going to Fulwell (FW), rumoured for Petersham Road works. New VHs, VH45187-9 have been seen in service on route 13 yesterday and are said to be for 183. Now what will 13 which will gain 6 VRHs, displace 6 VHs to, is unknown.
Streetlites are gaining a bit more dominance in the single decker fleet of London with an 11.3m model (dual door) being trialled on route 108, coded WS65, registered as SL16YPK. Arriva London have ordered their first Streetlites, 22 Wheel Forward 9.5m models for retained route 450, bonnet code SLS1-22.
News Flash 19 July:
Back on my laptop and I will type down the changes to happen. Also, thanks for the over 8000 views!
News Flash 2 July:
Today the 57 and 85 switch hands. The former with as expected E100-28 of which majority are in service with the backup of 60-reg allocated to 118 and E151 from Stockwell (SW) off 337 including spare bus ex-12 WVL442.
As for 85, it's also mainly VH of it's VH45167-82 batch with 08-reg SPs off 57/131. Route 71/671 transferred to Tolworth (TV) with 1SP40086-101and using ex-57 TAs.
Four MMC DEs entered service on 265.
Meanwhile WVL162 of Putney (AF) strays on 337.
News Flash 23/6:
PDL100 of route 410 crashed on Purley Way.
There also appears to be floods within London. As a result, Battersea (QB) and Lea Interchange (LI) routes were running severely under PVR. Route X26 is suspended between Kingston and Heathrow. Route 366 is also suspended, between Loxford Park and Barking.
News Flash 17/6:
I won't be as frequently available as I am now for 3 months until halfway September. So therefor my last pictures of the day I think are VLA70 - route 417 and SP20 - route 57.
So today route 147 is cut back to Prince Regent again with 541 returning into service this time operating with spare buses ex-345, the ones parked in either Camberwell (Q) or Bexleyheath (BX) as unfit.
E102, 103, 113, 119 and 124 are the ones operating on 541. The first two being used as stand-ins for E163-85 of which a few didn't enter service on 147 on time.
E104, 114/5 and 117 went to Bexleyheath (BX) as unfit and started service in Stockwell (SW), but E114 remaining in Bexleyheath (BX).
E108/9 and maybe others have been refurbished by Hants & Dorset.
E110 transferred to Northumberland Park (NP) a few days ago.
E116-128 (except 119, 124/5) remain in Camberwell (Q) either in service or unfit, but E125 transferred to Sutton (A) a few days ago.
Route 189 has finally been tested for LTs and failed in Brent Cross (why do TfL even plan LT conversions without being tested first *rolls eyes*).
TfL launched a fourth bus related consultation, this time the East London Transit involving EL1 and 387/to-be-EL3.
Fourth consultation being a W11 reroute in the Palmerston Road area.
I forgot to mention an email I sent to TfL regarding cutback of routes 3/8/15/53/148:
And route 417 is confirmed for DW-class DB300s, presumably DW277-89.
Arriva London North's 6213-9 (unknown if to be renumbered DW163-9) transfer to Barking (DX) for London Overground Rail Replacement work.
Route 70 to apparently gain double deckers and route 316 to gain a double decker allocation on the 8th October, rumoured with 58-reg Enviro400s left by route 91.
News Flash 16/6:
Go-Ahead's turn of tides:
Route 39 to receive 8 new Wright Streetlite integrals of unknown length and SEN30-37 from former 368 batch. Routes 1/74/430 to receive 56 Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs, route 14 with 39 ADL's Enviro400 MMC bodied Volvo B5LHs, presumably EHV17-55.
Route 57 to use former 345 batch E100-128, some are refurbished, some are not and are lingering in other garages such as SW, BX and RR.
Route 213 to use VE1-3, retain E58-60 along with DOE/PVL-class vehicles with it's PVR of 19.
The order of 39 EHs cancelled with 39 EHVs for route 14, thus in total 35 EHs for 35 and 363 ordered.
Arriva London's latest additions Heathrow (HE), Grays (GY) and Garston (GR) have been applying running number cards (instead of papers in driver cab) on their buses. Dartford (DT) hasn't yet done so. Grays (GY) have started renumbering their VLAs back to original numbers and 6117 returns to being VLA117.
News Flash 15/6:
I'd like to say I'm proud this blog reached 7000 views! Thank you to all!
TfL decided to proceed with the Brent Park (206/224) changes but cancelled route 224's reroute. Reroute for route 206 to begin on Saturday 18 June.
TfL also created a Tottenham Court Road proposal.
From yesterday for the next four weeks, route 465's main service will curtail short from Dorking to Leatherhead nightly (2000-0600) due to closure between Givons Grove roundabout to Swanworth Lane. A shuttle will operate between Dorking and Leatherhad via Boxhill.
Former Metrobus' 710 and 722 are in Osea, Cyprus. (Photo of 722 by Rob Woughman)
Fun fact: There's two production lines for LTs, but 7-8 in total for Wrightbus manufacturing. One is to close after summer holiday shutdown thus production rate will be halved.
Fun fact 2: Read this.
News Flash 14/6:
Sullivan Buses' ELV5 was involved in an accident on route 653 on the 10th June.
Farringdon Street's revealed as the most polluted street in London, succeeding Blackwall Tunnel, Old Street, Marylebone Road, Brent Cross IKEA and Woolwich Flyover.
News Flash 13/6:
TfL propose to curtail route 167 from Debden to Loughton due to funding cuts by Essex County Council, and propose new school route 677 between Debden and Ilford but non-stop from Loughton Station to Roding Valley High School, Devanent Foundation School and Debden Park High School straight to Debden.
News Flash 12/6:
Due to emergency gas works from 11 June to 7 October on Newgate Street at the junction with King Edward Street and Giltspur Street, the following routes are diverted:
- 8/25/242/N8 from Mansion House Street/Poultry (25/242) or Cheapside (8/N8) via Queen Victoria Street (25/242) New Change (8/N8, Cannon Street, St Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Hill, Ludgate Circus, Fleet Street, Fetter Lane, New Fetter Lane, Holborn Circus and Holborn to normal route.
- 56 curtailed from St Bartholomew Hospital to St Paul's Station, diversion from St Martin Le Grand, via Newgate Street, King Edward Street and Angel Street. From Angel Street buses will pick up from the temporary Angel Street stand.
- 521 from Cannon Street via New Change, Cannon Street, St Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Hill, Ludgate Circus, Farringdon Street, Charterhouse Street, Holborn Circus and Holborn to line route. Services towards London Bridge are unaffected.
Delivery of 12365-400 and 2501-21 accelerating, for 53 and 26/N26 respectively.
News Flash 11/6:
Metroline routes 195/E6 transferred from Hayes (HZ)/Perivale (PA) respectively to Greenford (G) today. DE1324 returned from it's accident into a shop and is on route 274.
Arriva's ENL3 which is actually allocated to 166, sent to Wood Green (WN) for refurb once T31 was withdrawn and now this bus transferred to Grays (G) for some reason.
The buses TfL were testing for capacity testing were Stagecoach's 36602 and an Abellio 10.9m model, in Waterloo (RA).
Stagecoach's disused Upton Park (U) is being demolished to make way for new housing.
Random news picked up from the web and an estate block in Brixton caught fire at around 1PM. Floods also hit Purley at roughly 3PM.
Routes 197 208 211 214 227 406 and 490 all received 2 year contract extensions.
The following will still be announced:
Tranche 563, due August 2016? Cancelled
46
Tranche 564, due September 2016, contract start April-May 2017
Tranche 565, due September 2016, contract start April-May 2017
Tranche 566, due October 2016, contract start April-May 2017
Tranche 567, due October 2016, contract start 3 June 2017
Tranche 568, due October 2016, contract start June-July 2017
Tranche 569, due October 2016, contract start 24 June 2017
Tranche 570, due October 2016? Cancelled
227
Tranche 571, due November 2016, contract start 24 June 2017
Tranche 572, due November 2016, contract start June-July 2017
Tranche 573, due November 2016, contract start 1 July 2017
Tranche 574, due December 2016, contract start July 2017
Tranche 575, due December 2016, contract start 29 July 2017
Tranche 576, due December 2016, contract start August-September 2017
Tranche 577, due December 2016, contract start September-October 2017
Tranche 578, due December 2016, contract start 31st September 2017
Tranche 579, due January 2017, contract start 2 September 2017
Tranche 580, due December 2016, contract start August-September 2017
Tranche 581, due January 2017, contract start July-August 2017
Tranche 582, due January 2017, contract start July-September 2017
Tranche 583, due January 2017, contract start August-September 2017
Tranche 584, due January 2017, contract start September-October 2017
All Rainham (BE) routes to transfer to River Road (RR) on 2 July, route 147 cut short from Canning Town to Prince Regent on 17 June. Meanwhile, Go-Ahead's route 77 will transfer from Merton (AL) to Stockwell (SW) but 155 will stay in Merton (AL). But route 337 will transfer from Stockwell (SW) to Putney (AF) to keep work within the garages following loss of 85 plus a new timetable (on 337). Also to happen on 2 July.
Hammersmith Bridge may not begin repair works by the end of this year.
55 Metroline vehicles to be fitted with another new tech, this time where exhaust fumes turn into water. Rumoured to be the remaining VP-class in Willesden (AC). 7 unknown vehicles already have these tech. In the next three months the VRHs (Volvo B5LH Wright New Routemaster 10.6m) are destined to begin service on 13.
Go-Ahead London from Sutton (A) are operating the Oxted - East Grinstead/Crowborough rail replacement service with single deckers, thus route 80 will temporarily be double decker.
News Flash 10/6:
Today a lot of rare workings have occurred, such as E276 on route 20, WVL367 on route 432 (Rare to have any non-E on the #371 working from Camberwell [Q]), T164 on route 197 (Thornton Heath [TH]'s refurb for route 64 loaned to South Croydon [TC]), ENR3 on route 469, PVL363 on route 422, SP40158 on route 94 and possibly more.
News Flash 9/6:
TfL will be testing what is better for capacity, the LT or the ST. Apparently only one option will finish the 195 order. TfL will also be testing both 10.49m and 10.87m Enviro200 MMCs at an unidentified Go-Ahead garage tomorrow (10/6).
Meanwhile more Metroline's rumours as more BYDs may come for route 98. Route 18 to be trialled with VWHs.
Rare workings on this day were WVL194 (route 19) and E95 (route 21).
News Flash 8/6:
140/182 to convert to VWH operation ahead of supposed 10 September to now 6 July with VWHs arriving in pairs of 8s a week.
New route to Brentford (AH), 117, will instead gain 10 existing DE-class from route E6 while route E6 gains DE-class from routes E7/E9.
Scania's N280UD double decker demo on the MMC body (YN16CFU) has started service with Stephensons (Essex) on route 17 (Southend to Leigh On Sea Station via Chalkwell).
News Flash 7/6:
New school route by Go-Coach hire, route 476: Petts Wood Queensway to Dartford Heath Common Lane for Wilmington schools via Crofton Lane, Orpington, Chelsfield, The Highway then non-stop to Swanley (Rogers Court), Hextable. One return journey only on school days.
The first of 53's 36 Enviro400 MMC (12365-400) integral hybrids have commenced test-runs prior to delivery, meanwhile CT Plus' Enviro400 Citys (2501-21) have started delivery into Hackney (HK).
Route 86 will be receiving Enviro400 diesels from Plumstead (PD), with current Volvos (13001-32) on 53 cascaded to other Plumstead (PD) routes. Of which 96/99 are remaining as diesel routes.
Metroline's VWH2122, from 295's batch, is being used as a type trainer for Harrow Weald (HD)'s upcoming batch for 140/182.
Today there's been loads of incidents, 12 Road Traffic Accidents, 2 traffic delays, 3 pointless roadworks and 5 flood issues. London can't get any better.
News Flash 6/6:
New tenders!
235 Contract awarded to Metroline with new single deckers. PVR 21 > 20.
237 Contract retained by Metroline with existing buses, PVR 20 > 21.
696 Contract retained by London United with existing SPs off 131, PVR 2.
H26 Contract retained by Abellio London West, with new single deckers. PVR 4 > 5.
Route 235 & 237 are awarded on the basis of ITT Option 2, following the extension of route E8 to Hounslow, Bell Corner, and associated changes to routes 235 & 237 introduced with effect from 28 May 2016.
Speaking of 235, the barrier in North Brentford broke...again.
Go-Ahead's E114/115/117 are (in service/parked) in Bexleyheath (BX).
Following Tower Bridge closure:
42 will end south of Tower Bridge at City Hall
78 diverted via Tower Bridge and curtailed to Liverpool Street Bus Station
RV1 diverted from Tower Gateway via Tower Hill, Eastcheap, London Bridge. Tooley Street diversion cancelled for the time being.
News Flash 4/6:
Following the hopper ticket, to save funds Oxford Street will be pedestrianised with taxis removed and routes going through adjacent back roads and bus cuts in general.
Abellio followed Arriva's style of putting LTs on Rail Replacement services and LT607/770/778 are all out on District Line service B.
A few of CT Plus' Citys have arrived in Hackney (HK).
News Flash 3/6:
LDP287/8 from route 315's allocation have been withdrawn and sent to an operator in Manchester with SEN39/42 replacing them.
Routes 208/227 have received 2 year contract extensions and thus out of current tender programme.
News Flash 2/6:
Tower Bridge to close for 3 months from October onwards for repairs.
Fun fact: T314 and SE261-67/88-90 contain Euro5 specifications like body details and computer setup in comparison to actual Euro6 versions, like TL's 14/64reg E400s and SW's SE235-60.
Fun fact 2: MEC42 has fresh white blinds but it's smartblinds has programming issues therefor manually set by hand.
Arriva's 55reg VLAs ex-159 from numbers VLA156-63 have been spotted roaming around London lately with VLA163 route training for LO-T service to be made permanent temporarily while the GOBLIN closes until February 2017.
News Flash 1/6:
TfL are consulting to withdraw school route 647 (Harold Hill - Romford mainly via 174).
I have mentioned further back that LDP287/8 of route 315's allocation have been withdrawn and replaced with SEN39/42. LDP287/8 are with Phoenix of Blyth Coaches.
News Flash 31 July:
It is the end of July, and sums 268 views yesterday! :o :). Today Ride London is going on and bus drivers are doing well of showing correct destinations *sarcasm*.
Such as 285s showing Kingston when going as far as Feltham and Teddington, or 216s to Kingston when they're diverted short to Teddington, so on so on.
To see where routes affected are going today, scroll down through TfL's digital blog until you see 'Prudential Ride London'.
Additionally, VP492 is out on route W7 making advantage of all the buses thrown onto Northern Line replacements (NL-A High Barnet to Archway, NL-C Mill Hill Broadway to Finchley Central, NL-E Finchley Central to Arnos Grove) all operated by Metroline.
Not all of the Northern Line replacements are operated by Metroline as NL-D (Finchley Road-Warren Street) is operated by Abellio who is also in control of LO-M (Clapham Junction-Canada Water).
News Flash 30 July:
Gosh! We're already reaching halfway through 9000, almost! And I'm so happy to see this small blog reaching a new height of 201 views yesterday! Can't say I'm in tears though :P
P.S. I'll be changing the polls, if you want to see the results for reference, you know the drill!
Anyways, tenders yesterday which missed out fellow routes in same tranches.
SD = Single Deckers DD = Double Deckers
- Tranche 546:
273 retained by Stagecoach Selkent. PVR 8 > 9. New Euro6 diesel SD
380 retained by Stagecoach Selkent. PVR 12 > 14. New Euro6 diesel SD
- Tranche 552:
48 awarded to Arriva London North. PVR 21 > 22. Euro6 New Routemaster
58 retained by Tower Transit. PVR 17. Existing diesel and new hybrid DD
97 retained by Stagecoach East London. PVR 21 > 22. Existing 2009 Euro4 diesel DD
215 retained by Stagecoach East London. PVR 5. Existing 2011 Euro5 diesel DD
242 retained by Arriva London North. PVR 24 > 20. New Euro6 hybrid DD
277 retained by Stagecoach East London. PVR 21 > 25. New Euro6 hybrid & existing diesel DD
325 retained by Arriva London North. PVR 12. Existing 2010 Euro5 diesel SD
EL1 retained by Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle. PVR 15 > 17. Euro6 New Routemaster
EL2 retained by Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle. PVR 15. Euro6 New Routemaster
EL3 awarded to Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle. PVR 11 > 14. Euro6 New Routemaster
- Tranche 556:
388 retained by CT Plus. PVR 14 > 15. New Euro6 hybrid DD
Notes:
58 - 16 existing 2010 diesel DD + 3 new Euro6 hybrid. Frequency increase on Sundays and evenings
97 - Allocation to be Scanias ex-277. Frequency increase on evenings.
215 - Extended from Yardley Lane Estate to Lea Valley Campsite all time of the year. Allocation to be ex-387 E400s
242 - awarded on the basis of the option to terminate at St Paul’s instead of Tottenham Court Road. Subject to consultation, this is expected to commence on 1st July 2017. From new contract commencement until this is implemented, PVR will remain 24, and four existing Euro V diesel buses will continue in operation.
277 - awarded on the basis of Option 1, rerouted to Crossharbour via Isle of Dogs instead of Leamouth (commencing 17th September 2016 in conjunction with the new route D3 contract), but retaining its existing western terminal at Highbury & Islington.
380 - AM peak frequency increase
388 - awarded on the basis of Option 1, continuing to terminate at Blackfriars Station. Option 2 (extension to Elephant & Castle in conjunction with the curtailment of route 100) may be implemented at a later date, subject to consultation.
EL1 & 387 (renumbered EL3) - awarded on the basis of extending from the current Barking Riverside terminus at Mallards Road to Crown Street. Route EL3 has a frequency increase on Monday to Friday daytimes and is rerouted via Barking Town Centre.
And that's not all, the Finchley Road corridor consultation came out. Or if you read below is literally what is just happening in simple dead points.
- 13: Withdrawn.
- 82: Renumbered 13. Converted to 24-hour operation. Frequency increased from every 8 Mondays to Saturdays (extra peak journeys weekdays) and 12 Sundays/evenings to every 6 Mondays to Saturdays (extra peak journeys weekdays) and 10 Sundays/evenings. Half hourly night service.
- 113: Extended to Oxford Circus until when pedestrianisation occurs and will be cut off to Marble Arch again. Frequency increased from 10 mins Monday-Saturday to 7-8 and 20 Sundays/evenings to 12 mins.
- 139: Extended from West Hampstead to Golders Green..again.
- 189: All day and night service curtailed to Marble Arch to make space for 113.
- N13: Withdrawn,
Only thing different this time is...the night service on 189 would go as far as Marble Arch this round compared to Oxford Circus last round. Oh and the minoric bolstered service on new 13.
Summary:
Finchley Road consultation attempt 2 with not much different at a time where people are on holiday and where there's also the EU referendum to be focused on, a decision TfL think they can make the go-ahead with less objections.
Almost 60 LTs (routes 21/76) coupled with roughly 25 (route 48) and just over 50 (ELT) closing in to just over 940 LTs. We can breathe some fresh air over the last two or so conversions begging they're not affecting me or any other Londoner thereon.
Also secretly, VH45159, 45164 and 45166 have transferred from Shepherd's Bush (S) to Edgware (BT) and new VH45188, 45194 & 45195 into Shepherd's Bush (S).
News Flash 29 July:
Yesterday I happened to be daydreaming but I'll continue on my work.
Latest Streetdeck addition from SW2-4 is SW5, leaves SW6-9 left. Another addition to Garston (GR)'s fleet is 12 ex-Stagecoach East London Enviro200's like I mentioned before. The first two coded ENL101/2 entered service on H18/H19 and 142 respectively and today on 303/340 also respectively.
36272 - LX11 AWH - ENL101 36274 - LX11 AWM - ENL102 36278 - LX11 AWR - ENL103
36271 - LX11 AWG - ENL104 36270 - LX11 AWF - ENL105 36273 - LX11 AWJ - ENL106
36269 - LX11 AWC - ENL107 36275 - LX11 AWN - ENL108 36268 - LX11 AVZ - ENL109
36276 - LX11 AWO - ENL110 36277 - LX11 AWP - ENL111 36279 - LX11 AWU - ENL112
Next topic, Petersham Road changes.
Petersham Road will be temporarily closed from the 1st August to somewhere in September. The changes consist of route 371 being suspended (replaced by shuttles 565/571/572) and route 65 diverted off via Richmond Road, York Street, Cross Deep, Strawberry Vale, Twickenham Road, Kingston Road, Upper Teddington Road, High Street and Horse Fair into Kingston.
As for the shuttle circular services, these will be charged for free when interchanging with 65/371. These are all operated out of Fulwell (FW).
- Route 565 (24-hour, PVR of 5 day, 1 night) will run circular between Kingston and Ham via route 65, then a loop in Ham via 371 (Dukes Avenue, Broughton Avenue, Ashburnham Road, Sandy Lane) and back to Kingston via 65. Frequency of every 10 mins Monday-Saturday, 15 Sundays and evenings, 30 nightly
- Route 571 (daytime, PVR 6) will run circular between Kingston and Ham via route 371 and loop in Ham in the opposite direction as above and back on 371. Same frequency (excluding nightly).
- Route 572 (daytime, PVR 4 M-F, 6 weekends) will run circular from Richmond Manor Road Sainsbury's via 371 to Star & Garter Hill, 65 to Richmond, 371 to Manor Road Sainsbury's.
It is expected route 565 to be run with spare double deckers and the latter two with single deckers from route 371 and/or spares released from contract losses/retains.
Oh and I almost missed, the 51 BYD Enviro200's for routes 507/521 that were supposedly coded EE1-51 are now SEe1-51. The last lowercase 'e' is not a typo.
News Flash 27 July:
A new day, something fresh. However I have another old mail to throw in the fresh mill.
As previously known the Central and Victoria 24-hour tube will go ahead on 19 August and thus routes bound to Night Tube listed will go weekend night at a frequency of every 30 except W7: 34, 123, 145, 158, 296, E1, W3 and W7.
Stagecoach's little gains that start on the 20th August with frequency amendments, 146 from 60 mins at certain times to 65 and the 336 from 20 mins on Monday-Saturdays to 15 mins and Sundays from 30 mins to 20 mins.
A new bus priority scheme for routes 89/428/N89 where (89/N89 both directions, 428 Erith-bound) they will go direct along Northend Road instead of using roundabouts along Boundary Street and Thames Road to improve journey times and will miss two bus stops on Northend Road. This is to improve journey time and will be implemented on the 15th August.
More of route 344's MMCs are arriving parking in Battersea (QB).
Campaigner Save Our Bus (SOB) are proud on route W19's frequency increase not knowing it's retaining medium sized 9.7m vehicles...
London City Airport will be expanded and funding has been made for extra DLR trains.
Fun fact: Some buses contain 'W16 Stratford City' on the side in TT's fleet. An alternative option that didn't spring to functionality.
News Flash 26 July:
Yesterday one of 146/336's Enviro200 MMC's entered service on R5/R10 to substitute a regular Enviro200 which entered an accident.
Scania 602 of route 181's allocation also entered an accident, with a car in Lewisham, damage wasn't too bad on the bus but was decent on the car.
And still 487's MMCs haven't entered service when lots of other newer batches entered service?
The first three 16reg Streetdecks for route 340 have entered service solely on it, meanwhile Uno send ex-Quality Line SD48, now known as 511, on their sole route 383.
Did I forget to mention? It was agreed that 34 more electrics and an unspecified number of hydrogen powered buses to roll in.
News Flash 23 July:
Yesterday I noticed over 160 views! Even though I kept this as a journal sort of blog of bus changes and etcetera, I'm quite happy to see this!
On to the news part of this, what we know as MBK1 (or what TT identify as MV4401) finally started service on 444 which will stay in Lea Interchange (LI) for 3 weeks. The other demo, OM1 the diesel Optare Metrodecker has blinds fitted and awaits service. Go-Ahead's WS65 has been asleep since the 20th July.
Plumstead (PD) have severed quite a few crosslinks meanwhile. 53 (with 96, 122 and I think 672 on Fridays), 51 (with 672) and 96 (with 602). The most former, 53 gains a PVR from 32 to 34 during roadworks and other delays including it's return to Whitehall though on cycle day it will be back to Lambeth North.
Metroline's commercial 714 has been discontinued today (being just over 13 months old from June 2015) most likely out of bare usage and replaced with a bifurcation of 84A to Luton via Harpenden, Kinsbourne Green and Luton Airport with a new timetable and also extended to (and certain 84 journeys) St Albans Firbank Road. Evening journeys to New Greens discontinued.
News Flash 22 July:
Abellio's first MMCs due for Battersea (QB) for route 344 are being delivered with 2534, first of the batch of 18(?) in garage.
Stockwell (SW)'s iBus room will be the victim of being seen by reporters and politicians to see how the staff do their jobs. Don't cock up SW! Lol.
News Flash 21 July:
Go-Ahead London's long due Optare Metrodecker is to trial on Bexleyheath (BX) route 486 after ETM fitting and type training.
RATP's new VHs for the London Sovereign division contain blinds for 114 and West Hampstead. On LVF, the separation London United (or LU) and London Sovereign (or LS) changed to RATP (or RTP).
Also, it seems the 6 VRHs replacing 6 Gemini 2 VHs will also transfer to 183 (which 183 is also allocated 6 new VHs) in a bid to double deck H14, previously rumoured for VEs ex-114 and now it seems to me SPs from the 183?
Take a look at this if you wish.
News Flash 20 July:
RATP have been transferring VLEs from Tolworth (TV) over to the London Sovereign division and DPSs from 265's allocation. SPs from Tolworth (TV) have been seen going to Fulwell (FW), rumoured for Petersham Road works. New VHs, VH45187-9 have been seen in service on route 13 yesterday and are said to be for 183. Now what will 13 which will gain 6 VRHs, displace 6 VHs to, is unknown.
Streetlites are gaining a bit more dominance in the single decker fleet of London with an 11.3m model (dual door) being trialled on route 108, coded WS65, registered as SL16YPK. Arriva London have ordered their first Streetlites, 22 Wheel Forward 9.5m models for retained route 450, bonnet code SLS1-22.
News Flash 19 July:
Back on my laptop and I will type down the changes to happen. Also, thanks for the over 8000 views!
- 17; due to 20mph speed limit introductions, new timetables incorporating frequency decreases
- 42 retained with new Euro 6 double decker hybrids. PVR 12 > 16. Extended from Denmark Hill Sunray Avenue to East Dulwich Sainsbury's. 1 October
- 68; extended within West Norwood to serve Norwood Bus Garage (both directions) and St Julian's Farm Road (Euston-bound) with Saturday frequency changed to 8-9 mins and PVR decreased to 23 (as of 2011 was 24, during E&C works was 26)
- 108 retained with MECs ex-507/521. PVR 15 > 17. Rerouted at Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach East India Dock Road via Poplar, Violet Road, Carpenters Road, Stratford City to Stratford International. Double decker extras formally known as 108D retained with as current buses from 321.
- 113; conversion to LTs dated October-December
News Flash 2 July:
Today the 57 and 85 switch hands. The former with as expected E100-28 of which majority are in service with the backup of 60-reg allocated to 118 and E151 from Stockwell (SW) off 337 including spare bus ex-12 WVL442.
As for 85, it's also mainly VH of it's VH45167-82 batch with 08-reg SPs off 57/131. Route 71/671 transferred to Tolworth (TV) with 1SP40086-101and using ex-57 TAs.
Four MMC DEs entered service on 265.
Meanwhile WVL162 of Putney (AF) strays on 337.
News Flash 23/6:
PDL100 of route 410 crashed on Purley Way.
There also appears to be floods within London. As a result, Battersea (QB) and Lea Interchange (LI) routes were running severely under PVR. Route X26 is suspended between Kingston and Heathrow. Route 366 is also suspended, between Loxford Park and Barking.
News Flash 17/6:
I won't be as frequently available as I am now for 3 months until halfway September. So therefor my last pictures of the day I think are VLA70 - route 417 and SP20 - route 57.
So today route 147 is cut back to Prince Regent again with 541 returning into service this time operating with spare buses ex-345, the ones parked in either Camberwell (Q) or Bexleyheath (BX) as unfit.
E102, 103, 113, 119 and 124 are the ones operating on 541. The first two being used as stand-ins for E163-85 of which a few didn't enter service on 147 on time.
E104, 114/5 and 117 went to Bexleyheath (BX) as unfit and started service in Stockwell (SW), but E114 remaining in Bexleyheath (BX).
E108/9 and maybe others have been refurbished by Hants & Dorset.
E110 transferred to Northumberland Park (NP) a few days ago.
E116-128 (except 119, 124/5) remain in Camberwell (Q) either in service or unfit, but E125 transferred to Sutton (A) a few days ago.
Route 189 has finally been tested for LTs and failed in Brent Cross (why do TfL even plan LT conversions without being tested first *rolls eyes*).
TfL launched a fourth bus related consultation, this time the East London Transit involving EL1 and 387/to-be-EL3.
Fourth consultation being a W11 reroute in the Palmerston Road area.
I forgot to mention an email I sent to TfL regarding cutback of routes 3/8/15/53/148:
And route 417 is confirmed for DW-class DB300s, presumably DW277-89.
Arriva London North's 6213-9 (unknown if to be renumbered DW163-9) transfer to Barking (DX) for London Overground Rail Replacement work.
Route 70 to apparently gain double deckers and route 316 to gain a double decker allocation on the 8th October, rumoured with 58-reg Enviro400s left by route 91.
News Flash 16/6:
Go-Ahead's turn of tides:
Route 39 to receive 8 new Wright Streetlite integrals of unknown length and SEN30-37 from former 368 batch. Routes 1/74/430 to receive 56 Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs, route 14 with 39 ADL's Enviro400 MMC bodied Volvo B5LHs, presumably EHV17-55.
Route 57 to use former 345 batch E100-128, some are refurbished, some are not and are lingering in other garages such as SW, BX and RR.
Route 213 to use VE1-3, retain E58-60 along with DOE/PVL-class vehicles with it's PVR of 19.
The order of 39 EHs cancelled with 39 EHVs for route 14, thus in total 35 EHs for 35 and 363 ordered.
Arriva London's latest additions Heathrow (HE), Grays (GY) and Garston (GR) have been applying running number cards (instead of papers in driver cab) on their buses. Dartford (DT) hasn't yet done so. Grays (GY) have started renumbering their VLAs back to original numbers and 6117 returns to being VLA117.
News Flash 15/6:
I'd like to say I'm proud this blog reached 7000 views! Thank you to all!
TfL decided to proceed with the Brent Park (206/224) changes but cancelled route 224's reroute. Reroute for route 206 to begin on Saturday 18 June.
TfL also created a Tottenham Court Road proposal.
From yesterday for the next four weeks, route 465's main service will curtail short from Dorking to Leatherhead nightly (2000-0600) due to closure between Givons Grove roundabout to Swanworth Lane. A shuttle will operate between Dorking and Leatherhad via Boxhill.
Former Metrobus' 710 and 722 are in Osea, Cyprus. (Photo of 722 by Rob Woughman)
Fun fact: There's two production lines for LTs, but 7-8 in total for Wrightbus manufacturing. One is to close after summer holiday shutdown thus production rate will be halved.
Fun fact 2: Read this.
News Flash 14/6:
Sullivan Buses' ELV5 was involved in an accident on route 653 on the 10th June.
Farringdon Street's revealed as the most polluted street in London, succeeding Blackwall Tunnel, Old Street, Marylebone Road, Brent Cross IKEA and Woolwich Flyover.
News Flash 13/6:
TfL propose to curtail route 167 from Debden to Loughton due to funding cuts by Essex County Council, and propose new school route 677 between Debden and Ilford but non-stop from Loughton Station to Roding Valley High School, Devanent Foundation School and Debden Park High School straight to Debden.
News Flash 12/6:
Due to emergency gas works from 11 June to 7 October on Newgate Street at the junction with King Edward Street and Giltspur Street, the following routes are diverted:
- 8/25/242/N8 from Mansion House Street/Poultry (25/242) or Cheapside (8/N8) via Queen Victoria Street (25/242) New Change (8/N8, Cannon Street, St Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Hill, Ludgate Circus, Fleet Street, Fetter Lane, New Fetter Lane, Holborn Circus and Holborn to normal route.
- 56 curtailed from St Bartholomew Hospital to St Paul's Station, diversion from St Martin Le Grand, via Newgate Street, King Edward Street and Angel Street. From Angel Street buses will pick up from the temporary Angel Street stand.
- 521 from Cannon Street via New Change, Cannon Street, St Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Hill, Ludgate Circus, Farringdon Street, Charterhouse Street, Holborn Circus and Holborn to line route. Services towards London Bridge are unaffected.
Delivery of 12365-400 and 2501-21 accelerating, for 53 and 26/N26 respectively.
News Flash 11/6:
Metroline routes 195/E6 transferred from Hayes (HZ)/Perivale (PA) respectively to Greenford (G) today. DE1324 returned from it's accident into a shop and is on route 274.
Arriva's ENL3 which is actually allocated to 166, sent to Wood Green (WN) for refurb once T31 was withdrawn and now this bus transferred to Grays (G) for some reason.
The buses TfL were testing for capacity testing were Stagecoach's 36602 and an Abellio 10.9m model, in Waterloo (RA).
Stagecoach's disused Upton Park (U) is being demolished to make way for new housing.
Random news picked up from the web and an estate block in Brixton caught fire at around 1PM. Floods also hit Purley at roughly 3PM.
Routes 197 208 211 214 227 406 and 490 all received 2 year contract extensions.
The following will still be announced:
Tranche 564, due September 2016, contract start April-May 2017
204, 206, 236, 266/N266, 394.
Tranche 565, due September 2016, contract start April-May 2017
195, E6, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5.
Tranche 566, due October 2016, contract start April-May 2017
N136, P4.
Tranche 567, due October 2016, contract start 3 June 2017
217, 254.
Tranche 568, due October 2016, contract start June-July 2017
81, 120.
Tranche 569, due October 2016, contract start 24 June 2017
143, 260, 302.
Tranche 571, due November 2016, contract start 24 June 2017
969, R68, R70.
Tranche 572, due November 2016, contract start June-July 2017
70, C1.
Tranche 573, due November 2016, contract start 1 July 2017
465.
Tranche 574, due December 2016, contract start July 2017
17, 186, 382, 384, C11, W8.
Tranche 575, due December 2016, contract start 29 July 2017
613, 662, 665, 671, 691, 965.
Tranche 576, due December 2016, contract start August-September 2017
5, 15/N15, 66, 115.
Tranche 577, due December 2016, contract start September-October 2017
605, 628/688, 632, 653/683.
Tranche 578, due December 2016, contract start 31st September 2017
131, 411/641.
Tranche 579, due January 2017, contract start 2 September 2017
636/637/638, 664.
Tranche 580, due December 2016, contract start August-September 2017
4, 210, 243/N243, 271/N271, W7/NW7.
Tranche 581, due January 2017, contract start July-August 2017
320.
Tranche 582, due January 2017, contract start July-September 2017
50, 130, 194, 250/N250, 255, 280, 314, 410.
Tranche 583, due January 2017, contract start August-September 2017
90, 222.
Tranche 584, due January 2017, contract start September-October 2017
289, 621.
Route B15 to receive fixed stops on it's hail & ride section (Elsa Road, Holmesdale Road, Dorcis Avenue) on 25 June.All Rainham (BE) routes to transfer to River Road (RR) on 2 July, route 147 cut short from Canning Town to Prince Regent on 17 June. Meanwhile, Go-Ahead's route 77 will transfer from Merton (AL) to Stockwell (SW) but 155 will stay in Merton (AL). But route 337 will transfer from Stockwell (SW) to Putney (AF) to keep work within the garages following loss of 85 plus a new timetable (on 337). Also to happen on 2 July.
Hammersmith Bridge may not begin repair works by the end of this year.
55 Metroline vehicles to be fitted with another new tech, this time where exhaust fumes turn into water. Rumoured to be the remaining VP-class in Willesden (AC). 7 unknown vehicles already have these tech. In the next three months the VRHs (Volvo B5LH Wright New Routemaster 10.6m) are destined to begin service on 13.
Go-Ahead London from Sutton (A) are operating the Oxted - East Grinstead/Crowborough rail replacement service with single deckers, thus route 80 will temporarily be double decker.
News Flash 10/6:
Today a lot of rare workings have occurred, such as E276 on route 20, WVL367 on route 432 (Rare to have any non-E on the #371 working from Camberwell [Q]), T164 on route 197 (Thornton Heath [TH]'s refurb for route 64 loaned to South Croydon [TC]), ENR3 on route 469, PVL363 on route 422, SP40158 on route 94 and possibly more.
News Flash 9/6:
TfL will be testing what is better for capacity, the LT or the ST. Apparently only one option will finish the 195 order. TfL will also be testing both 10.49m and 10.87m Enviro200 MMCs at an unidentified Go-Ahead garage tomorrow (10/6).
Meanwhile more Metroline's rumours as more BYDs may come for route 98. Route 18 to be trialled with VWHs.
Rare workings on this day were WVL194 (route 19) and E95 (route 21).
News Flash 8/6:
140/182 to convert to VWH operation ahead of supposed 10 September to now 6 July with VWHs arriving in pairs of 8s a week.
New route to Brentford (AH), 117, will instead gain 10 existing DE-class from route E6 while route E6 gains DE-class from routes E7/E9.
Scania's N280UD double decker demo on the MMC body (YN16CFU) has started service with Stephensons (Essex) on route 17 (Southend to Leigh On Sea Station via Chalkwell).
News Flash 7/6:
New school route by Go-Coach hire, route 476: Petts Wood Queensway to Dartford Heath Common Lane for Wilmington schools via Crofton Lane, Orpington, Chelsfield, The Highway then non-stop to Swanley (Rogers Court), Hextable. One return journey only on school days.
The first of 53's 36 Enviro400 MMC (12365-400) integral hybrids have commenced test-runs prior to delivery, meanwhile CT Plus' Enviro400 Citys (2501-21) have started delivery into Hackney (HK).
Route 86 will be receiving Enviro400 diesels from Plumstead (PD), with current Volvos (13001-32) on 53 cascaded to other Plumstead (PD) routes. Of which 96/99 are remaining as diesel routes.
Metroline's VWH2122, from 295's batch, is being used as a type trainer for Harrow Weald (HD)'s upcoming batch for 140/182.
Today there's been loads of incidents, 12 Road Traffic Accidents, 2 traffic delays, 3 pointless roadworks and 5 flood issues. London can't get any better.
News Flash 6/6:
New tenders!
235 Contract awarded to Metroline with new single deckers. PVR 21 > 20.
237 Contract retained by Metroline with existing buses, PVR 20 > 21.
696 Contract retained by London United with existing SPs off 131, PVR 2.
H26 Contract retained by Abellio London West, with new single deckers. PVR 4 > 5.
Route 235 & 237 are awarded on the basis of ITT Option 2, following the extension of route E8 to Hounslow, Bell Corner, and associated changes to routes 235 & 237 introduced with effect from 28 May 2016.
Speaking of 235, the barrier in North Brentford broke...again.
Go-Ahead's E114/115/117 are (in service/parked) in Bexleyheath (BX).
Following Tower Bridge closure:
42 will end south of Tower Bridge at City Hall
78 diverted via Tower Bridge and curtailed to Liverpool Street Bus Station
RV1 diverted from Tower Gateway via Tower Hill, Eastcheap, London Bridge. Tooley Street diversion cancelled for the time being.
News Flash 4/6:
Following the hopper ticket, to save funds Oxford Street will be pedestrianised with taxis removed and routes going through adjacent back roads and bus cuts in general.
Abellio followed Arriva's style of putting LTs on Rail Replacement services and LT607/770/778 are all out on District Line service B.
A few of CT Plus' Citys have arrived in Hackney (HK).
News Flash 3/6:
LDP287/8 from route 315's allocation have been withdrawn and sent to an operator in Manchester with SEN39/42 replacing them.
Routes 208/227 have received 2 year contract extensions and thus out of current tender programme.
News Flash 2/6:
Tower Bridge to close for 3 months from October onwards for repairs.
Fun fact: T314 and SE261-67/88-90 contain Euro5 specifications like body details and computer setup in comparison to actual Euro6 versions, like TL's 14/64reg E400s and SW's SE235-60.
Fun fact 2: MEC42 has fresh white blinds but it's smartblinds has programming issues therefor manually set by hand.
Arriva's 55reg VLAs ex-159 from numbers VLA156-63 have been spotted roaming around London lately with VLA163 route training for LO-T service to be made permanent temporarily while the GOBLIN closes until February 2017.
News Flash 1/6:
TfL are consulting to withdraw school route 647 (Harold Hill - Romford mainly via 174).
News Flash 31/05:
Routes 71/671 to transfer to Tolworth (TV) on 2nd July following route 57's loss to Go-Ahead from Merton (AL).
Most of route C10's 11reg E20D batch have returned off-lease to Dawsons Rentals.
Go-Ahead's ED4 has crashed in Greenwich on route 108. With some sold to Ensign there's little possibility this bus will be revived. By the way, ED23 which crashed on route W19 has been called off (withdrawn).
Stagecoach's 18455 also had a minor incident peeling it's upper deck a bit in New Cross while on route 136.
News Flash 30/05:
Midnight fun fact: Anything other than a VW is not permitted on route W7, by the engineering manager. DLP-class vehicles give up halfway on Muswell Hill and the VLW-class barely make it.
Reliable canteen talk (official within Arriva) that 157 may go South Croydon (TC) with changeovers at West Croydon Bus Station or Norwood (N) with obvious changeover at Crystal Palace. Arriva will put in bids for routes T33/X26.
News Flash 29/05:
Routes 7/10/98 change will be deferred from 4 June to 25 June.
LT736 has had it's rear engine clipped off during an unknown accident.
News Flash 28/05:
WVL11 on route 333 crashed on Brixton Hill.
New LT771 for route 211 has started service on route 159.
News Flash 27/05:
VH45168 is the first Tolworth hybrid to stray on their routes, on 662 and now 131.
Stagecoach's 36347 which has blinds meant for 36582, contains Chislehurst, Hewitt's Farm, and Chislehurst War Memorial.
Metroline's BYD1472 passed Harrow Weald (HD) garage for some reason.
London United's VLE13 transferred from Tolworth (TV) to Fulwell (FW), and has been seen on route 281 (photo by Lee Thatcher).
Stagecoach's 10123 (photo by Paul Featherstone) has been seen in Exeter. Meanwhile, 10194 (photo by Will Bradford) is making steady progress on it's self revival.
News Flash 26/05:
Nothing much but LVF has been down for most of the time, sometimes not responding to anything if it seems to be working. SOE40 strayed on route 39 (photo by KLConnected).
The reason SEN30 is in Orpington (MB) is, it's covering 154, the burnt out refurbed Enviro200.
Garston (GR) of Arriva repainted OS70, with no 'OS' stickers to be seen. Yet Arriva's STL1470 is still lingering inside Stamford Hill (SF) but parked offside to the wall this time round.
Stagecoach's LT239 (Ride with Pride) will receive a new Rainbow livery.
A307 in Petersham will be closed completely between 1 August and 4 September due to gas works. Thus routes 65/371 will be blocked from this road.
Petersham had a previous road blockage due to sewer problems: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4.
Reminder, DW277-89 are being refurbished for route 417's contract in August 2016. DW283/9 have been refurbed, at Thornton Brothers in Ashington.
A reminder of the update on TfL's Bus Service changes PDF file:
30 April 2016
- Routes 11/23/N11 return from Moorgate Finsbury Square and 133/N133 from Hounsditch Wormwood Street to Liverpool Street Bus Station on 30th April (diversion started 21/11/15)
- Route 28's Mon-Sat frequency reduced from every 7 to every 8 mins
- Route N35 withdrawn, route 35 made 24-hour with 7-8 mins freq between Shoreditch and Brixton, 15 mins freq between Brixton and Clapham Junction.
- Routes 35/40, introduction of hybrids.
- Route 56 Mon-Sat freq between 7AM-7PM reduced from every 6 mins to every 7 mins
- Route 62 Evening/Sunday freq increased from every 20 to every 15. Introduction of double deckers.
- Route 97 Mon-Sat freq between 7AM-7PM reduced from every 8 mins to every 9 mins
- Routes 112/611: In Neasden towards Brent Cross, permanently rerouted direct via A406 instead of Neasden Lane North.
- Route 145 Re-routed in Dagenham, between Chequers Corner and ASDA to serve Orion Park. Sunday/evening freq changed from every 20 to every 15.
- Route 153 Permanent routeing in Barbican from Beech Street via Chiswell Street, South Place, Eldon Street, Blomfield Street, London Wall and Broad Street to Liverpool Street Station.
- Route 215 Start of summer extension from Yardley Lane to Lee Valley Camp Site.
- Route 328. Introduction of new hybrids. Freq reduced from every 7 to every 8.
- Route 366 Overall frequency increase
- Route 368 Freq increase from every 12 to every 10 plus conversion to existing double deckers off route 168
- Route 687 New morning departure at 8:13 at Barking
- Route P5 Additional afternoon school day journey introduced towards Elephant & Castle (with two new MMCs)
- Routes N28/N31: Sunday night/Monday morning-Thursday night/Friday morning freq increased from hourly to half-hourly
1 May
- Routes 11/N11: Due to King's Road gas main works until 30/9/16, southbound buses divert via Gunter Grove and Fulham Road.
- Routes 11/23/133/N11/N133: Temporary diversion due to closure of Old Broad Street until 10/6/16, via Threadneedle Street, Bishopsgate, Wormwood Street and Old Broad Street
- Routes 22/N22: Due to King's Road gas main works until 30/9/16, southbound buses divert via Edith Grove and Tadema Road.
- Route N551: Temporary diversion due to closure of Old Broad Street until 10/6/16, from Cannon Street via New Change, Cheapside, Newgate Street, Little Britain, Montague Street at Aldersgate Street, London Wall, Wormwood Street.
3 May
Closure of Tooley Street until May 2018.
- Route 47: Towards Catford from London Bridge; Borough High Street, Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms, Tower Bridge Road and Tooley Street. Daytime service will only run as far as Liverpool Street. Night service retained to serve Shoreditch
- Route 343: Towards City Hall from Borough; Borough High Street via Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms and Tower Bridge Road.
- Routes 381/N381: Towards Peckham from Southwark Street; via Southwark Bridge Road, Marshalsea Road, Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms and Tower Bridge Road.
- Route RV1: Towards Tower Gateway from Southwark Street; London Bridge, East Cheap, Great Tower Street and Tower Hill.
4 May
Routes 4/41/C11: End of temporary diversions introduced 30/3/16 due to Archway Gyratory works in Highgate Hill. Towards Archway, buses will return to their normal route serving MacDonald Road directly from Highgate Hill and no longer running via Archway Gyratory.
7 May
- Route 81: On Mon-Fri between 6:45-7:45, buses will be running every 8-9 to Slough
- Routes 101/262/366/N551: Two new stops on Armada Way, Beckton. - Route 370: Two new stop on Ockendon Road, Upminster.
- Route 147: Introduction of extra peak hour journeys aiding capacity
- Route 481: New half hourly Mon-Sat freq and new hourly Sunday service
11 May
Introduction of northbound diversions away from Bexley High Street until 30 June.
- Route 492: via North Cray Road, Vicarage Road, Dartford Road, Old Bexley Lane, A2, Southwold Road, Bourne Road and back to Gravel Hill
- Route 601: via Oakfield Lane, A2, Southwold Road, Bourne Road to Gravel Hill
- Route B12: via Old Bexley Lane, A2, Southwold Road, Bourne Road
14 May
Stockwell gyratory changes
- Routes 2/88/155/333/N2/N155. Run as per southbound routing.
- Route 345. Direct turn from Clapham Road to Stockwell Road towards Peckham, as per South Kensington bound routing
21 May
- Routes 15/N15. Eastbound routing diverted direct via Mansell Street due to Aldgate Bus Station works
- Route 234. Fixed stop introduction on Pages Lane, Coppetts Road, Trott Lane. Hail & Ride discontinued
- Route 274. Towards Angel diverted from Camden Road direct to St Pancras Way. Buses no longer serve Royal College Street
- Route 656. Morning times from Gallows Corner retimed 15/16 mins earlier to better deal with traffic and roadworks
28 May
- Route 110 cut between West Middlesex Hospital and Hounslow, instead extended from Twickenham to West Middlesex Hospital.
- Route 235. Peak frequency drastically reduced and extra workings withdrawn. Replaced by route E8 extension
- Route 635. Withdrawn between Brentford County Court and Hounslow Bus Station. Replaced by route E8 extension.
- Route E2. Sunday/evening freq increased from 12 to every 10.
- Route E7. Evening freq increased from every 30 to 20.
- Route E8. Cut from Commerce Road to County Court but extended to Hounslow Bell. Full allocation double deckers from Holloway (HT), VW-class.
- Route E9. Double deckers introduced. Towards Ealing (AM peak) and Yeading (PM peak) buses run every 10 mins for one hour on Mon-Fri.
News Flash 25/05:
Thanks for the 6000+ views!
Abellio's unlucky E40H, 2429 has returned to TfL service! It suffered a fire damage before on route 211 I believe or dead run along Chelsea Bridge Road, and rear damage with a Trident E400 while on route 344. Is this bus refurbished? Is this bus carrying Euro6 specs?
The LT orders will be as follows: 154 LTs between now and March 2017, with 41 LTs from thereon onwards. So far of the 195 order, route 21 has been earmarked. But of the original 811 order, routes 211 and 189 will be coming next, next month. And when their time has come, it'll be 2031. According to a removed PDF file by Leon Daniels.
A sad accident following the 159 incident with an 82-year old man, now a 72-year old woman with a 73. And as a result, Sadiq Khan is looking to enforce pedestrianising Oxford Street between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch.
Wrightbus launch the partial open-topper version of the Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 mk II, no customer has been named, however includes a smaller destination screen on the upper deck allowing more glazed screen at the front window for more viewable scenery followed by glass-made previously annoying side pillars. The open top section includes glass-made pillars.
If you want a joke in a while, specifically funniest roads names in Britain, well there you go.
A little odd for me to provide news from the News but anyways, a GreenBus Plaxton President caught fire on the M6 motorway with 59 children and 7 teachers
Night Tube will start on 19 August on Victoria and Central Lines. The other lines, Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern to start roughly in Autumn.
E147 of route 118's E138-51 batch has been seen route training for route 57.
Route 189's conversion to LT operation in June will spark the end of the TAs.
News Flash 24/05:
Okay, we haven't reached 6000 just yet but we're nearly there!
More good news from Sadiq Khan. If you haven't read some of the stuff he's done, check the previous News Flash updates. Now, he has announced Val Shawcross as the new Deputy of Transport, an experienced member for transport in the community. And also, Breaking news, the night routes supposed to be cut following Night Tube, a rough amount of 20 routes, have been called off temporarily as to see how the threatened night routes would cope paralleling the Night Tube.
In other news, route 45 which has failed the LT test seems to have passed it, according to a LOTS update. I'll simply mention routes 56, 78 and 205 also passed however did not receive LTs. With the exception of 78 and it's LT-style Citys.
RATP's new Enviro200 MMCs for route 265 are fleetcoded DE28001-14 and of course, are on LVF's database.
CT Plus has had their orders of ADL vehicles confirmed! 17 E200 MMCs of 9.7m length for route W19 with a 25 seat+38 standee capacity. And route 26's 21 E40H Citys, 2501-21.
The so reliable DPs at Perivale (PA) for route 90 will be replaced by younger MAN 12.240's from route E8, after the RL51-plate DPs got upgraded due to their very good reliability. What a shame and waste. As a further result, some of the DEs to be cascaded from E7/E9 will be used to aid the replacement of elder bus types.
And, if you're able to participate, Arriva will hold a driver recruitment on Saturday 18 June at Brixton (BN).
News Flash 22/05:
Rumoured new route 218 (Hammersmith - North Acton) via route 266 to Acton High Street and 440 to North Acton, will be in Tranche 564 along with routes 204, 206, 236, 266 and 394. Tender award in September 2016. Contracts start in April-May 2017. Other changes involved were for route 440 between Acton High Street and North Acton to go direct via route 266 plus an extension form Stonebridge Park to Wembley Central. And a new route 239 (a renumbering of 72's current extras from Roehampton to Hammersmith) between Roehampton Bessingborough Road to Acton Vale via routes 72 and 266. There's been no more word of route 239.
Personally in my opinion, I would leave how 440 is, and have route 239 be extended from Acton Vale to Wembley via route 266. Instead of introducing 218 (single decker) and monopolising 440 (another single decker route, which sees single door workings).
Some route 267 stops contain fresh 110 tiles ready for it's curtailment to Hounslow from West Middlesex Hospital, but extension from Twickenham to West Middlesex Hospital. Requires two extra buses on it's current PVR.
News Flash 21/05:
Rumours say once route 114 transfers to Metroline, it's current 10m Volvo B7TL on the East Lancs Mylennium Vyking body will double deck the H14, even though H14 is planned to go double decker, no type has been confirmed. H14 going double will send H17 flying to Park Royal (PK), not sure if I mentioned this in previous News Flashes.
Double Trouble as the remaining 22 of VHs from VH45153-45205 for route 72 are still scheduled on the 72, of which I mentioned previously only a portion are delivered which will go Tolworth (TV), while the other portion will be stuck in factory shutdown (for summer holidays).
Also, SLE31 has been refurbed and repainted but not given a new code.
Go-Ahead London's LDP251 has transferred from Camberwell (Q) to Peckham (PM) and has started service on route P12. So far, we have:
SEN30 BE > MB, SEN31 BE > C, SEN39 Q > SW, LDP218 PL > Q, LDP249 Q > PL, LDP251 Q > PM.
Metroline's LT746 has crashed in Crouch End. Photos (not mine): https://flic.kr/p/GWAfro https://flic.kr/p/HiSFVN
Want a Regent III? Here's one on Ebay for £15.6K. The RT in question being RT935.
News Flash 20/05:
London United's VH batch for route 85 (VH45167-84?) will be used on route 131 first in June prior to route 57/85 operator switch. These do not contain blinds for 57. The reason for route 131 seeing them first is for driver familiarisation. The first of the remaining 20 VHs will also be heading to Tolworth (TV), perhaps for storage as they're not yet needed. Apparently for route 72 but it's still single decker and Hammersmith Bridge has still not been sorted out yet. Also, these first few 20 have been said to be scheduled to arrive prior to factory shutdown for the summer.
It seems Garston (GR) decided to replace an LJ55 ex-159 with Esteban Civic seats from it's original Urban 90's, from the elder KL52 DLAs. Speaking of ex-159, VLA159 has been sighted running past Brighton Road with blinds intact, displaying 50.
Stagecoach's 36347 has blinds for route 146 which may also contain route 336. Takeover for both is a month away. In case you don't remember, both 146/336 are due 13 E20D MMCs of 8.9m length.
Route 211's LTs are being transferred to Battersea (QB) with at least 3 built. LT's 769, 777 and 781.
In accordance to 9813 being loaned on route 157, it has transferred there for the time being.
Former route 368 SENs have been temporarily transferring to Metrobus's garages Croydon (C) and Metrobus (MB). Of which SEN31 has made it on to route 130 and an unknown SEN on route 181. LDP267 originally bought for route 322 in 2005, reallocated to G1 in 2010, has transferred to Bexleyheath (BX) following it's withdrawal from service in Plough Lane (PL). Sister LDP271 which was last in Stockwell (SW) was also sighted in Bexleyheath (BX) days after it's withdrawal from service too.
New refurbs: CT Plus's OS15, for route W5's new contract. And Arriva's DW289 (photo not mine). Not really a refurb (Metroline moquette and repaint) but DEL1978.
A little joke from me ;) (photo obviously not mine)
P.S. The link made in '769', that photo does not belong to me
News Flash 19/05:
New tenders, people!
Route 59 retained with existing NRM's, and existing from route 38^. PVR from 26 to 28.
Route 133 retained with existing HV7-26* from route 76 and new buses (may be more HVs). PVR from 34 to 32.**
Route 333 awarded to Arriva London South with new hybrids. PVR 14 to 16.
*Existing HVs from roue 76 will be converted to Euro6 emissions due to ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)
**A crosslink from route 333 during the AM peak makes 133 receive a 33rd bus
^Route 38 had a peak frequency reductions thus released a few LTs
In other news, Arriva's Wright Streetdeck demo SW1 (LK64DVV) which was owned, will permanently stay in Garston (GR).
Just in case you're not aware of the opening days coming up:
Shepherd's Bush (S) - 21 May (already happened)
Holloway (HT) - 9 July
Bromley (TB) - 13 August
Twickenham (TF) - 17 September
Potters Bar (PB) - 1 October
Stockwell (SW) - 15 October
A reminder: Routes 63/185 to received more MHVs (Volvo B5LHs on the MCV Evoseti body) but route 21 will receive New Routemasters.
News Flash 18/05:
Arriva's DW283 has been refurbished and has returned to Norwood (N) and as usual like other DB300's, servicing on route 2. Only stray excluding route 2 was route 133, of which saw three workings. And these buses, DW277-89, are allocated to route 417! DW242 and DW249 of route 50's allocation have been loaned to Norwood (N) to refurbish both the 60reg Ts temporarily in the garage and the 59reg DWs for route 417's contract.
Former DES1708 (DMS44414 in First days), now SEN39, has moved from Camberwell (Q) to Stockwell (SW).
Metroline's route 234 to have fixed stops along Pages Lane, Trott Road and Coppett Road on the 21st May.
Abellio's 9456-65 are the allocation for route E9 come 28 May. 9466 to stay in Battersea (QB) for the time being, and 9428-55 are the allocation for route 345. 28 buses (2 spares) in comparison to E100-128, 29 buses with 3 spares for the PVR.
Sadiq's hopper ticket rolls on to trams.
And check this article for yourself.
Andriod Pay, copycat to Apple Pay, is to roll out on TfL buses soon, which will not require NFC unlike Apple Pay, instead uses the antenna.
Route 21 has passed it's LT test, however entering New Cross (NX) didn't. Thus route 21 may see an ST conversion if desperate.
Route 256 of Stagecoach has been rumoured for a DD conversion on the 3rd September.
Abellio's 9467-87 or so, from 344's batch, will replace any Volvos in Walworth (WL) come August. However the 'deformed' Tridents 9830-43 (which aren't withdrawn) are to go off lease on contract renewal.
Abellio's 9823 (LG52XZB) of Walworth (WL) has transferred to the now Trident dump, Beddington Cross (BC).
Route 95 (Canon Street - Elephant - Brixton - Streatham - Tooting Broadway) running day to celebrate 50 years since the last RTW (Regent III, wider version) on the route (including withdrawal). Timetable here.
All buses within North/South Circular Roads to be hybrids (double decks) or electric or hydrogen. Two tube lines in the Night Tube plan will start this summer, presumably Central and Victoria. More can be seen here.
The BYD MMCs, EE1-51 for Red Arrow routes 507/521 are being built but are to be late, however, one has been built. Copyright to ©David Oakley. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
And one of CT Plus's Enviro400H City's Photo
Following H28's transfer to Twickenham (TF) from Hayes (WS) to make space to store buses in Hayes (WS) for the upcoming E-route change, H28 drivers to changeover at Osterley with a ferry car, some take a break at Brentford County Court on Sundays. There longer won't be drivers TUPED to Hayes (WS) from Greenford (G) due to driver pay etc and so Abellio hired a lot of European drivers, original H28 drivers shifted to Twickenham (TF) to aid driver training or Byfleet (BF) on loan.
Go-Ahead's E107/E108 have transferred to Bexleyheath (BX), may be temporary, however, E100-5 have been in use on route 147 in River Road (RR) covering for fellow 61-regs that did not service yet. E106-115 have not seen service since the night of the 30th, meanwhile the remainder of E116-28 have either not been in use or are still in Camberwell (Q) service.
Route 23's Liverpool Street announcement apparently changed to "23 to Liverpool Street Bus Station" today
London United's TAs and VLEs on route 57 will be stood down once the route transfers to Go-Ahead. The 02-plate Darts from route 265 will be withdrawn. Route 265 receives Enviro200 MMCs, and the 03-plate on the route will be reallocated elsewhere.
Route 71/671/691 are rumoured to transfer to Tolworth (TV). The VLEs are to be indirectly replaced with 20 VHs (barring the ones for 85 and 94).
Route 183 to transfer fully into Harrow (SO), with H17 going off to Park Royal (PK) including the double decker comversion of route H14.
A summary about many route's speed reductions to 20mph forcing a new timetable which may reduce frequency. So far, we had routes 2, 38, 236, 243, 381, 393 and now 440, I might have even missed out more.
Meanwhile, Stockwell gyratory is being 'mended' (you can't fix what's not broken now my dear) and thus routes 155/N155's northbound would be the exact mirror of the southbound direction. Direct right turns on route 333/345 en-route Elephant/Peckham respectively. Whereas routes 2/88/N2 also serve their northbound direction as the complete reverse.
And a reminder, Shepherd's Bush (S) opening day is only 9 days away!
Arriva London's VLA129 has been towed into Enfield garage with missing engine parts (engine fire?) (photo not mine)
A gift from our fellow 254 drivers at Ash Grove (AE).
Metroline's Streetlite STL1470 which worked on new route 724 between Luton and St Albans, which was rumoured to go Thornton Heath (TH) is finally in Arriva premises, but Stamford Hill (SF).
Abellio's LT771 of LT768-788 batch for route 211 has been sighted heading to Battersea (QB). Enviro400s 9458 and 9459 have also been sighted, heading to Twickenham (TF) having returned from refurbishment, to be stored in Hayes (WS) waiting to start service on route E9 from the 28th May.
Arriva's ENR1 returned to Dartford (DT) having been loaned to Heathrow (HE) temporarily covering for another gearbox failure on a fellow 'ENN'. And route E10's batch of 3425-3433 which were supposed to be renumbered to EN25-33, will actually be ENNs?
Routes 71/671 to transfer to Tolworth (TV) on 2nd July following route 57's loss to Go-Ahead from Merton (AL).
Most of route C10's 11reg E20D batch have returned off-lease to Dawsons Rentals.
Go-Ahead's ED4 has crashed in Greenwich on route 108. With some sold to Ensign there's little possibility this bus will be revived. By the way, ED23 which crashed on route W19 has been called off (withdrawn).
Stagecoach's 18455 also had a minor incident peeling it's upper deck a bit in New Cross while on route 136.
News Flash 30/05:
Midnight fun fact: Anything other than a VW is not permitted on route W7, by the engineering manager. DLP-class vehicles give up halfway on Muswell Hill and the VLW-class barely make it.
Reliable canteen talk (official within Arriva) that 157 may go South Croydon (TC) with changeovers at West Croydon Bus Station or Norwood (N) with obvious changeover at Crystal Palace. Arriva will put in bids for routes T33/X26.
News Flash 29/05:
Routes 7/10/98 change will be deferred from 4 June to 25 June.
LT736 has had it's rear engine clipped off during an unknown accident.
News Flash 28/05:
WVL11 on route 333 crashed on Brixton Hill.
New LT771 for route 211 has started service on route 159.
News Flash 27/05:
VH45168 is the first Tolworth hybrid to stray on their routes, on 662 and now 131.
Stagecoach's 36347 which has blinds meant for 36582, contains Chislehurst, Hewitt's Farm, and Chislehurst War Memorial.
Metroline's BYD1472 passed Harrow Weald (HD) garage for some reason.
London United's VLE13 transferred from Tolworth (TV) to Fulwell (FW), and has been seen on route 281 (photo by Lee Thatcher).
Stagecoach's 10123 (photo by Paul Featherstone) has been seen in Exeter. Meanwhile, 10194 (photo by Will Bradford) is making steady progress on it's self revival.
News Flash 26/05:
Nothing much but LVF has been down for most of the time, sometimes not responding to anything if it seems to be working. SOE40 strayed on route 39 (photo by KLConnected).
The reason SEN30 is in Orpington (MB) is, it's covering 154, the burnt out refurbed Enviro200.
Garston (GR) of Arriva repainted OS70, with no 'OS' stickers to be seen. Yet Arriva's STL1470 is still lingering inside Stamford Hill (SF) but parked offside to the wall this time round.
Stagecoach's LT239 (Ride with Pride) will receive a new Rainbow livery.
A307 in Petersham will be closed completely between 1 August and 4 September due to gas works. Thus routes 65/371 will be blocked from this road.
Petersham had a previous road blockage due to sewer problems: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4.
Reminder, DW277-89 are being refurbished for route 417's contract in August 2016. DW283/9 have been refurbed, at Thornton Brothers in Ashington.
A reminder of the update on TfL's Bus Service changes PDF file:
30 April 2016
- Routes 11/23/N11 return from Moorgate Finsbury Square and 133/N133 from Hounsditch Wormwood Street to Liverpool Street Bus Station on 30th April (diversion started 21/11/15)
- Route 28's Mon-Sat frequency reduced from every 7 to every 8 mins
- Route N35 withdrawn, route 35 made 24-hour with 7-8 mins freq between Shoreditch and Brixton, 15 mins freq between Brixton and Clapham Junction.
- Routes 35/40, introduction of hybrids.
- Route 56 Mon-Sat freq between 7AM-7PM reduced from every 6 mins to every 7 mins
- Route 62 Evening/Sunday freq increased from every 20 to every 15. Introduction of double deckers.
- Route 97 Mon-Sat freq between 7AM-7PM reduced from every 8 mins to every 9 mins
- Routes 112/611: In Neasden towards Brent Cross, permanently rerouted direct via A406 instead of Neasden Lane North.
- Route 145 Re-routed in Dagenham, between Chequers Corner and ASDA to serve Orion Park. Sunday/evening freq changed from every 20 to every 15.
- Route 153 Permanent routeing in Barbican from Beech Street via Chiswell Street, South Place, Eldon Street, Blomfield Street, London Wall and Broad Street to Liverpool Street Station.
- Route 215 Start of summer extension from Yardley Lane to Lee Valley Camp Site.
- Route 328. Introduction of new hybrids. Freq reduced from every 7 to every 8.
- Route 366 Overall frequency increase
- Route 368 Freq increase from every 12 to every 10 plus conversion to existing double deckers off route 168
- Route 687 New morning departure at 8:13 at Barking
- Route P5 Additional afternoon school day journey introduced towards Elephant & Castle (with two new MMCs)
- Routes N28/N31: Sunday night/Monday morning-Thursday night/Friday morning freq increased from hourly to half-hourly
1 May
- Routes 11/N11: Due to King's Road gas main works until 30/9/16, southbound buses divert via Gunter Grove and Fulham Road.
- Routes 11/23/133/N11/N133: Temporary diversion due to closure of Old Broad Street until 10/6/16, via Threadneedle Street, Bishopsgate, Wormwood Street and Old Broad Street
- Routes 22/N22: Due to King's Road gas main works until 30/9/16, southbound buses divert via Edith Grove and Tadema Road.
- Route N551: Temporary diversion due to closure of Old Broad Street until 10/6/16, from Cannon Street via New Change, Cheapside, Newgate Street, Little Britain, Montague Street at Aldersgate Street, London Wall, Wormwood Street.
3 May
Closure of Tooley Street until May 2018.
- Route 47: Towards Catford from London Bridge; Borough High Street, Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms, Tower Bridge Road and Tooley Street. Daytime service will only run as far as Liverpool Street. Night service retained to serve Shoreditch
- Route 343: Towards City Hall from Borough; Borough High Street via Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms and Tower Bridge Road.
- Routes 381/N381: Towards Peckham from Southwark Street; via Southwark Bridge Road, Marshalsea Road, Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms and Tower Bridge Road.
- Route RV1: Towards Tower Gateway from Southwark Street; London Bridge, East Cheap, Great Tower Street and Tower Hill.
4 May
Routes 4/41/C11: End of temporary diversions introduced 30/3/16 due to Archway Gyratory works in Highgate Hill. Towards Archway, buses will return to their normal route serving MacDonald Road directly from Highgate Hill and no longer running via Archway Gyratory.
7 May
- Route 81: On Mon-Fri between 6:45-7:45, buses will be running every 8-9 to Slough
- Routes 101/262/366/N551: Two new stops on Armada Way, Beckton. - Route 370: Two new stop on Ockendon Road, Upminster.
- Route 147: Introduction of extra peak hour journeys aiding capacity
- Route 481: New half hourly Mon-Sat freq and new hourly Sunday service
11 May
Introduction of northbound diversions away from Bexley High Street until 30 June.
- Route 492: via North Cray Road, Vicarage Road, Dartford Road, Old Bexley Lane, A2, Southwold Road, Bourne Road and back to Gravel Hill
- Route 601: via Oakfield Lane, A2, Southwold Road, Bourne Road to Gravel Hill
- Route B12: via Old Bexley Lane, A2, Southwold Road, Bourne Road
14 May
Stockwell gyratory changes
- Routes 2/88/155/333/N2/N155. Run as per southbound routing.
- Route 345. Direct turn from Clapham Road to Stockwell Road towards Peckham, as per South Kensington bound routing
21 May
- Routes 15/N15. Eastbound routing diverted direct via Mansell Street due to Aldgate Bus Station works
- Route 234. Fixed stop introduction on Pages Lane, Coppetts Road, Trott Lane. Hail & Ride discontinued
- Route 274. Towards Angel diverted from Camden Road direct to St Pancras Way. Buses no longer serve Royal College Street
- Route 656. Morning times from Gallows Corner retimed 15/16 mins earlier to better deal with traffic and roadworks
28 May
- Route 110 cut between West Middlesex Hospital and Hounslow, instead extended from Twickenham to West Middlesex Hospital.
- Route 235. Peak frequency drastically reduced and extra workings withdrawn. Replaced by route E8 extension
- Route 635. Withdrawn between Brentford County Court and Hounslow Bus Station. Replaced by route E8 extension.
- Route E2. Sunday/evening freq increased from 12 to every 10.
- Route E7. Evening freq increased from every 30 to 20.
- Route E8. Cut from Commerce Road to County Court but extended to Hounslow Bell. Full allocation double deckers from Holloway (HT), VW-class.
- Route E9. Double deckers introduced. Towards Ealing (AM peak) and Yeading (PM peak) buses run every 10 mins for one hour on Mon-Fri.
News Flash 25/05:
Thanks for the 6000+ views!
Abellio's unlucky E40H, 2429 has returned to TfL service! It suffered a fire damage before on route 211 I believe or dead run along Chelsea Bridge Road, and rear damage with a Trident E400 while on route 344. Is this bus refurbished? Is this bus carrying Euro6 specs?
The LT orders will be as follows: 154 LTs between now and March 2017, with 41 LTs from thereon onwards. So far of the 195 order, route 21 has been earmarked. But of the original 811 order, routes 211 and 189 will be coming next, next month. And when their time has come, it'll be 2031. According to a removed PDF file by Leon Daniels.
A sad accident following the 159 incident with an 82-year old man, now a 72-year old woman with a 73. And as a result, Sadiq Khan is looking to enforce pedestrianising Oxford Street between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch.
If you want a joke in a while, specifically funniest roads names in Britain, well there you go.
A little odd for me to provide news from the News but anyways, a GreenBus Plaxton President caught fire on the M6 motorway with 59 children and 7 teachers
Night Tube will start on 19 August on Victoria and Central Lines. The other lines, Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern to start roughly in Autumn.
E147 of route 118's E138-51 batch has been seen route training for route 57.
Route 189's conversion to LT operation in June will spark the end of the TAs.
News Flash 24/05:
Okay, we haven't reached 6000 just yet but we're nearly there!
More good news from Sadiq Khan. If you haven't read some of the stuff he's done, check the previous News Flash updates. Now, he has announced Val Shawcross as the new Deputy of Transport, an experienced member for transport in the community. And also, Breaking news, the night routes supposed to be cut following Night Tube, a rough amount of 20 routes, have been called off temporarily as to see how the threatened night routes would cope paralleling the Night Tube.
In other news, route 45 which has failed the LT test seems to have passed it, according to a LOTS update. I'll simply mention routes 56, 78 and 205 also passed however did not receive LTs. With the exception of 78 and it's LT-style Citys.
RATP's new Enviro200 MMCs for route 265 are fleetcoded DE28001-14 and of course, are on LVF's database.
CT Plus has had their orders of ADL vehicles confirmed! 17 E200 MMCs of 9.7m length for route W19 with a 25 seat+38 standee capacity. And route 26's 21 E40H Citys, 2501-21.
The so reliable DPs at Perivale (PA) for route 90 will be replaced by younger MAN 12.240's from route E8, after the RL51-plate DPs got upgraded due to their very good reliability. What a shame and waste. As a further result, some of the DEs to be cascaded from E7/E9 will be used to aid the replacement of elder bus types.
And, if you're able to participate, Arriva will hold a driver recruitment on Saturday 18 June at Brixton (BN).
News Flash 22/05:
Rumoured new route 218 (Hammersmith - North Acton) via route 266 to Acton High Street and 440 to North Acton, will be in Tranche 564 along with routes 204, 206, 236, 266 and 394. Tender award in September 2016. Contracts start in April-May 2017. Other changes involved were for route 440 between Acton High Street and North Acton to go direct via route 266 plus an extension form Stonebridge Park to Wembley Central. And a new route 239 (a renumbering of 72's current extras from Roehampton to Hammersmith) between Roehampton Bessingborough Road to Acton Vale via routes 72 and 266. There's been no more word of route 239.
Personally in my opinion, I would leave how 440 is, and have route 239 be extended from Acton Vale to Wembley via route 266. Instead of introducing 218 (single decker) and monopolising 440 (another single decker route, which sees single door workings).
Some route 267 stops contain fresh 110 tiles ready for it's curtailment to Hounslow from West Middlesex Hospital, but extension from Twickenham to West Middlesex Hospital. Requires two extra buses on it's current PVR.
News Flash 21/05:
Rumours say once route 114 transfers to Metroline, it's current 10m Volvo B7TL on the East Lancs Mylennium Vyking body will double deck the H14, even though H14 is planned to go double decker, no type has been confirmed. H14 going double will send H17 flying to Park Royal (PK), not sure if I mentioned this in previous News Flashes.
Double Trouble as the remaining 22 of VHs from VH45153-45205 for route 72 are still scheduled on the 72, of which I mentioned previously only a portion are delivered which will go Tolworth (TV), while the other portion will be stuck in factory shutdown (for summer holidays).
Also, SLE31 has been refurbed and repainted but not given a new code.
Go-Ahead London's LDP251 has transferred from Camberwell (Q) to Peckham (PM) and has started service on route P12. So far, we have:
SEN30 BE > MB, SEN31 BE > C, SEN39 Q > SW, LDP218 PL > Q, LDP249 Q > PL, LDP251 Q > PM.
Metroline's LT746 has crashed in Crouch End. Photos (not mine): https://flic.kr/p/GWAfro https://flic.kr/p/HiSFVN
Want a Regent III? Here's one on Ebay for £15.6K. The RT in question being RT935.
News Flash 20/05:
London United's VH batch for route 85 (VH45167-84?) will be used on route 131 first in June prior to route 57/85 operator switch. These do not contain blinds for 57. The reason for route 131 seeing them first is for driver familiarisation. The first of the remaining 20 VHs will also be heading to Tolworth (TV), perhaps for storage as they're not yet needed. Apparently for route 72 but it's still single decker and Hammersmith Bridge has still not been sorted out yet. Also, these first few 20 have been said to be scheduled to arrive prior to factory shutdown for the summer.
It seems Garston (GR) decided to replace an LJ55 ex-159 with Esteban Civic seats from it's original Urban 90's, from the elder KL52 DLAs. Speaking of ex-159, VLA159 has been sighted running past Brighton Road with blinds intact, displaying 50.
Stagecoach's 36347 has blinds for route 146 which may also contain route 336. Takeover for both is a month away. In case you don't remember, both 146/336 are due 13 E20D MMCs of 8.9m length.
Route 211's LTs are being transferred to Battersea (QB) with at least 3 built. LT's 769, 777 and 781.
In accordance to 9813 being loaned on route 157, it has transferred there for the time being.
Former route 368 SENs have been temporarily transferring to Metrobus's garages Croydon (C) and Metrobus (MB). Of which SEN31 has made it on to route 130 and an unknown SEN on route 181. LDP267 originally bought for route 322 in 2005, reallocated to G1 in 2010, has transferred to Bexleyheath (BX) following it's withdrawal from service in Plough Lane (PL). Sister LDP271 which was last in Stockwell (SW) was also sighted in Bexleyheath (BX) days after it's withdrawal from service too.
New refurbs: CT Plus's OS15, for route W5's new contract. And Arriva's DW289 (photo not mine). Not really a refurb (Metroline moquette and repaint) but DEL1978.
A little joke from me ;) (photo obviously not mine)
P.S. The link made in '769', that photo does not belong to me
News Flash 19/05:
New tenders, people!
Route 59 retained with existing NRM's, and existing from route 38^. PVR from 26 to 28.
Route 133 retained with existing HV7-26* from route 76 and new buses (may be more HVs). PVR from 34 to 32.**
Route 333 awarded to Arriva London South with new hybrids. PVR 14 to 16.
*Existing HVs from roue 76 will be converted to Euro6 emissions due to ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)
**A crosslink from route 333 during the AM peak makes 133 receive a 33rd bus
^Route 38 had a peak frequency reductions thus released a few LTs
In other news, Arriva's Wright Streetdeck demo SW1 (LK64DVV) which was owned, will permanently stay in Garston (GR).
Just in case you're not aware of the opening days coming up:
Holloway (HT) - 9 July
Bromley (TB) - 13 August
Twickenham (TF) - 17 September
Potters Bar (PB) - 1 October
Stockwell (SW) - 15 October
A reminder: Routes 63/185 to received more MHVs (Volvo B5LHs on the MCV Evoseti body) but route 21 will receive New Routemasters.
News Flash 18/05:
Arriva's DW283 has been refurbished and has returned to Norwood (N) and as usual like other DB300's, servicing on route 2. Only stray excluding route 2 was route 133, of which saw three workings. And these buses, DW277-89, are allocated to route 417! DW242 and DW249 of route 50's allocation have been loaned to Norwood (N) to refurbish both the 60reg Ts temporarily in the garage and the 59reg DWs for route 417's contract.
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| Go-Ahead London SEN39 (YX09FLP) in West Norwood on route 315, lacking destination blinds |
Metroline's route 234 to have fixed stops along Pages Lane, Trott Road and Coppett Road on the 21st May.
Abellio's 9456-65 are the allocation for route E9 come 28 May. 9466 to stay in Battersea (QB) for the time being, and 9428-55 are the allocation for route 345. 28 buses (2 spares) in comparison to E100-128, 29 buses with 3 spares for the PVR.
Sadiq's hopper ticket rolls on to trams.
And check this article for yourself.
Andriod Pay, copycat to Apple Pay, is to roll out on TfL buses soon, which will not require NFC unlike Apple Pay, instead uses the antenna.
Route 21 has passed it's LT test, however entering New Cross (NX) didn't. Thus route 21 may see an ST conversion if desperate.
Route 256 of Stagecoach has been rumoured for a DD conversion on the 3rd September.
Abellio's 9467-87 or so, from 344's batch, will replace any Volvos in Walworth (WL) come August. However the 'deformed' Tridents 9830-43 (which aren't withdrawn) are to go off lease on contract renewal.
Abellio's 9823 (LG52XZB) of Walworth (WL) has transferred to the now Trident dump, Beddington Cross (BC).
Route 95 (Canon Street - Elephant - Brixton - Streatham - Tooting Broadway) running day to celebrate 50 years since the last RTW (Regent III, wider version) on the route (including withdrawal). Timetable here.
All buses within North/South Circular Roads to be hybrids (double decks) or electric or hydrogen. Two tube lines in the Night Tube plan will start this summer, presumably Central and Victoria. More can be seen here.
The BYD MMCs, EE1-51 for Red Arrow routes 507/521 are being built but are to be late, however, one has been built. Copyright to ©David Oakley. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
And one of CT Plus's Enviro400H City's Photo
Following H28's transfer to Twickenham (TF) from Hayes (WS) to make space to store buses in Hayes (WS) for the upcoming E-route change, H28 drivers to changeover at Osterley with a ferry car, some take a break at Brentford County Court on Sundays. There longer won't be drivers TUPED to Hayes (WS) from Greenford (G) due to driver pay etc and so Abellio hired a lot of European drivers, original H28 drivers shifted to Twickenham (TF) to aid driver training or Byfleet (BF) on loan.
Go-Ahead's E107/E108 have transferred to Bexleyheath (BX), may be temporary, however, E100-5 have been in use on route 147 in River Road (RR) covering for fellow 61-regs that did not service yet. E106-115 have not seen service since the night of the 30th, meanwhile the remainder of E116-28 have either not been in use or are still in Camberwell (Q) service.
Route 23's Liverpool Street announcement apparently changed to "23 to Liverpool Street Bus Station" today
London United's TAs and VLEs on route 57 will be stood down once the route transfers to Go-Ahead. The 02-plate Darts from route 265 will be withdrawn. Route 265 receives Enviro200 MMCs, and the 03-plate on the route will be reallocated elsewhere.
Route 71/671/691 are rumoured to transfer to Tolworth (TV). The VLEs are to be indirectly replaced with 20 VHs (barring the ones for 85 and 94).
Route 183 to transfer fully into Harrow (SO), with H17 going off to Park Royal (PK) including the double decker comversion of route H14.
A summary about many route's speed reductions to 20mph forcing a new timetable which may reduce frequency. So far, we had routes 2, 38, 236, 243, 381, 393 and now 440, I might have even missed out more.
Meanwhile, Stockwell gyratory is being 'mended' (you can't fix what's not broken now my dear) and thus routes 155/N155's northbound would be the exact mirror of the southbound direction. Direct right turns on route 333/345 en-route Elephant/Peckham respectively. Whereas routes 2/88/N2 also serve their northbound direction as the complete reverse.
And a reminder, Shepherd's Bush (S) opening day is only 9 days away!
Arriva London's VLA129 has been towed into Enfield garage with missing engine parts (engine fire?) (photo not mine)
A gift from our fellow 254 drivers at Ash Grove (AE).
Metroline's Streetlite STL1470 which worked on new route 724 between Luton and St Albans, which was rumoured to go Thornton Heath (TH) is finally in Arriva premises, but Stamford Hill (SF).
Abellio's LT771 of LT768-788 batch for route 211 has been sighted heading to Battersea (QB). Enviro400s 9458 and 9459 have also been sighted, heading to Twickenham (TF) having returned from refurbishment, to be stored in Hayes (WS) waiting to start service on route E9 from the 28th May.
Arriva's ENR1 returned to Dartford (DT) having been loaned to Heathrow (HE) temporarily covering for another gearbox failure on a fellow 'ENN'. And route E10's batch of 3425-3433 which were supposed to be renumbered to EN25-33, will actually be ENNs?
Have you heard of Khan's new scheme to roll out from September? Read here for yourself.
Abellio's early Volvo batch of 54reg are to be sold initially, with 9005/9007/9009 starting off.
A Metrobus Enviro200 on route 162 caught fire, possibly 154 (not my photo)
A Metrobus Enviro200 on route 162 caught fire, possibly 154 (not my photo)
Go-Ahead placed a total order of 74 E40H MMCs, along with the previously mentioned 85 B5LH Evosetis. It's already been earmarked that 65 MHVs go to both 63 and 185, also making up 363's spares. Route 363 will also receive 13 E40H MMCs, presumably EH61-73.
And we already know that EH39-60 are already in service on 35, with MHV1-20 intermixing that batch but on paper allocated to 40.
For now that's all, enjoy!
As for new tenders:
Disclaimer: Photos of the clickable links do not belong to me, however, the photos directly linked in this post (with a "©Unorm001" belong to me.
P.S. Title was originally supposed to be "New Routemaster to be recalled | Update on BYD DD!" until I had more information to share..
Thank you all for the 5000 plus views! Really appreciate it.
It's been quite a time since my previous news flash, today I'll advertise my new page about Connex's Tridents.
Okay, enough with advertisement and down to business. If you didn't hear, Go-Ahead ordered a further 65 more Evosetis on the B5LH chassis (that's 85 MHVs in total!). These are for routes 63 from Peckham (PM) and route 185 from Camberwell (Q). Whereas route 363 of Peckham (PM) will receive ADL E40H Enviro400 MMCs, quantity of 13. (for a route like 363, it'd need two more spares at least, this much only hits the PVR).
As for new tenders:
Route 38 retained with PVR decrease from 59 to 52
Route 152 to Go-Ahead London using buses off 42/108/D8 with PVR increase from 14 to 15
Route 157 to Arriva London South using some of T84-117
Route 221 retained using buses off 133 (remainder of T84-117) and 242 (DW214-229)
Route 413 to Quality Line with PVR increase from 7 to 8
Route 655 retained with 1 existing bus
Route 931 retained with crosslink from 201/407 (previously from 152)
Other route retain/win with new buses to be confirmed. That is all, thanks for reading this small catch-up and enjoy your day!
News Flash 20/4:
If you did not hear, Arriva London announced what their two selections are for the B7TL hybrid project approved by TfL for two other operators (with two buses). VLA99 (withdrawn at the moment) and VLA100 (last seen at Garston on route 288) are Arriva's choices. They're typically young for a typical choice, however, the fun itches to start.
The B7TL hybrid project means that the B7TL would lose it's B7TL-ness, by the removal of the Volvo D7C engine, which includes a 215hp (or 250hp, but I believe the VLAs have 215hp but would like to be corrected if wrong).
Next, a Cummins ISB4.5 engine would be installed, it's Euro 6 and checking up it's details, has a 4 cylinder 4.5 litre and a maximum of 210 horsepower. Poor but the electric generator is much more powerful. There's also a liquid cooled battery back including a 280hp electric motor.
A shame the B7TL hybrid would end up with what would be an engine similar to an Enviro200, however, it's not like it's that low when you consider the 5hp gap between the lowest option for the B7TL [diesel].
The other Cummins counterpart, the Euro 6 E40H, also uses a 210 horsepower ISB4.5 engine, but it's ISB4.5E6 to be precise, because it's Euro 6. An average of 187hp for the electric motor is used, with 261hp being the peak usage of power while moving.
Also, if you're wondering what the Volvo B5LH uses, it uses a range of engines since 2008 until now. 215hp D5E Euro 5 engine from 2008-9, 219hp D5F Euro 5/EEV engine, and a 240hp D5K Euro 6 engine.
As always, catch up on the small bites and enjoy your day! That's until next time!
Note: EEV means Emission friendly Vehicle (e.g vehicles fitted with a sort of Selective Catalytic Reduction technology, like AdBlue)
News Flash 18/4:
It has been so long since I made a post, here I will start my latest News Flash and inform you of a new series I come up with.
London Buses. Probably plain and vague but it's literally that, it's similar to Ian's Bus Stop but I'm making my own version which focuses on modern vehicles. I created my first page about a vehicle type, my favourite decade-old DD chassis of all time Volvo B7TL!
So, we come to the News Flash part of this post. If you haven't made yourself aware, RATP have started re-coding their buses, apparently due to a new computer system. Thus, 94's VHs have been numbered as VH45153+ instead of VH53+. Their sole StreetLite that failed the test for route E11 (and going off to Tolworth [TV] for route K4) was coded WS20225. Similar to Go-Ahead in a way of letters.
Also, Some of Barking (DX)'s original 05reg have transferred over to Garston (GR) however like SW1 which was being trialled on their routes, do not have working iBus to display on LVF.
This month has been a march for rare workings. DW282 on route 2 albeit normal working now, EN4/E276 on route 357/476, E200MMCs on BC's single decker routes, Scania Olympuses on route EL1/2 due to closure of Ripple Road causing heavy traffic, Scania OmniCity/OmniDekka on route 359 due to single decker shortage, 16reg SE on routes 181/284, VWHs on 263/634, LDP271 on 322, SE245 on 315, LTs/TAs/TEHs/TEs on 7U (7 extras due to Bakerloo suspended), WVL92 on 432 (okay this was a week before the end of March). And an odd working during daylight, T115 on 417.
Links that are coloured orange do not belong to me. Howeer blue coloured links do belong to me with full copyright.
So with respect; Photo of VWH2061 on 263 belongs to ©Tempo55. Photo of 963 on route 359 and EN4 on 357 belong to ©#RandomBuses AlίsҺα. Photo of 874 on route EL2 belongs to ©EastLondoner. Photo of TE1311 and LT543 on route 7 belong to ©London Buses On The Go.
In the case I place ©, denotes that the photo(s) are fully copyrighted to the mentioned people.
Let's jump straight in. LTs have started converting on route 59 a month early, and on the other hand 80030 (aka MBK1/XMS1/MEC70) transferred to MB on it's short stay in TL for the 380.
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| Go-Ahead London General WVL92 LF52ZND on route 432 |
Then, the first Wright Eclipse Gemini 1 on route 432 strays, and this was the unrefurbished float bus from 133's batch, WVL92 (LF52ZND).
We also have DE72 which conked out in Ashford Station which may need a new engine. (As a matter of fact, PDL137 had a similar situation and has an E400 engine, could it be possible for DE72 to have a Scania engine? Probably not)
Abellio's 2457 strayed on 159 too.
A reminder, route 59's LTs are 716-44, 91's LTs are 745-767, 211's LTs will be 768-88 and 189's LTs will be 789-805. New Routemasters started straying on route 211 too, with LT634 being the first, which belongs to 159.
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| Arriva London South LT725 in Brixton |
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| LT699 LTZ1699, aka Sky Q Red. |
And on the right we have LT725 (LTZ1725) in Brixton, at the Lambeth Town Hall bus stop on route 59 to King's Cross. And as usual this 59 was packed. This makes Brixton's third route to convert to New Routemaster's.
On the left, we have LT699 (the first LT to make it on route 3) with the new Sky Q Red advert.
Not to mention that the Piccadilly Line has a strike going on, with routes like 29, 298, 91 and more having extras. Routemasters were noted to be on the three aforementioned routes. And Tridents have strayed on route 211 presumably to oust Euro 5 09reg from 344's batch to start the refurbishment for route E9's contract in two months time.
249's 61reg WVLs have filled in the ELT's required PVR increase of 15 due to the frequency increase plus EL2's reroute at Barking to Becontree Heath instead of going Ilford.
That's all for now, enjoy!
And here's some other photos below.
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| Abellio London 2517 YX15OWF at Lambeth Town Hall on route 415 to Old Kent Road Tesco |
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| Abellio London LT634 (LTZ1634) on route 3 to Piccadilly Circus. Honestly the new style blinds look horrible on the 3, and this is the first LT to stray on 211 |
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| Abellio London LT707 LTZ1707 on route 159 by Lambeth Town Hall. This belongs to the 3. |
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| Rear view of WVL92 LF52ZND on route 432 while passing West Norwood Rail Station. |
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| Abellio London LT638 LTZ1638 on route 159 also heading to Marble Arch, also by Lambeth Town Hall |
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| Go-Ahead London Central E106 LX09FAK having a rest from route 45 and SE225 YY64TXK on route P5 passing. |
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| Arriva London South T115 LJ59LXR turned to London Bridge on route 133, in Brixton. |
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| Arriva London South T158 LJ60AVF on the other side of Lambeth Town Hall (more appropriately, next to St Matthew's Church), is servicing route 2 to West Norwood Bus Garage. |
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| Arriva London South VLA28 LJ53BDF on route 2 to Marylebone. |
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| Go-Ahead London WVL364 LX60DWP on route 333 |
MAIN NEWS: The Egypt-made MCV Evoseti! Models will start exporting from there (Egypt) to the UK, and later on New Zealand, Australia and China.
SECOND IMPORTANT NEWS: The SRM (Short Routemaster?) has been unveiled. It has the B5LH chassis, yup, the B5LH New Routemaster we've heard rumours of and waiting confirmation, this has RATP LU logos so should be on to either routes 27 or 94, but 27 is being speculated highly. Sadly I cannot upload photos of this due to copyright. As further clarification, they do not have opening windows nor lower saloon rear window. What a waste. Meanwhile with ST2001, there's no update on it but it should still be on it's way to trial on route 91, when it's getting the longer 11.3m version as a full allocation. Another waste.
RATP's Harrow (SO) garage will have garage capacity increased from 60 to 100. On the topic of RATP, the demonstrator ST2001 is seen with a RATP classification (or interior should I say). Which may mean route 27 might convert to the short New Routemaster model first.
Arriva's StreetDeck has been sighted in Garston (GR) a few days ago, and today has started service on 303 this morning without iBus on, and pulling the same trick on 642 as of this afternoon. SW1 (LK64DVV) is supposed to be trialled on route 340 for 6 weeks. Obviously to see if the type can be ordered for route 340's contract requirement for new Euro 6 diesels.
Ad:
Thanks for catching this smaller bitesize! Enjoy your day!
I welcome you to a new series of mine called News Flash. Where I post [minor] news in a nutshell. Or in other words, short post.
Without further ado, you can read yourselves here!
Or https://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp
uniqueID=800C915EEDC3488780257F0F003BD039&freeText=Blank&tx
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| ©Unorm001 Go-Ahead London General LT292 LTZ1292 on route 453 |
This details of LTs built from 1st March 2012 to 9 September 2015, of which have power assisted steering which may not function, as well as an electrically-operated PAS pump. Which may lead to wiring connections fail. The number of LTs being recalled seems to be 468.
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| ©Unorm001 Metroline LT24 LTZ1024 on 24 in Westminster |
If you remember, the LTs got a complaint about the diesel engines in them being pollutant, as pollutant as a Euro 3-engine VLA. As well as battery problems. Now that two problems drivers might have are known, what's there to be next? I really do wonder.. Oh yes, the open-able window installments! But there's been no news of them recently..
Right, time to move on to the BYD part of this article. The first batch of fully electric double decker buses for London are on the move and three of them are sitting tight inside Metroline's Willesden (AC) depot. That'd be BYD1471-3. One has been sighted in Waterloo running around. Recently (and that's the time this post's being created) one has made it to City Hall.
Thanks for reading my news flash special! :P And enjoy your day!
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| ©Unorm001 Arriva London South VLA46 LJ53BAA in Crystal Palace on route 417 |
One more thing: There was news of a B7TL conversion to hybrid operation, with two vehicles per operator, out of a total of 3. This news was months ago but there's no news about it just like the LT open-able windows one..
Update: The 468 LTs were recalled and fixed during the span of October 2015 and February 2016. BBC have a report on this. And an FOI about failed route conversions.
Disclaimer: Photos of the clickable links do not belong to me, however, the photos directly linked in this post (with a "©Unorm001" belong to me.
P.S. Title was originally supposed to be "New Routemaster to be recalled | Update on BYD DD!" until I had more information to share..
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