Welcome to the second edition of The Monthly Recap brought to you by The Team at The London Bus Blog. This is a monthly series that will highlight all the news from the London bus scene over the past month. 

Now sit back and enjoy!

Abellio London

8201, YY64GVP on stand at St Helier
©GloriousWater

The operations of route S4 (Roundshaw - St Helier Station) passed to Abellio London from Quality Line on the 8th of November. It's currently operating out of Beddington (BC) garage with 7 new 8.9m Alexander Dennis Enviro200's coded 8201-8207 and registered YY64GVP/R/T/U/W/V/X. These buses did not receive their intended flywheels, and it's not been confirmed if they will, either.

Route 201 and 407's new 10.8m Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses are expected to arrive at Beddington (BC) garage next month as normal diesel buses. They were supposed to receive flywheels, but that's been delayed now; when they will receive them is not yet known.

Arriva London

Last month we reported that route 137 (Oxford Circus - Streatham Hill, Telford Avenue) would convert to New Routemaster operation on the 22nd November, but again, this has been delayed. The new 'conversion' date is on the 6th of December. A few of the New Routemaster's are currently being stored at Ash Grove (AE) and Norwood (N) garages as well as Brixton (BN) garage in preparation for the conversion. It is still not yet confirmed if the night division (N137: Crystal Palace - Oxford Circus) will convert too.

Route 312's (Norwood Junction - West Croydon) Optare MetroCity EV (Electric Vehicles) have arrived at South Croydon (TC) garage. They have been given the 'electric livery' found on the BYD K9 buses on routes 507 and 521. We're not sure when they are expected to enter service. 

Go-Ahead London

Route 44 (Tooting Station - Victoria) received a PVR increase of 3 on the 1st of November, three 61-reg WVLs from the 249 (at Stockwell) temporarily transferred to Merton (AL) garage to cover for the increase - even though they stayed on the 155 for their short stay meaning the 155 released three buses to the 44. Now, the three 06-reg WVLs from Camberwell (Q) garage that moved to Stockwell (SW) garage to cover for the 61-reg WVLs that moved to Merton (AL) garage for the 44, have moved to Merton (AL) garage (plus another from Camberwell) to replace the three 61-reg WVLs at Merton (AL) garage! So now, WVL231, 246, 247 and 248 are new members of Merton's mixed fleet, receiving new white blinds in the process.

Newly Transferred: E195, SN61BYJ on route 68.
©Unorm001

Route 185 (Lewisham - Victoria) also received a PVR of increase of 4 on the 1st of November, four 61-reg Es from the 453, which is converting to New Routemaster operation, transferred to Camberwell (Q) garage for the increase...

... Continuing on, all 39 61-reg Alexander Dennis Enviro400's (Es) from the 453 are transferring to Camberwell (Q) garage to upgrade the fleet on routes 68, 185 an 468. This means that 39 06-reg Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (WVLs) currently on the 68 and 468 will be moving out of Camberwell (Q) garage to replace most of the Scania double-deckers within the Metrobus subsidiary and replace older fleet elsewhere in the Go-Ahead London empire. 

Around 17 new Volvo B5LH/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses have been ordered for recently won route 135 (Crosshabour - Old Street Station). They are expected to enter service at Silvertown (SI) garage in May 2015 when the route transfers from Arriva.  

Metroline

SN09ing the 91: TE1742, SN09CFX on route 91.
Picture by Au Morandarte

Ten SN09-reg TEs from Greenford (G) garage have been loaned to Holloway (HT) garage for 8 weeks to cover for the loss of TEs on route 91. Route 91 released some its own TEs to the 34 as not all of the VWHs for the route have arrived yet. 

Route 332 (Brent Park Shopping Centre - Paddington) of Cricklewood is due 16 new Alexander Dennis E40H/Enviro400 MMC buses next month for its new contract. They are coded TEH2072-2087 and will be on 64 plates.

Stagecoach

New Entry: 10201, SL64HZA seen in Peckham
©GloriousWater

All of Stagecoach's new buses reported last month have entered service at their respective garages.

Stagecoach London has ordered 21 new Volvo B5LH/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses for Plumstead (PD) routes 122 and 177. Route 122, which runs between Crystal Palace and Plumstead, Bus Garage, will use one bus as a top-up and the 177 will use the remaining twenty for its new contract. They are due to enter service in the in Spring 2015.

Tower Transit

TAL33201, LX04FXL on route 295 at Ladbroke Grove.
Picture bu Au Morandarte

VN37961 and VN37954 of Westbourne Park (X) garage have transferred to Lea Interchange (LI) for route 58. It's not been said if this is permanent or temporary.

The 6 ex-Stagecoach Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX400 double-decker buses  on loan to Tower Transit from Ensignbus have been coded as TAL(33200-5)s. They entered service on Westbourne Park routes 23 and 295 and have not yet seen service on the 28, 31 or 328. 









What to Expect Next Month
More news on the Alexander Dennis orders, Arriva's MetroCity's, New Routemaster conversions.

A big thank you to our photo contributors; you can view their wonderful Flickr Photostreams below:
Wltmauc's Flickr Photostream
Unorm001's Flickr Photostream

 All photographs found on this blog are subject to copyright, images shall not be copied or printed without the written permission of the original photographer or authors of The London Bus Blog. Under all circumstances, copyright remains with the original photographers and people found to re-use without permission are breaking the law and are eligible for legal action taken against them and possible prosecution under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. Thank you.

Thank you for reading this month's recap, please come again!

Route 34 is a unique route, it is special in the fact that it is one of few routes which go from North East London to North West London. From Walthamstow Central to Barnet Church. When the route was up for tender, it interested many as there was a wide variety of operators who could bid for the route, from Stagecoach to Metroline, as well as there always remaining the possibility that the route would be retained by Arriva London continuing many years of History.

© GloriousWater 2014

On the 21st of May, the long awaited tender results were revealed. To much people's surprise, the route was announced to be coming to an end with it's history as an Arriva London route, and begin a new era with Metroline from their Potters Bar (PB) garage. Many enthusiasts were awaiting this change due to take place on the 8th of November. It was later announced that Metroline had opted to order Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 buses for the route, although in practice they were to be diverted to the 82 in return for the 13reg and 62reg TEs.

© GloriousWater 2014

Eventually 8th of November came, and to many people's surprise there were quite a few Wright Eclipse Gemini 3s (VWHs) on the 34, alongside spare TEs from Cricklewood (W) and Holloway (HT) made available.  In the picture to the right, we can see VWH2028 on stand at Walthamstow Bus Station on it's first day of service on the route. Funnily enough, not a single VWH has managed to make it onto route 82 at the time of writing this post. Prior to these buses entering service, rumours had it that the buses will no be able to have regular service on route 34 as the route had some speed bumps that would damage the bus. But that has now been proved to be false.

©GloriousWater 2014

As I said earlier, the route is also home to some TEs which have been transferred from Holloway (HT) and Cricklewood (W). In the photo to the left TE929 takes stand at Walthamstow Bus Station awaiting departure on a journey to Barnet Church. On the first day itself we can see that some drivers have forgotten to set certain blinds to the correct routes. Hopefully this does not have any significance on the route's future with Metroline.



So what do you think of this change? Metroline finally enter East London after many years of being a North and West London operator. Arriva also continue their spell of losing routes and not winning any. Would you like to see Arriva operating the 34 again, or are you happy to let it remain with Metroline? Please let is know in the comments section!

Welcome to the first edition of The Monthly Recap brought to you by The Team at The London Bus Blog. This is a new monthly series that will highlight all the news from the London bus scene over the past month. It is due at the end of each month.

Now sit back and enjoy!

Abellio London

8520, YX59BYN on route 201
©Unorm001

The operations of route 201 (Herne Hill - Morden) duly passed to Abellio from Go-Ahead London: London General on the 4th of October. It's currently operating with Alexander Dennis Enviro200's from routes 152, 407 and T33 until its own Alexander Dennis 200's arrive, more on that later. Older Alexander ALX400's have been deployed on routes 152 and 407 until the 201's buses arrive.

The loan of the 100's buses to Go-Ahead London: London General is set to continue for another month or so.

Route 415 (Elephant & Castle - Tulse Hill), which is due to join Abellio in March, is to be extended upon arrival. It will be extended to Old Kent Road Tesco via route 168 upon the new contract.

Arriva London

A loss, a retain, a conversion, an extension, and a garage shuffle all to be reported for Arriva: 

Route 135 (Crossharbour - Old Street) was lost to Go-Ahead London: Docklands Buses. It's not yet been announced where the current buses on the 135 will go when the route is lost.

Route 253 was retained with double-decker buses, the type yet to be confirmed. 

Soon to be a thing of the past.

Routes 137 (Oxford Circus - Streatham Hill, Telford Avenue) is to be converted to New Routemaster operation from 22nd November. It is not yet confirmed if the night division (N137: Crystal Palace - Oxford Circus) will convert too.

Route N133 is to be extended from Mitcham to Morden, the date has not yet been confirmed.

Route 312's (Norwood Junction - West Croydon) Optare MetroCity EV (Electric Vehicles) are still due to arrive at South Croydon (TC) garage. They are coded EMC1 and EMC2. A charging pod has been put in place at the garage, according to our sources. 

A garage shuffle is planned in the north for routes 141, 318, 329 and W6 on the 8th of November. And route on the 11th of November:

Route 141 will transfer to Palmers Green (AD) from Wood Green (WN) however, some of its buses will remain at Palmers Green (AD) due to lack of space.

Route 184 will have its buses moved from Edmonton (EC) to Wood Green (WN).

Route 318 will transfer to Enfield (E) from Tottenham (AR).

Route 329 will have its buses that were stored at Wood Green (WN) moved back to Palmers Green (AD).

Route W6 will transfer to Enfield (E) from Tottenham (AR).

Go-Ahead London

A pretty quiet month for London's biggest operator. Let's have a look:

Route 135 (Crossharbour - Old Street) was gained from Arriva London. It will begin operation with Docklands Buses on 23rd May 2015 with 15 brand new battery-hybrid double-decker buses.

Route 100's Alexander Dennis Enviro200 flywheel-hybrid single-decker buses have yet to arrive. They aren't expected for another month or so.

Arriva London's 8.9m Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses that are currently being used on the 192 will be loaned to London General when the route transfers next month. This is because of the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 flywheel-hybrid single-decker buses ordered for the route have yet to arrive. They aren't expected until early 2015.

Routes 44 (Tooting Station - Victoria) and route 185 (Lewisham - Victoria) have both received Monday to Friday peak frequency increases. They will both be increased to every 8 minutes from tomorrow. 

Route 436 (Lewisham Shopping Centre - Paddington) will have a PVR decrease of 1 reducing to the PVR to 32. The Monday to Friday peak frequency decreases to every 6 minutes from tomorrow.

LOTS TLB has said route 432, which will transfer in May 2015, will now operate under London Central from Camberwell garage with existing WHVs. Where the WHVs will come from is not yet known, it could come from routes 12, 19 or 22. We'll keep you updated.

LT277, LTZ1277 in Ballymena before delivery
©Donrobni

Route 453's New Routemaster conversion is moving slower than we all expected. The highest number of LTs in service was 7, with only 2 usually found on the route. The conversion is now expected to be complete by the end of November.

Metroline

Routes 245, 460, A10 and U1 were all retained by Metroline this month.

The 245 and 460 have been retained with new or existing double-deckers, no change to either PVR. The new contract starts on the 27th of June 2015.

The 331 and U10 have been retained with new flyhweel-hybrid single-decker buses, no change to either PVR. The new contract for the 331 starts on the 4th of July 2015 and the U10 starts on the 2nd of May 2015.

VWH2024, LK64EDC at the CELF
©Anthony Or

The delivery of the new VWHs has begun for Potters Bar route 82 (North Finchley - Victoria). They are numbered 2024-2045 and were originally bought for the 34, which transfers from Arriva London on the 8th next month. The 34 will use TE1420-1441 instead.

DEL2070, LK64ECY on route 112
©LondonBuses72

And the news we've all been waiting for! The DELs for the 112 have finally entered service! DEL2062-2071 began to enter service at Cricklewood last week. They are registered LK64ECE/F/J/N/T/V/W/X/Y/Z. 







Stagecoach

36584, YY64GRK on route 273 on its first day.
©GloriousWater

The final hybrid entries and new diesels this month for Stagecoach.

The last hybrids of a mass order from Stagecoach have started to enter service at Plumstead (PD). The 30 strong batch of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 hybrids, numbered 12334-12363, are gradually entering service on routes 51, 53, 122, 177 and 472. They are intended for the 99, 122 and 472. They are registered 12334-12350, SN64OGG/H/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/R/S/T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z and 12351-12363, SN64OHA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/J/K/L/O/P.

12 new diesel buses are due to enter service this month at Catford (TL). 4 of the 12 buses are 8.9m Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-decker buses for routes 124 and 354, numbered and registered as so, 36584-36587, YY64GRK/U/X/Z. The final 8 buses are 10.2m Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-decker buses for route 136's PVR increase back in May when it was extended to Elephant & Castle. They are numbered 10198-10205, the registrations are not yet known. The older Tridents that were covering will be withdrawn upon arrival of the new buses.

New Routemasters, LT312 and LT313 for the 55, have been delivered to Stagecoach Dundee. They will be trialed on the Tayway service between Dundee and Arbroath until the end of the year before returning to London for the 55 (Oxford Circus - Leyton, Baker Arms). LT314, LT315 and LT316 shall also be in London shortly for the 55 but aren't expected to enter service.

Tower Transit

Tower Transit's orders are out for their recently won routes. Still no news on their proposed Enfield garage.

33 new buses are on order for routes 212, 444 and 488. 

11 - 10.8m Alexander Dennis Enviro200 flywheel-hybrids for route 488 

11 - 10.8m Wright StreetLite DF for route 444
11- 10.5m Volvo B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 for route 212.

At the moment, they're all expected to operate from Lea Interchange garage - unless the proposed Picketts Lock garage is accepted by Enfield council and built in time.

6 ex-Stagecoach Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX400 double-decker buses are on loan to Tower Transit from Ensignbus until March 2015. They will be used on routes 28, 31 and 328 whilst essential roadworks are completed on Great Western Road, Westbourne Park.

The 6 buses:

LX04FXJ 33200
LX04FXL 33201
LX04FXP 33202
LX04FXV 33203
LX04FXW 33204
LX04FYB 33205

What to Expect Next Month

More news on the Alexander Dennis orders, Arriva's MetroCity's, New Routemaster conversions, Go-Ahead London's fleet shuffle and Wright's new Gemini design.

A big thank you to our photo contributors; you can view their wonderful Flickr Photostreams below:

Anthony Or - https://www.flickr.com/photos/b777-200_g-ymmh/
Donrobni - https://www.flickr.com/photos/81709772@N07/
Unorm001 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/122132542@N02/favorites/

All photographs found on this blog are subject to copyright, images shall not be copied or printed without the written permission of the original photographer or authors of The London Bus Blog. Under all circumstances, copyright remains with the original photographers and people found to re-use without permission are breaking the law and are eligible for legal action taken against them and possible prosecution under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. Thank you.

Thank you for reading this month's recap, please come again!

 ©EastLondoner 2014

Stratford Bus Station is home to a variety of different routes, one of those routes is the 238. It is operated from the United Kingdom's largest and greenest bus garage, West Ham (WH). The route is allocated with Euro 5 engine, Voith Enviro400/E40D buses. 

The route starts off at Barking, Station Parade then proceeds around the corner onto London Road, then it continues along past the North Circular Road onto Barking Road. Once it reaches Newham Town Hall the route takes a sharp left turn onto High Street North and it continues past East Ham Station onto Plashet Grove. From there it continues onto Plashet Road which turns into Portway. From Portway it turns onto West Ham Lane then onto Stratford High Street. From there it goes to Stratford Bus Station.

The route has had a pretty long history, it started off in 1959 running between Becontree and the Woolwich Ferry via Barking and Canning Town, very soon in 1961 it was diverted to start at Little Heath instead of Becontree. Then further change came in 1965 when it was diverted to Serve Stratford via West Ham Lane. (Like the current routing today.) 

©EastLondoner 2014

Then in 1966 the route was extended from Little Heath to Chadwell Heath Hospital and converted to Single Deck operation. In 1991 the route was cut back from Chadwell Heath and Little Heath and started to run only between Stratford Bus Station and Barking Bus Garage. In 2000 the route was withdrawn between Barking Bus Garage and Barking Station. Leaving the routeing how it is today. In 2003 the route was converted to Low Floor Double Deck operation with Dennis Tridents, and this was converted to Enviro400/E40D Double Deckers in 2012.

©EastLondoner 2014

Until 2011, this route was operated out of the second largest garage in East London at Upton Park (U) found just off Green Street. But due to West Ham being so large and more than half empty, it was economical to close down U and send its routes to WH and BK. The 238, like many routes moved to West Ham (WH), changeovers take place at Stratford Bus Station with drivers going via the 69

© GloriousWater 2014

The 238 doesn't have much going for unallocated workings, the most common is a Dennis Trident which happens every day. Although something which is really rare on the route is a Scania Omnicity. These have only been blinded for the 238 since March, and only two duties have managed to stay out on the route for the whole day. Jack managed to catch up with one doing the 238U which operates when the District Line is closed.

So what do you think about the route? Do you want to ride it? Or would you prefer to stay away from it? Please let us know your thoughts and views on this route by posting a comment below. 

Thank you for reading this post, Please visit again soon :)

Stagecoach-operated route 472, operated from Plumstead (PD), is finally converting to hybrid operation after a long delay.

© GloriousWater 2014

Last year it was announced that the 472's contract had been retained by Stagecoach with new hybrid buses due in January/February 2014. But as most enthusiasts know by now, Stagecoach had a massive shuffle of the hybrids so other routes got shiny new Enviro400s and Gemini 3s while the 472 kept running with the old Tridents, some of which were among the oldest in the Stagecoach fleet.

So here are some pictures of the old stuff on the 472.

17427, which is among several Tridents since transferred to TL for the 136 extension.

©GloriousWater 2014

©GloriousWater 2014

A common working was (and still is) an 11-reg E400 diesel, such as 19748 seen here picking up in Thamesmead.

©GloriousWater 2014

The new hybrids started to arrive near the end of September, but took a really long time to actually go on the 472 in any large amount. They are shared with the 122, and are pretty much the same as the batch delivered to TL in March. The conversion is still ongoing, so diesel buses remain common on the route.

Brand new 12342 in Thamesmead.

©GloriousWater 2014

Similar 14-reg hybrids delivered in May for the 122 also appear on the route (more often than the intended 64-reg in fact) as shown here by 12302.

©GloriousWater 2014

So overall, a very quiet conversion. Now there's just time for the fleetlist. Vehicles in italics are not yet in service at the time of writing.

Route 472 fleetlist:
12334 - SN64OGG
12335 - SN64OGH
12336 - SN64OGJ
12337 - SN64OGK
12338 - SN64OGL
12339 - SN64OGM
12340 - SN64OGO
12341 - SN64OGP
12342 - SN64OGR
12343 - SN64OGS
12344 - SN64OGT
12345 - SN64OGU
12346 - SN64OGV
12347 - SN64OGW
12348 - SN64OGX
12349 - SN64OGY
12350 - SN64OGZ
12351 - SN64OHA
12352 - SN64OHB
12353 - SN64OHC
12354 - SN64OHD
12355 - SN64OHE
12356 - SN64OHF
12357 - SN64OHG
12358 - SN64OHH
12359 - SN64OHJ
12360 - SN64OHK
12361 - SN64OHL
12362 - SN64OHO
12363 - SN64OHP

Thank you for reading this post, please visit again soon!