Cleaner, Greener Buses for the 49

Unallocated: 2459, SL14DDX on route 49

On Saturday the 6th of September, Abellio London successfully took over the operations of the 49 from London United. The route is operated from Queenstown Battersea with 22 Alexander Dennis Enviro400Hs (2465-2486).

Abellio London ended London United's 15-year grip of the 49 on the 6th, as they took over from the west London powerhouse with brand new cleaner, greener hybrids. The 49 runs between Clapham Junction, Bolingbroke Grove and White City Bus Station passing through Battersea, Chelsea and Kensington on the way. It makes for a nice journey as the route passes many, detailed and historic houses.

The 49 was part of Tranche 449 (oh, the irony), and was the only route not to gain a 2-year contract extension, for the third consecutive time under London United. Unfortunately for them, this time, the route was lost to London's second youngest bus operator, Abellio. The change does bring a few positives to London United, it allows them to displace older buses in their fleet with the current Scania OmniCity (SP) buses on the route.

Now, let's take a look at the history...

London United won the route from London General back in September 1999 with 10.8m Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 2 (DP80-99) buses, converting the CBC (Chelsea-Battersea-Clapham Junction) link to single-deck operation, with the 319 and 345 already single-decked. However, London United's takeover of the London General route didn't go so deckers. Due to weight restrictions on Hammersmith Bridge, the new 10.2m Plaxton Pointer 2 buses for the 209 were unable to cross the bridge as they were too heavy, and with the 49's DPs running late a logical deal was agreed that London United would continue to operate the 209 with the existing buses and Armchair would operate the route with the new buses intended for the 209 until they were cleared to cross.
smoothly.

Taken at Clapham Junction on 04/09/2014

Moving into 2004, the route was retained by London United for the first time, with much needed double-deckers, those consisting of new buses in the form of ten East Lancs Myllennium Vyking (VE) buses on a Voith Volvo B7TL chassis and existing buses in the form of 12 Alexander ALX400 (VA) buses on a ZF Volvo B7TL chassis transferred from the 337, which was lost to Arriva. These buses went on to work the route for the next 5 years.

The 49 was re-awarded to London United in 2009 with new buses to run alongside the VEs. The VAs were replaced by Scania N230UD chassised Scania OmniCity (SP) buses, this remained the allocation up to 2014 with a few other bus types temporarily filling in, more on that later. Shortly after the second contract renewal, the 49 was listed in London's Top 10 bunching on the route being recorded. As timed move forward, certain bus types were no longer to be seen on the 49. Common workings of the 52-reg VAs allocated to the 220, disappeared after new buses were bought for the 220. The two lingering Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs (VR) buses were withdrawn, followed by most of the spare Euro 2 VAs.

SLE43, YN55NKM on route 49
©Au Morandarte

Worst Performing Bus Routes, this has stayed with the route since with many instances of

SP32, YN08DHY on route 49 to Clapham Junction

During 2013, Shepherd's Bush became short on buses and needed some more if they were to provide for the scheduled PVR increase to 20. The two buses sent on a long-term loan were East Lancs OmniDekka bodied Scania N94UD (SLE) buses, numbered SLE43 and SLE44. This was a new type to Shepherd's Bush and nobody knew how long they would stay. They then became important to the 49's allocation with few SPs becoming problem buses (SP30 and SP35). Towards the end of 2013, the last two remaining VAs were withdrawn from service, to cover the loss, two TAs redundant from the 57 transferred over. Later on in 2014: SLE44, SP39 and SP40 all departed Shepherd's Bush, this then allowed a further four TAs to make the switch. They remained allocated to the 49.

Going back to November - On the 21st, the 49 was lost to Abellio London with 22 new hybrid double-deckers. The route was widely expected to be lost because of its inconsistent service. The specified hybrids for the route was to be a relief, cleaning the air along the busy
roads it travels along. If you want to get an idea of the inconsistent service, I took a few screenshots on London Vehicle Finder of the route at some of its bad moments.

SP34, YN08MRU on route 49

ADH16, SN60BYM on route 49

Towards the end of March (2014), the 49 was treated to an ADH (13) off route 94, this was the first time a bus of this type had made it onto the 49 in nearly 6 months. Previous workings of this bus type usually occurred during unsociable hours of the day or only made one or two trips, so yes, they were very rare. The spontaneous working of ADH13 on the cool Sunday evening was a surprise to many of us at the time, I myself, went out to get a picture, but the bus was
running earlier than I expected, thus missing the rarest working Battersea had seen in ages.

TA248, LG02FBV on route 49 to White City
©Au Morandarte

This working became a hot topic, many wondering whether they would continue to appear on the 49... And they did, becoming a vital part of the 49's allocation towards the final months of London United operation.
Apart from the increase of ADHs and TAs on the 49, the route remained quite quiet up to the last day. Scania OmniCity SP37, YN08MRY was the last bus on the 49, ending 15 years of service.

At current, SLE44, SP29-37 and TA231/8/40/5/7/8 are still in service or have no confirmed future. However, VE1-10 are all expected to return of lease in the coming weeks.
London United Fleetlist

Paper:

SP29 YN08DHU

SP30 YN08DHV

SP31 YN08DHX

SP32 YN08DHY 

SP33 YN08DHZ

SP34 YN08MRU

SP35 YN08MRV

SP36 YN08MRX

SP37 YN08MRY

SP39 YP58ACJ

SP40 YP58ACO

VE1 PG04WGN

VE2 PG04WGP

VE3 PG04WGU

VE4 PG04WGV

VE5 PG04WGW

VE6 PG04WGX

VE7 PG04WGY

VE8 PG04WGZ

VE9 PG04WHA

VE10 PG04WHB

Drafts:

SLE43 YN55NKM

SLE44 YN55NKO

TA231 LG02FAJ

TA238 LG02FBC

TA240 LG02FBE

TA245 LG02FBN

TA247 LG02FBU

TA248 LG02FBV

The change...

2482, SN64OFH setting off for Clapham Junction

2480, SN64OFE and the Westfield logo

2469, SN64OET on route C2
This was the first 64-reg to enter service
in London.

Abellio London took the operations of route 49 on the Saturday, although the buses weren't kept 'fresh' for the route, with 20 of the 22 buses all entering service prior to the changeover. Early comers, 2465 (SL14LOA) and 2466 (SL14LOD), entered service nearly 2 months before they were due to, registered on 14-plates, they worked along the other hybrids on the 211. The remaining 20 buses for the 49 came on a 64-plate, some entering service on the first legal day for 64-plate vehicles. For most of the week (Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th), the new hybrids worked on route 156 (Wimbledon - Vauxhall), showcasing the new beasts of the 49.

After a week of service, Abellio still haven't quite got the hang of things yet, let's hope it doesn't take them too long to settle in!

Abellio London Fleetlist

2465 SL14LOA

2466 SL14LOD

2467 SN64OER

2468 SN64OES

2469 SN64OET

2470 SN64OEU

2471 SN64OEV

2472 SN64OEW

2473 SN64OEX

2474 SN64OEY

2475 SN64OEZ

2476 SN64OFA

2477 SN64OFB

2478 SN64OFC

2479 SN64OFD

2480 SN64OFE

2481 SN64OFG

2482 SN64OFH

2483 SN64OFJ

2484 SN64OFK

2485 SN64OFL

2486 SN64OFM

Unallocated: 2463, SL14DFA on route 49 at White City 

Route 49 runs between Clapham Junction, Bolingbroke Grove and White City Bus Station

Operates out of Abellio's largest garage, Queenstown Battersea (QB)

Uses 22 Alexander Dennis Enviro400H Hybrid buses

Was with London United for 15 years

Stay tuned for Part 2 due in January! 

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