The 31st March 2018.

The day the 68, 468, X68 were all separated from one another. 

Loss of 68/N68 to neighbouring garage Abellio from Walworth (WL) with existing LTs.

Loss of 468 to a garage mid-point of Arriva; Norwood (N), with new HV380-412.

Retention of X68' with EH215-224 and 188's transfer from Morden Wharf (MG) to Camberwell (Q) to balance work lost by 68/468/N68 loss.

68 (West Norwood - Elephant & Castle - Euston):

Last allocated New Routemasters (LTs) towards the end of the contract. Normal buses such as Enviro400H EHs and B5LH EvoSeti MHVs appeared, especially en masse the night before the changeover.

LT673 LTZ1673, Ernest Avenue, West Norwood

The only thing that changed now is the logo of the LTs are different and the service is different, for the time being.

EH58 (YX16OCP), Herne Hill / Denmark Hill

Not much will be different on the 68 now than previously, maybe excluding conventional strays which are yet to be seen in this contract term. Whilst in Go-Ahead's care, 68 has seen conventionals every other day, either due to an accident-LT or other reasons.

In terms of service today, 68 has been alright with no curtailment and overall decent service for a first day.

Last Go-Ahead bus: EH49

First Abellio bus: LT681

First unallocated bus: LT640 of Battersea (QB), allocated to 159.

Last Go-Ahead N68: MHV16/18 at 05:46

First Abellio N68: 2581

168:

...Wait this wasn-

468 (South Croydon, South End - West Norwood - Elephant & Castle:

The only main change that brought a lot of difference. Different buses, different look, different driver changeover point, different strays (next to zero). Pretty much sums it. Also includes the service difference mention as earlier. Arriva now provide an equally excellent service.

HV411 LF18AWC, Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath

Previously it was allocated WVL-class Volvo B7TLs on the heavy, tanky and durable Wright Eclipse Gemini body. So much so that they were heavy and lacked the ability to move quicker off the mark in comparison to the ALX400 body counterpart.

Since some WVLs were displaced in the last contract term, on paper, E class Enviro400s freed from 453's New Routemaster conversion fulfilled the contract requirement until expiry. These on the other hand were quick off the mark, fly up hills and as good as WVLs for durability.

E189 (SN61BJJ), Norwood Road, Herne Hill

During the last contract term, many strays were apparent. Older 57-reg Es displaced from Sutton (A) during 213's retention, B9TL WVLs (from 12), Gemini 2 B5LH WHVs (from 12), longer 10.6m B7TL Gemini VWLs (185), B7TL Preisdents PVLs (45)/VPs (185), MCV Evoseti bodied B5LHs (40/176/185), E40H Enviro400 MMCs (35/176), B5LH Gemini 3 WHVs (1/176/188).

Most types ran simultaneously on the route at point. Top class enthusiast-friendly variety.

468's service has been okay for a route of it's length. Bunchings here and there but the route is pretty reliable for the trunk it is. As I've had two rides, I'll briefly share my experience here.

HV408 to Cromwell Road bus stop from West Norwood Station. Our leader was pretty far ahead so we needed to keep up, and foot down. Despite being early morning it was pretty busy. Still, we were in a race against both time and a 196 conveniently ahead of us. Up Knights Hill the bus fended for itself by revving to the extreme, whilst delivering enough force to maintain speed and changing gears swiftly, but not as smooth as on flat.

On Beulah Hill the bus was thrashing around, bouncing around quite a bit at high speeds. Then down South Norwood Hill the descent was very smooth, stern and quiet.

I had HV390 back and was mostly the same, except more violent up South Norwood Hill and down Knights Hill the electric mode was moving the wheels, thus making it quieter than usual.

Last Go-Ahead bus: MHV72

First Arriva bus: HV411

First unallocated bus: HV309, allocated to 2.

X68 (West Croydon - West Norwood - Waterloo - Russell Square:

It remains the same...really.

Route 188's transferred in as a replacement for 68 which also serves as the route that harbours X68's crosslinks as well as the sole #371 duty for 432.

Last Go-Ahead bus:

Nevermind..

Stay safe.

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