This post should have the title of the 'London Bus Route Series' of mine, as the route just had a service change, I'd like to give the title a little more of a kick to it.
As we all know today, this route is won to Abellio London from Beddington Cross (BC) with Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart buses until the Enviro200s with flywheel fitted arrive, which is to be expected early 2015. Go-Ahead London (London General) were operating the route beforehand from their Merton (AL) base using Volvo Merit Wright Cadet 9.2m buses ex-East Thames Buses.
Abellio's 8525 (YX59BYT) as BC #210 arriving West Dulwich Station
The route first started in 17th March 1995, between Tulse Hill Station and Mitcham Cricketers, funnily enough, it replaced the 200 between Tulse Hill and Mitcham although the 201 was a new route! 201's Plaxton Pointer Darts were late, the 200 was temporarily extended until the Darts arrived. Contract was awarded to London General, operating from Merton (AL) with a rather small PVR of 6 during Mondays to Saturdays and 4 on Sundays with running numbers AL241+
The routeing was Tulse Hill - Upper Tulse Hill - Streatham Hill - Streatham St Leonard's Church - Mitcham Lane - Streatham Road - Mitcham Fair Green -Mitcham Cricketers
Not much has changed to the route in almost 20 years except for extensions on both sides (from Tulse Hill to Herne Hill and Mitcham to Morden).
Five years has passed, and on the first of December 2001, London General lost the 201 to Mitcham Belle, a new operator from those years which later had some of it's operations taken over by Connex. There was an increase in PVR from 8 (M-F), 7 (Saturdays) and 6 (Sundays). If I happen to be correct, long Plaxton Pointer II Darts (10.2m) were used.
Eventually, Centra London purchased Mitcham Belle's London Bus operations by the end of August 2004,
By May 2006, East Thames London (which happened to be Transport for London's own bus company by the time) took over the 201, they ordered Volvo Merit Wright Cadets, 10.8m if I'm correct. Running numbers started from MA121+
The 201 pretty much bumped into randomn defunct bus operators, like Mitcham Belle, which was taken over by Centra London, which then eventually got defunct itself, and then to East Thames Buses.
East Thames Buses decided to displace themselves off of the London Buses scene, and TfL gradually accepted Go-Ahead London to take over East Thames Buses operations. This indeed includes the 201. Which was by Mandela Way (MA) by the time East Thames Buses were in control of the route. This all occured from the 3rd October 2009. The route also had a PVR increase on weekends (Saturdays = 9, Sundays = 7). Running numbers were AL101+
At around the same time, the route got a reallocation if I happen to be correct, 9.2m versions of the DWLs (Volvo Merit Wright Cadet 10.8m coded DWLs) coded DWs, which were originally bought for route 393 in 2002.
At around the same time, the route got a reallocation if I happen to be correct, 9.2m versions of the DWLs (Volvo Merit Wright Cadet 10.8m coded DWLs) coded DWs, which were originally bought for route 393 in 2002.
Exactly a month later the route was moved to a closer base, Merton (AL), where the route first went to, and is quite a return after 14 years.
One of 200's buses, SE14 (LX07BXY) in Streatham Hill towards Herne Hill
DW1 (LF52TKJ) at West Dulwich towards Herne Hill.
As we all know lately, Go-Ahead London lost the 201 to Abellio London, and are operating the route from their Beddington Cross (BC) base using 407's 59-reg Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart buses until the contractually specified buses arrive (64/15-reg Enviro200s with flywheels fitted). Ironically however, the running numbers are BC 201+!
Enjoy the pictures below!
London General SE10 (LX07BXS) at Streatham St. Leonard's Church picking up a load.
Abellio London 8503 (LJ56OND) route training the 201 with several drivers, on the last two weeks of Go-Ahead London service, having a break to buy some snacks at Brockwell Park. Notice the dayglo side blinds.
8503 (LJ56OND) in service at the first stop in Herne Hill Station.
Here's 8775 (YX61ELC) at the same spot I took the photo of SE14 (LX07BXY) above.
There were different regs of Enviro200s that appeared so far under Abellio, 56-reg, 59-reg, 61-reg and also 12-reg.
Apologies for having posted this late, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2015!
Which Enviro do you prefer?
©Unorm001 for all photos used in this post
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