The 360 SEe's a great future

SEe63 (LJ67DKF) at the start of the route on Newington Causeway, Elephant & Castle

Maybe, though I'm the type of guy that prefers diesels mostly over anything. SEe's are one exception, which I would have over say... a centre-staircase DAF DB250 as they're uselessly underpowered in my opinion, bit harsh but the truth can't be denied, they were slow.

On the other hand, this batch of BYD Enviro200EV's, SEe52-65, they provide more than just speed.

Just like the humongous batch (SEe1-51) before it, they both have overhead batteries, similar chassis make and the same body to go with.

However...

What you don't see in SEe1-51
Interior facing rear

What you have in SEe1-51
Interior facing rear

Get it?

If you don't then no worries as I'm here to explain. The Red Arrow routes, well, what's left of the series (507/521) are routes which spawn a swarm of workers from the hubs that are London Bridge, Victoria and Waterloo. Thus they require as much capacity as possible, however these routes are not only short but the worker's may only need a few stops. Thus makes double deckers inconvenient. These routes did have articulated single deckers though, of course.....every route was ripped off them.

The main focus isn't SEe1-65 as a whole, more just the 360 and it's new batch of all-electric BYD D9UR Enviro200 MMCs.

The answer to the difference in photos reflects on the difference between SEe1-51 and SEe52-65.
There's only standing room and few seats on the former batch for majority of the bus due to, as I mentioned, cram in as many workers as possible.
However the 360 isn't for that purpose so needs more seats than standing room, as it's your regular commuter service.

SEe57 (LJ67DJU) at Vauxhall Bus Station

These are of 10.8m length, 3.38m height and 2.47m width. They contain 31 seats with the ability to hold 49 standing people, though I feel the space doesn't match that number, in my opinion anyways.
Whereas the Red Arrow's equivalents only have 21 seats and can have up to 70 standees.

Interior facing front

 I'd prefer to stop with these comparisons but I can't refrain from doing so. Why? Just like SEe1-51, SEe52-65 also contain USB ports. So get chargers if you intend on doing them, as I forgot, even then my phone was at 64% anyway so no big deal.

The last row of seats, the left one.

So, how are they in terms of ride?
I can reply with "possibly better than the Red Arrow's batch". For a number of reasons.
- 507/521 are short routes and are worker routes so less convenient, especially in peak hour runs
- Surplus seats on 360's lots, 10 more seats but still
- More "refined" than the previous batch

Allow me to elaborate on what I mean. If you've boarded a Red Arrow one then you'll know that they get to speed fast enough, am I wrong? However these can reach the same speeds faster, not only that but they don't feel speed limited to 20mph unlike the Red Arrow's batch. The sound of it, to my ear at least, is that it's slightly rougher than the previous batch which is more high-pitch.

All in all, wonderful set of electric buses both batches are, but I'd prefer the Wright StreetAir do get some shine of it's own, having only two demonstrators, one with Go-Ahead as trialled on the 360.

WHY3 (LX55EAE) departing from the stands for 156/452, to start service

Where would I put these in comparison to the Wright Electrocity hybrid, WHY1-13?
Whilst those hybrids were certainly unique and the only batch to survive, they're outmatched by the superior SEe52-65 in my opinion. Not only are the WHYs shorter (at 10.2m), or carry less, but don't manage the same feat an SEe would. Which is the sudden burst of speed which makes you think the bus would jerk if it had gears.

Rear of WHY13 (LX11DVH), in Vauxhall Bus Station, towards Elephant

The 360 went from being a diesel route which started in February 2003 as Congestion Charge new bus route, to being a hybrid testing-ground to the third route to have All-Electric buses as it's full allocation, covering it's Peak Vehicle Requirement and spares. Whilst the 360 does have a history it's mainly route changes in South Kensington and the introduction of hybrids, more hybrids (full allocation), now full allocation of electrics.

Hope you enjoyed this relatively short post and, stay safe!

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