The new decade. Let's get this over and done with.
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| HT10 (SK20BGZ), West Norwood Station |
October Postscript: Initially typing the above I was bored to type more but less said the better.
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Whereby a name is stated and no © is present, the photo is Some Rights Reserved and may be used in accordance to the license.
January.
16th: First tenders of the year:
173 Contract awarded to Stagecoach from Arriva. PVR 16 (+1). New electric buses.
174 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR TBC. New electric buses.
256 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 12 (+1). Existing diesel double deck
296 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 8. Existing diesel single deck
347 Contract retained by Arriva. PVR 1. Existing diesel single deck
365 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 11. Existing diesel double deck
496 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 8. Existing diesel double deck
673 Contract awarded to Stagecoach from Arriva. PVR 0 (173 crosslink). New electric bus.
674 Contract awarded to Stagecoach from Go-Ahead. PVR 8. Existing diesel double deck
675 Contract awarded to Arriva from Go-Ahead. PVR 1. Existing hybrid double deck
692/699 Contract awarded to Uno from Sullivan. PVR 3. Existing stock electric double decks.
18th: Route 100 finally converted to electric buses, completely in fact. Though teething issues were evident when SEe109 and 102 broke down behind one another. Finally, the 100 who's contract started on the 29th September 2019 has it's electrics just 4 months overdue. This also means Plymouth can receive SE221-31 to replace older buses in their fleet.
25th: The 497 finally came into existence after many months of delays. Though it doesn't stand at Harold Wood since there's no other stand there, it takes a 2 min break, akin to a hesitation point. Here's the new issue. It runs dead to stand at Dagnam Park Square. Bizarre indeed. Irregardless, North Street (NS) running numbers 501/2 satiate the half-hourly route.
37541 was the first bus at 05:42.
February
15th/16th: Over the weekend the District Line was shut which in turn meant the 9 74 and 391 had extras, 9 and 391 utilising E40Hs and B5LHs released from the perfectly timed full-conversion of 94 to BYD E400EVs.
29th: Retain of 357, allocated Ee14-21.
March
7th: Retains: 282 and 657.
The 212 passes over once again to it's home of Northumberland Park (NP) with Go-Ahead's first Enviro400EVs Ee1-13 on-paper, 357 taking 14-21, 106 (see April) 22-37 and 230 (see June) 38-49. It really has been a long time since, the last time it was at the depot it was using Tridents, TNs.
Likewise 444 passes over turning a new leaf from hydrogens; allocated whilst it sent some of it's WVs to 218; to electric buses SEe110-122. Not just any though, it's the new redesigned versions as obvious from the roof and slight nuance in exterior window placement. Air conditioning rather than the usual air cooling. The bummer here is that it can clearly take 12m vehicles yet had 10.9m vehicles ordered, which at least are longer than the hilarious condition the predecessor to the predecessor had... Arriva's Wright Cadets.
Last buses: WV46210 on 444 at 01:09 at Chingford. VH38105 on 212 at 01:21.
First buses: Ee12 on 212 at 05:19. SEe113 at 04:30 as the first overall and SE23 as the first diesel on 444.
Note: 444's appalling service is put to bed at last, though it was it's end-phase in fairness.
21st:
482 passes over from Metroline West to Abellio. The route was rather monochrome and remains in a different greyscale having gone to the same operator as 278 with the usual E40Ds. It's history might be more interesting, being a route run by an independent company, becoming a public service 1992-1993 as X767, returning to a private service under Bharat Travel as 805, until 2005 when TfL took over as the 435, before a reroute via H32 rather than 105 and an extension to the then new Terminal 5, as the number 482.
I say this as during the Coronavirus pandemic, people shouldn't be out and about in order to stop the spread of the virus which is potentially deadly to those with conditions or the elderly.
Last bus: TE1739 at 01:38.
First bus: supposedly 2020 as countdown did have issues...?
The 126 was retained along with the C10 on this date,seeing the new type of 34 Caetano's e.City Gold brought to London for it and P5 in May.
Have you forgot the Sunday services on main routes? Me neither. All single digit routes except 4 and 9, 11-19 except 17, and roughly 188 other routes numbered and prefix. 521 with a special reduced timetable (from every 2 to every 10) and X68 suspended.
16th: First tenders of the year:
173 Contract awarded to Stagecoach from Arriva. PVR 16 (+1). New electric buses.
174 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR TBC. New electric buses.
256 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 12 (+1). Existing diesel double deck
296 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 8. Existing diesel single deck
347 Contract retained by Arriva. PVR 1. Existing diesel single deck
365 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 11. Existing diesel double deck
496 Contract retained by Stagecoach. PVR 8. Existing diesel double deck
673 Contract awarded to Stagecoach from Arriva. PVR 0 (173 crosslink). New electric bus.
674 Contract awarded to Stagecoach from Go-Ahead. PVR 8. Existing diesel double deck
675 Contract awarded to Arriva from Go-Ahead. PVR 1. Existing hybrid double deck
692/699 Contract awarded to Uno from Sullivan. PVR 3. Existing stock electric double decks.
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| SE223 (YY64TXH), Elephant With Go South Coast as 2203. |
18th: Route 100 finally converted to electric buses, completely in fact. Though teething issues were evident when SEe109 and 102 broke down behind one another. Finally, the 100 who's contract started on the 29th September 2019 has it's electrics just 4 months overdue. This also means Plymouth can receive SE221-31 to replace older buses in their fleet.
25th: The 497 finally came into existence after many months of delays. Though it doesn't stand at Harold Wood since there's no other stand there, it takes a 2 min break, akin to a hesitation point. Here's the new issue. It runs dead to stand at Dagnam Park Square. Bizarre indeed. Irregardless, North Street (NS) running numbers 501/2 satiate the half-hourly route.
37541 was the first bus at 05:42.
February
15th/16th: Over the weekend the District Line was shut which in turn meant the 9 74 and 391 had extras, 9 and 391 utilising E40Hs and B5LHs released from the perfectly timed full-conversion of 94 to BYD E400EVs.
29th: Retain of 357, allocated Ee14-21.
March
7th: Retains: 282 and 657.
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| ©mecbus Chingford Station SEe110, Ee1, Ee8, SEe113 |
The 212 passes over once again to it's home of Northumberland Park (NP) with Go-Ahead's first Enviro400EVs Ee1-13 on-paper, 357 taking 14-21, 106 (see April) 22-37 and 230 (see June) 38-49. It really has been a long time since, the last time it was at the depot it was using Tridents, TNs.
Likewise 444 passes over turning a new leaf from hydrogens; allocated whilst it sent some of it's WVs to 218; to electric buses SEe110-122. Not just any though, it's the new redesigned versions as obvious from the roof and slight nuance in exterior window placement. Air conditioning rather than the usual air cooling. The bummer here is that it can clearly take 12m vehicles yet had 10.9m vehicles ordered, which at least are longer than the hilarious condition the predecessor to the predecessor had... Arriva's Wright Cadets.
Last buses: WV46210 on 444 at 01:09 at Chingford. VH38105 on 212 at 01:21.
First buses: Ee12 on 212 at 05:19. SEe113 at 04:30 as the first overall and SE23 as the first diesel on 444.
Note: 444's appalling service is put to bed at last, though it was it's end-phase in fairness.
21st:
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| Aubrey TE1736 (left) & TE1724 (right), Hatton Cross |
482 passes over from Metroline West to Abellio. The route was rather monochrome and remains in a different greyscale having gone to the same operator as 278 with the usual E40Ds. It's history might be more interesting, being a route run by an independent company, becoming a public service 1992-1993 as X767, returning to a private service under Bharat Travel as 805, until 2005 when TfL took over as the 435, before a reroute via H32 rather than 105 and an extension to the then new Terminal 5, as the number 482.
I say this as during the Coronavirus pandemic, people shouldn't be out and about in order to stop the spread of the virus which is potentially deadly to those with conditions or the elderly.
Last bus: TE1739 at 01:38.
First bus: supposedly 2020 as countdown did have issues...?
The 126 was retained along with the C10 on this date,
Have you forgot the Sunday services on main routes? Me neither. All single digit routes except 4 and 9, 11-19 except 17, and roughly 188 other routes numbered and prefix. 521 with a special reduced timetable (from every 2 to every 10) and X68 suspended.
March 23 to 27 saw Saturday services spike but it was from the 30th onwards that Sunday services plagued the network, with far and few between people as should be expected from lockdown.
Routes such as 208/227/320 suffered the consequences of elongated special Sunday timetables far into the freedom out of lockdown though returned as you'll read on August.
April
4th: Retain of 271
11th: Retain of 127 and 427.
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| David McKay PVN3 (LK03NHP), Aldgate |
The 67 passes over to home Northumberland Park (NP), remember it with PVNs? Good old times. Now it's using LTs ...
If you want a highlight of this month, the restriction stickers on the buses. You know, the 8, 11 and 20 people restrictions on short and medium single decks and doubl decks... those.
May
2nd:Out of the tri-win by Go-Ahead (67 106 230) sparked Arriva's losses to one win: 191. Brimsdown to Edmonton Green it utilises the vast majority of DB300s released from 106 and 230.
Delayed to 6 June due to COVID-19.
This date also sees the first route with electric strays become electric under a different company; Peckham5 to Abellio London with the first batch of Caetano's new electric e.City Gold (delayed to suppress enthusiasts rushing to the new type).
Last bus: SE292 at 00:46 at Elephant & Castle
First bus: 8850 at 06:30 at Elephant & Castle
Retained on this date: G1 (Stockwell (SW)'s SE235-260 saw gearbox changes as they neared the end of the 5 year warranty by ZF.)
23rd:
Stagecoach reclaim their throne on the 25 they spent a year working on their bid to finally win back, their win is so triumphant that their buses were spotted being delivered in January! Registered to 69-reg! (they were void and reregistered to 20-reg) The impatience is real but the win is a glorious flex. History, made on this date, with 11341-11375.
Postscript: Gold ad frames too!
2nd:
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| Hybrid-Electric WHY4 (LX55EAF), diverted via Brixton Police Station |
Delayed to 6 June due to COVID-19.
This date also sees the first route with electric strays become electric under a different company; Peckham5 to Abellio London with the first batch of Caetano's new electric e.City Gold (delayed to suppress enthusiasts rushing to the new type).
Last bus: SE292 at 00:46 at Elephant & Castle
First bus: 8850 at 06:30 at Elephant & Castle
Retained on this date: G1 (Stockwell (SW)'s SE235-260 saw gearbox changes as they neared the end of the 5 year warranty by ZF.)
23rd:
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| Sludge G 11356 (SK20AYL), Bow Church |
Stagecoach reclaim their throne on the 25 they spent a year working on their bid to finally win back, their win is so triumphant that their buses were spotted being delivered in January! Registered to
Postscript: Gold ad frames too!
That said, the previous service graphs with Tower Transit and the current graphs with Stagecoach do suggest a night and day difference, at least something exists unlike the full stretch of Crossrail which 25 succumbed to and I've totally not utilised the photo to the right to the fullest extent I could.
Last bus: WH31106 at 01:24
First bus: 11359 on N25; 11342/5 at 04:15 & 11369 at 04:14 on 25!
Pretty smooth takeover on the 25, meanwhile closure of Victoria Line introduces a Finsbury Park-Walthamstow Rail Replacement and extras on 2, 2U Brixton - Victoria directly from Norwood (N)'s own buses free from service reductions, where usually Brixton (BN) chip in with their spares.
30th:
This time last year Barking (BK, RR) had an opening day, though the week previous saw 25 back at it's home Bow (BW), this week sees the passing of a route from home venturing to pastures anew. The 270 to Battersea (QB) of Abellio with brand new E40Ds.
Abellio started colourfully with a range of vehicle types, originally it was to use ex-452 deckers in worst case scenario, with the current lockdown measures where most routes are still vaguely on Sunday schedules, forking out spares from both 109 and 407 wasn't hard in addition to the above-quota amassed SK20 smart hybrids. Operation wise, not bad for first days likewise with P5 earlier on.
Last bus: WHV25 at 00:44
First buses: 2026/2027 at 05:00
First YY64: 2507 at 06:15. First YY67: 2580 at 09:46. First SN61: 2402 at 05:10
June
6th:
The revised date due to COVID-19 for routes 67 and 106 from Arriva, the latter already provisioned with Enfield (E) blindsets for... to-be-ex-Go-Ahead's 191, said set including 106. Now, I was carrying my lockdown tactics of being away from buses so the 67 and 106 didn't get attention from me, 191 however... it's last night was eventful with it's diversion, buses popping in and out of reality on LVF.
Last buses:
LT497 on 67 at 00:53
HA3 on 106 at 01:41
E42 on 191 at 00:36
First buses:
LT234 on 67 at 05:22, native GAL 76's LT888 at 04:41
Ee8 & Ee13 on 106 at 04:15
DW561 (from 121) on 191 at 06:41, allocated DW532 at 08:33
Last bus: WH31106 at 01:24
First bus: 11359 on N25; 11342/5 at 04:15 & 11369 at 04:14 on 25!
Pretty smooth takeover on the 25, meanwhile closure of Victoria Line introduces a Finsbury Park-Walthamstow Rail Replacement and extras on 2, 2U Brixton - Victoria directly from Norwood (N)'s own buses free from service reductions, where usually Brixton (BN) chip in with their spares.
30th:
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| Throwback: PVL383 (PJ53NKX), Tooting Broadway also, Common? That's 22's termini, AL's part Sunday service to shine. |
This time last year Barking (BK, RR) had an opening day, though the week previous saw 25 back at it's home Bow (BW), this week sees the passing of a route from home venturing to pastures anew. The 270 to Battersea (QB) of Abellio with brand new E40Ds.
Abellio started colourfully with a range of vehicle types, originally it was to use ex-452 deckers in worst case scenario, with the current lockdown measures where most routes are still vaguely on Sunday schedules, forking out spares from both 109 and 407 wasn't hard in addition to the above-quota amassed SK20 smart hybrids. Operation wise, not bad for first days likewise with P5 earlier on.
Last bus: WHV25 at 00:44
First buses: 2026/2027 at 05:00
First YY64: 2507 at 06:15. First YY67: 2580 at 09:46. First SN61: 2402 at 05:10
June
6th:
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| Lewis Smith 6801 (SL16YPH) at Cha-wait, wrong 191 |
The revised date due to COVID-19 for routes 67 and 106 from Arriva, the latter already provisioned with Enfield (E) blindsets for... to-be-ex-Go-Ahead's 191, said set including 106. Now, I was carrying my lockdown tactics of being away from buses so the 67 and 106 didn't get attention from me, 191 however... it's last night was eventful with it's diversion, buses popping in and out of reality on LVF.
Last buses:
LT497 on 67 at 00:53
HA3 on 106 at 01:41
E42 on 191 at 00:36
First buses:
LT234 on 67 at 05:22, native GAL 76's LT888 at 04:41
Ee8 & Ee13 on 106 at 04:15
DW561 (from 121) on 191 at 06:41, allocated DW532 at 08:33
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| Aubrey Curtailed: DW555 (LJ13CEK), Tottenham Hale |
20th: Last of the trio joins the stooges. 230 from Upper Walthamstow to Wood Green becomes a 'City' route, with the final set of the 49 Enviro400EVs, Ee36-49.
Last bus: DW546 at 01:24
First bus: Ee38 at 05:14
Joining 230 in the echelon of electrics is Stagecoach's 323 which was long overdue, with 29203 at the helm at 05:00 this morning.
27th: Just like the 482 result, the 285 changes over from an operator with existing to an operator with new. The same operator won both but still. This is a slight bit different as the 285 swapped over with the smaller but still frequent single deck K1. Work is essentially swapped over in namesake.
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| 8037 (BU05HFX), New Malden |
Now, if not for the pandemic the K1 would have fresh new vehicles alongside 2 14reg displaced from Epsom (EB). Except the latter still applies but includes the hiring of Abellio's own 13reg. The 71 had to move out of Tolworth (TV) back to Fulwell (FW) to accommodate the K1's return to home.
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| VH45124 (LJ15JYY), Heathrow Central |
Now, if not for the pandemic the 285 would have fresh new vehicles too, instead since Abellio's fleet is majority-ADL, RATP's ADEs off Park Royal (RP) have been hired alongside Abellio's rail replacement fleet Enviro400s... in the past referred to as 452's allocation.
Last 285: VH45309 at 00:36
First N285: 9406 at 2346
First 285: 9421 at 04:11 followed by RATP's ADE40455 at 04:40
Last K1: 8140 at 00:42
First K1: SDE20285 at 05:25, First ex-Abellio YX13 8120 at 05:59
Retains: 460, 498, 499
July
4th:
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| ©Kaci's Transport Photography 11348 (SK20AYA) following 11346 (SK20AXY) Ilford |
The route that joins the 25 at Bow (BW) is a route that isn't making a homecoming but is rather making it's third consecutive non-retain; the route transferred from Go-Ahead to First (contract novated to Tower Transit) in 2013 and now in 2020 it goes from Tower Transit to Stagecoach with new 'smart-hybrid' E40Ds.
The start of the week was fun with speculation as to what vehicles it'd actually get since none of it's new buses are in London, if they've been built even. LED buses off West Ham (WH) have been drafted along with 261 smart hybrids from Bromley (TB) in addition to spares from 205 since it's not at full service. As well as that, those 261 hybrids did have some issue displaying 425 to Ilford whereas 25 to Ilford was...fine. Anywho, it's first day syndrome.
Retains: 331.
Last bus: DN33793 at 00:57
First bus: 11035 at 04:45.
First SN14 12300 at 05:25...first SN64 12335 at 05:57
First YX68 11072 at 05:45
First SK20 11366 at 06:05
25th:
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| Aubrey TE838 (LK57AXT), Euston |
This could've been a retain only day but throughout July this is the 2nd and only other change, but 425 is the only day route to change. N5 is exclusively a night route shadowing the Northern Line's Edgware branch from Charing Cross where it sort of starts from. It transfers next door from Edgware (EW) to Edgware (BT), baring in mind it's partially housed at Harrow Weald (HD) to give the small depot relief, no doubt covered by the loss of PVR of 140's cut last year.
Last N5: VWH2212 at 06:49
First N5: ADH45258 at 23:30.
Retains: 23 326 N20.
Note: 326's DMEs entered service in February, at first the type was suspended by unions for type famiarlisation as they're 'new', though they're only shorter than the DLEs by 40cm!
August
29th:
Considering it's pretty much September, the only changes, better than July at least, is a homecoming and one going to an unusually familiar new place as home...
139 goes back to Metroline after having robbed from Metroline in the Finchley Road changes as compensation to RATP for the withdrawal of 13.
405 (Redhill - Croydon, Town Centre) goes to South Croydon (TC) joining it's School Day Operation counterpart 405D (Purley - West Croydon) withArriva's first new E400MMCs (late), on the E40H chassis which is now exclusively ultracapacitors, 11 of the HT type.
To start with, 405 had DB300s drafted in from Tottenham (AR) to start it's tenure, the first day only having those very 13reg DWs in fact, some of which were drafted earlier for the 466's retain.
First (N)139: VWH2023 at 23:45.
Last 139 VH45104 at 01:24
First 139 VWH2016 at 05:25. First LK64 VWH2046 at 05:30. First TEH, TEH1114 at 08:25
Last 405: E226 at 00:23
First 405: DW548 at 06:00.
Retains: 466. Note: SDE20203 along with the rest of the YX19 SDEs new for K1 suddenly entered service on this date.
The 112 was extended to North Finchley on this date, as well as 384 to Edgware Station. However the 324 and 383 (read October) haven't, on the iBus side of things.
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| Nothing ever changed... except the extension TEH1454 (LK13BGX), Portman Street/Selfridges |
Considering it's pretty much September, the only changes, better than July at least, is a homecoming and one going to an unusually familiar new place as home...
139 goes back to Metroline after having robbed from Metroline in the Finchley Road changes as compensation to RATP for the withdrawal of 13.
405 (Redhill - Croydon, Town Centre) goes to South Croydon (TC) joining it's School Day Operation counterpart 405D (Purley - West Croydon) with
To start with, 405 had DB300s drafted in from Tottenham (AR) to start it's tenure, the first day only having those very 13reg DWs in fact, some of which were drafted earlier for the 466's retain.
First (N)139: VWH2023 at 23:45.
Last 139 VH45104 at 01:24
First 139 VWH2016 at 05:25. First LK64 VWH2046 at 05:30. First TEH, TEH1114 at 08:25
Last 405: E226 at 00:23
First 405: DW548 at 06:00.
Retains: 466. Note: SDE20203 along with the rest of the YX19 SDEs new for K1 suddenly entered service on this date.
The 112 was extended to North Finchley on this date, as well as 384 to Edgware Station. However the 324 and 383 (read October) haven't, on the iBus side of things.
September
1st: School extras. I honestly didn't want to cover them but I should at least mention them rather than pay no heed to them. Originally many routes, mainly single deck and/or low frequency, had extra buses in the morning and/or afternoon peaks, usually a single journey. Routes such as 130, 152 and 289 were such examples of reaching 3 extras, where the latter two could easily be double decked.
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| SE10 (LX07BXS), West Norwood This repeated the 0753 journey at 1553 |
1st September, the start of the disaster for 'school-only' services where some routes, hilariously painfully the low-frequency 160, 162 and 440 to name a few, had every other bus be schoolchildren only.
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| HA46 LK66HBU, Streatham Hill |
The month starts strong with retains.
5th: Retains; 312.
12th: Retains; 319 with Arriva's first order of BYD Enviro400EV's, 22 of the type. Everyone, myself included thought the delay to 2021 was Arriva waiting for the unveiling of Volvo's promised electric double decker but boy were we wrong! 22 of the type was ordered, though it doesn't matter now as it'll continue with it's HV132-152 just that bit longer, but the excitement in late February was high indeed, with the reveal of the HTs and this. As much as 173/174's were delayed the thought of these making it into 2020 in spite of their 2021 desire was pretty grim. The light that never shined brighter in the tunnel.
19th:
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| 36301 (LX56DZU), Anerley Station |
Remember when 246 was delayed to coincide with other Bromley routes changing over? Now the 246 swaps with 354, both operators using existing of their own. One hand, Stagecoach utilise 10.8m Enviro200s ex-256 and Go-Ahead utilise 8.8m StreetLites ex-192. However 256 didn't convert to double deck since the electrics for 174 are late, but nonetheless spare 323 Enviro200s from 323's electric conversion have been in to play, with two of 261's MMCs taking up the first day in addition.
On the other hand, 354 can't take the WSs due to the tight turns in Ravensbourne, this meant a swap with the 352 which can handle 10.8m E200s if need be, though is a rare occasion. Having said that, some WSs have already strayed on 354. Strays, to put in bold.
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| I shall pat myself on the back for this truly stunning piece of artwork |
The cherry on top of the cake is 202, Arriva won the ball game with their first order of Enviro400MMCs for the London division, a total of 28 but 17 sent to Norwood (N) for their venture past Crystal Palace's hills out the eastern side through familiar Sydenham to unfamiliar territories of Catford and Blackheath... both of which are familiar to Dartford (DT) in the same South division.
Baring in mind WS57-60 which later become allocated to either 354 or R7 saw use at their intended home Orpington (MB) whilst Stockwell (SW)'s SE235-260 saw gearbox changes as they neared the end of the 5 year warranty by ZF.
Baring in mind WS57-60 which later become allocated to either 354 or R7 saw use at their intended home Orpington (MB) whilst Stockwell (SW)'s SE235-260 saw gearbox changes as they neared the end of the 5 year warranty by ZF.
Last 246: 752 at 00:51
First 246s: 36365 at 05:25, first DD 11074 at 05:56, first single deck 'stray' 36550 at 11:26
Last 354: 36308 at 00:41
First 354: 161 at 05:45, first SN16 SE289 at 05:56, first YX65 SE266 at 06:56
Last 202: WHV79 at 01:30, last stray being E215
First 202: (SK20) HT7 at 04:59, first SK70 HT12 at 05:11
Retains: 352 358.
26th: Retains 365 and the 256 - converted to double deck operation
October
The first change is quite the shocker...
3rd:
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| 2468 SN64OES, Clapham Junction |
The unveiling of the type by Tower Transit was one that was anticipated, judging by the performance of 134 which didn't live up to expectations, at least to enthusiasts. Or the 43 whom finished conversion, though that took a while unlike 94 which did it in literal days. Still, Tower Transit retained their flagship (what's left of it) 23 with the total order of 37 MetroDeckers and filling the vacant role would be a sneaky win from Abellio's C3. Who tried their shot at reallocating the route it's 14-reg bought for the route allocated from 344...that went in vain. This brings the company back after their loss of the 295 in Clapham Junction. Postscript the Metrodeckers arrived late and VNs ex-25 covered C3.
As an aside route 38 received it's frequency cut on this day, going from every 3-4 to every 4-5, resulting in the PVR dropping from 53 to 43. N38 had it's hours of operation dwindled with an hour late start from Walthamstow. The 38's LTs are to phase on 313 at Enfield (E) later...
Last C3: 2457 at 00:53
First C3: VN36122 at 05:27, followed by VN36133 at 05:30
17th:
Stagecoach get their hands on 173, arguably the first Arriva route. The first Grey Green route, operated out of Dixy Barking (DX) for over 30 years. Now picked on with electric vehicles, and joining it is it's school afternoon-only counterpart 673. Stagecoach also receive the 674 from Go-Ahead. Whilst Arriva take 675 from Go-Ahead with an existing HV. More on to the 173 though, with it's delayed electric vehicles, the route has been forced into a hand of scavenging vehicles to use. Stagecoach don't have many spare for a 15-strong PVR to last... so they turned to loaning some... from RATP. From Park Royal (RP)'s 220 used by Abellio for delayed E40SHs on 285 and some from Edgware (BT) direct from 142 swapping allocations with the loss of 139, plus the one that decided to spend a day on 467. The Ts displaced by 173 saw other plans by Arriva to reuse on the 428, making that out of the question in their ENL-slay quest, that and converting half of 466's 08reg to Euro6 and leave the rest to storage at the usual farm in Beddington. The ADEs promptly had their first digit (the 4) renumbered in to the 8xxxx sequence usually for demonstrators but used in addition for loans, such as Stagecoach Midlands whom borrowed Tower Transit B9TLs & E400s, a few of the latter type from Metroline as well.
17th:
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| Preserved: VLA57 LJ04LFM, Chadwell Heath |
Stagecoach get their hands on 173, arguably the first Arriva route. The first Grey Green route, operated out of Dixy Barking (DX) for over 30 years. Now picked on with electric vehicles, and joining it is it's school afternoon-only counterpart 673. Stagecoach also receive the 674 from Go-Ahead. Whilst Arriva take 675 from Go-Ahead with an existing HV. More on to the 173 though, with it's delayed electric vehicles, the route has been forced into a hand of scavenging vehicles to use. Stagecoach don't have many spare for a 15-strong PVR to last... so they turned to loaning some... from RATP. From Park Royal (RP)'s 220 used by Abellio for delayed E40SHs on 285 and some from Edgware (BT) direct from 142 swapping allocations with the loss of 139, plus the one that decided to spend a day on 467. The Ts displaced by 173 saw other plans by Arriva to reuse on the 428, making that out of the question in their ENL-slay quest, that and converting half of 466's 08reg to Euro6 and leave the rest to storage at the usual farm in Beddington. The ADEs promptly had their first digit (the 4) renumbered in to the 8xxxx sequence usually for demonstrators but used in addition for loans, such as Stagecoach Midlands whom borrowed Tower Transit B9TLs & E400s, a few of the latter type from Metroline as well.
This paragraph shouldn't even be this long but as I reread this for the 6th time to proofread as usual, I remembered I should add in the service debacle. It's no secret the A13 is a myth of a road, magical like any fairy dream. Accidents? What in the colourful earth are you talking about? Traffic? No such thing... perhaps...
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| ©EastLondoner ( |
The reality is our good old friend the A13 is a magnet for disaster, or if you look at it the other way, an accident traffic haven. It's no secret and is in fact a rule of thumb that the more congested roads/areas tend to be, with the spice that reads 'unpredictable', that you wouldn't get a perfect service. That is a myth. The debate becomes if Barking (DX)'s control, mainly less passing through to Beckton from Ripple Road, or Barking (BK)'s approach of not dashing out curtailments is the better solution. One hand you get passengers with no direct alternative on 173's lone section or the more noble sacrifice of your extra moolah for the month. Either way, I'm sat here laughing at 322's constant turns in no small part due to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods doing their things and shoving traffic on to main roads and the diversion it suffers from the closure of Atlantic Road in Brixton's eccentric market.
Last 675: WVN15. First 675:
Last 173: T80 at 00:20, King George's Hospital. T74 at 00:17, Beckton.
First 173: ADE40458 (62reg) at 05:15. First native E40D 19847 (12reg) at 05:41.
honourable mentions: ADE40418 (12reg) at 05:45. Native 19744 (11reg) at 13:25
Retains: 174 (with electrics), 296 347 496
24th: Retains: 654. Oh and 324, with the DELs that plagued Metroline's pride as they were birthed by simply mistaking the length. Ordered for route 393 but were too long at 10.9m to the 9.7m restricted route. They were left in store for far over a year until suddenly in early 2020 they see use on 112 and 324, suddenly forecasted to be used for 112's supposed extension to North Finchley and as 324's retain vehicles... if they ever ended up allocated to them...
Retains: 174 (with electrics), 296 347 496
24th: Retains: 654. Oh and 324, with the DELs that plagued Metroline's pride as they were birthed by simply mistaking the length. Ordered for route 393 but were too long at 10.9m to the 9.7m restricted route. They were left in store for far over a year until suddenly in early 2020 they see use on 112 and 324, suddenly forecasted to be used for 112's supposed extension to North Finchley and as 324's retain vehicles... if they ever ended up allocated to them...
31st: Halloween! 383 extension to Finchley Memorial Hospital! Only took a few months after the appearance of 383 tiles along the new route, though delays as of late through the climate is understandable, though preferable if the direct hospital link happened earlier like the temporary to-be-made-permanent N20 extension from Barnet Church to Barnet Hospital.
November
21st: Uno enter the school bus market with 692/699 shockingly with existing electric double decks! Great use of 98's BYDs given Metroline offloaded them as soon as the trial was done.
December
2nd:
Last tenders of the year:
117 Contract awarded to London United from Metroline. PVR 10. Existing diesel single decks.
690 Contract awarded to Go-Ahead from Arriva. PVR 2. Existing hybrid double decks.
November
21st: Uno enter the school bus market with 692/699 shockingly with existing electric double decks! Great use of 98's BYDs given Metroline offloaded them as soon as the trial was done.
December
2nd:
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| T112 (LJ59LYP), West Norwood Similar spot to my 9504 photo. |
Last tenders of the year:
117 Contract awarded to London United from Metroline. PVR 10. Existing diesel single decks.
690 Contract awarded to Go-Ahead from Arriva. PVR 2. Existing hybrid double decks.
5th: The R7 goes back home, with ex-192 StreetLites. A forgotten change eh? Started off with a bang, literally. Two of it's WSs breaking down on day dot.
Last bus: 36582 at 00:07
First bus: WS53 at 05:29
Retains: S4. Which is to be split into S2 (St Helier - Belmont Highdown & Downview) and S4 (Belmont - Waddon Marsh), though the S2 is part of a new contract, in hindsight replacing 455 which is supposed to be retendered though also 439 which came to fruition with the knowledge of 455's death apparent.
10th:
Whilst not directly a change in the real world, the long awaited OMSI 2 Add-on London has finally been released, after gruelling years and persevering through loss of data, the man himself didn't give up and we rejoice in driving in the streets of London and South London. i.e also my areas. With many more routes and physical garages, as well as your usual DLC vehicles with changed manufacturer names (long story short, you'd need said manufacturer's permission and who knows how that can go). The older version sported only the 3 as far as Kennington Road, the termini for when buses are cut short due to New Year's celebrations. In any case, a well done my friend, didn't think it'd end up on ITV.
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| The 'old' Crystal Palace Bus Station V3D's Trident/ALX400 (London) |
Whilst not directly a change in the real world, the long awaited OMSI 2 Add-on London has finally been released, after gruelling years and persevering through loss of data, the man himself didn't give up and we rejoice in driving in the streets of London and South London. i.e also my areas. With many more routes and physical garages, as well as your usual DLC vehicles with changed manufacturer names (long story short, you'd need said manufacturer's permission and who knows how that can go). The older version sported only the 3 as far as Kennington Road, the termini for when buses are cut short due to New Year's celebrations. In any case, a well done my friend, didn't think it'd end up on ITV.
12th:
The 391 (Hammersmith - Richmond) dies. Last bus DLE30347 at 00:47. First bus DLE30058 on the 110, rerouted across Whitton via Twickenham Stadium (thus qualifying for rugby specials), St Margaret's (non-stop on A316 until stops placed), Richmond, then Kew as per 391, Turnham Green into Hammersmith. Becoming one of the low frequency routes with the highest PVR, every 15 minutes with a PVR of 14. With 7 68-reg DLEs and 2 of the interim 60-reg DLEs (making up 391's TVR) joining 110's own 8 17-reg DLEs.
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| lees bus pics SP156 (YP59OER), Ravenscourt Park |
The 391 (Hammersmith - Richmond) dies. Last bus DLE30347 at 00:47. First bus DLE30058 on the 110, rerouted across Whitton via Twickenham Stadium (thus qualifying for rugby specials), St Margaret's (non-stop on A316 until stops placed), Richmond, then Kew as per 391, Turnham Green into Hammersmith. Becoming one of the low frequency routes with the highest PVR, every 15 minutes with a PVR of 14. With 7 68-reg DLEs and 2 of the interim 60-reg DLEs (making up 391's TVR) joining 110's own 8 17-reg DLEs.
The 306 transfers operators not long after fresh and young VHs were scouted from the 18 whom cut itself just to support the addition of 306. To Metroline from Brentford (AH) who were to-be-confirm'ing their vehicle choice, which turned out to be ex-Tower Transit B5LH Gemini 3's from the loss of 212 to Go-Ahead. Used market is useful indeed. Aside from the nature green poles and dull grey interior with seemingly refurbished Tower Transit moquette, it's the same type 306 had under RATP. Just with bluer poles and ripoff subsurface line moquette.
Last bus: VH45129 at 01:00
First bus: VWH2698 at 05:26. First native VWH2109 at 09:44. First VW1057 at 11:28
In other news, the 350 goes back to double deck for the third time, using spare E400Hs released from C3's loss which was months ago but I digress. It would've been a rare working if the E40Hs in question didn't stray every day since the first stray just days from the end of the year.
In other news, the 350 goes back to double deck for the third time, using spare E400Hs released from C3's loss which was months ago but I digress. It would've been a rare working if the E40Hs in question didn't stray every day since the first stray just days from the end of the year.
Unfortunately it was announced a long time back that YouTube wouldn't do their rewind. Truly, a loss for our entertainment at how bad it's been recently. Inother news you have MrBeast who stepped up to the occasion so hey!
30th: BYD D8URDD's enter service on the 174 over at Rainham (RM), 14101/3/4.
30th: BYD D8URDD's enter service on the 174 over at Rainham (RM), 14101/3/4.
You thought there would be a mention of 456... to that I say nay. Deja vu to 497's delay eh?
Whilst there were lots of rare workings through the years, one of the last unusual workings would be an LED E400MMC on the 62 performed by 11038 on the 28th of this last month.
Among the rare workings were LT981 on 133 (Instagram, @greaterlondonbuses), and others to note,
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Still, I hope you enjoyed the read and having a great time at home or wherever you may be, it was an interesting year with declining interest and more cuts to buses. In any case, I'm enjoying myself after tiring myself from keeping track of all this simultaneously with life, and I hope you enjoy your holiday too! Stay safe, and a happy new year ;).
And a parting gift, integrating one of my worst posts, ULEZ Diesel workings (2019). Here's the 2020 list I've compiled through mentions of them:
13/02/2020: E65 on N15 00:30-02:12, subbed at Canning Town
19843 on 136; 17:20-17:44, subbed at TL.
19843 on 136; 17:20-17:44, subbed at TL.
27/02/2020 -
28/02-2020: 9489 on route 344 from 23:30 through to 00:45
30/03/2020 - 9543 on route N207, 00:30 - 02:00
09/04/2020 - WVL487 on route N15 logged on 00:45-01:16. Last tracked at Barking Town Centre
18/04/2020 -
19/04/2020: ADE40429 on route 139 23:15-00:30
31/07/20 E139 on 88 15:40, left Parliament Hill Fields roughly 1615, until 1634.
20/09/20 19869 on 56 13:10-21:49
23/09/20 19866 on 53 finishing at Plumstead at 20:06, starting from 17:10
27/09/20 Wood Green (WN)'s T212 covering 259 between 18:14 and 20:18, going offline in Holloway towards King's Cross.
20/11/20 2601 (SN13CHD) on N551, 00:30-02:12
09/12/20 10121 (LX12DDO) on 56, starting from Whipps Cross at 21:15. Subbed at Whipps Cross just after 00:19.
16/12/20 2601 (SN13CHD) on 388 finishing at London Bridge, logging on at 14:40 to 15:42
27/12/20 9452 (LJ09CDF) on 344 from 13:58 to 1814, subbed at Clapham Junction
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