Saturday, 28 June 2014
Croydon Buses Update
The past 6 months have been extremely busy at Croydon Buses, with 3 TfL routes taken over in March. Te operation of these routes has been progressing well, however, we have had extreme reliability issues with Mercedes-Benz Citaro K's for Route T31, and these are to be withdrawn in the next 3 months. We have purchased 10 new Enviro200's to replace them. The Fareham Buses operation, as well as the Malta & Gozo operation has been sold to Go Ahead Group for £160 million. The planned floatation of Bale Group has been cancelled. The relaunch of commercial Route 445, and the launch of new route NHS1, has been successful, with occupancy up 30%. The 30% stake in the in the company bourght by National Express has been sold and we now have 100% ownership. We have also been awarded the contract to run Route 412, from January 2015. 10 E45H's have been ordered. That's all from us, we'll update when we have more exciting news.
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
L1/Group News May-June 2014
General Notes:
The Loaned Fleet (with same numbers):
ex-Metroline VP317-347, 466-472, 474, 476, 477, 479. Code VPN These will be returned in June, as they are replaced by new TEs.
The L1/Card, after just 7 months of use, is being re-branded as it will soon be accepted not just by the L1/Group. L'Card, as it will now be known (from July 2014 - some L1/Cards will still be sold thereafter under limited stock), will soon be accepted by Reading Buses across the whole of Reading and Newbury (jetblack 1) and Thames Travel (within Berkshire and around Bracknell only, mainly on ex-Courtney Buses routes).
The last TE, TE1999 (chassis) is being constructed at this moment, the first TP, TP2000 demonstrator, will be used by all garages before being allocated to Route X91 at HN. Both buses will be showbuses. Note that TE1900-1999 are all E45H to the new MMC style, TE1900 will be in service from June 2014 for Route U4 (HN).
Another new showbus will be a new TE6, to replace the TE6 that was sadly lost in the M4 accident in November 2013. This will get a special interior, original Heathrow Buses logos and numberplate HN52ADL, 52 denoting as the number killed.
9 new showbuses (and one modified) for 'Bus of the Year' have been released earlier on Tube Strike week - TE1110-TE1119 all have had new liveries, and interiors (vinyl floor design and new moquette, and where needed, painted bars) to match:
TE1110 - Shillbeer livery (interior like DM2646)
TE1111 - London Transport RM1 livery + interior (ENVIRO 450H TE1111) - existing showbus
TE1112 - Low Floor Livery 1990s (interior like LU LLWs)
TE1113 - London Transport 1980s (M1) livery + interior
TE1114 - Heathrow Buses livery 2003 (as in TAN1) + interior
TE1115 - London Transport RT1 livery + interior
TE1116 - Green Line 1960s (RMC) livery + interior
TE1117 - London Country 1930s (ST821) livery + interior
TE1118 - Beeline livery 1990s
TE1119 - Romford Buses livery 2004 + interior
All buses will have their retrospective liveries until December 2014, then they will unfortunately either be repainted in red (except TE1111, which will be repainted in 1980s livery like RM111) or move outside London (TE1116, TE1117, TE1118). All buses will keep their existing interiors afterwards.
TE1256, the E45H demonstrator with non-standard doors which moved across each of the garages over 25 weeks (three weeks at each garage, 4 at UP), has returned back at HN on Route X91.
It has turned out that the rear door of the outward swinging style is successful and is currently out on all new E45H, and retrofitted on some converted E42H.
More early TEs are leaving the fleet after TE2-70 have left for Abellio & London United. TE71, 72, 74-110 are destined to leave the fleet by July 2014. TE1, TE73 will not be sold.
TE112, 113, 116, 118, 119, 121-139, 141-203 are next to go - they are going to London Sovereign (240), Arriva London North (348), London United (6/6N).
More early TEs will go to various provincial operators, including Stagecoach Manchester, First Manchester, Wellglade/Southern Vectis, Yellow Buses/RATP and Lothian.
The modified E40H/E45Hs (as opposed to the new-build E45Hs), approx up to TE1000, are now re-classed as E42H (Enviro 425). Therefore, the unmodified E400H (TE1) stays as it is, the modified E40H to E45H standard are classed as E42H, and those built as E45Hs stay as E45H.
For the Regent Street cavalcade (22nd June), we will bring LT111, TE111, DE111 and SEG1.
Heathrow North (HN)
Route 457 (Heathrow North Garage-Feltham via Stanwell) , a new route for TfL, has been won by us and will use new hybrid Optare TempoSR 10.7m (OTM) from 31st May 2014
7series, Beeline and Surrey Local routes have had frequency changes. New Route 73A is an extension of Route 73 on certain Brooklands Museum events days.
Hydrogen and CNG buses at Southall have infrastructure at Heathrow North.
Seven Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m) will be shared between 7series X74 and new 7series X75:
SEG4-10 (LR63 CNK-P, R)
When gained from 1st November, Routes H13 and H14 will run from HN using E27H/Wright Nebulas (classed AW).
Route 461 has been extended to Staines from Addlestone in April 2014, existing buses ex-TfL will be transferred, after refurbishment.
Due to the re-opening of Bracknell Garage, Route 74 will now have a full L1/Heathrow Buses service Mon-Sat. Sunday will still be shared between London OmniBus and Carousel Buses. This will occur from the 28th June.
For better reliability, routes N95 and N117 have been re-routed from 31st May 2014.
Route N95 will run via Park Lane, Piccadilly instead of via Oxford Street, Regent Street between Marble Arch and Piccadilly Circus.
Route N117 will be rerouted via 495 (and thus Kew Riverside) and London Road between Chalker's Corner/Mortlake and Busch Corner/Isleworth. Affected areas including Twickenham and Richmond will have alternatives including Routes 281N, N22 and an extended N335, which is extended via the former N117 route to Twickenham.
This will save each route a PVR of 1 on weekdays.
Southall (SA)
Route 456 is not fully double decker due to reasons below:
Hydrogen, Electric, and Compressed Natural Gas single deck buses (ironically) will be trialled on the 456 for TfL and L1/Group:
Two hydrogen VDL SB200/Wright Pular 2s:
WS9-10 (HY63 GEN, HY63 GEM)
Two BYD Electric Buses:
BE1-2 (LT63 BYD, LS63 BYD)
Two Optare TempoSR Electric (10.7m):
OSE3-4 (OP63 ARE, LT63 TSR)
Three CNG Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m):
SEG1-3 (LR63 CNG, LR63 CNH, LR63 CNJ)
Two CNG MAN Ecocity/Caetano:
MCG4-5 (YN63 YTS, YN63 YTT)
These buses will run extra services on the route every day. The infrastructure for the electric buses to run are based in Southall Garage. Hydrogen and CNG tanks will be based at Heathrow North Garage.
12m buses are prohibited from running between Southall and Greenford due to tight turns at Southall North, hence the 12m buses will only run between Southall Town Hall and Chiswick.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator for Route 456, coded VTN1090 is now permanently on Route 456 at SA.
Route 456 will also gain TfL-sanctioned demonstrators, including the E45H/Enviro 400MMC demonstrator (TE1899), Streetdeck/Gemini 3 (DT1898), Optare Metrodecker (OD1897)
School journeys from Twyford School on Route 207 will be operated by London United instead of us from September. Other peak hour extras will still be run by Southall.
Brentford (DI)
Route 239 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014
Part of Route 480 has been retained, a sole double deck working between East Acton and Richmond (return), but the rest will move to Tower Transit.
Due to a PVR increase due to increased demand for the route, Route 392 will now have a PVR of 45, supplemented initially by existing TEs, before new NBfL addon orders from the 311 and 74 orders.
LTs 115, 116, 117, 125, 127, 369, 371 are repainted into a Adidas 'World Cup' all over advert - on Route 311/392
Wembley (WE)
Route 224 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014 - DEs will be distributed to outside the company.
Route 335 is now partly run from Wembley using MCs ex-Southall Garage.
Fulwell (F) and Walton (WT)
Route 411 will be gaining new Optare TempoSR diesels temporarily before the permanent Optare TempoSR Hybrids arrive, when the route is gained. These diesels will then transfer to non-London (Hemel Hempstead) operations.
Walton Garage has been acquired as an outstation for Fulwell, which will temporarily store some buses for Routes 411 and 418 when gained.
Also, from 1st November Routes 74 and N74 will be run from Fulwell, where new NBfLs will be introduced (on 74, N74 will get new TEs).
Bracknell (BL)
Bracknell will re-open in 21st June 2014, moving most Bracknell-based Beeline routes to the bus garage.
The following routes will move to Bracknell:
Beeline: 151/A, 153, 155, 171, 172, 190, 194, X94, part of 191
7series: part of 72
Hemel Hempstead (HE)
Routes are settling to normal with E25H, Optare TempoSRs and newer E45H replacing the old assortment. L'Card is used on all routes.
Hackney (HO)
Upton Park (U)
The Loaned Fleet (with same numbers):
ex-Metroline VP317-347, 466-472, 474, 476, 477, 479. Code VPN These will be returned in June, as they are replaced by new TEs.
The L1/Card, after just 7 months of use, is being re-branded as it will soon be accepted not just by the L1/Group. L'Card, as it will now be known (from July 2014 - some L1/Cards will still be sold thereafter under limited stock), will soon be accepted by Reading Buses across the whole of Reading and Newbury (jetblack 1) and Thames Travel (within Berkshire and around Bracknell only, mainly on ex-Courtney Buses routes).
The last TE, TE1999 (chassis) is being constructed at this moment, the first TP, TP2000 demonstrator, will be used by all garages before being allocated to Route X91 at HN. Both buses will be showbuses. Note that TE1900-1999 are all E45H to the new MMC style, TE1900 will be in service from June 2014 for Route U4 (HN).
Another new showbus will be a new TE6, to replace the TE6 that was sadly lost in the M4 accident in November 2013. This will get a special interior, original Heathrow Buses logos and numberplate HN52ADL, 52 denoting as the number killed.
9 new showbuses (and one modified) for 'Bus of the Year' have been released earlier on Tube Strike week - TE1110-TE1119 all have had new liveries, and interiors (vinyl floor design and new moquette, and where needed, painted bars) to match:
TE1110 - Shillbeer livery (interior like DM2646)
TE1111 - London Transport RM1 livery + interior (ENVIRO 450H TE1111) - existing showbus
TE1112 - Low Floor Livery 1990s (interior like LU LLWs)
TE1113 - London Transport 1980s (M1) livery + interior
TE1114 - Heathrow Buses livery 2003 (as in TAN1) + interior
TE1115 - London Transport RT1 livery + interior
TE1116 - Green Line 1960s (RMC) livery + interior
TE1117 - London Country 1930s (ST821) livery + interior
TE1118 - Beeline livery 1990s
TE1119 - Romford Buses livery 2004 + interior
All buses will have their retrospective liveries until December 2014, then they will unfortunately either be repainted in red (except TE1111, which will be repainted in 1980s livery like RM111) or move outside London (TE1116, TE1117, TE1118). All buses will keep their existing interiors afterwards.
TE1256, the E45H demonstrator with non-standard doors which moved across each of the garages over 25 weeks (three weeks at each garage, 4 at UP), has returned back at HN on Route X91.
It has turned out that the rear door of the outward swinging style is successful and is currently out on all new E45H, and retrofitted on some converted E42H.
More early TEs are leaving the fleet after TE2-70 have left for Abellio & London United. TE71, 72, 74-110 are destined to leave the fleet by July 2014. TE1, TE73 will not be sold.
TE112, 113, 116, 118, 119, 121-139, 141-203 are next to go - they are going to London Sovereign (240), Arriva London North (348), London United (6/6N).
More early TEs will go to various provincial operators, including Stagecoach Manchester, First Manchester, Wellglade/Southern Vectis, Yellow Buses/RATP and Lothian.
The modified E40H/E45Hs (as opposed to the new-build E45Hs), approx up to TE1000, are now re-classed as E42H (Enviro 425). Therefore, the unmodified E400H (TE1) stays as it is, the modified E40H to E45H standard are classed as E42H, and those built as E45Hs stay as E45H.
For the Regent Street cavalcade (22nd June), we will bring LT111, TE111, DE111 and SEG1.
L1/Heathrow Buses
Route 457 (Heathrow North Garage-Feltham via Stanwell) , a new route for TfL, has been won by us and will use new hybrid Optare TempoSR 10.7m (OTM) from 31st May 2014
7series, Beeline and Surrey Local routes have had frequency changes. New Route 73A is an extension of Route 73 on certain Brooklands Museum events days.
Hydrogen and CNG buses at Southall have infrastructure at Heathrow North.
Seven Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m) will be shared between 7series X74 and new 7series X75:
SEG4-10 (LR63 CNK-P, R)
When gained from 1st November, Routes H13 and H14 will run from HN using E27H/Wright Nebulas (classed AW).
Route 461 has been extended to Staines from Addlestone in April 2014, existing buses ex-TfL will be transferred, after refurbishment.
Due to the re-opening of Bracknell Garage, Route 74 will now have a full L1/Heathrow Buses service Mon-Sat. Sunday will still be shared between London OmniBus and Carousel Buses. This will occur from the 28th June.
For better reliability, routes N95 and N117 have been re-routed from 31st May 2014.
Route N95 will run via Park Lane, Piccadilly instead of via Oxford Street, Regent Street between Marble Arch and Piccadilly Circus.
Route N117 will be rerouted via 495 (and thus Kew Riverside) and London Road between Chalker's Corner/Mortlake and Busch Corner/Isleworth. Affected areas including Twickenham and Richmond will have alternatives including Routes 281N, N22 and an extended N335, which is extended via the former N117 route to Twickenham.
This will save each route a PVR of 1 on weekdays.
Southall (SA)
Route 456 is not fully double decker due to reasons below:
Hydrogen, Electric, and Compressed Natural Gas single deck buses (ironically) will be trialled on the 456 for TfL and L1/Group:
Two hydrogen VDL SB200/Wright Pular 2s:
WS9-10 (HY63 GEN, HY63 GEM)
Two BYD Electric Buses:
BE1-2 (LT63 BYD, LS63 BYD)
Two Optare TempoSR Electric (10.7m):
OSE3-4 (OP63 ARE, LT63 TSR)
Three CNG Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m):
SEG1-3 (LR63 CNG, LR63 CNH, LR63 CNJ)
Two CNG MAN Ecocity/Caetano:
MCG4-5 (YN63 YTS, YN63 YTT)
These buses will run extra services on the route every day. The infrastructure for the electric buses to run are based in Southall Garage. Hydrogen and CNG tanks will be based at Heathrow North Garage.
12m buses are prohibited from running between Southall and Greenford due to tight turns at Southall North, hence the 12m buses will only run between Southall Town Hall and Chiswick.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator for Route 456, coded VTN1090 is now permanently on Route 456 at SA.
Route 456 will also gain TfL-sanctioned demonstrators, including the E45H/Enviro 400MMC demonstrator (TE1899), Streetdeck/Gemini 3 (DT1898), Optare Metrodecker (OD1897)
School journeys from Twyford School on Route 207 will be operated by London United instead of us from September. Other peak hour extras will still be run by Southall.
Brentford (DI)
Route 239 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014
Part of Route 480 has been retained, a sole double deck working between East Acton and Richmond (return), but the rest will move to Tower Transit.
Due to a PVR increase due to increased demand for the route, Route 392 will now have a PVR of 45, supplemented initially by existing TEs, before new NBfL addon orders from the 311 and 74 orders.
LTs 115, 116, 117, 125, 127, 369, 371 are repainted into a Adidas 'World Cup' all over advert - on Route 311/392
Wembley (WE)
Route 224 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014 - DEs will be distributed to outside the company.
Route 335 is now partly run from Wembley using MCs ex-Southall Garage.
Fulwell (F) and Walton (WT)
Route 411 will be gaining new Optare TempoSR diesels temporarily before the permanent Optare TempoSR Hybrids arrive, when the route is gained. These diesels will then transfer to non-London (Hemel Hempstead) operations.
Walton Garage has been acquired as an outstation for Fulwell, which will temporarily store some buses for Routes 411 and 418 when gained.
Also, from 1st November Routes 74 and N74 will be run from Fulwell, where new NBfLs will be introduced (on 74, N74 will get new TEs).
Bracknell (BL)
Bracknell will re-open in 21st June 2014, moving most Bracknell-based Beeline routes to the bus garage.
The following routes will move to Bracknell:
Beeline: 151/A, 153, 155, 171, 172, 190, 194, X94, part of 191
7series: part of 72
Hemel Hempstead (HE)
Routes are settling to normal with E25H, Optare TempoSRs and newer E45H replacing the old assortment. L'Card is used on all routes.
L1/Romford Buses
Upminster (UP)
Routes 66 and 499 have had their contracts novated to L1/Romford Buses. Existing E45H/E42H (for 66) and existing E25H (for 499) have been transferred from the conversion to NBfL for the 15 and double deck conversion of the 456. Grays Garage is not part of the sale.
Hackney (HO)
E45H (long) are now being used for 55/N55, recently gained from Stagecoach. Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 2 (x5 - the last new Wright Gemini 2s), Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 3 (VT x15) and Plaxton President (x9) are being used on 48, recently gained from Stagecoach.
Fleet Numbers:
TEL1401-40 (55), VW1441-5, VT1446-1458, VP1459-1467 (48).
Fleet Numbers:
TEL1401-40 (55), VW1441-5, VT1446-1458, VP1459-1467 (48).
Stratford (SD)
Route 8 will be converted to NBfL buses on 1st November 2014. SD will host these buses.
Route 15 will lose 2 LTs - LT99 has transferred to London United for the 9, and LT164 has moved to DI for the 392. These will be compensated when 8 will get LTs
Route 15 will lose 2 LTs - LT99 has transferred to London United for the 9, and LT164 has moved to DI for the 392. These will be compensated when 8 will get LTs
Upton Park (U)
No new news.
Thursday, 22 May 2014
chessingtonbuses News May 2014
COMPANY NEWS:
L1/Heathrow Buses and Wellglade London (trading as chessingtonbuses) will split off operationally as planned from December 2014. Wellglade London will still share office with L1/Heathrow Buses at Heathrow North Garage, and some new route planning will be done by L1/Heathrow Buses due to their local knowledge. However, other than this, these two companies will no longer be in partnership. Fleets will be segregated, with different numbering systems. Walton Garage will be shared between the two companies, the code being WT (L1/Heathrow Buses) and WO (chessingtonbuses).
Operations:
Wellglade London have announced that they have ordered 7 10.8m Optare TempoSR Hybrids for Route 465 when won in November 2014, and 3 E27H/Wright Nebula Eclipse. One demonstrator will be with Wellglade London on Route 166 before Route 465 is gained.
The new E25H/Enviro 200 buses for Route 166 have arrived and are ready for the gain of the Route 166 on the 31st May 2014.
L1/Cards will be valid on chessingtonbuses Routes a & b when they are introduced. E25H/Enviro200 ex-L1/Heathrow Buses will move to chessingtonbuses for this. These buses are ex-5series and TfL operations.
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
WLTM May 2014 Tenders (from TfL)
Tranche 212:
53: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly Stagecoach) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th December 2014
453: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly London General) with NBfL, contract start 20th December 2014
N53: Awarded to New Citybus (new route, night previously 53N/453N) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th December 2014
Tranche 213:
465: Awarded to Wellglade London (formerly Epsom Buses/RATP) with new hybrid buses, contract start 29th November 2014
Tranche 215:
C2: Awarded to London General (formerly Abellio London) with NBfL buses, contract start 10th January 2015*
150D: Awarded to Docklands Buses (formerly L1/Romford Buses) with existing buses, contract start September 2014.
183D: Awarded to Sullivan Buses (formerly London Sovereign/RATP) with existing bus, contract start September 2014.
Tranche 216:
207D: Awarded to London United (formerly L1/Heathrow Buses) with new buses, contract start September 2014.
371D: Awarded to Abellio London (formerly London United/RATP) with existing bus, contract start September 2014.
E3D: Awarded to London OmniBus with existing bus, contract start September 2014.
E6: Retained by L1/Heathrow Buses with existing hybrid buses, contract start November 2014
H98: Retained by London United with new electric buses, contract start November 2014
U4: Retained by L1/Heathrow Buses with new hybrid buses, contract start November 2014
Other News:
The new garage site at Charlton, Bramshot Avenue has been bought by New World Holdings, trading as New Citybus. This is notable as Citybus (part of NWH) itself had a venture into London as Capital Citybus.
Upon request, Route E3 will get a school variant (called E3D) starting from Gunnersbury School/Brentford, running via The Ride, Boston Manor Road, Swycombe Avenue and Windmill Road to normal line of route up to Chiswick, Barrowgate Road.
* Route C2 will be diverted via Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus. The route will terminate at Piccadilly Circus, due to increasing concerns about stand space at Victoria, and the routes 8 and 25 already providing a very frequent service though the current C2 route between Oxford Circus and Victoria.
NBfL Conversion Timetable (all LTs):
24 - 22nd June 2013 (LT9-36)
9 - 22nd June 2013 (LT37-49, 51-70, LT99)
11 - 21st September 2013 (LT70-98)
15 - 2nd November 2013 (LT100-111, 166-180)
392 - 2nd November 2013 (LT1, LT50, LT111-165)
390 - 30th November 2013 (LT181-204)
38 (and N38) - 7th December 2013 (LT2-8, LT205-260)
16 - 1st February 2014 (LT261-282, 284-286)
7 - 15th February 2014 (LT283, 287-315)
148 - 15th February 2014 (LT316-343)
311 - 5th April 2014 (LT344-371 - this includes a 392 increase)
49 - 7th June 2014 (LT372-396)
22 - 21st June 2014 (LT397-423)
10 - 1st November 2014 (LT424-452)
8 (and N8) - 1st November 2014 (LT453-485)
74 - 1st November 2014 (LT486-516 - this includes a 392 increase)
98 - 1st November 2014 (LT517-550)
159 - 13th December 2014 (LT551-589)
453 - 20th December 2014 (LT591-629)
C2 - 10th January 2015 (LT630-653)
London OmniBus are also receiving 1 NBfL for their 718 Greenline service, numbered LC590 and registered LTZ1590.
June Tenders:
Tranche 230:
51: Woolwich-Orpington (Stagecoach)
161: North Greenwich-Chislehurst (Metrobus)
422: North Greenwich-Bexleyheath Garage (London Central)
Tranche 231:
20: Debden-Walthamstow Hoe Street (London General)
Tranche 234:
127: Tooting Broadway-Purley (Metrobus)
412: West Croydon-Purley (Arriva London)
Tranche 235:
90: Southall North Station-Feltham, Leisure West (L1/Heathrow Buses)
235: Brentford, Great West Quarter-Sunbury Village, Three Fishes (L1/Heathrow Buses)
Tranche 239:
52/52N: Willesden Garage-Victoria (Metroline)
382: Mill Hill East-Southgate (Arriva London)
53: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly Stagecoach) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th December 2014
453: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly London General) with NBfL, contract start 20th December 2014
N53: Awarded to New Citybus (new route, night previously 53N/453N) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th December 2014
Tranche 213:
465: Awarded to Wellglade London (formerly Epsom Buses/RATP) with new hybrid buses, contract start 29th November 2014
Tranche 215:
C2: Awarded to London General (formerly Abellio London) with NBfL buses, contract start 10th January 2015*
150D: Awarded to Docklands Buses (formerly L1/Romford Buses) with existing buses, contract start September 2014.
183D: Awarded to Sullivan Buses (formerly London Sovereign/RATP) with existing bus, contract start September 2014.
Tranche 216:
207D: Awarded to London United (formerly L1/Heathrow Buses) with new buses, contract start September 2014.
371D: Awarded to Abellio London (formerly London United/RATP) with existing bus, contract start September 2014.
E3D: Awarded to London OmniBus with existing bus, contract start September 2014.
E6: Retained by L1/Heathrow Buses with existing hybrid buses, contract start November 2014
H98: Retained by London United with new electric buses, contract start November 2014
U4: Retained by L1/Heathrow Buses with new hybrid buses, contract start November 2014
Other News:
The new garage site at Charlton, Bramshot Avenue has been bought by New World Holdings, trading as New Citybus. This is notable as Citybus (part of NWH) itself had a venture into London as Capital Citybus.
Upon request, Route E3 will get a school variant (called E3D) starting from Gunnersbury School/Brentford, running via The Ride, Boston Manor Road, Swycombe Avenue and Windmill Road to normal line of route up to Chiswick, Barrowgate Road.
* Route C2 will be diverted via Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus. The route will terminate at Piccadilly Circus, due to increasing concerns about stand space at Victoria, and the routes 8 and 25 already providing a very frequent service though the current C2 route between Oxford Circus and Victoria.
NBfL Conversion Timetable (all LTs):
24 - 22nd June 2013 (LT9-36)
9 - 22nd June 2013 (LT37-49, 51-70, LT99)
11 - 21st September 2013 (LT70-98)
15 - 2nd November 2013 (LT100-111, 166-180)
392 - 2nd November 2013 (LT1, LT50, LT111-165)
390 - 30th November 2013 (LT181-204)
38 (and N38) - 7th December 2013 (LT2-8, LT205-260)
16 - 1st February 2014 (LT261-282, 284-286)
7 - 15th February 2014 (LT283, 287-315)
148 - 15th February 2014 (LT316-343)
311 - 5th April 2014 (LT344-371 - this includes a 392 increase)
49 - 7th June 2014 (LT372-396)
22 - 21st June 2014 (LT397-423)
10 - 1st November 2014 (LT424-452)
8 (and N8) - 1st November 2014 (LT453-485)
74 - 1st November 2014 (LT486-516 - this includes a 392 increase)
98 - 1st November 2014 (LT517-550)
159 - 13th December 2014 (LT551-589)
453 - 20th December 2014 (LT591-629)
C2 - 10th January 2015 (LT630-653)
London OmniBus are also receiving 1 NBfL for their 718 Greenline service, numbered LC590 and registered LTZ1590.
June Tenders:
Tranche 230:
51: Woolwich-Orpington (Stagecoach)
161: North Greenwich-Chislehurst (Metrobus)
422: North Greenwich-Bexleyheath Garage (London Central)
Tranche 231:
20: Debden-Walthamstow Hoe Street (London General)
Tranche 234:
127: Tooting Broadway-Purley (Metrobus)
412: West Croydon-Purley (Arriva London)
Tranche 235:
90: Southall North Station-Feltham, Leisure West (L1/Heathrow Buses)
235: Brentford, Great West Quarter-Sunbury Village, Three Fishes (L1/Heathrow Buses)
Tranche 239:
52/52N: Willesden Garage-Victoria (Metroline)
382: Mill Hill East-Southgate (Arriva London)
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
WLTM April 2014 Tenders (from TfL)
Tranche 205:
414: Awarded to London General (formerly Abellio London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th December 2014
Tranche 210:
177: Retained by Stagecoach London with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th December 2014
322: Awarded to Arriva London (formerly Abellio London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 6th December 2014
432: Awarded to London General (formerly Arriva London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 6th December 2014
G1: Awarded to Abellio London (formerly London General) with new hybrid buses, contract start 6th December 2014
Tranche 211:
240: Awarded to London Sovereign (formerly Metroline) with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th December 2014
Other News:
Route 311 is partly converted to NBfL unofficially, for driver training and eventual early introduction before the official conversion date, due to an increase on Route 392.
Route 53N and 453N will be merged to be Route N53 - up for tender.
Upon request, Route E3 will get a school variant starting from Gunnersbury School/Brentford, running via The Ride, Boston Manor Road, Swycombe Avenue and Windmill Road to normal line of route up to Turnham Green or Chiswick, Edensor Road.
Also, a new garage site is up for sale at Charlton, Bramshot Avenue.
NBfL Conversion Timetable (all LTs):
24 - 22nd June 2013 (LT9-36)
9 - 22nd June 2013 (LT37-49, 51-70, LT99)
11 - 21st September 2013 (LT70-98)
15 - 2nd November 2013 (LT100-111, 166-180)
392 - 2nd November 2013 (LT1, LT50, LT111-165)
390 - 30th November 2013 (LT181-204)
38 - 7th December 2013 (LT2-8, LT205-260)
16 - 1st February 2014 (LT261-282, 284-286)
7 - 15th February 2014 (LT283, 287-315)
148 - 15th February 2014 (LT316-343)
311 -31st May 5th April 2014 (LT344-371 - this includes a 392 increase)
49 - 7th June 2014 (LT372-396)
22 - 21st June 2014 (LT397-423)
10 - 1st November 2014 (LT424-452)
8 - 1st November 2014 (LT453-485)
74 - 1st November 2014 (LT486-516 - this includes a 392 increase)
98 - 1st November 2014 (LT517-550)
159 - 13th December 2014 (LT551-
453 - 20th December 2014
April Tenders:
Tranche 212:
53: Trafalgar Square-Plumstead (Stagecoach London)
453: Marylebone-Deptford Bridge NBfL (London General)
N53: Marylebone-Plumstead (new route)
Tranche 213:
465: Kingston-Dorking (Quality Line/RATP)
Tranche 215:
C2: Victoria-Parliament Hill Fields (Abellio London - possible NBfL)
150D: Becontree-Gants Hill (L1/Romford Buses)
183D: Jew's Free School-Golders Green (London Sovereign/RATP)
Tranche 216:
207D: Twyford School-White City (L1/Heathrow Buses)
371D: Ham, Greycourt School-Kingston (London United)
E3D: Brentford, The Ride-Chiswick (new school route)
E6: Bull's Bridge-Greenford Station (L1/Heathrow Buses)
H98: Hayes End-Hounslow Bus Station (London United)
U4: Heathrow Terminal 6-Uxbridge (L1/Heathrow Buses)
414: Awarded to London General (formerly Abellio London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th December 2014
Tranche 210:
177: Retained by Stagecoach London with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th December 2014
322: Awarded to Arriva London (formerly Abellio London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 6th December 2014
432: Awarded to London General (formerly Arriva London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 6th December 2014
G1: Awarded to Abellio London (formerly London General) with new hybrid buses, contract start 6th December 2014
Tranche 211:
240: Awarded to London Sovereign (formerly Metroline) with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th December 2014
Other News:
Route 311 is partly converted to NBfL unofficially, for driver training and eventual early introduction before the official conversion date, due to an increase on Route 392.
Route 53N and 453N will be merged to be Route N53 - up for tender.
Upon request, Route E3 will get a school variant starting from Gunnersbury School/Brentford, running via The Ride, Boston Manor Road, Swycombe Avenue and Windmill Road to normal line of route up to Turnham Green or Chiswick, Edensor Road.
Also, a new garage site is up for sale at Charlton, Bramshot Avenue.
NBfL Conversion Timetable (all LTs):
24 - 22nd June 2013 (LT9-36)
9 - 22nd June 2013 (LT37-49, 51-70, LT99)
11 - 21st September 2013 (LT70-98)
15 - 2nd November 2013 (LT100-111, 166-180)
392 - 2nd November 2013 (LT1, LT50, LT111-165)
390 - 30th November 2013 (LT181-204)
38 - 7th December 2013 (LT2-8, LT205-260)
16 - 1st February 2014 (LT261-282, 284-286)
7 - 15th February 2014 (LT283, 287-315)
148 - 15th February 2014 (LT316-343)
311 -
49 - 7th June 2014 (LT372-396)
22 - 21st June 2014 (LT397-423)
10 - 1st November 2014 (LT424-452)
8 - 1st November 2014 (LT453-485)
74 - 1st November 2014 (LT486-516 - this includes a 392 increase)
98 - 1st November 2014 (LT517-550)
159 - 13th December 2014 (LT551-
453 - 20th December 2014
April Tenders:
Tranche 212:
53: Trafalgar Square-Plumstead (Stagecoach London)
453: Marylebone-Deptford Bridge NBfL (London General)
N53: Marylebone-Plumstead (new route)
Tranche 213:
465: Kingston-Dorking (Quality Line/RATP)
Tranche 215:
C2: Victoria-Parliament Hill Fields (Abellio London - possible NBfL)
150D: Becontree-Gants Hill (L1/Romford Buses)
183D: Jew's Free School-Golders Green (London Sovereign/RATP)
Tranche 216:
207D: Twyford School-White City (L1/Heathrow Buses)
371D: Ham, Greycourt School-Kingston (London United)
E3D: Brentford, The Ride-Chiswick (new school route)
E6: Bull's Bridge-Greenford Station (L1/Heathrow Buses)
H98: Hayes End-Hounslow Bus Station (London United)
U4: Heathrow Terminal 6-Uxbridge (L1/Heathrow Buses)
Friday, 2 May 2014
L1/Group News March-April 2014
General Notes:
The Loaned Fleet (with same numbers):
ex-Metroline VP317-347, 466-472, 474, 476, 477, 479. Code VPN These will be returned when the 483 is lost - these buses are now only allocated on Routes 483, 666 and 695 from DI.
There have been an order of 40 new diesel E40D and E20D (25/15) just as trainers or Beeline:
25 E40D (TEN114-139) (LU63HEA-H,J-P,R-Z, JN63CNT): TEN114-119,121,139 for Beeline, TEN122-134 for 7series (74/75 peaks, X74). As a first, all of these buses will have LED displays.
15 E20D (DEN12-26) (CU63SNT-V, HN63HEA-H, RM63FRD-G): All trainers, convertible to normal buses if needed.
The last TE, TE1999 (chassis) is being constructed at this moment, the first TP, TP2000 demonstrator, will be used by all garages before being allocated to Route X91 at HN. Both buses will be showbuses. Note that TE1900-1999 are all E45H to the new style, TE1900 will be in service from June 2014.
Another new showbus will be a new TE6, to replace the TE6 that was sadly lost in the M4 accident in November 2013. This will get a special interior, original Heathrow Buses logos and numberplate HN52ADL, 52 denoting as the number killed.
9 new showbuses (and one modified) for 'Bus of the Year' have been released earlier on Tube Strike week - TE1110-TE1119 all have had new liveries, and interiors (vinyl floor design and new moquette, and where needed, painted bars) to match:
TE1110 - Shillbeer livery (interior like DM2646)
TE1111 - London Transport RM1 livery + interior (ENVIRO 450H TE1111) - existing showbus
TE1112 - Low Floor Livery 1990s (interior like LU LLWs)
TE1113 - London Transport 1980s (M1) livery + interior
TE1114 - Heathrow Buses livery 2003 (as in TAN1) + interior
TE1115 - London Transport RT1 livery + interior
TE1116 - Green Line 1960s (RMC) livery + interior
TE1117 - London Country 1930s (ST821) livery + interior
TE1118 - Beeline livery 1990s
TE1119 - Romford Buses livery 2004 + interior
All buses will have their retrospective liveries until December 2014, then they will unfortunately either be repainted in red (except TE1111, which will be repainted in 1980s livery like RM111) or move outside London (TE1116, TE1117, TE1118). All buses will keep their existing interiors afterwards.
TE1256, the E45H demonstrator with non-standard doors will now move across each of the garages over 25 weeks (three weeks at each garage, 4 at UP), moving to HO on 19th February, before moving to SD from the 12th March, then U on the 2nd April and returning to HN on 23rd April for use on Route X91.
It has turned out that the rear door of the outward swinging style is successful and is currently out on all new E45H, and retrofitted on current E45H/E40H.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator for Route 456, coded VTN1090 is now permanently on Route 456 at SA.
The modified E40H/E45Hs (as opposed to the new-build E45Hs), approx up to TE1000, are now re-classed as E42H (Enviro 425). Therefore, the unmodified E40H (TE1) stays as it is, the modified E40H to E45H standard are classed as E42H, and those built as E45Hs stay as E45H.
Heathrow North (HN)
Rebuilding has been completed, after the crash in December. ADL are back to normal.
Route 457, a new route for TfL, has been won by us and will use new hybrid Optare TempoSR 10.7m (OTM) from 31st May 2014
The E350H from First Essex that was being evaluated for use on 7series is returning back to First Essex.
7series, Beeline and Surrey Local routes have had frequency changes. New Route 73A is an extension of Route 73 on certain Brooklands Museum events days, such as the Spring Gathering on the 13th April 2014
Hydrogen and CNG buses at Southall have infrastructure at Heathrow North.
Seven Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m) will be shared between 7series X74 and new 7series X75:
SEG4-10 (LR63 CNK-P, R)
When gained, Routes H13 and H14 will run from HN using E25Hs.
Route 461 will be extended to Staines from Addlestone in April 2014, existing buses ex-5series will be transferred. Those buses will be replaced by older Citaros from Beeline, which will get new E45H.
For better reliability, routes N95 and N117 have been re-routed.
Route N95 will run via Park Lane, Piccadilly instead of via Oxford Street, Regent Street between Marble Arch and Piccadilly Circus.
Route N117 will be rerouted via 495 (and thus Kew Riverside) and London Road between Chalker's Corner/Mortlake and Busch Corner/Isleworth. Affected areas including Twickenham and Richmond will have alternatives including Routes 281N, N22 and an extended N335, which is extended via the former N117 route to Twickenham.
Southall (SA)
Route 456 is not fully double decker due to reasons below:
Hydrogen, Electric, and Compressed Natural Gas single deck buses (ironically) will be trialled on the 456 for TfL and L1/Group:
Two hydrogen VDL SB200/Wright Pular 2s:
WS9-10 (HY63 GEN, HY63 GEM)
Two BYD Electric Buses:
BE1-2 (LT63 BYD, LS63 BYD)
Two Optare TempoSR Electric (10.7m):
OSE3-4 (OP63 ARE, LT63 TSR)
Three CNG Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m):
SEG1-3 (LR63 CNG, LR63 CNH, LR63 CNJ)
Two CNG MAN Ecocity/Caetano:
MCG4-5 (YN63 YTS, YN63 YTT)
These buses will run extra services on the route every day. The infrastructure for the electric buses to run are based in Southall Garage. Hydrogen and CNG tanks will be based at Heathrow North Garage.
12m buses are prohibited from running between Southall and Greenford due to tight turns, hence the 12m buses will only run between Southall TH and Chiswick.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator for Route 456, coded VTN1090 is now permanently on Route 456 at SA.
Brentford (DI)
Route 311 and some extra 392 buses have been converted from conventional E45H to NBfL operation as of the 5th April (pushed forward conversion day).
Route 239 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014
Part of Route 480 has been retained, a sole double deck working between East Acton and Richmond (return), but the rest will move to Tower Transit.
Due to a PVR increase due to increased demand for the route, Route 392 will now have a PVR of 45, supplemented initially by existing TEs, before new NBfL addon orders from the 311 and 74 orders.
Wembley (WE)
Route 113/N113 will be run from Wembley Garage using new E45Hs, joining on the 26th April 2014.
Route 224 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014
Route 335 is now partly run from Wembley using MCs ex-Southall Garage.
Fulwell (F) and Walton (WT)
Route 411 will be gaining new Optare TempoSR diesels temporarily before the permanent Optare TempoSR Hybrids arrive, when the route is gained. These diesels will then transfer to non-London (Hemel Hempstead) operations.
Walton Garage has been acquired as an outstation for Fulwell, which will operate one bus each on Routes 411 and 418 when gained.
Also, when gained, Routes 74 and N74 will be run from Fulwell, where new NBfLs will be introduced (on 74).
Bracknell (BL)
Bracknell will re-open in June 2014, moving most Bracknell-based Beeline routes to the bus garage.
The following routes will move to Bracknell:
Beeline: 151/A, 153, 155, 171, 172, 190, 194, X94, part of 191
7series: part of 72
Hemel Hempstead (HE)
Bought from Arriva and Henlev Groups - this operation will be influenced by trentbarton, rebranded and routes restructure by January 2014. New buses - Optare TempoSR diesel and hybrid will be used. Route 320 (now berry) will use new E45Hs.
Routes 66 and 499 have had their contracts novated to L1/Romford Buses. Existing E45H/E40H (for 66) and existing E25H (for 499) have been transferred from the conversion to NBfL for the 15 and double deck conversion of the 456.
Hackney (HO)
Stratford (SD)
Upton Park (U)
The Loaned Fleet (with same numbers):
ex-Metroline VP317-347, 466-472, 474, 476, 477, 479. Code VPN These will be returned when the 483 is lost - these buses are now only allocated on Routes 483, 666 and 695 from DI.
There have been an order of 40 new diesel E40D and E20D (25/15) just as trainers or Beeline:
25 E40D (TEN114-139) (LU63HEA-H,J-P,R-Z, JN63CNT): TEN114-119,121,139 for Beeline, TEN122-134 for 7series (74/75 peaks, X74). As a first, all of these buses will have LED displays.
15 E20D (DEN12-26) (CU63SNT-V, HN63HEA-H, RM63FRD-G): All trainers, convertible to normal buses if needed.
The last TE, TE1999 (chassis) is being constructed at this moment, the first TP, TP2000 demonstrator, will be used by all garages before being allocated to Route X91 at HN. Both buses will be showbuses. Note that TE1900-1999 are all E45H to the new style, TE1900 will be in service from June 2014.
Another new showbus will be a new TE6, to replace the TE6 that was sadly lost in the M4 accident in November 2013. This will get a special interior, original Heathrow Buses logos and numberplate HN52ADL, 52 denoting as the number killed.
9 new showbuses (and one modified) for 'Bus of the Year' have been released earlier on Tube Strike week - TE1110-TE1119 all have had new liveries, and interiors (vinyl floor design and new moquette, and where needed, painted bars) to match:
TE1110 - Shillbeer livery (interior like DM2646)
TE1111 - London Transport RM1 livery + interior (ENVIRO 450H TE1111) - existing showbus
TE1112 - Low Floor Livery 1990s (interior like LU LLWs)
TE1113 - London Transport 1980s (M1) livery + interior
TE1114 - Heathrow Buses livery 2003 (as in TAN1) + interior
TE1115 - London Transport RT1 livery + interior
TE1116 - Green Line 1960s (RMC) livery + interior
TE1117 - London Country 1930s (ST821) livery + interior
TE1118 - Beeline livery 1990s
TE1119 - Romford Buses livery 2004 + interior
All buses will have their retrospective liveries until December 2014, then they will unfortunately either be repainted in red (except TE1111, which will be repainted in 1980s livery like RM111) or move outside London (TE1116, TE1117, TE1118). All buses will keep their existing interiors afterwards.
TE1256, the E45H demonstrator with non-standard doors will now move across each of the garages over 25 weeks (three weeks at each garage, 4 at UP), moving to HO on 19th February, before moving to SD from the 12th March, then U on the 2nd April and returning to HN on 23rd April for use on Route X91.
It has turned out that the rear door of the outward swinging style is successful and is currently out on all new E45H, and retrofitted on current E45H/E40H.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator for Route 456, coded VTN1090 is now permanently on Route 456 at SA.
The modified E40H/E45Hs (as opposed to the new-build E45Hs), approx up to TE1000, are now re-classed as E42H (Enviro 425). Therefore, the unmodified E40H (TE1) stays as it is, the modified E40H to E45H standard are classed as E42H, and those built as E45Hs stay as E45H.
L1/Heathrow Buses
Rebuilding has been completed, after the crash in December. ADL are back to normal.
Route 457, a new route for TfL, has been won by us and will use new hybrid Optare TempoSR 10.7m (OTM) from 31st May 2014
The E350H from First Essex that was being evaluated for use on 7series is returning back to First Essex.
7series, Beeline and Surrey Local routes have had frequency changes. New Route 73A is an extension of Route 73 on certain Brooklands Museum events days, such as the Spring Gathering on the 13th April 2014
Hydrogen and CNG buses at Southall have infrastructure at Heathrow North.
Seven Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m) will be shared between 7series X74 and new 7series X75:
SEG4-10 (LR63 CNK-P, R)
When gained, Routes H13 and H14 will run from HN using E25Hs.
Route 461 will be extended to Staines from Addlestone in April 2014, existing buses ex-5series will be transferred. Those buses will be replaced by older Citaros from Beeline, which will get new E45H.
For better reliability, routes N95 and N117 have been re-routed.
Route N95 will run via Park Lane, Piccadilly instead of via Oxford Street, Regent Street between Marble Arch and Piccadilly Circus.
Route N117 will be rerouted via 495 (and thus Kew Riverside) and London Road between Chalker's Corner/Mortlake and Busch Corner/Isleworth. Affected areas including Twickenham and Richmond will have alternatives including Routes 281N, N22 and an extended N335, which is extended via the former N117 route to Twickenham.
Southall (SA)
Route 456 is not fully double decker due to reasons below:
Hydrogen, Electric, and Compressed Natural Gas single deck buses (ironically) will be trialled on the 456 for TfL and L1/Group:
Two hydrogen VDL SB200/Wright Pular 2s:
WS9-10 (HY63 GEN, HY63 GEM)
Two BYD Electric Buses:
BE1-2 (LT63 BYD, LS63 BYD)
Two Optare TempoSR Electric (10.7m):
OSE3-4 (OP63 ARE, LT63 TSR)
Three CNG Scania KUB270/Enviro 300SG (12m):
SEG1-3 (LR63 CNG, LR63 CNH, LR63 CNJ)
Two CNG MAN Ecocity/Caetano:
MCG4-5 (YN63 YTS, YN63 YTT)
These buses will run extra services on the route every day. The infrastructure for the electric buses to run are based in Southall Garage. Hydrogen and CNG tanks will be based at Heathrow North Garage.
12m buses are prohibited from running between Southall and Greenford due to tight turns, hence the 12m buses will only run between Southall TH and Chiswick.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator for Route 456, coded VTN1090 is now permanently on Route 456 at SA.
Brentford (DI)
Route 311 and some extra 392 buses have been converted from conventional E45H to NBfL operation as of the 5th April (pushed forward conversion day).
Route 239 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014
Part of Route 480 has been retained, a sole double deck working between East Acton and Richmond (return), but the rest will move to Tower Transit.
Due to a PVR increase due to increased demand for the route, Route 392 will now have a PVR of 45, supplemented initially by existing TEs, before new NBfL addon orders from the 311 and 74 orders.
Wembley (WE)
Route 113/N113 will be run from Wembley Garage using new E45Hs, joining on the 26th April 2014.
Route 224 has been lost on tender and will leave on the 31st May 2014
Route 335 is now partly run from Wembley using MCs ex-Southall Garage.
Fulwell (F) and Walton (WT)
Route 411 will be gaining new Optare TempoSR diesels temporarily before the permanent Optare TempoSR Hybrids arrive, when the route is gained. These diesels will then transfer to non-London (Hemel Hempstead) operations.
Walton Garage has been acquired as an outstation for Fulwell, which will operate one bus each on Routes 411 and 418 when gained.
Also, when gained, Routes 74 and N74 will be run from Fulwell, where new NBfLs will be introduced (on 74).
Bracknell (BL)
Bracknell will re-open in June 2014, moving most Bracknell-based Beeline routes to the bus garage.
The following routes will move to Bracknell:
Beeline: 151/A, 153, 155, 171, 172, 190, 194, X94, part of 191
7series: part of 72
Hemel Hempstead (HE)
Bought from Arriva and Henlev Groups - this operation will be influenced by trentbarton, rebranded and routes restructure by January 2014. New buses - Optare TempoSR diesel and hybrid will be used. Route 320 (now berry) will use new E45Hs.
L1/Romford Buses
Upminster (UP)
East London Transit will be surrendered early by Blue Triangle on the 4th January, as all the buses have been delivered for some time now.
East London Transit will be surrendered early by Blue Triangle on the 4th January, as all the buses have been delivered for some time now.
Routes 66 and 499 have had their contracts novated to L1/Romford Buses. Existing E45H/E40H (for 66) and existing E25H (for 499) have been transferred from the conversion to NBfL for the 15 and double deck conversion of the 456.
Hackney (HO)
E45H are now being used for 55/N55, recently gained from Stagecoach. Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 2 (x5 - the last new Wright Gemini 2s), Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 3 (VT x15) and Plaxton President (x9) are being used on 48, recently gained from Stagecoach.
Stratford (SD)
Route 8 will be converted to NBfL buses in 2014. SD will host these buses next year.
Route 15 will lose 2 LTs - LT99 has transferred to London United for the 9, and LT164 has moved to DI for the 392.
Route 15 will lose 2 LTs - LT99 has transferred to London United for the 9, and LT164 has moved to DI for the 392.
Upton Park (U)
No new news.
chessingtonbuses, part of L1/Group and Wellglade Group
Chessington (CH)
This garage has been bought from Henlev Group. Route 166 is planned to run from here. Route 418 will be transferred to Fulwell under L1/Heathrow Buses.
Wellglade are also evaluating local services around Chessington and the surrounding area to the south. New Route a will start in June 2014 with existing E25H.
Wellglade are also evaluating local services around Chessington and the surrounding area to the south. New Route a will start in June 2014 with existing E25H.
Monday, 28 April 2014
L1/Group Tube Strike Notice 29-30/04/14
Due to the tube strike, extra buses will be put on certain routes. Bus types and single/double decker status may not be kept. Strike extra buses with no London ticket machine will be free. Some non-London buses will be used. All extras are controlled from Heathrow North Garage:
L1/Heathrow Buses:
Route 16 will have 10 extra buses on the route - some will be loaned from Thames Travel, Oxford Bus Company and Go-Ahead Group. Passengers are recommended to take the 758 when possible.
Route 83 will have at least 7 extra buses on the route. Some buses will be loaned from Metroline
Route 237 will have 10 single decker E25Hs on the route, of which 9 are loaned from Go-Ahead London.
Route 278 will have at least 10 extra buses, which will be loaned from various places. Convertible training buses will be used on the route.
Route 335 will be using all stored buses from HN as the Citaros will be used on Route X91. London OmniBus peak hour journeys will run throughout the day. This means at least 10 extra buses will be used on the route.
Route 392 will have at least 20 extra buses. All spare NBfLs will be used, and some E45Hs in various states of refurbishment will be taken from HN. Routemasters will be used on the route. Some buses will be loaned from Reading Buses and some buses from London OmniBus will be used. The extra buses will do short runs Brentford-Brixton (Reading Buses will do Turnham Green-Victoria).
Route 456 will have 10 extra buses to supplement, including Routemasters. Some more extra buses will include Sky SoloSRs and E45H displaced from 311.
Route 607 will have 6 extra buses, 4 from Beeline, 2 loaned from various sources.
Route 607 will have 6 extra buses, 4 from Beeline, 2 loaned from various sources.
Route 666 will run every 15mins throughout the day, and all except the actual school journeys will omit The Ride (Gunnersbury School), running between Kew Riverside and Southall North (all journeys).
Routes U1 and U3 will have extra double deckers (U1 shorts between Uxbridge and Ruislip).
Routes U1 and U3 will have extra double deckers (U1 shorts between Uxbridge and Ruislip).
Route X91 will have approximately 15 extra buses. Most will be from Non-London operations and Route 335 - Citaros, E25H, Optare TempoSR, E40D. Some coaches may operate the route from RailAir and some hired coaches will run the route.
7series 74, 75 - No peak extra buses will run due to the buses being used at London routes.
Other bus routes will have at least three extra buses to help ease crowding and conditions, these will usually be from within the company.
Green Line 701/702 will serve Heathrow North Garage and Terminal 6 between Langley and Hammersmith. Travel is free between Heathrow North and Victoria due to tube strike, service will run every 20 minutes (between Slough and Victoria, normal service Bracknell-Slough). For fairness of customers, all tickets valid to Langley/Slough will be valid to Victoria during the tube strike.
Extra buses will be from the Beeline, 7series, 5series, Surrey Locals and Hemel Hempstead, and hired coaches will be used.
Green Line 748/758 will be free between Brent Cross and Victoria, all tickets to Brent Cross are valid to Victoria. Extra coaches will be provided when possible.
L1/Romford Buses:
Routes 5, 15 and 115 - at least 10 extra buses for each route loaned from Ensignbus, First Essex and Arriva will be used on the route.
Routes 25 and 205 - at least 44 extra vehicles (some buses, some coaches) will be used (22 each), from various sources, including Alexander Dennis, loaned buses from London United, Reading Buses, First Essex, Ensignbus, Blue Triangle, London Bus Company, Stagecoach amongst others. These will run between Stratford and Centrepoint TCR (25)/Baker Street (205).
Route 69 will have at least 7 extra buses, loaned from various sources.
Route 278: see Heathrow Buses.
Route 438 will have at least 10 extra buses loaned from Stagecoach.
Most of these services are not organised by TfL, but rather by the L1/Group instead.
NOTICE TO ALL DRIVERS:
Those who have called up their own garages and have been told that there they are not on a specific route, or are willing to work during their days off for extra pay (which is being offered during the Tube Strike), call Heathrow North to register for duties on the extra buses. Most drivers will either get a route they have been trained for, or will have an instructor to help out.
Berkshire, Surrey and Hemel drivers who are willing to help out in London are most welcome to, just call up Heathrow North for allocations.
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