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 allocated on Route 483 from DI.
There have been 42 second hand buses from Croydon Buses to supplement the two TENs currently on training or existing buses in service:
7 Enviro 200: LT56NBA-NBG (DEN5-11) (trainers)
3 E40Ds: SN63ABD-ABF (TEN113-115) (for Beeline 190 - refurbished)
3 Optare Versas: YN63 BMX-BMZ (OVN1-3) (trainers)
10 Mercedes Citaro: KX54TBX, KX05TBA-TBE, BX09ABA-ABC, BL59ABD (MCN910-920) (for Beeline and 7series spares)
1 Enviro 300: YN04CMJ (ETN4) (trainer)
1 DB250H: KX57EMN (Engineering Testbed)
17 E40H: LT58SXA, SN10SXB-H,J-T, SN60SXY (TE1400-1417) (London use to replace VPNs - then as trainers).
Also, 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
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 F on 1st January, before moving to UP from the 22nd January for 4 weeks, then HO on the 19th February and continuing via, SD and U before returning to HN 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 from now.
The Volvo B5TL demonstrator went to DI for Route 456, coded VTN1090 arrived on 20th January, then moved to F on the 10th February for Route 85, and UP for Route 25 on the 24th February.
Henlev Group have sold out most operations - we have been the successful bidder for Hemel Hempstead (we have also bought Arriva operations at Hemel Hempstead), and practically everything else except what has been sold to Croydon Buses. This includes three TfL route contracts and two London area garages. Walton will be an outstation for Fulwell, whilst Chessington/Barwell will be a separate garage run (currently) jointly by Wellglade Group and L1/Group. The rest is in a joint holding company for re-sell or retention. Most areas have returned to their former owners for coincidence. Notably, the Isle of Wight operations are moved to Wellglade, and Hayling Island has been rebuilt to as before the bus operations - which has cost a lot.
L1/Heathrow Buses
Rebuilding has been completed, after the crash in December. ADL are back to normal.
The Heathrow North expansion has started, for finishing work by November 2014. This expansion will be used for overhauling/bodyshop of buses (L1/Group only), mainly. This is due to it moving out of HN temporarily due to the expansion of the ADL part of the garage to ensure it can handle the new influx of orders from Hong Kong amongst other areas!
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
A E350H from First Essex is being evaluated for use on 7series. This bus will run on route 74 as an extra bus, or on the 75 peak extras. In response, a E25H bus will move to First Essex to cover, and evaluation. This will be from the London fleet, displaced from the 456.
Route 175 between Heathrow North Bus Garage and Aldershot. This has had an increase to every 15 minutes due to very popular demand! Stagecoach tickets for Stagecoach Gold 1 is accepted between Camberley and Aldershot (that route has been decreased to every 15 minutes) - thus in that corridor, there is an every 7-8min service.
Due to the new Oxford LEZ, routes 74 and X74 will only be operated by hybrid Volvo 7900s (V), Enviro 450H (TE), or the newest Enviro 400 E40D (TEN122-134). E25H may appear, but is unlikely. Older TENs, E400H and Citaros will no longer appear on these routes.
From 20th January 2014, new 7series X75 will run between Heathrow Terminal 6 and Reading. The route is limited stop, calling at Heathrow North Garage, Maidenhead Station, Frascati Way then all stops via Twyford and Bath Road to Reading, St Mary's Butts. This service will run every 30 minutes. As a consequence, 7series 75 will be reduced to every 12 minutes. As per normal, L1/Card is accepted.
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 November 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 Southall Garage Open Day (for itself), involving the alternative technology buses launch, will be on the 19th January 2014.
Route 335 runs solely from WE and HN, all SA involvement has been withdrawn.
Brentford (DI)
Route 695 shared duty will now share with Route 278 on Monday-Friday at DI. This change happens on the week beginning 20th January 2014.
Route 311 batch of NBfLs have now started arriving at HN for processing. These buses will initially enter service on the 392 (based at HN) until the whole batch is ready, in which the 311 will be converted.
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)
All Route 16 NBfLs are in service on the 16.
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, London Routes 74 and N74 will be run from Fulwell, where new NBfLs will be introduced.
Bracknell (BL)
Bracknell will re-open in 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 has been ordered for 55/N55, Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 2 (x5 - the last new Wright Gemini 2s), Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 3 (x15) and Plaxton President (x9) have been ordered for the 48. The Volvo Gemini 3s will be coded VT.
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.
Wellglade are also evaluating local services around Chessington and the surrounding area to the south.
