L1/Group News May 2013

L1/Heathrow Buses

The new L1/Group moquette will be rolled out across the fleet, starting with HN Garage.

Heathrow North (HN)

TE120 has been involved in a road traffic accident whilst on duty on the 140, leading to massive delays on the 7th April 2013. The accident damage will mean the bus will be out for a few months in order to fix the repairs.

VLE31 and SLE1 have been renumbered VEN31 and SEN1 respectively. These are on loan from London Sovereign.

TEN69 and HN Showbus TE140 have been involved in a small accident at HN, meaning that these are out of service for a few weeks at least.

TE110 has been fitted with a modified engine and refurbished in-house. This bus will now move to SA on loan after trials on X26, X91, 105 and 140/140N.

This new modified engine will decrease the "high-rev" problem on these buses, and will be rolled out across the fleet.

Existing Citaros will be used on the now branded "Uxbridge 5series" (Routes 58/59). This is a cascade of Citaros from the 7series, due to new Volvo 7900s being delivered.

New DEs are ready for the extension of Route 290 from Twickenham to Chiswick Station via Richmond. These are DE700-709 (although in practice are mixed).

TE1069 has returned from London OmniBus. TE1071 is on loan to Metroline to replace the VW(H) on loan.

Southall (SA)

All trials on the 456 are continuing.

TE110 will move to SA for a 6 month loan to trial for the 456.

The following TANs are being withdrawn and sold: 560-579, 591, 610.

The rest of the TANs are still running on the 207, 607 and 483.

DPN 701 and DPN 679 has been involved in a road traffic accident whilst on duty on the 483/480 respectively on the 8th April 2013. DPN 701 will never see L1/Heathrow Buses duty as it will be sold once repaired. DPN 679 is written off and will be stripped for parts in HN.

Route 335 will get new Citaro Hybrids as part of its new contract.

Brentford Dockside (DI)

Route 483 will continue to be temporarily be operated from SA until further notice.

Route 338 will have DEs as a trial to see if longer buses are suitable for this route on a regular basis.

10 New Bus for London are ordered for Routes 311 and 392. Route 392 will become a full New Bus for London allocation in 2014.

Route 278 will have a half allocation here with Heathrow Buses, as well as the current running from HO Garage of Romford Buses. Thus PVR is 15. Buses will not transfer. This will fill up the gap that will be left by Route 266.

Wembley (WE)

Buses will now use the "Jake" L1/Group logo, and all with the "Fred" L1/Group logo will either swap with those from DI/SA with the "Jake" L1/Group logo.

TE75, 76 and 77 will move from UP (Romford Buses) to WE permanently.

Alperton Garage is currently storage for withdrawn TANs and DPNs.

Fulwell (TF), Byfleet (BF), Slough (SH) from June 2013

These garages will be transferred to L1/Heathrow Buses in June.

Upon tender, routes 213, 85 and 85N were won and will be run from Fulwell.

Bylfleet will run the current Abellio Surrey routes remaining.

Slough Garage will be used as a store, as Heathrow North will take up its work. New and existing Enviro 200H will be used for local services from Slough Garage.

L1/Romford Buses

Upminster (UP)

Upminster Garage will increase its allocation on Route 25 to 34 buses. 

The PVR increase of Routes 5 and 87 will mean new TEs will be delivered to UP (TE1020-1068). TE1068 will move on loan to Arriva to cover the DW (HW) on loan.

Upton Park (U)

Routes 104, 438 has moved from Upton Park to Stratford in order to create more space in the garage. 

New Bus for London LT99-111 have arrived for Routes 15 and 25. Route 25 will have an allocation of 5 and 15 will have this supplementing the current NBfLs. Route 15H has moved to SD in order to centralise Heritage Routemaster operation.

Lea Interchange (HO)

Route 25 will no longer be run from this garage - the allocation and buses have moved to SD.

PVR 15 of the route 278 will move to DI Garage of Heathrow Buses.

TE1010-1019, 1093-1110 will be new to Lea Interchange, to supplement for the 58, and replace most buses moved to the increased PVR of the 25.

Stratford High Street (SD)

A new garage has opened on the Stratford High Street. Routes 8, 15, 25, 58, 104, 438 and N8 will operate from this garage. Numerous TEs and TELs have moved from HO and U (mainly) to operate these routes. TEL1113-1142 will be delivered for the 8 contract and extension of Route 25 to Victoria.

Also, the heritage Routemaster operation of TfL will be moved to SD. Routes 9H, 15H will operate from here. This will be joined with 25H, 94H and 159H.