London Bus News Roundup - September 2021

Abellio London

The loss of the 49 has seen 9429-9447/9513-9520 be withdrawn to be returned off lease. The rest of the SN59 batch should follow once the 414 leaves in November.

Transfers:

2458 WS > QB

LT632-633 TF > QB

LT787-788 WL > TF


Arriva London

The slow conversion of route 349 to LT began this month, with the first DW displaced to Tottenham (AR) at the end of the month, reason being to replace the VLWs at Edmonton (EC) using the 63 reg DWs at Tottenham (AR). Meanwhile the 319s first EAs began entering service, with all of the first 10 in use by the end of the month, this has seen HV138 go to Palmers Green (AD) presumably as a refurb float.

Transfers:

DW331 DT > DX

DW413 E > AR

HV138 BN > AD

LT1/4/7/193/196-197 CT > E


Go Ahead London

The WVLs at New Cross (NX) are now slowly being withdrawn, with several already off for conversion to training vehicles. Meanwhile LTs from route 11s PVR cut began making their way over to Camberwell (Q) to help finish off the 176s conversion to LT.

Transfers:

EH162-163 Q > SW

LT47 SW > Q

WVL278-279 NX > BX


Metroline

This month saw Alperton (ON) close its doors for the final time on 12/09/21 when routes 83/483 moved to Perivale [East] (PV). The existing allocation was also withdrawn from this day, with the 83/483 now being operated solely by native VWs alongside VWHs, which are the first ever hybrid buses to go on the 83/483. Similarly the 204 moved to Edgware (EW) however that kept its existing allocation. Meanwhile route 332 has now converted to LT, which in turn released its TEHs to the 139/328, which released some of the recently transferred 17 reg VWHs from the 328 to the 83/483.


Transfers :

LT10/12-14 HT > W

LT806-807 W > HT

TE1073/1095-1104/1307/1310/1314/1317/1423 ON > EW

TE1573 UX > W

VMH2449-2454 EW > HT

VW1192/1243-1248/1264-1265/1267-1270/1278/1829/1831/1836 ON > PV

VW1201-1208 EW > HD

VW1274 ON > EW

VWH2089-2092 HT > W

VWH2100-2107 HT > PV

VWH2233-2234 HD > HT

VWH2285-2298 W > PV


RATP Group

An announcement was made this month that RATP Group and Tower Transit (Sealink Group) are to form a joint venture at Westbourne Park (X) garage, with 87.5% being RATP owned and 12.5% being Sealink owned. This will see the closure of Wandsworth (JE) to TfL work once again with the 28 moving back to Westbourne Park (X). The new joint venture will be called "London Transit".


Routes 49, 117, 290 & X140 were taken over this month, however only the 117 is currently using its actual vehicles, due to charging infrastructure for the 290/X140 not being ready yet and the 49 needing infrastructure works to accommodate the BCEs. In return the 49/X140 are using VHs from around the fleet and the 290 is using the 3 loaned Abellio E200s alongside existing MMCs and E200s from around the fleet.


Transfers:

ADE40482 HH > TV

DE20124-20126/20187-20190 SO > BT/CP

DDE20321-20323 TV > FW

DLE30329-30330 FW > HH

SP40188 AV > FW

VH45179 FW > V

VH45318-45319 FW > S


Stagecoach London

This month saw the takeover of route 160 however with the vehicles not ready yet the 160 has been using loaned Tower Transit VHs, with further VHs than required also going to Catford (TL) to displace some E400s for route 180, which is to use these as well as some of its new intended allocation in the form of existing E40Hs from around the fleet once taken over next month.

Transfers:

10113/10116 T > PD

10198 RM > PD

11035-11038 WH > PD

19840-19843 TL > PD


Tower Transit

This month saw the news that Tower Transit are to enter a joint venture with RATP Group with Westbourne Park (X) garage (see RATP section for details). A future is yet to be decided for Lea Interchange (LI) but all should be clear before Westbourne Park (X) is handed over.


Notable Rare Workings of the Month:

VW1284 - Route X140

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