Hybrids for Everything Except C3

Ordering hybrids against another contract is not new, Metroline have done this before, including with TEHs on the 16! But Abellio decided to get into the act, with ordering E40Hs against the C3 contract to convert the 211 to full hybrid operation!

Abellio London 2457 on Route 211, Hammersmith Bus Station


Abellio London 2461 on Route 211, Hammersmith Bus Station


Abellio London 2457 on Route 211, Sloane Square
The buses are currently usually used on the 211, a Central London route which is basically half the old 11. However, the buses on the route it was ordered against does happen:


Abellio London 2453 on Route C3, Clapham Junction Station

There is a reason for this sort of 'busical chairs' - the buses are supposed to eventually offload Tridents from the C3, but instead of direct replacement, diesel Enviro 400s are used instead on the C3, these are from the 211, thus converting a Central London route into full hybrid (theoretically). In practice, the 14 registered E40Hs are thrown around most double decker routes from QB, even though they mainly go on the 211. They have notably been seen on first day of the 49!


Abellio London 2463 on Route 49, White City Bus Station

So, more Euro 6 Enviro 400 Hybrids are still to come, notably including the 109. Newer ones will be to MMC specification, predictably, which is interesting as MMC examples are already in service in Oxford (Brookes Bus) and Reading (Reading Buses - the demonstrator).