The Minor Metroline Change.

The Enviro 400 MMC. In service with Oxford, Reading, Stagecoach Manchester, Abellio London, National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach Tayside (B5LH). And Metroline.

The bodybuilders. Optare, Alexander and Wright © Josh
Metroline SEL808, TEH2074, VWH1050 at Perivale CELF

Firstly, Josh got some photos of the E400MMC at Perivale CELF. They stood in Perivale or Cricklewood for at least a month before going into service, and gathered dust or be affected by bird faeces.

Lower deck interior (© Josh)

Upper deck interior (© Josh)

Then on the first weekend, I (Aubrey) decided to go out and try these Enviro 400 MMCs, and I found them good. Noting this is in Metroline terms, so these were unimpressive compared to the others out there.

Metroline TEH2082 on Route 332, Paddington (Bishop's Bridge Road) (CC Aubrey)

A ride on them proved to be a good learning point. They were not as worn out as the Oxford ones (obviously), but in the first week of service, they did not feel as "new" as the Reading or Abellio ones, possibly due to them basking in the birds of Perivale CELF. Which at least allowed me to see how they'd be after a while. And this bus was curtailed.

Metroline TEH2080 on Route 332, Carlton Vale/Maida Vale (CC Aubrey)

Took TEH2082 to Maida Vale to take that poor photo. One for "Your Crap Bus Photos" Facebook group then! Somehow the only photo I have of an Enviro 400 MMC towards Paddington.

Metroline TEH2076 on Route 332, Paddington (CC Aubrey)

Another curtailed bus, this time on the second week (a Friday). It just seems to be lucky that all the E400MMCs were in a row on that day. And I always seem to see them curtailed to Cricklewood... I wonder why(!)

Metroline TEH2074 on Route 332, Paddington (© Aubrey)

This is probably the best shot I've taken of Metroline's lot. The Metroline ones, well, I have to be honest, are probably some of the best Metroline buses out there, with decent seats, good interior and well conditioned.They are, somehow, probably the worst Enviro 400 MMCs out of the lot in service in the South East of England, yet still that's high praise as they are not too bad anyway. It's harsh, the way I've put it, but at the same time, I'm brutally honest to my opinion. Reading produced good buses, and the Abellio ones are pretty good for a London bus. In some time, they may get better than the Oxford ones as the Oxford ones wear down even more.

The next batch is the 10th April 2015 (hopefully), with Reading Buses (again) having the green Enviro 400 MMCs for Emerald routes 5/6/6a. That will be good.