20/06/2018

Picture Archive Post 72

Arriva Shires 2470 on Route 631, Golders Green, 20/06/2013
Arriva Shires 2470 on Route 631, Golders Green, 20/06/2013
(© Aubrey)

Route 631 started out as Route H1 as a school route for Henrietta Barnett School, in Hampstead Garden Village. Route H1 started on 4th January 1993 as a replacement/supplement to the H2 school journeys. As a minibus route, due to the tight roads around the Hampstead Garden Village area, the route was always required to have small, narrow buses. The route started out with R & I Coaches from North Acton (NA). Through MTL ownership, the route eventually ended up in Metroline's hands. September 2000 saw the route move to Harlesden (HR). June 2003 saw the route move to North Wembley (NW), before settling on Perivale (PV) in September 2004. New Optare Solo Slimlines replaced the MCW Metroriders on the routes from June 2005. Those buses however only lasted 1 year, as Arriva the Shires took over the routes, with new Optare Solo Slimlines, including the example shown (2470). The routes ran from Garston (GR).

Route H1 was renumbered 631 to be in line with other school day only routes on 18th May 2013.

Under the streamlining of the London operations of Arriva, the route passed to Arriva London, and the bus was re-numbered OS71. Metroline took over the route on 9th June 2018, running the routes from Cricklewood (W) using the existing buses temporarily, until new Optare SoloSRs are delivered.

11/06/2018

Going west but not West

Saturday 28th April 2018 saw West London route 31, and associated night route N31 transfer operation from Tower Transit at Westbourne Park (X) to Metroline at West Perivale (PA).

This change of operator was the first for the 31 since privatisation of London Buses, and the change also saw all bar 5 of the VNW class at Tower Transit (formerly of First London) withdrawn. Metroline VW1560-1570 at Uxbridge will be the last surviving examples of First London's once vast fleet of VNWs left in London.

Tower Transit VNW32411 rises above the WCML's South Hampstead tunnel in February 2018
© Tommy Cooling
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127662272@N07/25609286917/in/dateposted/

VNW32385 on the Swiss Cottage gyratory, February 2018
© Tommy Cooling
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127662272@N07/25609287607/in/photostream/

Tower Transit VNW32424 on Route N31, Notting Hill Gate
VNW32424 at a foggy Notting Hill Gate, March 2018
© Aubrey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/39825966425/

The operation of the route by Metroline was originally supposed to be out of Willesden Junction under Metroline West conditions, however continued uncertainty over the future of the Network Rail owned land at Willesden Junction meant that an alternative site for the 31/N31 was needed. Metroline Travel garage West Perivale was the best available site that suited the route perfectly. Garage runs along the A40 Western Avenue, and driver travel to/from White City via Central Line.

Due to the delayed arrival of the new eVoSetis, a number of spare VW class vehicles from Holloway and Willesden were drafted in to run on the route as a temporary measure. When the 105 transfers to RATP London United at the end of June 18, the 105s VWs are expected to become the 31s permanent allocation. The VMHs destined for the 31 will instead be diverted to Holloway to convert the 43 to hybrid prior to the Central London ULEZ roll out from early next year. As the 31 does not enter this zone, the route can operate the VWs, although in time they will also be upgraded to emissions friendly Euro VI standards.

The Metroline takeover of the 31/N31 began in the very early hours of Saturday 28th April with the N31 service.

*NEW OPERATOR* Metroline: VW1407 | LK13BHY || N31: Camden Town - Clapham Junction
VW1407 on the first Metroline N31 in Camden Town, April 2018
The first N31 journey was quite notable, as the driver got lost twice, including at Earl's Court. After a three-point turn, the bus made it to Clapham Junction. A makeshift route pilot ended up being required.
© Alisha Juszczyk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/randombusesgirl/41708472162

Metroline VW1400 on Route N31, Clapham Junction
Metroline VW1400 in Clapham Junction, May 2018
An ex-Willesden machine now at Perivale West for the 31/N31, at the second to last stop. Since the first night, all subsequent nights have been as to schedule, with drivers knowing where to go.
© Aubrey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/42276308052

*NEW OPERATOR* Metroline: VW1380 | LK62DPY || 31: Camden Town - White City Bus Station
Metroline VW1380 in Notting Hill Gate, April 2018
© Alisha Juszczyk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/randombusesgirl/27892480328/

Metroline VW1388 on Kilburn High Road, May 2018
This is one of the VWs transferred in for the route. Some of these will return once the 105s VWs become available.
© Tommy Cooling
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127662272@N07/27953215528/in/photostream/

VW1178 on Belsize Road in Kilburn, May 2018
© Tommy Cooling
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127662272@N07/27953217648/in/photostream/

Metroline West VW1277 on Route 207 & Metroline VW1404 on Route 31, Shepherd's Bush Station
VW1277 on Route 207 alongside VW1404 on Route 31 at Shepherd's Bush Station, May 2018
Both routes used to be run by First London until the sale of their operations. Now, both routes are run with native Metroline B9TLs.
© Aubrey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/42312873682
Post by Tommy
Photos by Tommy, Aubrey & Alisha

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