Route 324 and New Route 503 11/01/14

Watford Local routes 1 and 2 have been replaced by an extension to Route 324 and a new 503 between South Oxhey and Hemel Hempstead, respectively. Route 503 is operated from Hemel Hempstead Garage, replacing the short journeys on Route 500.
On the day when I got it, a 63-reg Wright Eclipse II usually on the 2 ended up on the route:

Arriva Shires 3970 on Route 503, Watford High Street


However, bus stop flags still illustrated the 2 still running.


Arriva Shires 3404 on Route 503, Watford High Street
This bus was annoyingly running fourteen minutes early.


Arriva Shires 3403 on Route 503, Watford

Route 324 was also changed, running to Kingswood (near Garston) via Meriden now to replace the 1.


Arriva Shires 3283 on Route 324, Watford High Street


Arriva Shires 3225 on Route 324, Watford Junction

My Picture Archive Post 19

First Picture Archive of 2014, albeit very late.


Metroline VW1375 on Route 24, Camden Town, 17/11/12

Route 24 became the first full conversion to NBfL on the 22nd June 2013, attracting a lot of public attention and poor publicity, especially with non-functioning air conditioning. These problems had since been ironed out. The VWs that ran the route have since been dispersed across Metroline to AH, ON and staying at HT.


London General WVL135, Route 11, Trafalgar Square, 15/09/13

Route 11 was the second conversion, occurring on the 21st September 2013. It too had bad publicity having being a staggered conversion and the unfortunate accident of LT62. The initial running problems have too been ironed out, and it is now the only crewed route with NBfLs on Saturdays. The buses have since been dispersed across most of Go-Ahead London.


London United ADH45 on Route 9, Hammersmith, 14/10/13

London United SLE64 on Route 9, Hammersmith, 05/01/13


London United VLE43 on Route 9, Hammersmith, 20/01/13

Route 9 was third, on the 26th October 2013. The conversion went smoother than the other two conversions, and was notably controversial for being the first conversion to not have daily crewed operation, only being crewed Monday-Friday daytime. The running of the 9 has been generally the same as previously. The VLEs have moved to Tolworth for the 57.



Metroline VPL602 on Route 390, St Pancras, 26/08/13

Route 390 being the most recent conversion, was converted on the 7th December 2014, although the buses were already in service on the 24 previously. This makes Metroline the first operator and Holloway the first garage to have two routes with NBfL operation. This and the 24 both have crews only Monday-Friday daytime.


And the next ones?:


London United SP129 on Route 148, Shepherd's Bush, 10/04/13

Route 148 is due to be converted on the 15th February 2014, and Route 8 will be converted on the 28th June 2014. The 148 buses will move to FW for new contracts. The 148 conversion may be even fully OPO. LT150 in a special livery is slated to be in service with London United, probably on the 148 for the 'Year of the Bus' celebrations with TfL.

I'll finish it off with what's to come on the 148:


London United LT135, Shepherd's Bush Garage.

Alternative Technologies - Reading Buses CNG Enviro 300s (23/12/13)

*Insert Generic Change of Year Number Greeting Here*

Earlier in 2013, Reading Buses received 20 Scania/Enviro 300 buses, powered by compressed natural gas. This technology is not very new, but is a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel currently used by most buses, as it produces fewer undesirable gases. It however needs more room to store this, meaning that there are large pods on the roof of the buses, which have a streamlined look on these buses. These buses were bought thanks to the 'Green Bus Fund'.

11 of these buses are in 'greenwave' livery for park and ride services in and around Reading, Green Park and the Madjeski Stadium numbered between 50 and 53.


Reading Buses 413 on Route 51, 411 on Route 50, St Mary's Butts


Reading Buses 411 on Greenwave Route 50, St Mary Butt's

6 buses are used on Scarlet branded Route 9 between Shinfield Park and Reading Station


Reading Buses 415 on Route 9, Reading St Mary's Butts

Reading Buses 412 on Route 9, St Mary's Butts

Two buses are used for Bronze Route 11 (Coley Park-Friar Street) and 420 is a spare bus with the 'generic' Reading Buses livery.