Citaro K MBK1/XMS1 BU13 ZVE

BU13ZVE (MBK1/XMS1) is one of the first Euro VI engined buses in the UK. It is projected to have a 3-5% fuel saving compared to a Euro V Citaro, and it has won the Bus of the Year Award 2013.
Quality line was the first to receive the demonstrator, and it was intended to be used on the X26 and 465, although it only went out on the X26.

Firstly, Josh got it in Epsom Garage:

Quality Line MBK1 at Epsom Garage, 03/08/13 (Josh)

Then Tom got it on the X26:

Quality Line MBK1 on Route X26, Wallington 09/08/13 (Tom)

Then Au and Josh got the last working of MBK1 on X26:

 
Quality Line MBK1 on Route X26, Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Au)


X26 to Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Au)


Quality Line MBK1 on Route X26, Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Josh)


Quality Line MBK1 on Route X26, Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Josh)


Quality Line MBK1 on Route X26, Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Josh)


Quality Line MBK1 on Route X26, Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Josh)
Time we see the back of MBK1, as it moves away from Quality Line...

Then, it moved to London Central at Camberwell Garage, and it appeared on Route 355 every time it went out, on the same working with the same driver, even though it was also intended for the P5.
Au got it a day before it left:

 

London Central MBK1 on Route 355, Balham 26/09/13 (Au)

 
The interior and legals of MBK1, 26/09/13 (Au)


London Central MBK1 on Route 355, Mitcham 26/09/13 (Au)

Afterwards, it moved to Abellio London West for use on the 235. And yes, Abellio have not stuck rigidly to the allocation, also putting it on the 290, 490, R70 and K3. It also underwent a code change half way on its first run on the 235, changing to XMS1. Firstly, Josh and Au got it on the 235 on the first Saturday it went on it:

Abellio XMS1 on Route 235, Brentford County Court 12/10/13 (Au)


 
Abellio XMS1 on Route 235, Brentford County Court 12/10/13 (Au)


Abellio XMS1 on Route 235, Brentford County Court 12/10/13 (Au)


Abellio XMS1 on Route 235 and an unidentified Metroline West DE on Route 195, Brentford County Court 12/10/13 (Au)


Abellio XMS1 on Route 235, Hounslow Heath 12/10/13 (Au)

The following Monday, Au got the bus on the 490:

Abellio XMS1 on Route 490, Richmond Station 14/10/13 (Au)

Interior of XMS1 14/10/13 (Au)

Abellio XMS1 on Route 490, Richmond Pools on the Park 14/10/13 (Au)

After a hiatus, it appeared at Enfield Garage for use on the 313, which has a few fast stretches, of which I experienced none of due to peak traffic! Despite the non-existent Piccadilly Line strike, Au decided to go and get it:


Arriva London MBK1 on Route 313, Chingford Station 04/12/13 (Au)


Arriva London MBK1 on Route 313, Chingford Station 04/12/13 (Au)

313 to Chingford Station iBus 

  313 to both ends of the route! 

   

Arriva London MBK1 on Route 313, Chingford Station 04/12/13 (Au)

Arriva London MBK1 on Route 313, Chingford Station 04/12/13 (Au)


Arriva London MBK1 on Route 313, Chingford Station 04/12/13 (Au)

Note how, though, at no point did Lewis get it, although this wasn't for lack of trying... it was mainly due to BU13 ZVE being temperamental, and being in this status every time people tried to chase this bus:

Quality Line MBK1 Not in Service, Heathrow Central, 28/08/13 (Au)

It has not (been) in service so far this year, and it doesn't seem like it'll come back. Then again, MBK1 has surprised many, and it could spring one up again soon...