Leafy Suburban Electrics - Metrocity Electrics on Route H98

I (Aubrey) had an afternoon free, so I decided this time to go to Hounslow for the Electric Metrocities on Route H98. These were introduced after a successful trial with a hired Electric SoloSR, and run on Route H98. Oddly, it doesn't have white on black blinds!

London United OCE2 on Route H98, Hounslow Bell Corner
(all photos taken by Aubrey on 13/06/14 unless stated)

Interior shots:

The typical Optare layout, just like a Versa with a less curvy front.


In fact, the layout is just like a Versa, but the high backed seating is an interesting change!


London United OCE2 on Route H98, Hounslow Garage


Like the BYD Electric buses, these too have the leaf livery. Coincidence that Route H98 does go to the 'leafy suburbs', except they aren't leafy!


London United OCE2 on Route H98, Hounslow Garage
On AV283, the duty number it is usually on.


Hounslow Garage have a few of these charging points around the garage, one is 'in the alley', another is in the forecourt (as shown) and the rest are somewhere inside the garage itself.


London United OCE1 clearly coming out as an electric bus on Route H98, Hounslow Garage


Same treatment, same rear advert. It will be going for charging afterwards.


Later on, Lewis saw OCE1 on Route H98 near Uxbridge County Court (14/06/14)

It's taken a while, but finally electric buses are a reality. Soon, there may be a double decker electric on Route 69, but these are vague plans so far. The future of power is amongst us, but will be tested extensively until further notice. For now, just good old hybrid power will have to do!

Night Buses at Dawn Five - 15/06/14

An early start coupled with an early NBAD equals a lot more observations done than previous NBADs. This includes the Route N8 before NBfLs, new Route N205 and N551 under Tower Transit. The earlier date coincides with England's 1-2 loss against Italy, meaning extra night buses were available to get punters home, hence routes such as N113 being more frequent than usual!

This is also the first NBAD without an N9 start, as I got on this 27N instead to Hammersmith. Route 27N has been converted from SP operation (AV) to ADH operation (V), making the whole route hybrid, due to the E3 going into V meaning that the garage would otherwise be very full at night!
London United ADH25 on Route 27N, Hammersmith Bus Station


London United SP33 on Route N97, Hammersmith Bus Station

I did end up taking an N9 to Trafalgar Square, where I got various observations:


London Sovereign VH12 on Route N13, Trafalgar Square


Tower Transit DN33625 on Route N550, Trafalgar Square
The sign on the dashboard indicates it's a World Cup Extra! N550 was running more frequently than usual!


Stagecoach London 10138 on Route N136, Trafalgar Square


Metroline TE750 on Route N113, Trafalgar Square


Arriva London VLA152 on Route N109, Trafalgar Square


Metroline West VW1863 on Route N18, Trafalgar Square


Metroline West VW1887 on Route N18, Trafalgar Square


Metroline West VW1855 on Route N18, Trafalgar Square


London General WVL74 on Route N155, Trafalgar Square


London General EH38 on Route N44, Charing Cross Station


Tower Transit DN33641 on Route N26, Charing Cross Station


London Sovereign VH12 on Route N13, Charing Cross Station


London Central WVL378 on Route N89, Trafalgar Square


Tower Transit DN33793 on Route N551, Charing Cross Station
It's taken nearly a year to cover the other night route that went to Tower Transit which used to be part of the old N50.


London General DOE44 on Route N155, Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross Station


Metroline VW1279 on Route N91, Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross Station


London Central WVL230 on Route N89, Trafalgar Square
This driver - is he lazy, or is there no Trafalgar Square/Erith blind on the destination list?


Stockwell throw nearly anything onto night duty!
London General EH30 on Route N87, Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross Station


Stagecoach 19805 on Route N15, Charing Cross Station
Route N15 was one of the routes that got extras, but I had arrived too late for them in any case!


Arriva London T235 on Route N279, Trafalgar Square
The only night route that goes out of the M25 (just), the route is surprisingly not the longest night route.


London United SP176 (Route N9), London General WVL478 (Route N87), Charing Cross Station


Arriva London T102 on Route N137, Oxford Circus


Stagecoach London 15101 on Route N8, Oxford Circus/Holles Street
Route N8 will convert to LT operation from the 26th June.


Metroline TE882 on Route N113, Oxford Street


Another explicit extra, it is running Stoke Newington shorts.
Arriva London HV68 on Route N73, Euston Station


London United LT88 on Route 10 (N), Euston Station
Route 10 converted to LT operation, and so did the night service. It uses the 9 LTs as the route starts quite late due to the N9.


Arriva London HV81 on Route N253, Euston Station
Route N253 is the 253-254 combined, or the old 253, and nearly backs onto itself running as far as Holloway and Hackney before going back into Central London at Aldgate!


Stagecoach 15112 on Route N205, Euston Station
The Olympic Park gave birth to this extended night 205, which begs the question what if the day route went to Stratford?


London Central WVL231 on Route N68, Charing Cross Road


Arriva London HV104 on Route N29, Centrepoint/Tottenham Court Road


Stagecoach London 18220 on Route N8, Centrepoint/Tottenham Court Road


Arriva London HV45 on Route N253, Tottenham Court Road/Centrepoint


Metroline TE1439 on Route N91, Charing Cross Station


London United SP8 on Route N9, Charing Cross Station


Route N15 finishes surprisingly early, considering how busy the route is! Some last N15 buses turn into 15s at Trafalgar Square, run to Blackwall then run dead to Barking.

Stagecoach London 19775 on Route 15, Charing Cross


London General DOE11 on Route N155, Charing Cross


London General EH4 on Route N87, Charing Cross Station

Early start does equal early finish, at 6:30am!


London United SP178 on Route N9, Turnham Green Church

An eventful long NBAD, and only three hours rest until I went out again, so I was understandably very tired by the end of the day! What will the next one throw at me?