Metroline Returns on the 112

Meh, it's extremely late, but due to work, it's going to be the norm, unfortunately.

Metroline DLD68 on Route 112, Brent Cross Bus Station, 2003/4
Previously, before Metroline lost the 112 to Tellings Golden-Miller, Metroline ran the route using Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer 2s from Cricklewood from 2000 to 2003, then the same buses from PV Perivale until the route moved to TGM. This photo was taken in the short year where Metroline had the 112 at PV, as seen in the garage code. Many things have changed since, including that this bus has been since at Armchair for temporary use on the 493, and by 2009, was written off for scrap!

Scoot to 2014...:

Metroline TA658 on Route 112, Ealing Broadway
This photo was one of the first taken of the 112 (at 5-6am) with Metroline again, hence it is odd to see that due to the late delivery of DELs (Enviro 200 10.8m), TAs ex-266 are covering for the route at the moment (along with TEs).


Metroline TA656 on Route 112, Ealing Broadway/Haven Green


Metroline TA657 on Route 112, Brent Cross
The route has insert blinds. The route was initially awarded to Metroline West, but instead Cricklewood adopted its old child back and runs it under Metroline Travel.


And yet somehow, the insert for 112 has already been ripped on the first day!


Metroline TA657 on Route 112, Brent Cross
Nearly the same spot, nearly 10 years ago, oh how times change! Firstly, I am taller than the fence that separates the pedestrians from the bus movements, and secondly, the buses are also taller (and newer)!


Metroline TA643 on Route 112, Ealing Common
Just a normal sight, only temporary as 10 TAs and 10 TEs have been blinded for the route (apparently!)


Metroline TE932 on Route 112, Ealing Broadway
A later photo of a TE shows the other sort of buses that go on the 112. Then again, DEs (Enviro 200 10.1m) have also received inserts/blinds for the route and have been on the route since. Yet the blue skirt endures...

The 112 conversion was alright, but the lack of new buses is compensated that the buses that they replaced were generally older than the current Metroline buses. DELs will be arriving later on this year, as some were only half-built by August! By late August, some were heading south for eventual handover to the operator! The odd moment where a capacity decrease is in order.