from Hayes (WS) using specially branded, green East Lancs-bodied Darts which shuttled between West Drayton and Hayes & Harlington stations via the newly constructed Stockley Business Park. Throughout the life of the H50, it passed from Wings to Tellings Golden Miller and then to Travel London, despite being constantly run from the same base. The route was converted to double-deck in 2006, using B7TL Geminis which are now on route 157, following issues with overcrowding.
2008 saw the opening of Heathrow Terminal 5 in, well... Heathrow. The new terminal required transport links to fully integrate itself with the rest of civilisation, and one of the routes which was altered was the H50. It was extended from West Drayton, through Harmondsworth, to Terminal 5, and renumbered 350. The 350 began a few days before Terminal 5 opened, so buses temporarily curtailed at Harmondsworth before the new terminal was accessible by the public. In 2009, Travel London was sold to Abellio, who have operated the route ever since. When the H50 became the 350, the route was back to being single decker, but loadings saw the route converted to double deckers again in 2012 using Tridents displaced from the 3 (which were strangely older than the deckers which converted the H50 back in 2006!).
The 350 is actually the first route which I have now covered twice - the route was one of my first outings when I began photography three years ago; I would put up some pictures from back then but after a thorough browse I decided it best that I didn't! Ah well, everyone has to start somewhere... These Tridents have served the 350 well for the last 3 years, but a new contract sees brand new Enviro400MMCs enter service on the route.
After riding on a few of them on the 350 and 109, I must say I like the new design: they're very smooth and a pleasant place to be, albeit today one managed to break down on its first day in service. The problem with new buses is all the new technology which makes them confusing and practically obnoxious buses, refusing to do anything unless a specific order is followed. Luckily at the demise of the Enviro, a good old Trident came to the rescue! Finally, before I forget to mention it: Stockley Park is lovely for bus photography, especially with these new buses.
Another gradual conversion was of the 15, coming not too soon after the 55 conversion, placing more LTs into Bow:
Stagecoach London LT241 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
The 15 and 8 batches intermix very frequently, as seen.
Stagecoach London LT241 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
TfL controlled services are shown with the DLR in the background, and an LT in the foreground.
Stagecoach London 17530, 17556 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
There are still some Tridents covering for the E40Hs and as well being PVR top-ups, albeit they will be phased out pretty soon when these extras move to Bow from West Ham Garage.
Stagecoach London LT406 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
This is one of the LTs actually intended for the 15. They are LTs 391-464.
Stagecoach London LT408 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
Standing at the Blackwall terminus can be slightly tight, with a tight turn on which this bus is on. This tight turn has nearly caught out some drivers as I saw there.
Stagecoach London LT265 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
The main difference other than age for the 8 and 15 batches? Coloured logos on the 8 batch, plain white on the 15 batch.
The blind display of 15 to Regent Street is still not yet usable as the curtailment does seem to look permanent, unfortunately.
Stagecoach London LT252 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
Note the different font on LT252 fleet number. This was due to the Adidas advertisement which took off the fleet number, so a new one by the operator was stuck on. At least it was white, as London United have yellow fleet numbers still for re-painted LTs.
Stagecoach London LT252 on Route 15, Charing Cross Station (CC Aubrey)
All seems to be predictable and fairly new. OPO, as per usual, and 15H looks less and less secure.
These LTs ousting Tridents, various E40Hs and Scanias:
Stagecoach London 12321 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
Stagecoach London 15117 on Route 15, Blackwall (CC Aubrey)
The first day was full of substituted buses, wasted A4 paper, slow movement and drivers not knowing what turning to go out of Hatton Cross Bus Station towards Southall...
Metroline West TE1727 (SN09 CEX) on Route 482, Hounslow West (CC Aubrey)
The rear shows a lack of ADL badge (meh) and glass that seems to be quite dirty thus the route number is only just visible. Same can be said with the numberplate.
In 2012, this would be a bus belonging to First London, fleet number DN33587 and usually on the E3 with yellow on black blinds. Route 482 would be operated by London United with SPs. Not much indication that all of this would change by 2015 and now it's a Metroline West bus with fleet number TE1727 on Route 482 with white on black blinds. At least it's still SN09 CEX.
The ADHs and SPs were the only ever time this route had new buses intended for the 482. Bharat Travel used a numerous amount of hired Darts and other single deckers, whilst the various guises of Centrewest used existing buses from their fleet. This guise of Centrewest, as Metroline West, is using Enviro 400s last allocated to Routes E1 and E3.
Metroline West TE1733 on Route 482, Hounslow West (CC Aubrey)
32 minutes later...
Metroline West TE1724 on Route 482, Hounslow West (CC Aubrey)
How expected and predictable. I observed the route for a significant part of the day, and there were irregular gaps throughout. Some gaps were 20 minutes, which weren't too bad considering Southall traffic.
Metroline West TE1733 on Route 482, Hatton Cross (CC Aubrey)
Notice there is a person in a high visibility jacket at the front of the bus. He is directing where the driver should go. I (Aubrey) was myself POINTING at what road to exit on at Hatton Cross Bus Station, as the bus was initially pointing TOWARDS TERMINAL 5, where it had just come from. Imagining the passenger reaction if it did go back towards Terminal 5 would lead to one main question: "Why are we turning back?". I don't blame it too much on the driver.
Metroline West TE1724, TE1736 on Route 482, Hatton Cross (CC Aubrey)
Also notice there is a white A4 piece of paper stating "FOR 482". Nice touch, trying to ensure only "refurbished" buses go on the 482, for image purposes. Fair play.
Twelve minutes later:
Metroline West TE1737 on Route 482, Hatton Cross (CC Aubrey)
Yeah... Note the "GR" coding on the side. What, are all buses stationed at Garston Garage?
I know it's probably the internal code for Greenford with Metroline, same as Criclewood has been displayed as CW before. The presumed LBSL code for Greenford is G, and Cricklewood is W.
Jacek and Aubrey later got on TE1737 and it nearly hit kickdown, but otherwise it was not very fast. At all. With TLAs and SPs, I know the usual was kickdown and speed along the Southern Perimeter Road thus it was a small disappointment.
For the first day, PVR is 8. TEs used were 1718, 1722, 1724, 1725, 1727, 1729, 1731, 1733, 1735, 1736, 1737, 1738, 1739. 13 buses used for a PVR of 8. Then again, it is entirely possible that some buses were swapping with buses from other routes, which also happened, with buses running dead to Greenford.
Overall, this route will be stuffed with Metroline West for the forseeable future, and knowing how Greenford ran the E3, the 482 shouldn't be as bad. Shouldn't.
London United SP22 on Route 482, Heathrow Cargo Centre (29/09/13)
SP22 is one of the batch designated for Route 482, which is a relatively new route.
The history of Route 482 however stretches out back to Centrewest, interestingly.
In 1984, this was a private contract for Gate Gourmet (yeah, that company that supplies your plane food, formerly part of the Swissair group). In 1992, the route became X767 between Uxbridge and Heathrow Cargo Centre. This lasted until February 1993, when New Bharat Coaches and eventually Bharat Travel took the route on as a private staff contract. In June 2001, the route became Route 805 between Hayes and Heathrow Cargo Area via Yeading, Southall and Hatton Cross as funding became the responsibility of BAA. Due to Terminal 5 and extended popularity, an all day half hourly service was provided, albeit it ran Northolt-Heathrow Terminal 5 instead. It went from a LSP TO an LLSA (thus TfL fares were available) after a tender attempt as Route H31 did not materialise. To those who don't understand why I highlighted the word "to", the trend at that time was to turn LLSA contracts to LSP or full TfL contracts, and still is today. No LLSA contracts exist today.
From November 2004, the route ended up running Southall to Heathrow Cargo Area as Menzies dealt with the Terminal 5 area and in June 2005, the route became 435 with Centrewest (now part of First Group at the time)!
In March 2008, the 435 was renumbered 482 but runs via H32 and 203 instead of via 105 and 285 and was awarded to London United (at that time part of Transdev Group).
This is the only ever time this bus had new buses that were ordered for the route actually use the route. Bharat Travel used a numerous amount of hired Darts, one Volvo B6BLE and one Enviro 300 demonstrator, whilst the various guises of Centrewest used existing buses from their fleet.
From the 21st March 2015, this route goes back to Centrewest, for the third time in it's numerous guises. This time, this Centrewest is part of Metroline as Metroline West. The SN09Cxx batch of buses will be used, albeit refurbished(!) (no, replacing seat covers and repainting the exterior is NOT a refurbishment, Metroline West...).
SP22 is a bog standard Scania Omnicity double decker, ordered by Transdev when that was their standard double decker. These buses generally can go fast on the fast sections, or vibrate heavily otherwise. This batch of SPs will afterwards be used to help cascade and withdraw older buses in the London United fleet.
This is practically the 482 history post, and as London United bid farewell for five years (at least) a route that has been coordinating with H32 and has been under their watch as it paralleled the H32 (formerly 232/A etc) for most of it. This also brings Metroline West into Heston and Hounslow, which feels fairly odd for me as I grew up in Heston with practically London United and Tellings Golden-Miller on my doorstep (notably having the 111 being my favourite route, yeah...). Knowing how Metroline West ran the E3 and ended up leaving Chiswick, this will be interesting how 482 will be run.
This does mean Tridents on the 482 will be just substantially newer:
From this:
London United TLA8 on Route 482, Southall (20/12/14)
to this (the earlier Enviro 400 is an upgraded Trident with a new body):
Metroline West TE1727 (SN09 CEX) on Route E3, Chiswick Town Hall (CC, 20/05/14)
TE1727 appears again, yeah... These buses aren't exactly the best compared to when they were with First...
The 212 was the other route that moved to Tower Transit on the 7th March. The route was formerly operated by CT Plus. Ironically, this has meant that the 212 has returned to HO (LI) as between 2007 and 2009, the route was run by First London at Lea Interchange (the replacement for Hackney Garage). This also means that the 212 is with the successor of First Capital at that garage, with Tower Transit.
The first day for the 212 was quite hectic, especially with the usual Walthamstow traffic, the standing problems at Chingford and general bunching.
Tower Transit VH38105 on Route 212 behind VN37859 on Route 58, Walthamstow Central (CC Aubrey)
The application of white blinds on the Gemini 2s allow them to be used on the 212, and that has already happened numerous times already.
Tower Transit VH38111 on Route 212, Chingford Station (CC Aubrey)
The Chingford stand was horrendously overcrowded thanks to the hectic first day. This led to routes like 313, 505 and 379 to suffer minor difficulties getting into their stands, and the 212/444 a great kerfuffle. Driver changes are at Chingford Station for this route, which seems to be a temporary measure until Picketts Lock actually starts being built as a bus garage.
Some of the service curtailed to Chingford Hatch due to bunching and lateness. Bunching was still evident a week later when Lewis and Aubrey used the 212, hence a curtailment as seen.
Overall, the buses ride well, the interior again gets some used to yet looks good on these buses (in opinion), with the possible exception of the sidewalls, and operation should smooth out well.
National Express have introduced the "15" registration to buses in London, with a small batch of new buses for the British Airways staff shuttles, including Route BA1 and the Park & Ride between various parking sites and various BA offices.
National Express 8368 on BA Park & Ride, Hatton Cross (CC Aubrey)
Also, an older bus is also being used on the BA Staff Shuttles:
National Express 8563, Hatton Cross (CC Aubrey)
This bus was previously used on Hotel Hoppa services.
Also, an Optare SoloSR (8375, KX15 BLK) is used on these services, amongst I assume at least a few more buses. These services are only for British Airways employees, hence they can only carry those people.
On the 7th of March route 415 passed from Arriva to Abellio with a short extension to Old Kent Road Tesco. It's a short route running in a straight line north from Tulse Hill with less than massive passenger loads, but somehow uses double-deckers (hybrids, for this contract).
So when people checked the LVF in the morning, it came as quite a shock to see Darts 8434/7 show up on the route leading to speculation about the dreaded "first day syndrome" being worse than usual. The reality was far from that, as this was probably the smoothest operator change London has seen in years. Not all the new E400 hybrids were ready on time, so 61reg from the 188 were used with a mix of full white blinds and white inserts, as well as MMC 2514, an extra from the 109 batch. And the Darts? They were actually MMCs as well, 15reg 2515/7 using old iBus equipment.
The service was unusually good for the first day as well – not a single curtailment or bunching on the route. Since the passenger loadings were very low one or two drivers had to drive at a crawl to keep to the timetable but it could be worse.
On the second day diesel MMC demonstrator 2400 went out, so I went to cover that. This didn't go too well as the rear door and wheelchair ramp got stuck in Brixton leaving Trident Enviro 9446 to do a few rounds while this was fixed. A rare case of things going wrong on the second day? Either way, 2400 went back out two hours later so this is still pretty close to a perfect operator change.
