Poor Eight Two to Metroline West

The title refers to the consistency of the gaps between buses on the first day. The route is scheduled to be every 20 minutes on a Saturday.

The 482, a history longer than the route, written mostly here: http://wltmauc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/picture-archive-post-33.html

The last 482 that I (Aubrey) took was TLA2, somehow:

London United TLA2 on Route 482, Hatton Cross, 20/03/15 (© Aubrey)
(last day of London United on Route 482)


Thrashy ride all the way most of the way to Terminal 5, decent ride overall.

Then Metroline West came along and, erm...


Metroline West TE1727 (SN09 CEX) on Route 482, Hounslow West (© Aubrey)
As somehow seen on the Archive Post 33, TE1727 is part of the batch "refurbished" for the route.

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.


Metroline West TE1737 on Route 482, Hatton Cross (© Jacek)

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.


Metroline West TE1727 (SN09 CEX) on Route 482, Heston (© Aubrey)
Now TE1727 has visited both Chiswick and Heston, this is personally an interesting affair. These buses aren't exactly the best now compared to when they were with First, that's for sure. Especially with the "refurbishment" these buses had. The Metroline standard moquette does not match well with the First interior colours.

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.

Oh, and if you wanted an Enviro ride between Southall and Hounslow West via Covent Way, you could always take this:

London United ADE29 on Route H32, Hounslow West (© Aubrey)
This route is still the main route in Covent Way Estate.
I know it's Euro 5, but at least they are on ZF.