Initial One Direction: Route 135

Route 135 is a relatively new route starting under Arriva London (Barking Garage - DX) operation using Enviro 400s in May 2008. Being this new means it hasn't had much of a history but after 7 years it is now in the hands of another operator, Docklands Buses from Silvertown (SI). Enthusiasts got excited when before the contract change the buses were announced to be new Volvo B5LH/E400MMC but as ever, they got delivered a bit too late. The allocation for the route was not clear to some enthusiasts until a few days before the start of the new contract.

Docklands Buses E218 on Route 135, Liverpool Street (CC Aubrey)

Some Enviro 400s from New Cross (Route 436) moved over to Silvertown. They were replaced by WHVs from the 12 which got Borismasters.

On the first day the route was fully run with these Enviro 400s. The ride was bearable but not particularly impressive or noteworthy (just your standard E400) while the service was subjected to the classic "first day syndrome". There were many curtailments:

Docklands Buses E218 & E217 on Route 135, Stepney Arbour Square (CC Aubrey)

As well as that, there were buses spending up to an hour on stand according to the good old LVF and at one point the whole service was pointing in one direction (hence the title). Not entirely surprising given some roadworks around Aldgate and a diversion skipping Canary Wharf, but still, the whole service?

Docklands Buses E214 on Route 135, Westferry (CC Aubrey)

It later cleared up, so overall a typical first day.

Now have a few more pictures:

Docklands Buses E219 on Route 135, Mudchute (© Jacek)

Docklands Buses E214 on Route 135, Westferry (© Aubrey)

The former allocation was slightly older Enviro 400s from new:

Arriva London T16 on Route 135, Canary Wharf (© Jacek)

But sometimes a Volvo B7TL slipped onto the route instead:

Arriva London VLA125 on Route 135, Liverpool Street (CC Aubrey)

Picture Archive Post 35

NCP Challenger ADL27 on Route 440, Turnham Green, 27/05/08

Routes 272 and 440 can be seen as descendants of Route 55 (since 1922), the route that later became the E3, thanks to a very small section between where this photo was taken and Chiswick Grove Park. The Grove Park section became Route E4 as a route in its own right, with it continuing roughly over where the current 440 route to Park Royal Asda from June 1984. Notably, the E4 used to be run from Hounslow Garage, so some journeys ran to Hounslow Garage. More modifications to the route meant it ended up as Route H40 in November 1991, before it was split in May 2002 to become the 272 and 440.
With Dennis Dart/Wright Crusaders, the 440 initially ran between Stamford Brook Garage and Park Royal Asda until 2003, before being extended to Stonebridge Park Station.

Then a certain NCP Challenger came along and won the 272/440 and E11 from London United and First Centrewest respectively in May 2007. The route was curtailed to Turnham Green Church (it did pass Turnham Green, turning right to the Crown & Anchor as seen behind towards Stonebridge Park). In April 2009, NCP Challenger renamed themselves as NSL Services, before being bought out by Transdev in November 2009. The irony that to gain the 33, 419, 272, 440 and 283 back from NCP/NSL, Transdev bought them out, thus the only gains Transdev got were the E11 and 493. This meant those routes went to the London Sovereign O-Licence, but was transferred to London United before the sale of London United to RATP Group. The 440 is still at Park Royal Garage, albeit with way more variety of single deckers.

ADL27 (SK07 DYD) was one of the batch ordered for the 272/440. This bus is now DE76, and still runs on the 440. It stopped running on the 272 when it was moved to Shepherd's Bush (with some of the SK07 batch).

Emerald: The Gem of Reading

emerald branding. Oh yes, the word "emerald" does reflect light, and is embossed onto the bodywork. (© Aubrey)

The emerald routes 5/6-6a are formerly the "mint green" routes that run south of Reading along Northumberland Avenue (5) or run to Whitley Wood via Basingstoke Road (6/6a).


Reading Buses 768 on Route 5, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

On 10th May 2015, these routes gained the new Enviro 400 MMCs, the second batch for Reading Buses, and to be brutally honest, they were as good as I expected. And then some.


Reading Buses 766 on Route 6 overtakes 751 on Route 21 at Reading Station (© Aubrey)

Reading Station and town centre allow a comparison to be made between the two batches as they pass side by side, and there are a few differences, apart from the obvious interior and livery changes. The emerald bus has Emerald branding at the front, whilst the claret bus has Reading Buses on the front. There are white LED displays (which work well with the branding) on the emerald, whilst orange LED displays are on the claret bus (which bides well with the claret bus).


"Reading Buses 764 on Route 6, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

Both the 5 and 6 are very frequent, with a combined 4 minute frequency (every 8 minutes per route), which means the buses frequently pass Reading centre. However, the third route which uses these branded buses, Route 6a, does not run that frequent at all.


Reading Buses 770 on Route 6a, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

This route runs to the Tesco Distribution Centre near the Madejski Stadium (Reading FC) and M4 Junction 11, and only runs when shift changes occur there.

I (Aubrey) took the midday shift change buses, and went on 760 on the second 6a.


The USB chargers are between the seats, and are quite small. One set didn't work so I had to use an alternative one on the row behind. (CC Aubrey)


Reading Buses 760 on Route 6a, Reading Tesco Distribution Centre (© Aubrey)

The embossed finish of the word "emerald" in the branding does make it stand out, as seen in the photo with the sunlight helping those embossed parts to shine.

Then the nice driver of 770 went back to Tesco Distribution Centre he had the only duty to do the 6a twice.


Reading Buses 770 on Route 6a, Reading Tesco Distribution Centre (© Aubrey)

These buses seem to be good, but apparently when trying to catch up time, it can be hard due to the electronic handbrake and in order to leave faster, it is ironic that the brake needs to be pressed! Otherwise, they seem to be good buses.


Upper deck interior from rear (© Aubrey)

Note the upper deck screen: this has a sticker over the screen display. This is possibly being due to that not all the screens had arrived by this time.


Lower deck interior (CC Aubrey)

Typical wood-effect flooring, next stop information screen and route branded coordinated interior.

The ride there and back was pretty smooth. The seats weren't the best, but they were pretty good. The ride was very smooth and the rattles were non-existent.


Reading Buses 763 on Route 5, Reading Station (© Aubrey)
(yes, that is a Reading Buses rare working beside the MMC, with the Lower Caversham shuttle bus on the Woodley nineteens).

So ADL did bring a rattle-proof bus, albeit a few months after it came into production! These buses look the part, and probably are the gem in Reading Buses's crown!


Reading Buses 769 on Route 5 and 754 on Route 21, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

Oh, and they are better than their claret counterparts in my opinion. Possibly the best Enviro 400 MMCs in the Home Counties so far. Either way, these buses are looking good and look good in giving a service.

Refurbostars for Southeastern 16/5/15

A POST FROM ME. MEGA RARE!

In railway news, Southeastern's first 375, 375301 recently went to Derby for a complete overhaul. I say recently, it was around 5 weeks ago.

Direct Rail Services 57306 hauls the dead Electrostar through South Acton towards Ramsgate EMUD

Since then, the unit has had a new livery, new interior and seats, redesigned layout with a colour scheme matching that of the Class 395 Javelin units running on HS1 that they now resemble in livery. They have also had a traction overhaul too.



After running for around 14-5 years, this refurbishment was required. These units are beginning to get tired as they feel the years and the miles, and I personally think the overhaul folks at Derby have done a nice job.

And no doubt those grumpy SE commuters will still be complaining about something.

-JP

The Minor Metroline Change.

The Enviro 400 MMC. In service with Oxford, Reading, Stagecoach Manchester, Abellio London, National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach Tayside (B5LH). And Metroline.

The bodybuilders. Optare, Alexander and Wright © Josh
Metroline SEL808, TEH2074, VWH1050 at Perivale CELF

Firstly, Josh got some photos of the E400MMC at Perivale CELF. They stood in Perivale or Cricklewood for at least a month before going into service, and gathered dust or be affected by bird faeces.

Lower deck interior (© Josh)

Upper deck interior (© Josh)

Then on the first weekend, I (Aubrey) decided to go out and try these Enviro 400 MMCs, and I found them good. Noting this is in Metroline terms, so these were unimpressive compared to the others out there.

Metroline TEH2082 on Route 332, Paddington (Bishop's Bridge Road) (CC Aubrey)

A ride on them proved to be a good learning point. They were not as worn out as the Oxford ones (obviously), but in the first week of service, they did not feel as "new" as the Reading or Abellio ones, possibly due to them basking in the birds of Perivale CELF. Which at least allowed me to see how they'd be after a while. And this bus was curtailed.

Metroline TEH2080 on Route 332, Carlton Vale/Maida Vale (CC Aubrey)

Took TEH2082 to Maida Vale to take that poor photo. One for "Your Crap Bus Photos" Facebook group then! Somehow the only photo I have of an Enviro 400 MMC towards Paddington.

Metroline TEH2076 on Route 332, Paddington (CC Aubrey)

Another curtailed bus, this time on the second week (a Friday). It just seems to be lucky that all the E400MMCs were in a row on that day. And I always seem to see them curtailed to Cricklewood... I wonder why(!)

Metroline TEH2074 on Route 332, Paddington (© Aubrey)

This is probably the best shot I've taken of Metroline's lot. The Metroline ones, well, I have to be honest, are probably some of the best Metroline buses out there, with decent seats, good interior and well conditioned.They are, somehow, probably the worst Enviro 400 MMCs out of the lot in service in the South East of England, yet still that's high praise as they are not too bad anyway. It's harsh, the way I've put it, but at the same time, I'm brutally honest to my opinion. Reading produced good buses, and the Abellio ones are pretty good for a London bus. In some time, they may get better than the Oxford ones as the Oxford ones wear down even more.

The next batch is the 10th April 2015 (hopefully), with Reading Buses (again) having the green Enviro 400 MMCs for Emerald routes 5/6/6a. That will be good.

Ping-Pong Tendering

Route 322 is generally considered to be a route that switches operator quite a tad. It was initially a localisation of Route 2 (i.e. the replacement of Route 2 (current Route 2 is 2A/2B renumbered) with an extension to Crystal Palace. Initially operated by South London (later Cowie and then Arriva London), it became the second ever route to go to Connex London in 2000. In 2005 it moved to London General, then in 2010 it went to Abellio London (the successor of Connex/Travel London).

Then in 02/032015:

London General SE237 on Route 322 Clapham Common Old Town (© Aubrey)

With this driver, I (Aubrey) had to help the driver set the blind due to the newer Mobitec system again not being fully learnt.


London General SE237 on Route 322, Stockwell Green (CC Aubrey)

Euro 6 Enviro 200s (with the predictable ZF gearbox) now ply the route, roaring through the streets of South London.
A short ride to Stockwell Green (and back) confirmed the obvious - there was the "all rev but no go" flaw with the semi-automatic gearbox.


London General SE240 on Route 322, Clapham Common Old Town (CC Aubrey)

Oh, and new bus smell people - the smell on these is not as strong as some buses before this.


London General SE245 on Route 322, Clapham Common Old Town (CC Aubrey)

On the second day, Jacek went on one as well:


London General SE237 on Route 322, Crystal Palace (© Jacek)

It was deemed to be nice and cool inside, with good seats, very shiny exterior that gave my (Jacek) camera some trouble, then the predictable over-revving stuff happened. It was also jerky and slow.

There were a few curtailments (to most of the curtailment points), partly due to it being the first day, but also being due to drivers trying to get used to Atlantic Road, where there is 'sometimes double parking' there, which makes things tighter.
That driver also told me about the again predictable flaw where the bus rolls back when the handbrake is released.

Some of these buses are also on a route that swapped operator (and buses) with the 322 in 2010. Route G1 is a local route noted to serve St George's Hospital (Tooting) and running between Streatham and Battersea. It has been at Plough Lane Garage since 2010 with London General. Prior to that, it was with Connex, Limebourne (subcontracted from Arriva) and Arriva London (who could not get enough drivers thus subcontracted the route in the first place).


London General SE248 on Route G1, Tooting Broadway (© Aubrey)

The buses for the 322 and G1 are the same batch, thus the buses should be very similar.


London General SE247 on Route G1, Tooting Broadway (CC Aubrey)

Route G1 was well known for initially having banditry when it turned to London General in 2010, where the new blinds were manual yet the blind boxes were for a powerblind, so the buses had the typical A4 sheet saying "G1" in bold until the correct blinds arrived.


London General SE257 on Route G1, Tooting Broadway (© Aubrey)

So, 5 more years until either of these routes could go to Abellio (or the successor to them) or just stay at GAL (or even a contract extension!). Or even end up at other operators.

And to explain the title - the 322 has gone Connex-GAL-Abellio-GAL. Thus it is like a game of "ping-pong" between Connex/Travel London/Abellio and Go-Ahead. And it helps remind me of US-Chinese rapprochement, somehow.