Paper Fonts

London's least frequent timetable. (© Jacek)

London's most infrequent route, the 2 hourly 347, has had its second operator change since its creation passing from Blue Triangle at Rainham to Arriva Southern Counties at Grays.

The contract specified a new single decker bus, which there was no sign of in the weeks leading to the operator change, not even a hint. On the day, this turned up:

Arriva Southern Counties 4010, Gallows Corner (© Omar Diab/Lilnetworker, used with permission)

It's an existing ex-Dartford E200, with new (seemingly temporary) blinds in the same font as 1632 on the E10, complete with a spelling mistake where it should read Ockendon but has an E in it! The rear blind is the same font, while there is no side blind.

Arriva TGM 1632, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)

Internally the bus is refurbished with standard Arriva seats and yellow poles. It does make the odd grinding sound or two which is typical of GY E200s. Odd workings haven't really happened on the route under Arriva as of writing this post (only 4010 has worked this route since Arriva took over as of writing).

Arriva Southern Counties 4010, Romford Station (© Jacek)

Meanwhile the old bus GAL were using (that's newer than 4010), MDL1, hasn't been seen since the 16th and nobody really knows where it'll turn up. Ironically the bus was new to Arriva Southern Counties, albeit from Dartford as a trial on the 233.

Blue Triangle MDL1, Romford (© Aubrey)

Much better presentation, from the company colloquially termed as "Bandit Triangle", ironically!

Expect quite a few posts to be late (this one definitely isn't) due to the complications with the London-Coventry stuff.