Transport for London continue their review of the West London bus network with a notable change yet again involving Metroline B9TLs.
On 10th September 2016, long standing Route 83 was split into two during the day, and the N83 was reborn.
Metroline West VW1778 on Route 483, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)
When it comes to firsts, it doesn't get as much as this. This is an ex-First bus, on the second half of a split ex-First route, on the first service of new Route 483. In other words, the first bus on new Route 483.
Metroline West VW1264 on Route 483, Harrow Bus Station (© Aubrey)
Running between Ealing Hospital and Harrow, the 483 gives a roundabout-ish new link between Ealing and Harrow, as well as directly linking many other places. The new route has come at a cost:
Metroline West VW1247 on Route 83, Ealing Hospital (© Aubrey)
Route 83 has been truncated to Alperton, thus running between Golders Green and Alperton only. This allows it to have less traffic delays, as the already long trunk route does not need to deal with North Circular and Ealing traffic, in addition to the current traffic problems the route still has, especially around Wembley.
The consultation showed that there was only a 47% agreement to the 83 being truncated to Alperton, with missing links between Ealing and places north of Wembley. It is, notably, a shortening of an orbital North-West London trunk route into two trunk routes.
"Metroline West VW1780 on Route 83, Alperton (© Aubrey)
However, the 83 was a 24 hour service, so there must be a night replacement for the 83 truncated section. Enter the reintroduced N83:
Metroline West VW1245 on Route N83, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)
Every 30 minutes, the same times every night (except Christmas & Boxing Day, of course).
The consultation brought up suggestions like the increase of frequency to every 20 minutes. Although the pictures do not show it, the 83N (now N83) is becoming a notable orbital night bus route. There was a concern about the likely early end time of the N83, so the route now finishes at about 5am (leaving both termini), which is reasonable for most of the route. The first 483 runs before the last N83 northbound.
Metroline West VW1268 on Route N83, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)
Other than one rogue N83 displaying "83" (even on iBus), all buses were kept well with blinds. The first night of the N83 was pretty smooth, with buses keeping to time fairly well.
New Route 483 was created by many factors. A notable one is to link hospitals - more services are now being handled by Northwick Park Hospital, thus a direct link between Ealing and Northwick Park Hospital allows less able customers to travel direct instead of changing at Wembley. Redevelopment is also being planned and built around Wembley Park, and to cope, the 83 needs to be shortened in order for it to be more reliable.
Metroline West VW1752 on Route 483, Northwick Park Hospital (© Aubrey)
To connect the southern and northern part of the old 83, there is a common section between Wembley Stadium Station and Alperton Station. The new TfL Bus "Hopper" ticket allows a change of buses within an hour free of charge, thus no extra fare is dealt with when someone is trying to do the old 83 route, so as long as the second bus is touched in within one hour of the first.
Metroline West VW1264, VW1246 on Route 483, Harrow Bus Station (© Aubrey)
There was strong support for the 483, with 69% of all correspondents wanting the new route, notably commenting on the new links the 483 would create. There was some traffic concerns (like any route through Wembley, a large traffic hotspot). Although the first day did not bring up large loads, the intervening days has seen the expected increase of patronage.
Metroline West VW1248 on Route 483 leads a long line of buses at St George's Centre, Harrow (© Aubrey)
The route does bring some issues to Harrow Bus Station. It cannot stand in the bus station, so it stands next to St George's Centre. That, coincidentally, is an alighting stop. There is a bus stand for only one extra bus nearby, as that is used for the 395.
The new route also introduces a bus service to a 400 metre section of Wembley Hill Road between Empire Way and Wembley Park Drive for the first time. TfL say they are planning with Brent Council for a bus stop on the road. In the meantime, a very informal situation is happening. Buses northbound are allowing people off at Wembley Park Drive where there is no bus stop.
Metroline West VW1276 on Route 483, Wembley Hill Road (© Aubrey)
I (Aubrey) had gotten off the bus at that point, and took the photo of the bus as it left. Yes, the driver dropped me off there. It is currently an informal alighting point. It is a uni-directional hail and ride section (passengers have boarded the 483 along this section of road before) towards Harrow. Unofficial, but certainly an odd proposition.
Metroline West VW1765 on Route 483, Wembley Hill Road (© Aubrey)
The 483 only stops towards Harrow. Towards Ealing Hospital, there is a bus stop at the bottom of the hill (behind the bus) shared with the 79 and 204.
Metroline West VW1275 on Route 483, Wembley Hill Road (© Aubrey)
The B9TLs struggle up the hill at Wembley Hill Road, as evidently shown. The B9TLs are not exactly in the best condition right now, so this is expected.
Great idea TfL, once again. The route providing new links and allowing the existing 83 to gain a better service can only be good news. The broken links are notable, but otherwise it is a good decision by Transport for London.
On 10th September 2016, long standing Route 83 was split into two during the day, and the N83 was reborn.
Metroline West VW1778 on Route 483, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)
When it comes to firsts, it doesn't get as much as this. This is an ex-First bus, on the second half of a split ex-First route, on the first service of new Route 483. In other words, the first bus on new Route 483.
Metroline West VW1264 on Route 483, Harrow Bus Station (© Aubrey)
Running between Ealing Hospital and Harrow, the 483 gives a roundabout-ish new link between Ealing and Harrow, as well as directly linking many other places. The new route has come at a cost:
Metroline West VW1247 on Route 83, Ealing Hospital (© Aubrey)
Route 83 has been truncated to Alperton, thus running between Golders Green and Alperton only. This allows it to have less traffic delays, as the already long trunk route does not need to deal with North Circular and Ealing traffic, in addition to the current traffic problems the route still has, especially around Wembley.
The consultation showed that there was only a 47% agreement to the 83 being truncated to Alperton, with missing links between Ealing and places north of Wembley. It is, notably, a shortening of an orbital North-West London trunk route into two trunk routes.
"Metroline West VW1780 on Route 83, Alperton (© Aubrey)
However, the 83 was a 24 hour service, so there must be a night replacement for the 83 truncated section. Enter the reintroduced N83:
Metroline West VW1245 on Route N83, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)
Every 30 minutes, the same times every night (except Christmas & Boxing Day, of course).
The consultation brought up suggestions like the increase of frequency to every 20 minutes. Although the pictures do not show it, the 83N (now N83) is becoming a notable orbital night bus route. There was a concern about the likely early end time of the N83, so the route now finishes at about 5am (leaving both termini), which is reasonable for most of the route. The first 483 runs before the last N83 northbound.
Metroline West VW1268 on Route N83, Ealing Broadway (© Aubrey)
Other than one rogue N83 displaying "83" (even on iBus), all buses were kept well with blinds. The first night of the N83 was pretty smooth, with buses keeping to time fairly well.
New Route 483 was created by many factors. A notable one is to link hospitals - more services are now being handled by Northwick Park Hospital, thus a direct link between Ealing and Northwick Park Hospital allows less able customers to travel direct instead of changing at Wembley. Redevelopment is also being planned and built around Wembley Park, and to cope, the 83 needs to be shortened in order for it to be more reliable.
Metroline West VW1752 on Route 483, Northwick Park Hospital (© Aubrey)
To connect the southern and northern part of the old 83, there is a common section between Wembley Stadium Station and Alperton Station. The new TfL Bus "Hopper" ticket allows a change of buses within an hour free of charge, thus no extra fare is dealt with when someone is trying to do the old 83 route, so as long as the second bus is touched in within one hour of the first.
Metroline West VW1264, VW1246 on Route 483, Harrow Bus Station (© Aubrey)
There was strong support for the 483, with 69% of all correspondents wanting the new route, notably commenting on the new links the 483 would create. There was some traffic concerns (like any route through Wembley, a large traffic hotspot). Although the first day did not bring up large loads, the intervening days has seen the expected increase of patronage.
Metroline West VW1248 on Route 483 leads a long line of buses at St George's Centre, Harrow (© Aubrey)
The route does bring some issues to Harrow Bus Station. It cannot stand in the bus station, so it stands next to St George's Centre. That, coincidentally, is an alighting stop. There is a bus stand for only one extra bus nearby, as that is used for the 395.
The new route also introduces a bus service to a 400 metre section of Wembley Hill Road between Empire Way and Wembley Park Drive for the first time. TfL say they are planning with Brent Council for a bus stop on the road. In the meantime, a very informal situation is happening. Buses northbound are allowing people off at Wembley Park Drive where there is no bus stop.
Metroline West VW1276 on Route 483, Wembley Hill Road (© Aubrey)
I (Aubrey) had gotten off the bus at that point, and took the photo of the bus as it left. Yes, the driver dropped me off there. It is currently an informal alighting point. It is a uni-directional hail and ride section (passengers have boarded the 483 along this section of road before) towards Harrow. Unofficial, but certainly an odd proposition.
Metroline West VW1765 on Route 483, Wembley Hill Road (© Aubrey)
The 483 only stops towards Harrow. Towards Ealing Hospital, there is a bus stop at the bottom of the hill (behind the bus) shared with the 79 and 204.
Metroline West VW1275 on Route 483, Wembley Hill Road (© Aubrey)
The B9TLs struggle up the hill at Wembley Hill Road, as evidently shown. The B9TLs are not exactly in the best condition right now, so this is expected.
Great idea TfL, once again. The route providing new links and allowing the existing 83 to gain a better service can only be good news. The broken links are notable, but otherwise it is a good decision by Transport for London.
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