76 and 259 Operator Swap

On 25th March (yes, we are that far behind due to everyone being busy), the 76 and 259 both swapped operator. The 76 was supposed to move earlier in the year, but due to a lack of LTs and to allow an easier swap, the 76 was moved on the same day 259 was to move.

London General LT876 on Route 76, Tottenham Hale Bus Station (© Aubrey)

Route 76 becomes one of the very few bus routes to convert to LT from a new contract with a new operator. London General from Nortumberland Park takes the 76, this not being the first time it has run the 76. Between 1998 and 2003, the 76 was run by Capital Citybus (later First Capital) from Northumberland Park. However, at that time, the 76 did run to Northumberland Park. Since then, the route has been truncated to Tottenham Town Hall, then extended to Tottenham Hale after the new bus station opened.


London General LT930 on Route 76, Tottenham Hale (© Aubrey)

Initially, LTs from the East London Transit routes covered for the lack of LTs delivered for the 76, as well as the batch LTs which are numbered 8xx.


London General LT888 on Route 76, St Paul's (© Aubrey)

The 76 is now one of the last few routes to gain new LTs, alongside the East London Transit routes. From now onwards, LT conversions will probably be from at least partial existing LTs from Central London bus cuts.


Arriva London HV213 on Route 259, King's Cross (© Aubrey)

Going the other way with new Volvo B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3s, the 259 moves to Arriva London North at Tottenham Garage.


Arriva London HV255 on Route 259, Seven Sisters (© Aubrey)

Having transferred from Arriva London North in 1998 to First Capital (Capital Citybus) along with the 76, the 259 stayed at Northumberland Park until March 2017. The route however has been historically based at Tottenham Garage a number of times, thus a return to Arriva London North does not seem abnormal.

The 76/259 changeover has come off without any notable issues, and hope they continue to operate these routes with no major issues.