The 420 enters the TfL area so ULEZ restrictions apply, so is this a factor? Maybe they didn't have a ULEZ compliant bus available?
I think there are a couple being used on the 420 in preparation for the double deckers which are coming
Is this all because the hydrogen buses have not all entered service yet?
Interesting, I take it the B&H scania will be here for a while with the hopes of a couple more heading Crawley way (fingers crossed)
B&H have recently bought some ex-Sullivan's E400 MMCs, moved some Geminis to Go-North East, retired some of the ex-Southdown Super Darts. They usually know what they are doing with regard to fleet changes, but suddenly seem to find themselves short of buses. Strange.
The shortages are mostly down to the short Hydroliners at Metrobus being VOR for modifications, but by that time most of the previous fleet for Fastway route 100 was sent for scrap (reducing the active daily fleet by 12-ish), all while needing additional vehicles at Copthorne to cover vehicle repaints and refurb and losing 2 B7RLEs on loan to Go-Ahead London until April.
This batch were never meant for the 273, on paper or otherwise - they were bought by Surrey CC for Surrey based routes, for the deckers, the 420/460/480/820. A further batch of hydrogen buses, funded by ZEBRA2 should see service on the 273 route.
Bought by Surrey CC, not contributed to!
Ah, ok. That makes a lot more sense. Do we know how many are due for the 420?
Assumed, clearly incorrectly that they were part funded as part of one of the Zebra schemes! It's a incredible commitment as you say, especially given the risks!
It would be an interesting question as to when the 420/460/480 last had new vehicles bought for them. Possibly in the 1980s? It has certainly been secondhand double deckers for the last twenty five years, initially buses displaced from London, more recently from Brighton). I can't imagine they are particularly lucrative.
There will be 11 Double Deckers for the routes 420 / 460 / 480 and 820. I assume the odd single decker will deputise from time to time.
Apparently, the evening extensions on 460 are because the route makes a positive return. Using Surrey paid for Hydroliners, I would assume will make the route more profitable.
Because the City Sightseeing Tour is off the road for the winter.
I wonder if they are contractually obligated to stay in the 420 etc, as currently the Brighton Services do occasionally get swapped into those boards.
I think, what may be happening is a consolidation of the unbranded Streetdecks to Conway to assist there, as opposed to a shortage.
I was due to be at least near the area in July but was unsure whether to go to Redhill/Crawley in case the double-deck Hydroliners were not yet in service. Now it seems they will be after all.
Nothing surprising about that. Both the 10 and 20 seem to have a full compliment of hydrogen buses today.
