London Buses Discussion

[MotCO]

Majority of future orders are intended to be from Wright but they are still allowed to deviate. BYD is one of the cheapest on the market which is definitely a factor I can only speculate from here but there may have been more flexibility in providing the specification for the SL7 that TfL demand

My impression is that, in London at least, BYD have supplied more buses to Go-Ahead than Wrightbus. Not exactly the 'majority'.

 

[PGAT]

My impression is that, in London at least, BYD have supplied more buses to Go-Ahead than Wrightbus. Not exactly the 'majority'.

I did say majority of future orders and the bulk of the buses they have supplied were ordered before the deal was made with Wrightbus.

 

[Kay_M]

Just been on Superloop 6. Nice inside the bus (sorry didn't get a reg.) Quite a scenic route with Canary Wharf, the O2, cable car, Silvertown Tunnel and Blackheath. The detour off and onto the roundabout to serve Leamouth doesn't feel that 'express' though.

You mean SL4 right

 

[Mikey C]

How do they count that given that there's no tapping off?

I think TfL do analysis on journeys, based on what people do next, or where people live. It's not 100% accurate, but does cover many likely journeys.

If, for example, someone taps on the 310 at Stamford Hill, then an hour later enters Golders Green station, then they've clearly gone the whole way. If they tap on the 310 at Stamford Hill, making no further journeys afterwards, but live in Highgate, then they've probably gone from Stamford Hill to Highgate etc

 

[darloscott]

PGAT & Lyle_Lanley -
Certainly agree that the SL7 needs the new EVs quickly. Does any UK operator already run single door BYD BD11’s, or will the SL7 be the first route for this specification?

Arriva North East have a batch not far from delivery that are single door

 

[telstarbox]

You mean SL4 right

Sorry yes!

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Just been on Superloop 4 (not 6). Nice inside the bus (sorry didn't get a reg.) Quite a scenic route with Canary Wharf, the O2, cable car, Silvertown Tunnel and Blackheath. The detour off and onto the roundabout to serve Leamouth doesn't feel that 'express' though.

I think the only part of the SL4 that could be considered express is the section through the Silvertown Tunnel:

SL4 - Superloop - North Greenwich / Canary Wharf - East India - Leamouth - Sun in the Sands - Blackheath - Lee Green - Lee - Grove Park

Blue Triangle

bustimes.org

 

[DaveLondon]

I did say majority of future orders and the bulk of the buses they have supplied were ordered before the deal was made with Wrightbus.

The order with Wright was not exclusive with BYD and Volvos ordered since.

 

[DGP]

I think the only part of the SL4 that could be considered express is the section through the Silvertown Tunnel:

SL4 - Superloop - North Greenwich / Canary Wharf - East India - Leamouth - Sun in the Sands - Blackheath - Lee Green - Lee - Grove Park

Blue Triangle

bustimes.org

And the bit of the A102 between the tunnels and the Sun-in-the-Sands roundabout but even then it only operates non-stop over those sections because there are no stops to stop at.

 

[Thirteen]

Is there a reason Victoria is so prone to major bus accidents?

 

[MotCO]

Is there a reason Victoria is so prone to major bus accidents?

Lots of pedestrians crossing in a rush, and lots of buses passing through.

 

[Mark L]

How do they count that given that there's no tapping off?

TfL infers where passengers get off a bus from the stop/station at which the same contactless card is next used - it’s not 100% foolproof but broadly good enough.

 

[Simon75]

Do many ex London buses, still get used elsewhere in UK after use ?

 

[Kay_M]

Do many ex London buses, still get used elsewhere in UK after use ?

Of course. Some of the MHVs that used to be on the 63 moved up north to Manchester and I know some of the 64 reg E400s that used to be on the 136 are in Plymouth

 

[Goldfish62]

Majority of future orders are intended to be from Wright but they are still allowed to deviate. BYD is one of the cheapest on the market which is definitely a factor I can only speculate from here but there may have been more flexibility in providing the specification for the SL7 that TfL demand

Plus the BYD has a much better range, which is critical for the SL7.

 

[Statto]

The Tube strikes are causing chaos to bus services, with buses being that delayed they're terminating short & starting short as well, looking at bustimes.org one of the 1s went from Bricklayers Arms to Euston as it took 70 minutes, even though it departed Bricklayers Arms ontime, it was an hour late on the incoming service, which is why it was terminated at Bricklayers Arms & this was lunchtime, the peaks are going to be fun.

 

[Edvid]

Another cross-boundary route bites the dust ...........

Latest News - Arriva UK Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

Go-Ahead are stepping in, so that particular LSP route will live on.

 

[TRXsouth]

Arriva North East have a batch not far from delivery that are single door

darloscott -
Thanks for that information. An internet search shows a LinkedIn post by an Arriva UK Bus officer with factory photos of a finished single door ANE BD11.
General questions: if the SL7 is definitely getting this BYD version, it will be interesting to see how much lower saloon space is taken by luggage racks; could there also be an upper floor rack? Is luggage security an issue on the SL7? Also, is there still a chance of the SL7 being cut back from West Croydon to Sutton?

 

[MotCO]

darloscott -
Also, is there still a chance of the SL7 being cut back from West Croydon to Sutton?

No, I think that idea has sunk without trace. Wasn't tied up with local elections or something. Anyway, now that tenders have been issued for the SL7, it would be motre difficuklt to change.

 

[Thirteen]

darloscott -
Thanks for that information. An internet search shows a LinkedIn post by an Arriva UK Bus officer with factory photos of a finished single door ANE BD11.
General questions: if the SL7 is definitely getting this BYD version, it will be interesting to see how much lower saloon space is taken by luggage racks; could there also be an upper floor rack? Is luggage security an issue on the SL7? Also, is there still a chance of the SL7 being cut back from West Croydon to Sutton?

An upper floor luggage rack would be unfeasible from a safety POV.

 

[Snow1964]

Some of the wrapped buses for new BL1 Bakerloop service have started to appear, bottom half is brown (as in Bakerloo line colour), top half is more superloop style.

Appears to be 5 year old GoAhead electric buses.
Photos of fleet number Ee38 on the web, and Ee40 (linked) also seen

Friends of Buses and Coaches | This time, we have Go-Ahead London's Ee40 at Kennington Station on it's way to Waterloo (RA) with the Bakerloop colours | Facebook

This time, we have Go-Ahead London's Ee40 at Kennington Station on it's way to Waterloo (RA) with the Bakerloop colours. In preparation for the BL1 launch later in the month, buses from the 230 has...

www.facebook.com

Meanwhile it seems London Borough of Southwark has given £5m towards the new Bakerloo extension service, approx 14% of cost over 7 years

More than £5million worth of developer funding from Southwark will go towards the delivery of the new Bakerloop bus route service which is set to launch in this autumn.

On Wednesday evening (September 10), Southwark Council’s Planning Committee approved the allocation of Section 106 funding worth £5,078,652.01 that has been gained from developments built in and around Old Kent Road.

Southwark approved over £5 million towards new Bakerloop bus route running down Old Kent Road towards Lewisham

More than £5million worth of developer funding from Southwark will go towards the delivery of the new Bakerloop bus route

southwarknews.co.uk

 

[Thirteen]

Just seen that for the first week, the BL1 will be free for PAYG users.

 

[Goldfish62]

Some of the wrapped buses for new BL1 Bakerloop service have started to appear, bottom half is brown (as in Bakerloo line colour), top half is more superloop style.

Surprised that they've got vinyl wraps. I assumed they'd be repainted seeing as they've got to last seven years in this livery.

 

[Snow1964]

Surprised that they've got vinyl wraps. I assumed they'd be repainted seeing as they've got to last seven years in this livery.

Very complicated set of extra info on them that would have been a faff to paint if not vinyl or stickers

Front has Bakerloop words, and in smaller letters part of the superloop network, and something in smaller letters (which I can't read on photo I've seen)

By front doors got blue walking stick and wheelchair symbols, then on actual door glass USB socket symbols, then just behind doors lot of info on ISO quality management

Then another bigger USB sticker above front wheel, then a buses logo and operator details below the logo

Behind the middle doors there is an I'm an electric bus flash, then one with leaves a cleaner air. Below these is the legal operator address. More small words near emergency door releases.

Above these brown section, all the window frames have been painted black, then above this 4 horizontal stripes (yellow, pink, orange, blue).

Between the windows is an off white section with Bakerloop and a route chart with selected stops named with connection logos. Upper windows are black, then above these more white.

Overall I think there are over 100 words on the outside, not simple to paint.

 

[Goldfish62]

Very complicated set of extra info on them that would have been a faff to paint if not vinyl or stickers

Front has Bakerloop words, and in smaller letters part of the superloop network, and something in smaller letters (which I can't read on photo I've seen)

By front doors got blue walking stick and wheelchair symbols, then on actual door glass USB socket symbols, then just behind doors lot of info on ISO quality management

Then another bigger USB sticker above front wheel, then a buses logo and operator details below the logo

Behind the middle doors there is an I'm an electric bus flash, then one with leaves a cleaner air. Below these is the legal operator address. More small words near emergency door releases.

Above these brown section, all the window frames have been painted black, then above this 4 horizontal stripes (yellow, pink, orange, blue).

Between the windows is an off white section with Bakerloop and a route chart with selected stops named with connection logos. Upper windows are black, then above these more white.

Overall I think there are over 100 words on the outside, not simple to paint.

Eh? I meant the paintwork not the vinyl lettering! The term wrapping refers to when buses are entirely covered in vinyl which goes over the whole bodywork covering the existing paintwork. This is normally only used for all-over ads and other temporary liveries.

Anyway, I've now had it confirmed that the buses have been painted, not vinyl-wrapped, just as I expected.

 

[Thirteen]

Has anyone been on the BL1 yet? Will be interesting how it compares to the other Superloop services but I imagine it will prove popular.

 

[busesrusuk]

Has anyone been on the BL1 yet? Will be interesting how it compares to the other Superloop services but I imagine it will prove popular.

Very popular yesterday with plenty of neds out for the first day but also plenty of normls trying it out. Seems a quick route but far to early to assess its actual usefulness. Once the free rides are over then we'll see it settle down but my gut feeling is that it will prove popular.

The buses actually look quite smart in their brown livery but as mentioned upthread TfL ought to review their "sticker" policy as there are too many now. Pics attached if anyone interested:

GAL Ee44 Sep25v2

Old Kent Road, Tesco's. Sep 2025

www.flickr.com

GAL Ee45 Sep25

Lewisham, Sep 2025

www.flickr.com

 

[ScotGG]

It'll be successful. Hard to fail when you have towers with thousands of new homes beside pretty much every stop.

 

[SteveHFC]

Saw a BL1 approaching Waterloo about 8.30 this morning - looked well loaded.

 

[Geogregor]

Some shots from Monday, first working day of BL1 operation:

20250929_155856 by Geogregor*, on Flickr


20250929_160959 by Geogregor*, on Flickr


20250929_162745 by Geogregor*, on Flickr


20250929_164528 by Geogregor*, on Flickr


20250929_173312 by Geogregor*, on Flickr


20250929_174827 by Geogregor*, on Flickr

It might be rail replacement service but buses look smart