• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Brighton & Hove / Metrobus Discussion

Joined
12 Feb 2024
Messages
60
Location
Brighton
The latest batch of Enviro400s have not been given names, and I see that BH5 repaints of the 2017 Streetdecks are also anonymous (despite what the fleetlist may say). Is this a new policy, does anybody know? Seems a shame if so.
Noticed a few buses this morning with newly designed names on the front, looked like they were all ex-Sulllivan buses. Can't remember if they were named before.

They looked a bit over-designed, like self-adhesive name plates with pretend screws.

It implies the names are staying, though, otherwise I can't imagine it would be worth the effort.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Park47515

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2022
Messages
194
Location
London
Noticed a few buses this morning with newly designed names on the front, looked like they were all ex-Sulllivan buses. Can't remember if they were named before.

They looked a bit over-designed, like self-adhesive name plates with pretend screws.

It implies the names are staying, though, otherwise I can't imagine it would be worth the effort.
It basically looks like anything from Lewes Road has the new designs, but currently it's only ones they had names before.

As you say, sounds like they are staying.
 

Hophead

Established Member
Joined
5 Apr 2013
Messages
1,395
The ex-Sullivan batch always carried names. It's the recent 745-788 Enviro 400s which are unnamed and this anonymity is now spreading to the repainted Streetdecks.
 
Joined
12 Feb 2024
Messages
60
Location
Brighton
The ex-Sullivan batch always carried names. It's the recent 745-788 Enviro 400s which are unnamed and this anonymity is now spreading to the repainted Streetdecks.
I thought so, but it's weird to redesign the name 'plaques' if it's something they were phasing out, so I wondered if they would start filling in some of the gaps.
 

DazCM

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2010
Messages
35
The Metrobus Enthusiasts Facebook page indicates that all of the single deck hydrogen buses are being withdrawn from service following on from the fire earlier this week.

Apparently the deckers use a different system so are not affected.

Can’t link to it as it’s a private group.
 

MotCO

Established Member
Joined
25 Aug 2014
Messages
6,078
The Metrobus Enthusiasts Facebook page indicates that all of the single deck hydrogen buses are being withdrawn from service following on from the fire earlier this week.

Apparently the deckers use a different system so are not affected.

Can’t link to it as it’s a private group.
Is that a permanent or temporary withdrawal? Does anyone else operate single decker Hydroliners?
 

stadler

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2023
Messages
3,304
Location
Horsley
The Metrobus Enthusiasts Facebook page indicates that all of the single deck hydrogen buses are being withdrawn from service following on from the fire earlier this week.

Apparently the deckers use a different system so are not affected.

Can’t link to it as it’s a private group.
Surely that will result in a lot of cancellations. I doubt they have enough spare vehicles to cover all those. Unless they have hired in a bunch of spare vehicles.
 

johncrossley

Established Member
Joined
30 Mar 2021
Messages
4,373
Location
London
They have hired in replacement buses to minimise disruption


As a precautionary measure, the manufacturer Wrightbus has asked us to withdraw a number of vehicles from service while they conduct a full investigation into an isolated battery overheating incident. While this transition takes place, there will be disruption to services on Monday 8th December and throughout the week.

To maintain service continuity, we have been sourcing replacement buses throughout the weekend. This does mean your local bus route may be served by a bus that is not a Metrobus vehicle. You can travel on this bus the same way you would usually.
 

James H

Established Member
Joined
25 Jun 2014
Messages
1,530
Other Go-Ahead group companies are sending vehicles to Crawley
 

stadler

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2023
Messages
3,304
Location
Horsley
They have hired in replacement buses to minimise disruption

This seems like such an over the top reaction to withdraw the fleet. The bus fire happened at around 12:00 midday on Tuesday the 02/12/2025 almost a week ago. This was a one off fire and the entire fleet has been in service for six further days since the fire happened without issue. But yet only now are they suddenly withdrawing them. If there has been zero further fires in the last six days then it is obviously safe enough to continue running them. I could kind of understand if the withdrew the entire fleet on the same day but keeping them in service for six days and then withdrawing the fleet is bonkers.
 

johncrossley

Established Member
Joined
30 Mar 2021
Messages
4,373
Location
London
This seems like such an over the top reaction to withdraw the fleet. The bus fire happened at around 12:00 midday on Tuesday the 02/12/2025 almost a week ago. This was a one off fire and the entire fleet has been in service for six further days since the fire happened without issue. But yet only now are they suddenly withdrawing them. If there has been zero further fires in the last six days then it is obviously safe enough to continue running them. I could kind of understand if the withdrew the entire fleet on the same day but keeping them in service for six days and then withdrawing the fleet is bonkers.

They said Wright requested the withdrawal as a precaution so it was probably considered OK to keep them in service until replacement vehicles became available. Presumably Wright are also paying for the additional costs incurred.
 

stadler

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2023
Messages
3,304
Location
Horsley
HW52 EPN (Volvo B7TL Plaxton President) in Salisbury Reds livery is on the 400 (Caterham - Redhill - Crawley - East Grinstead) this morning. There are also a bunch of Brighton & Hove vehicles. I am sure we will see more appear later on.
 

stadler

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2023
Messages
3,304
Location
Horsley
It looks like at least eighteen buses have been brought in mostly from other Go Ahead operations plus at least one local independent operator.

YY24 EJD
ADL Enviro 400 MMC
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

YX66 WFF
ADL Enviro 200 MMC
Go Bus

BN14 CUH
Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BN14 CUJ
Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BN14 CUK
Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BJ63 UJE
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BJ63 UJF
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BJ11 XHX
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

AF09 OXF (VAZ 9101)
Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove (City Sightseeing)

BF09 OXF (SNZ 1102)
Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove (City Sightseeing)

HF58 HTN
Scania Omnicity N230UB
Go Ahead South Coast (Bluestar)

HF58 HTP
Scania Omnicity N230UB
Go Ahead South Coast (More)

LK08 FKX
ADL Enviro 400
Go Ahead South Coast (Bluestar)

YN06 CGO
Scania Omnicity N94UB
Go Ahead South Coast (More)

LX06 EAY
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
Go Ahead North East

LX06 EBG
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
Go Ahead North East

LX06 EBP
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
Go Ahead North East

HW52 EPN
Volvo B7TL Plaxton President
Go Ahead South Coast (Salisbury Reds)

Quite an interesting and varied selection in use including two open top buses which i hope have been converted back to closed top buses.
 

Mark L

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2023
Messages
314
Location
West London
It looks like at least eighteen buses have been brought in mostly from other Go Ahead operations plus at least one local independent operator.

YY24 EJD
ADL Enviro 400 MMC
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

YX66 WFF
ADL Enviro 200 MMC
Go Bus

BN14 CUH
Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BN14 CUJ
Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BN14 CUK
Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BJ63 UJE
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BJ63 UJF
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

BJ11 XHX
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove

AF09 OXF (VAZ 9101)
Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove (City Sightseeing)

BF09 OXF (SNZ 1102)
Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400
Go Ahead Brighton & Hove (City Sightseeing)

HF58 HTN
Scania Omnicity N230UB
Go Ahead South Coast (Bluestar)

HF58 HTP
Scania Omnicity N230UB
Go Ahead South Coast (More)

LK08 FKX
ADL Enviro 400
Go Ahead South Coast (Bluestar)

YN06 CGO
Scania Omnicity N94UB
Go Ahead South Coast (More)

LX06 EAY
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
Go Ahead North East

LX06 EBG
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
Go Ahead North East

LX06 EBP
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
Go Ahead North East

HW52 EPN
Volvo B7TL Plaxton President
Go Ahead South Coast (Salisbury Reds)

Quite an interesting and varied selection in use including two open top buses which i hope have been converted back to closed top buses.
I wonder whether it’s just the ticket machines from the two open toppers that have made it to Crawley and are in different vehicles…
 

MotCO

Established Member
Joined
25 Aug 2014
Messages
6,078
There are at least two low floor former Metrobus vehicles in preservation - get them a class 6 MOT and put them into service! :D

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

I wonder whether it’s just the ticket machines from the two open toppers that have made it to Crawley and are in different vehicles…
But would they not just use Metrobus ticket machines?
 

KX03HZY

Member
Joined
11 Mar 2012
Messages
92
Location
UK
I wonder whether it’s just the ticket machines from the two open toppers that have made it to Crawley and are in different vehicles…
No, the vehicle themselves have too. But the top deck wouldn't be used if they do get pressed into use.
 

Bishopstone

Established Member
Joined
24 Jun 2010
Messages
1,685
Location
Seaford
No, the vehicle themselves have too. But the top deck wouldn't be used if they do get pressed into use.

That’s a shame. London Road by the Gatwick Airport perimeter, in December, just as an A380 takes-off, would be a memorable experience from an open top!
 

citybus2500

Member
Joined
12 May 2021
Messages
184
Location
Birmingham
This seems like such an over the top reaction to withdraw the fleet. The bus fire happened at around 12:00 midday on Tuesday the 02/12/2025 almost a week ago. This was a one off fire and the entire fleet has been in service for six further days since the fire happened without issue. But yet only now are they suddenly withdrawing them. If there has been zero further fires in the last six days then it is obviously safe enough to continue running them. I could kind of understand if the withdrew the entire fleet on the same day but keeping them in service for six days and then withdrawing the fleet is bonkers.
They operated for 3 more days, not 6.

In that time they established what the caused the fire and concluded it could happen again. It might not happen for a day, a week or a year. You could have two buses go up within minutes of each other.

What would your view be if they continued running them and another caught fire this week? And this time, there were injuries?
 

Murray J

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2019
Messages
788
Location
Guildford
This seems like such an over the top reaction to withdraw the fleet. The bus fire happened at around 12:00 midday on Tuesday the 02/12/2025 almost a week ago. This was a one off fire and the entire fleet has been in service for six further days since the fire happened without issue. But yet only now are they suddenly withdrawing them. If there has been zero further fires in the last six days then it is obviously safe enough to continue running them. I could kind of understand if the withdrew the entire fleet on the same day but keeping them in service for six days and then withdrawing the fleet is bonkers.
Unless you work for them how could you know whether it's an overreaction or not? They wouldn't do this for fun.
 

MotCO

Established Member
Joined
25 Aug 2014
Messages
6,078
As a matter of interest, will the B&H buses on loan to Metrobus need to have a sticker in the window "On hire to Metrobus", or because they are the same family, do they not have to bother? Clearly the hires from Go North East and Go South Coast should have these stickers.
 

700007

Established Member
Joined
6 May 2017
Messages
1,271
Location
Near a bunch of sheds that aren't 66s.
As a matter of interest, will the B&H buses on loan to Metrobus need to have a sticker in the window "On hire to Metrobus", or because they are the same family, do they not have to bother? Clearly the hires from Go North East and Go South Coast should have these stickers.
I don't believe so - I am of the understanding they're on the same O licence.
 

duncombec

Member
Joined
3 Sep 2014
Messages
1,147
As a matter of interest, will the B&H buses on loan to Metrobus need to have a sticker in the window "On hire to Metrobus", or because they are the same family, do they not have to bother? Clearly the hires from Go North East and Go South Coast should have these stickers.
I don't believe so - I am of the understanding they're on the same O licence.
(Blue) Metrobus and Brighton & Hove are indeed two trading names of the same O-License, PK0001213. (https://bustimes.org/licences/PK0001213 or https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/view-details/licence/20176).
 

stadler

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2023
Messages
3,304
Location
Horsley
Where are all these extra buses based? Presumably all of the hydrogen buses are still parked up at Crawley depot which means that there is no room for another 30 to 40 buses which have been hired? Are they using other operators depots?
 

Murray J

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2019
Messages
788
Location
Guildford
Where are all these extra buses based? Presumably all of the hydrogen buses are still parked up at Crawley depot which means that there is no room for another 30 to 40 buses which have been hired? Are they using other operators depots?
I believe they're all running out of Crawley, the Hydrogen vehicles have all left. Not sure where exactly, I heard someone say they're at Pimperne with GSC, but another said they're in Oxfordshire so who knows? But they have been seen leaving the depot so I don't think they're there currently.
 

Mark L

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2023
Messages
314
Location
West London
I believe they're all running out of Crawley, the Hydrogen vehicles have all left. Not sure where exactly, I heard someone say they're at Pimperne with GSC, but another said they're in Oxfordshire so who knows? But they have been seen leaving the depot so I don't think they're there currently.
I believe that the FCEVs have all gone to Wrightbus at Bicester, presumably for them to give each bus the once over. Thus far it doesn’t look like there has been a formal recall of the model. In some respects this is academic as Metrobus is the only operator.
 

Murray J

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2019
Messages
788
Location
Guildford
I believe that the FCEVs have all gone to Wrightbus at Bicester, presumably for them to give each bus the once over. Thus far it doesn’t look like there has been a formal recall of the model. In some respects this is academic as Metrobus is the only operator.
Yeah that sounds about right, I think that's also where the 64xx vehicles went when they were out of service last year too.
Hopefully the lack of a formal recall means they're just doing some checks, but was there a recall for the 64xx vehicles when they went out of service?
 

Mark L

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2023
Messages
314
Location
West London

Murray J

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2019
Messages
788
Location
Guildford

Top