London Buses Discussion

[talldave]

I do think the SL6's "First stop..." indication on the front should be removed once it's passed that stop. It's confusing and meaningless after that point.

 

[PGAT]

I do think the SL6's "First stop..." indication on the front should be removed once it's passed that stop. It's confusing and meaningless after that point.

The blinds also look atrocious

 

[Mikey C]

Today's tender news on LOTS includes Arriva gaining the 96 from Stagecoach and retaining the 229/428/492, all with electric deckers from January 2026. Looks like Dartford garage will be kept for the foreseeable.

Massive for Arriva in the area, after the loss of the Fasttrack operations, to win back the 96 after such a long time. I assume the 96, 492 and 428 will have a common fleet, so there will be operational benefits in operating all 3 routes.

 

[MotCO]

Massive for Arriva in the area, after the loss of the Fasttrack operations, to win back the 96 after such a long time. I assume the 96, 492 and 428 will have a common fleet, so there will be operational benefits in operating all 3 routes.

I didn't think that Arriva lost the Fasttrack operations as much as decided not to bid for them.

 

[Mikey C]

I didn't think that Arriva lost the Fasttrack operations as much as decided not to bid for them.

Either way, it gave the impression that they were giving up on the area, as they have in other parts of the southeast.

 

[Lynford1976]

Massive for Arriva in the area, after the loss of the Fasttrack operations, to win back the 96 after such a long time. I assume the 96, 492 and 428 will have a common fleet, so there will be operational benefits in operating all 3 routes.

I didn't think that Arriva lost the Fasttrack operations as much as decided not to bid for them.

Worth pointing out at this point that Dartford (TFL routes) and Northfleet (which was the home of Fastrack) are under different OpCos now.

Dartford is part of Arriva London, Northfleet is part of Arriva Southem Counties / Arriva South.

The former's future seems more secure now. As for the latter...we'll see.

 

[MotCO]

Worth pointing out at this point that Dartford (TFL routes) and Northfleet (which was the home of Fastrack) are under different OpCos now.

Dartford is part of Arriva London, Northfleet is part of Arriva Southem Counties / Arriva South.

The former's future seems more secure now. As for the latter...we'll see.

And both Op Cos are under a new national MD!

 

[PGAT]

The first double deck BD11 electric has entered service on the SL5 20 minutes ago.

 

[DesDobramento]

MSN

Media reports EH32 thermal incident 31/7/25 on route 88 in Gt Portland St area

 

[Edvid]

In contrast to the 200, Metrodecker routes 134/317 were retained by Metroline on the basis of existing electrics (as per LOTS).

Interestingly OME2674 was seen in Wrightbus premises recently and according to Tangytango chatter it'll be repowered there. Wouldn't be the first time an electric Optare had its driveline replaced!

 

[Mikey C]

In contrast to the 200, Metrodecker routes 134/317 were retained by Metroline on the basis of existing electrics (as per LOTS).

Interestingly OME2674 was seen in Wrightbus premises recently and according to Tangytango chatter it'll be repowered there. Wouldn't be the first time an electric Optare had its driveline replaced!

As Switch have basically given up on the UK, Wrightbus are Metroline's best chance of getting a decent bus out of their MetroDeckers!

 

[Thirteen]

I've noticed the 163 which i thought was all new BYD buses is using a mix of the older BYD electric buses, the newer BYD buses and older AD diesel buses. Is there some sort of issue in the Merton Garage?

I did see a refurbished 156 which not only had the LED blinds but also the newer iBus displays. Makes me wonder if we might see other buses get that treatment?

 

[Intro298]

I've noticed the 163 which i thought was all new BYD buses is using a mix of the older BYD electric buses, the newer BYD buses and older AD diesel buses. Is there some sort of issue in the Merton Garage?

There is an issue with charging buses at Merton which affects all routes. However the mix of older BYDs and newer is not unusual, as while the newer (23 reg) high-spec BYDs are allocated to the 163 and 164, the older examples (67 reg) are now used on the 219 and 413. This naturally leads to some intermixing between different batches on different routes, as they are all the same length and compliant for electric contracts.

The diesels used are spares or from the 493, hence why they're less common during daylight hours.

Newer (73 reg) high-spec BYDs are also allocated to the 152 at Merton, however these stray less as they are a shorter variant.

I did see a refurbished 156 which not only had the LED blinds but also the newer iBus displays. Makes me wonder if we might see other buses get that treatment?

Older buses are receiving LED blinds and newer iBus displays upon refurbishment for new contracts. From the top of my head buses allocated to the following routes have received this treatment so far : 2, 97, 170, 219, 249, 344, 345, 363.

 

[londonbridge]

The first double deck BD11 electric has entered service on the SL5 20 minutes ago.

Does this mean they’re still planning to extend it to Sutton and shorten the SL7 then??

 

[PGAT]

Does this mean they’re still planning to extend it to Sutton and shorten the SL7 then??

No that idea was abandoned and never made it to consultation.

SL5 is now fully electric by the way.

 

[londonbridge]

Thanks. I know a consultation was planned and then postponed till after the election when the plans were leaked, but wasn’t aware the whole project had been canned.

 

[Hophead]

According to an FOI response, SL7 is expected to receive 25 single-door double deckers with 2m of luggage space when the new contract is assigned. This is the same number of vehicles as currently required.

 

[bb21]

No that idea was abandoned and never made it to consultation.

SL5 is now fully electric by the way.

Was that from today? Some ENXs were still roaming around on the SL5 yesterday.

 

[busesrusuk]

Was that from today? Some ENXs were still roaming around on the SL5 yesterday.

They've been around for a week or so now with the ENX's now in the minority. Here is one of the electrics I caught earlier (yesterday in fact):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/190667959@N08/54694314167/in/dateposted/

 

[PGAT]

Was that from today? Some ENXs were still roaming around on the SL5 yesterday.

It was when I made that post but one ENX subbed on in the evening. Most of them have been marked as withdrawn now

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

I just saw a short TfL-spec BYD single decker on trade plates drive through Richmond. Does anyone know who the buyer might be? Then again it might be a demonstrator, because the destination display was scrolling a BYD slogan.

 

[PGAT]

I just saw a short TfL-spec BYD single decker on trade plates drive through Richmond. Does anyone know who the buyer might be? Then again it might be a demonstrator, because the destination display was scrolling a BYD slogan.

I have seen a demonstrator around Elephant & Castle the other day but Arriva have ordered some for the 166 and 312. Metroline have also ordered some for the 95, 268 and 491 but these will come much later.

 

[Chiltern006]

I just saw a short TfL-spec BYD single decker on trade plates drive through Richmond. Does anyone know who the buyer might be? Then again it might be a demonstrator, because the destination display was scrolling a BYD slogan.

Saw a picture and god they look awful

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Saw a picture and god they look awful

Transport UK and First both have large operations in the Richmond area. Bear in mind as well that BYD have a base in Heston so it might be headed there.

 

[Andyh82]

I’m aware that the 414 has been withdrawn and there has also been a change to the 30 & 205

Has there been any other route changes within Zone 1 in the last 12 months?

 

[PGAT]

I’m aware that the 414 has been withdrawn and there has also been a change to the 30 & 205

Has there been any other route changes within Zone 1 in the last 12 months?

45 got cut back from Elephant & Castle (borderline Zone 1) to Camberwell Green and absorbed the 118.

343 was cut from Aldgate to Tower Gateway

 

[Andyh82]

Thanks for that

I’ve another question that I can’t quite work out if the answer is a short easy list or an unmanageable long list

What locations are there in Central London where buses could terminate, but they currently don’t due to service changes, with the stand therefore currently not being used and that location not routinely appearing as the destination on the blinds

One that springs to mind was a service (was it a 3 or a 53?) that used to terminate at Whitehall HORSE GUARDS that doesn’t anymore and nothing took its place

 

[PGAT]

Thanks for that

I’ve another question that I can’t quite work out if the answer is a short easy list or an unmanageable long list

What locations are there in Central London where buses could terminate, but they currently don’t due to service changes, with the stand therefore currently not being used and that location not routinely appearing as the destination on the blinds

One that springs to mind was a service (was it a 3 or a 53?) that used to terminate at Whitehall HORSE GUARDS that doesn’t anymore and nothing took its place

You’re right 3 and 53 no longer terminate at the Horse Guards but the N53 and N381 still do if you choose to count them.

The only destination that comes to mind for me is Paddington Basin but there are probably a few more.

Piccadilly Circus looks vulnerable only the 94 stands there and is a likely casualty to the Oxford Street pedestrianisation.

 

[Statto]

You’re right 3 and 53 no longer terminate at the Horse Guards but the N53 and N381 still do if you choose to count them.

The only destination that comes to mind for me is Paddington Basin but there are probably a few more.

Piccadilly Circus looks vulnerable only the 94 stands there and is a likely casualty to the Oxford Street pedestrianisation.

The 94 could still go to Piccadilly Circus, but rerouted via Piccadilly & Park Lane, the 139 could be rerouted that way too.

 

[PGAT]

The 94 could still go to Piccadilly Circus, but rerouted via Piccadilly & Park Lane, the 139 could be rerouted that way too.

It’s possible but realistically TfL will use this as an excuse to make savings (eg cut to Marble Arch and absorb the 148)