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What's the reason for the withdrawal of 40833?

Firstly a very Happy New Year to all of you. 

Onto the important business of London Bus Tender news and two routes had their futures secured today.

Route 211 will return to Abellio in late June and will retain it's current buses, creating yet more room at Stamford Brook who lose routes 9 and N9 next week. 

They've been successful in holding the E3 and will be using hybrid buses, presumably newer ones than the current Enviros. This latest tender is a three year one and also begins in June.

Was it any good, Ive ridden some of those YJ61s they were slow

I didn't ride on it-as I had an NX nBUS ticket. It sounded alright leaving...... 

Got lucky with getting a DAF on the 765/X65 yesterday in Lichfield. Very happy with that. For the record it was 3758.

According to Roger French's recent blog, operators in Liverpool and Crawley have both experienced similar issues with lack of hydrogen refuelling capability.

It must be frustrating for Wrightbus too, as no doubt they'd love to take on more orders for their FCEVs, but operators are being put off for this reason - not having local facilities to actually refuel them efficiently and reliably.

I do feel that in the long-term, hydrogen fuel cells are better suited for HGVs and buses/coaches that do more long-distance work, without requiring frequent battery recharging.

But the infrastructure just 'isn't quite there' yet.

It would be more embarrassing if NX were committing to buy more hydrogen vehicles without having an agreed timeline in place for the installation of hydrogen generation/refuelling facilities at the garages expected to run those vehicles.

These 20 hydrogen FCEVs at Walsall were bought by Birmingham City Council using ZEBRA funding, and I assume they are being leased to NX Bus under some kind of arrangement.

There's about forty in Aberdeen and twenty or so with Metroline in London. Both have been having sporadic issues with getting fuel for them.

I believe Tony Said it is a loan

Thanks. I thought I was seeing things when I stumbled across it on Carr's Lane yesterday.....

Is 4959 a permanent transfer to Walsall or not? Only asking as I saw it in Central Birmingham last night and again this morning in Walsall.....

32644 hasnt tracked since the 19th, anyone know why?

Probably not needed for use. Don't read anything into it.

May be the refueling place is shut for Christmas/new year or problem with the pumps there

Did wonder why I haven't seen any both yesterday and just now. 

Just seen Walsall Enviro 4864 and it has the same LED colours as the Platinum ones. Is this a recent thing? 

That one was on the last full list I did (I know it is 3 pages back)

I did notice it later on. Oh well.....

Currently on Acocks Green Enviro 6108 on the Outer Circle. It's not tracking. 

Engine gone already on 543 blimey its not even 12 month old yet 

Probably been thrashed between Cannock and Telford on the road......

https://x.com/ChaseriderBus/status/1738203349881639024

Unless those buses break down?

One would hope they've got plans to allocate newish buses on those specific trips.

Two routes had their latest tenders announced today. London United have held the 411:but have lost the 465 to Abellio. In the case of the latter I guess it'll provide work for the Enviros due to be replaced by electric buses from the R70. 

The 411 starts its next contract in September 24,the 465 in June 24.