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I attempted to try out the 453 yesterday evening at about 21:00 when I was down in London for the first time. Not the greatest experience a few stops up the road it got stuck in traffic and then the announcements changed to 453 to Oxford Circus. I asked the driver whats happening & was told "what does it say on the board and to be honest the next ones probably won't be going there either". So I had to walk across Central London instead as I couldn't risk not making that last 22:02 train back to Birmingham, as the rail network shuts down early on a Saturday/Sunday night.

Did you get on the Bakerloo line at Oxford Circus to get the train ultimately? 

Some tender news from yesterday to report.

It's fair to say that the senior management at Stagecoach London would be breathing a massive collective sigh of relief at the news they'd held onto no fewer than FOUR routes, namely the 54,75,124 and 136 which make up close to half of the current allocation. All of them retain their existing buses-in the case of the 124 they're 12 reg so half expect them to be replaced-and all of them are on three year contracts starting in April and May next year.

Should've added that Catford runs all of them

brake failure + accelerator jammed probably the most terrifying combo that could happen to you while driving, especially with a double decker bus.

Many people, myself among them, initially suspected it was a medical issue with the driver. 

Some tender news from yesterday to report.

It's fair to say that the senior management at Stagecoach London would be breathing a massive collective sigh of relief at the news they'd held onto no fewer than FOUR routes, namely the 54,75,124 and 136 which make up close to half of the current allocation. All of them retain their existing buses-in the case of the 124 they're 12 reg so half expect them to be replaced-and all of them are on three year contracts starting in April and May next year.

Abellio has held the 159 for a further four years, taking the existing buses on it in use to the end of 2029 with the new contract beginning in December of this year.

Go Ahead London has been successful in holding onto the 69,200 and 463. Only the 200, unsurprisingly,is gaining new electric buses to replace the temperamental Optare buses currently on it. Routes 69 and 200 have seven year contracts handed to them while the 463 gets the customary three year one for existing buses and they are to begin in 2026.

Finally First London has held onto the 220. Currently run from Park Royal,it is believed-though not confirmed yet-to return to Shepherds Bush when PR closes. It will continue to be operated with existing hybrid buses and the contract starts in October. 

It is not confirmed yet, but it is believed that the 314, which Stagecoach London held on tender, might be at some point begin to be operated with its new electric buses which are identical to those on the 276, W13 and W14 in East London, therefore reducing the average age of the allocation at Bromley garage. 

Let me guess that councillor was likely a Labour one with the usual two brain cells not fully working when it comes to understanding  the transport industry.

Par for the course with a Labour politician-nothing between their ears.

Some tender news to report this evening. Yes,at 11pm.

All three routes were retained by the current operators and interestingly retained their current buses.

They range from the one bus 385 in Chingford currently run by Stagecoach London,via the 386 which Go Ahead London runs from Morden Wharf,to the ultra busy 453 which Go Ahead London runs out of the substantial New Cross.

Three year contracts are in order for the 385 and 386 with their starting in October for the 385 and November in the case of the 386. A five year contract is in place for the 453 and this starts in November meaning they will operate into 2030.

I thought destination displays would usually come out better during the night...

The London digital blinds are shocking at night. They're a mess to photograph. 

Are Arriva going to have some buses in Telford colours which they then won't use in Telford

Thought they had some already.

I have not had a problem with London ones, always seem to come out perfect as per this one
London General EBD19

I meant to add at night. During the day they're as you say legible.

Some more tender news, plus the introduction to service of more electric buses-specifically the correct bus as opposed to the temporary use of other buses. I'll explain later.

Firstly to Arriva London and the 149, which has been retained at Tottenham. Unusually it has a contract for thirty months which means, unless I've not seen it, this could well be the first route to convert from NB4L to electric buses. The new contract starts in October.


Finally the introduction to service of the first of the planned electric buses at Holloway of the WSEL type of bus which was ordered for the 153 and the introduction of electric buses to the W13 at Lea Interchange has been taking place. At the latter at least occasional appearances have been known but the booked buses are now entering service and this will bring about a surplus of diesel buses for both Stagecoach London and Metroline in course.
Electric buses are on order for two routes including a brand new one which I'll mention shortly.

The first of these is the 275-a route I travelled on only yesterday(Sunday 8th)and it is to be run by the current operator Stagecoach London for seven years starting at the end of February next year replacing the current Enviros at Leyton.

NEW ROUTE BL1 is to be run by Go Ahead London with a start date of September 27th. This was mentioned in a recent discussion with regards to the proposal of the extension of the Bakerloo line south of the Elephant to Lewisham and the bus is to run between Lewisham and Waterloo, I believe limited stop. Although not confirmed yet it could be run from Waterloo and the maintenance done elsewhere as the current pits cannot take double deckers.

care to tell us?

The digital displays on London buses if you're trying to photograph them. They look a mess. 

There's also this:

I've seen far worse.

I clocked bus 3153 operating the 1525 departure, on service LC16, from Loughborough. On its exterior, offside it still wore vinyls for 'Leighton's Buses' and 'Have a great journey! This bus service is made possible by Central Bedfordshire Council'. Is it really? Arriva's usual attention to detail on delivery reigning supreme then...

Believe they lost the contract to run them.

A tree blocked the line North of Lockerbie earlier today.

Scania 3225 was in a BCT heritage livery at Birmingham Central late 90s/early 2000s - all the rest were Metrobuses - it was a nice match with the earlier 1954 3225 (MOF 225),  NXWM's preserved ex BCT Daimler CVG6.

I remember that like I did 3201 in the allover ad mentioned elsewhere.