London Buses.

[markcf83]

Some news to report this afternoon.

All six routes have been retained by their current operators and mostly will keep their existing buses. 

Go Ahead London has retained the 219 at Merton however it will take existing electric buses from elsewhere, as yet unknown. They also retained the 230 at Northumberland Park however it's to get new electric buses displacing the current five year old examples. Also held was the 87 and N87 at Stockwell with existing buses.

Stagecoach London retains the 55,56 and N55 which is significant to Leyton given they're a significant amount of the work at that garage. Existing buses are to be used, although the current hybrids on the 56 are now 13 years old so newer examples are likely. 

Finally Arriva London has held the 432 at Norwood with existing buses once again to be used. 

Starting dates for these vary as is the way starting in March of next year and at intervals up to late June.

[markcf83]

Some news which was confirmed yesterday is that routes 18 and N18 have been held by London United. The new contract is due to start in November however the length and what type of buses has yet to be confirmed. However given the majority of the buses used on it are 67 reg Volvos and hybrid I wouldn't be surprised if they stay on for the immediate future. 

Mystic Mark called it-the existing Hybrids are staying on it for the next few years. 

[markcf83]

Some news from London for your Monday afternoon. 

No change in the latest set of results which were announced this morning. 

Starting at Metroline where route 46 is to stay at Holloway using the existing electric buses and also retained is the N20 which will use existing hybrids. This is the night bus for the Barnet branch of the Northern line.

We then move to London United and the N5 which they've held using their allocation of hybrids at Edgware. 

Finally to Stagecoach London and they've held the D8 with new electric buses due;also held are the N550 and N551. The former is to stay at Lea Interchange,the other two Ash Grove where hybrids are to stay on them.

Start dates range from mid June to September of next year. Incidentally the night routes are on three year contracts,the electric routes seven year ones. 

[Stu]

The Irizar ieTram electric buses finally entered service today on the 358 service between Crystal Palace and Orpington.

In the below video, Geoff Marshall and Roger French get to try them out...

[Tony]

The Irizar ieTram electric buses finally entered service today on the 358 service between Crystal Palace and Orpington.

In the below video, Geoff Marshall and Roger French get to try them out...

In various posts about these on Facebook I have never seem so many ill-informed negative, incorrect comments