London Buses Discussion

[talldave]

I went on the T3 from Croydon to New Addington tram replacement service today and the Oyster readers were covered over on all the buses I saw on the route. Are you supposed to tap in at the tram stop or is it effectively free?

I believe you should tap in at the stop as normal.

 

[londonbridge]

Found the answer to my earlier question, roadworks around Woodcote Green so S4 is diverting along Stafford Road and following the 154 route upto and through Roundshaw:

 

[Farningham]

Last couple of days I’ve seen an S4 towards Waddon Marsh coming up Woodcote Road, then instead of going straight across the lights at the Sainsburys it turned left along Stafford Road. Apparently it’s on a diversion, but if it’s going along Stafford Road and then left down Plough Lane it’s missing out Woodcote Road, the hail and ride section and Roundshaw, which seems rather a large amount of route to be skipping. Have searched but can’t find anything on the TFL website or The Bus Forum, anyone know or any idea what’s going on?

From Wallington diverted via 154 (and former 455) route direct via Stafford Rd, Sandy Lane South, Foresters Drive to line of route at Roundshaw - so missing out a lot of route as you say. This seems to only apply in one direction.
There is a road closure at Woodcote Green with temporary lights etc causing huge queues and the left turn the S4 makes towards the hail and ride section at that point may be impossible at present.

 

[citybus2500]

I would be extremely surprised if the buses for the 292 weren't also BYD.

Yeah, can't think why!

And possibly including a couple of nearly new ex demo buses?

 

[Goldfish62]

Yeah, can't think why!

And possibly including a couple of nearly new ex demo buses?

Very possible!

 

[SteveHFC]

Is it me or have a whole load of posts from this thread been deleted? I'm sure there were postings to this thread yesterday.

 

[Thirteen]

The 493 seems to be using a variety of buses at the moment such as the BYD E200EV and the Alexander Dennis E200 which seems unusual.

The 39 is mostly the BYD E200EV but I do see the odd Streetlite but I assume those remaining ones will be transferred or scrapped in due course.

 

[Goldfish62]

The 493 seems to be using a variety of buses at the moment such as the BYD E200EV and the Alexander Dennis E200 which seems unusual.

The contracted vehicles are the E200 rattle-boxes, but yes, I've noticed BYDs creeping into the route lately.

 

[Thirteen]

The contracted vehicles are the E200 rattle-boxes, but yes, I've noticed BYDs creeping into the route lately.

I assume the BYDs are spares from the 485 which is now operated by Transport UK. I would imagine if Go-Ahead retain the 493, they'll replace the E200s with the E200EVs.

 

[Busoccultation]

I assume the BYDs are spares from the 485 which is now operated by Transport UK. I would imagine if Go-Ahead retain the 493, they'll replace the E200s with the E200EVs.

The E200EVs that were used on the 485 are the ones destined for the P12 which is still isn't fully electric due to issues with electrification at Peckham garage, though few more have recently moved to Peckham for use on the P12.

If the 493 is retained by Go Ahead, it would be more likely be Wright GB Kites which is now their preferred options for long single deckers unless they choose something else of course.

 

[Chiltern006]

Was on my lunchtime walk today, and saw one of the new E400EVs for Stagecoach Bromley Garage, plastered with SL3 branding.

Ironically where I saw it is nowhere near where the SL3 runs haha

 

[Goldfish62]

If the 493 is retained by Go Ahead, it would be more likely be Wright GB Kites which is now their preferred options for long single deckers unless they choose something else of course.

The 493 has this morning been announced. Awarded to Transport UK with new EVs. Most likely these will be Kites as Wrightbus is their preferred supplier.

 

[Thirteen]

The 493 has this morning been announced. Awarded to Transport UK with new EVs. Most likely these will be Kites as Wrightbus is their preferred supplier.

Interesting that Go-Ahead have lost another single decker route to TUK. The 337 is going to be transferring to TUK from next Saturday.

 

[PGAT]

TUK have no room left in any of their garages so this implies a loss of another route such as the 159.

 

[Goldfish62]

Interesting that Go-Ahead have lost another single decker route to TUK. The 337 is going to be transferring to TUK from next Saturday.

Also sees GoAhead out of the Richmond area altogether.

 

[Thirteen]

I wonder how many more buses will be retrofitted with LED signage? I assume iBus is a bit more tricker to upgrade on older buses so it stay as it is.

 

[Silent]

I wonder how many more buses will be retrofitted with LED signage? I assume iBus is a bit more tricker to upgrade on older buses so it stay as it is.

I know Bus number 2 using 2017 Wrightbuses were retrofitted with led signage and ibus screens.

 

[Intro298]

I wonder how many more buses will be retrofitted with LED signage? I assume iBus is a bit more tricker to upgrade on older buses so it stay as it is.

iBus 2 is coming soon, and could require new LED displays inside the bus. For now, most existing buses starting new contracts are getting new interior displays and new LED displays for the outside.

 

[Snow1964]

Route 337 Richmond - Clapham Junction) is now operated by Transport UK (earlier known as Abellio) using brand new Wrightbus Electroliners with fleet numbers 31xx.
Go-Ahead had been using 14 year old diesel ADL E400s with fleet numbers E1xx which will presumably now be withdrawn or replace some of their 16 year old ones that are still being used (also in E1xx fleet number series).

 

[Simon75]

Do any new buses come with roller blinds anymore?

 

[PGAT]

Do any new buses come with roller blinds anymore?

No, they are specified to have all LED blinds now

 

[Goldfish62]

No, they are specified to have all LED blinds now

Indeed, the latest vehicle spec details the LED display requirements in considerable technical detail. Roller blinds are no longer permitted.

 

[johncrossley]

In the early 90s, why did London Buses choose single door Optare Spectras for route 3 instead of two door buses?

 

[Silent]

In the early 90s, why did London Buses choose single door Optare Spectras for route 3 instead of two door buses?

Why were single door London buses in general more common in the 90s?

Although double doors are more practical I think the general layout of London buses means that double doors make them more accessible s as all buses after 99 I think on London were wheelchair accessible.

 

[Mikey C]

In the early 90s, why did London Buses choose single door Optare Spectras for route 3 instead of two door buses?

I imagine they were in fairly standard dealer spec, rather than something more London centric. Around that time, with privatisation looming, London Buses wasn't making big orders any more, and the new buses tended to be what was available, e.g. the single door Bexleybus Manchester spec Olympians, or the single door Harrow Bus Metrobuses.

 

[Goldfish62]

I imagine they were in fairly standard dealer spec, rather than something more London centric. Around that time, with privatisation looming, London Buses wasn't making big orders any more, and the new buses tended to be what was available, e.g. the single door Bexleybus Manchester spec Olympians, or the single door Harrow Bus Metrobuses.

Pretty much so. The Riversidebus Olympians were very much dealer-type spec, with triple route number blinds and masked single line destination screens. It was also helped by the Tendered Bus Division moving more towards specifying single door buses as passenger numbers continued to decline.

 

[LUYMun]

Why were single door London buses in general more common in the 90s?

Although double doors are more practical I think the general layout of London buses means that double doors make them more accessible s as all buses after 99 I think on London were wheelchair accessible.

Some of the Stagecoach/Selkent Olympians ordered in the mid-to-late 90s were ordered with single doors in preparation for a larger order of low-floor buses to replace them, allowing the Olympians to readily transfer to the Regional divisions without major modifications.

 

[MotCO]

Some of the Stagecoach/Selkent Olympians ordered in the mid-to-late 90s were ordered with single doors in preparation for a larger order of low-floor buses to replace them, allowing the Olympians to readily transfer to the Regional divisions without major modifications.

And if I recall, they were low height and long wheelbase, not a London standard.

 

[LUYMun]

Go Ahead's training vehicle EN7 crashed into the Portland Road railway bridge adjacent to Norwood Junction station today. Suffice to say, the trainee hadn't passed...

Bus driver hits railway bridge near Norwood Junction

The double-decker, which had no passengers on board, hit the structure just after midday on Thursday.

www.bbc.co.uk

Bus driver hits rail bridge near Norwood Junction​

A trainee bus driver has crashed into a railway bridge in south London, ripping the vehicle's roof off.

The double-decker, which had no passengers on board, hit the structure just after midday, causing disruption for rail users and motorists.

The bridge, on Portland Road, south Norwood, has previously been struck by vehicles, including in 2015, when seven people were injured, and in December when a driver took a wrong turn.

National Rail said the line had reopened but delays might continue into the evening.

 

[MotCO]

I think today was the first weekday that route 358 was 100% Irizar iE operated - some seven months after the class was introduced. No idea why it has taken so long - on other days, the route has been assisted by Darts and Streetlites.

Has the improvement in utilisation got anything to do with reduced space at Green Street Green with some routes, such as the 227, transferring to the former Clarkes garage, so the Streetlites and Darts are no longer available to help out?