Honestly, this was a title I was not expecting to type when it was announced that the 232 was going to be allocated Streetlites upon Go-Ahead taking the contract up on 3rd August 2019. Yes, this post is delayed by 3 months, but at least it's here. WS143 entering new territory for Go-Ahead at Brent Cross © Aubrey Route 232 has been with Metroline and its predecessors (London Northern, MTL London) since August 1994, based in Potters Bar (PB), Cricklewood (W), North Wembley (NW) and Perivale West (PV). It has been with no other operator, apart from certain school journeys operated by Leaside T ..read more

On 31st August 2019, Metrobus gained the 197 off Arriva London South, using new ADL E40H/Enviro 400MMC buses. EH335 running downhill at Penge West, curtailed to East Croydon © Aubrey Morandarte These buses are based at Croydon (C), being the second type of hybrid double deckers to be allocated to this garage, after the Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 3 for the 119 and 202. DW113 on the last day of Arriva operation on Route 197 © Aubrey Morandarte This operator change has allowed further older buses to be removed from Arriva London's portfolio, with these DAF DB250LFs with Wright Gemini 1 bodies ..read more

From 27th July 2019, Metrobus operate all of the main day components of the Bromley Road corridor (208 and 320), with the 208 now passing into the hands of Go-Ahead London from Orpington (MB). New ADL E40H/Enviro 400MMC buses were ordered, and delivered for the route. EH313 passing Petts Wood Morrisons © Aubrey Morandarte Between 1997 and 2019, the 208 has had an uninterrupted association with Bromley (TB), and along with Catford (TL), the route had been only operated by these two garages throughout the route's history. It was spawned from the 94 in 1982, and since then has linked Orpington ..read more

It's pretty rare that we get to introduce a new route to the fold, but here is Route 301. Introduced on 13th July 2019, it links Bexleyheath more directly to the Elizabeth Line at Abbey Wood, and said project isn't open yet. Yet another bus related Elizabeth Line/Crossrail change introduced prior to the actual introduction of the rail line. DW482 on the convoluted stand working at Bexleyheath © Aubrey Morandarte Operated by Arriva London from Dartford (DT) using used VDL DB300/Wright Gemini 2s from Wood Green, after the hybrid conversion of some routes there. These buses join a plethora of ..read more

On 27th July 2019, Route 81 moved down Kingsley Road from London United to Metroline at their new base on Spring Grove Road in Lampton. Used Volvo B9TLs were passed onto the route. VW1386 running through Colnbrook Village on the first day of Metroline service on Route 81 © Aubrey Morandarte Yet another Metroline win on the western front from RATP. It increases the Metroline presence in Hounslow to an extent that it has most of the routes on the Bath Road corridor A view from Spring Grove Road of the new Metroline base in Lampton © Aubrey Morandarte The buses are based in the old Westbus ..read more

On 30th March 2019, Stagecoach lost a large amount of work, with the 262, 396 and 473 all going to different operators, all using used buses, with the ULEZ playing its part in allocating buses. Yes, it's a tad tardy, but oh well. Route 396 is a short shuttle between Ilford and King George Hospital, serving Little Heath, thus it can get fairly busy at times. It also was one of the few areas in London where Optare Versas still operated. © Aubrey Morandarte Route 396 had been operated by Stagecoach London at Barking (BK) since 2002, when they won it from First Capital, and thus has lasted 17 y ..read more

On 29th June 2019, Route 211 transferred from Abellio London to London United. Existing LTs were transferred over to Stamford Brook (V) to facilitate the changeover. LT664 on the first day of London United operation, passing through Fulham Broadway enroute to Waterloo. © Aubrey Morandarte This is the second contract mandated operator change this route has had in its 26 year history, having started out as a midibus route operated by London General replacing the western section of Route 11, and the entirety of Red Arrow 511. The route had been with Abellio and its predecessors (Travel London ..read more

This will be a post that is not in the usual format, as it will be done completely in the first person experience. This reflects the personal experience of the blogger, and is not representative of the rest of the blog team's views: MB5 stands at Sutton Station awaiting a request. © Aubrey Morandarte Transport for London, Go-Ahead London and ViaVan partnered to launch the first demand-responsive transit system within London. Go Sutton, launched on 28th May 2019 with Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses akin to the one shown above, based in Sutton Garage. I will take one though the process of bo ..read more

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