Today I visited Stagecoach's London Plumstead Garage in South East London. It was reported that three new Enviro 400s had been delivered to the garage, so I traveled all the way from North West London to this location, the journey took me the best part of three hours.
The Garage itself was opened in 1981 and was well sited to serve the growing Thamesmead area which was benefiting from the introduction of new services in and around the area. The purpose of the new garage was to replace the former Abbey Wood and Plumstead Garage which were smaller in size to this newer base which was built to hold up to 185 vehicles. When the base was initially opened it was made up entirely of Scania/MCW Metropolitans, however two years later in 1983 the allocation was completely changed to Leyland Titans, following the decline in their popularity yet again and many were shipped off around to other parts of the UK, including 21 to Reading Corporation. Upon its introduction, the garage housed 35 Articulated Mercedes Citaros on the Route 453 in 2003 until 2008, despite loosing the Route to London General in 2007.
Back to the purpose of the visit, I expected to see only one of these vehicles, however when I arrived there, there were in fact 4 of these new Enviro 400s. Another arrived into the yard with a dozen Stagecoach officials, who explained to me that these new Enviro 400s are due to take up duties on the Route 53 which runs from Whitehall to Plumstead Railway Station. They also explained that these Buses are leased through ADL themselves and they will have LX11 xxx Number Plates. They are not due to enter service until March this year. Interestingly these vehicles do not contain the conventional fire exits as with the other Stagecoach Enviro 400 examples in the provinces.
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| Stagecoach London 19744 LX11BBO |
Back to the purpose of the visit, I expected to see only one of these vehicles, however when I arrived there, there were in fact 4 of these new Enviro 400s. Another arrived into the yard with a dozen Stagecoach officials, who explained to me that these new Enviro 400s are due to take up duties on the Route 53 which runs from Whitehall to Plumstead Railway Station. They also explained that these Buses are leased through ADL themselves and they will have LX11 xxx Number Plates. They are not due to enter service until March this year. Interestingly these vehicles do not contain the conventional fire exits as with the other Stagecoach Enviro 400 examples in the provinces.
More Photos below:
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| Stagecoach London 17215 V215 MEV |
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| Stagecoach Officials stand by 19744 LX11BBO |
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| Unidentified Stagecoach London Enviro 400 Trident |
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| Unidentified Stagecoach London Enviro 400 Trident |
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| Stagecoach London 36328 LX58 CCO |
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| Stagecoach London 17959 LX53 JYY |
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| Stagecoach London 17588 LV52 HFX |
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| Stagecoach London 19744 LX11BBO Rear |
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| Stagecoach London 19744 LX11BBO |
Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThere's no emergency exit because the vehicle has two doors. Some London operators still choose to have an offside Emergency Exit but it's not a requirement.
Thanks for that John!
ReplyDeleteThat one really had me thinking but it makes sense, in case of an emergency I can't really see all passengers on board rushing to use the offside emergency exit.
Jamaal
Sorry, before any comes along and corrects me - I should have said originally that it doesn't need an offside emergency DOOR. It'll have hammers inside for the offside - how long they last is another question. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been looking forward to the introduction of these new buses since october 2010 when east london was going to order more omnicitys for routes 174 and 496 but im so glad stagecoach took over so we can now have some proper new buses on the routes instead of those uncomftable scanias.Do you know if north street are getting new buses?
ReplyDeleteRegards Sam.
If NS do get new buses, There be wrecked in a day :/
ReplyDeleteKeep the good old alx 400s :D
why do you think if NS got enviro 400s they would be wrecked in a day!?
ReplyDeleteregards
Because its Romford, Full of Chavs and Essex Tarts!
ReplyDeleteoh thanks im from Romford!!
ReplyDeleteIt will yet remain to be seen if Romford can take care of their new buses.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling they will
Regards
Jamaal
Is there any chance of a visit to Stagecoach Londons Rainham garage to see there new buses?
ReplyDeleteRegards Sam
Sam, the new Buses at RM are the same as the Enviro 400s above, I will probably visit RM when the E200s arrive later on in the year
ReplyDeleteRegards
Jamaal
ok thanks Jamaal, sorry about that!!
ReplyDeleteRegards Sam
No problem Sam
ReplyDeleteRegards
Jamaal
Will Leyton garage be getting any new Enviro 400's
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THEM!!
Not being funny but why are you asking stupid questions to Jamaal about new buses. Why is Leyton getting new buses? Do you not realise there is a tender process when routes come up for tender where operators look to see if it is effective to run a route with new buses?
ReplyDeleteNot being funny, but with 1 more year until the 2012 olympics im sure 158 should/ is due to get new buses as they run thru to startford where the olypmics are going to be.. If you dont know 158's are kept in Leyton garage which is why im asking jamaal the question..
ReplyDeleteDo you not realise that??
Don't worry yourself. All Buses in the Stratford Area/East London Area will get an update, whether that be a very extensive refurbishment or new Buses.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Jamaal :)
Many Thanks Jamaal :D
ReplyDeleteGood Day
romford have a gd fleet of buses now
ReplyDelete17215 is at TB now (I saw it on the 269)
ReplyDeletesaw 16 in hybrid
ReplyDeleteAnonymous as you may not know there were a big batch of TEHs ordered for the 139 and 16 thats why you probably saw one if you want to know more check out the blogs recent CELF post dedicated to these new buses
ReplyDelete