Former Go Ahead London VM1 BJ11 XGZ is seen at the Mile End terminus of the D7 prior to running to Poplar.
The vehicle is an MCV DD103, a body that originally introduced in 2005 in Singapore as the ComfortDelgro engineering bodywork and mounted to the Volvo B9TL trix-axle chassis.
In 2008, the body was redesigned before being built in April 2010, the first model was also dubbed VM1 and given the registration, AE60 GRU and delivered to Go-Ahead's Merton Garage for evaluation in early June 2010, however after being deemed too heavy for Tfl service it was promptly sent back to MCV's Ely plant.
Just over under a year later, in May 2011, a second MCV DD103 also dubbed VM1 this time registered BJ11 XGZ was delivered to Go Ahead's Silvertown Garage for evaluation prior to entering service on the 425. Although for the best part of the trial, it spent most of its time on the 474 as it ran close to the Silvertown base.
In June 2013, the trial ended, but little is known as to what came of the trial, however what is known, is that the vehicle now operates with Wessex Connect, along with London United's former VM1 (BF62 UXU), who seem to be a big fan of these vehicles, some will know that for a short period of time, the original DD103 operated with the company prior to being deroofed.
In 2008, the body was redesigned before being built in April 2010, the first model was also dubbed VM1 and given the registration, AE60 GRU and delivered to Go-Ahead's Merton Garage for evaluation in early June 2010, however after being deemed too heavy for Tfl service it was promptly sent back to MCV's Ely plant.
Just over under a year later, in May 2011, a second MCV DD103 also dubbed VM1 this time registered BJ11 XGZ was delivered to Go Ahead's Silvertown Garage for evaluation prior to entering service on the 425. Although for the best part of the trial, it spent most of its time on the 474 as it ran close to the Silvertown base.
In June 2013, the trial ended, but little is known as to what came of the trial, however what is known, is that the vehicle now operates with Wessex Connect, along with London United's former VM1 (BF62 UXU), who seem to be a big fan of these vehicles, some will know that for a short period of time, the original DD103 operated with the company prior to being deroofed.
This vehicle is currently on loan from Volvo based at our Avonmouth depot for operations on the University of the West of England student link contract. However BJ11XGZ was taken under Gypsy Patch Lane bridge on the 23/01/2014. This bus is currently sat at the back of our yard awaiting assessment from the insurance, its in a pretty bad way. Quite ironic that this should happen, AE60GRU did exactly the same, at the same bridge too!
ReplyDeleteHey Rhys Hand, thank you for your update, its really sad news, without being biased I really think the vehicle is one of the best looking modern deckers to date.
DeleteDo you know if the company was interested in the body as they've opted to take all three former Tfl models on loan?