Camberwell Garage Open Day
An open day was held at Camberwell Garage on Saturday 5th September, featuring a yard crammed full of a wide variety of vehicles, possibly the best from an a open day I have been too.

A line up of the newer vehicles within the Go-Ahead London Fleet, from left to right we have Ei 2, an Irizar I8 electric bus, then WHV55 a Wrightbus Gemini 3/Volvo B5LH and on the end EB 2 another BYD Electric bus.

Ensignbus MD60 also attended the event and is seen here having worked part of the Route 36 from Paddington to Camberwell Green.

Some of the older vehicles present, but can anyone spot the odd one out...

Willesden Garage Open Day - Saturday 19th September
Two weeks after Camberwell came Willesden, a yearly event held by Metroline, traditionally much smaller than other events with a small selection of buses outside used on services around the local area and few more buses inside a static display's. There is always a large number of stalls which are always worth having a look at.

An unusual combination...

Inside was a line up of mainly Routemasters with two RT's at the end.

The Return of the Suffix Part 2...

For two weekends a year London see's the return of suffixed routes, the first as featured in the August Recap was the Notting Hill Carnival Express Services (2X, 36X, 205X and 436X) but the lesser known part two normally happens a week later for the Gunnersbury Mela where London United provide a Route 65X between Ealing Broadway and Gunnersbury Park and return. SP111 is seen at Haven Green, Ealing Broadway on Sunday 6th September.

Latest batch of London United Wrightbus Gemini 3's

The Route 116 was converted to Double Deckers in September and was the second London United route to gain Wrightbus Gemini 3/Volvo B5LH's, following on from an earlier batch for the Route 285, these remained in the traditional design and one is seen here arriving Hounslow Bus Station.

The Special One...

Or it seems that way, September saw the return of Arriva The Shires ALX400 - 6123, following 16 months off the road. It returned in fully refurbished standard including the sapphire standard cream grab poles and full leather upholstery.

Route 312 becomes the first fully electric route in London.

A new contract started on the Route 312 in September, this included a frequency increase and subsequent PVR increase meaning more EMC's where needed, it also mean't that this was to become London's first fully electric route.

Latest NBFL Adverts
Strongbow Cloudy Apple Cider

This was actually a nationwide advertising campaign, with this advert appearing in full wrap form on a number of the buses around the country. But this one appears on one of the new routemasters from Stockwell, working on the Route 88

John Lewis 'Lemon' Home Store

Pepe Jeans 'Always London'

G-Star Jeans

John Lewis 'Pink' Home Store

New Go-Ahead Metrobus Mercedes...
September marks the start of the new registration period meaning that Go-Ahead Metrobus brand new style Mercedes Citaro's where the first London buses to feature the new 65 reg plates.

A new contract on the Route 358 sparked new buses, these would come in the form of brand new 65-reg new style Euro 6 Mercedes Citaro's. Unfortunately on the first day a number of buses suffered issues with their destination blinds, this was soon rectified.

Showbus 2015 - Woburn Abbey

The Annual showbus event this year took place at Woburn abbey and as always there was a number of London buses present including the new kids on the block Uno as well as two Stagecoach Enviro 400's, one of which was 'Spirit of London'

Tender Transfers - 168 Arriva to Metroline, 246 Stagecoach to Go-Ahead

The Route 246 was to transfer from Stagecoach to Go-Ahead London on but the buses for which transferred from Croydon to Orpington Garages a few days before, one such bus is seen here on the Route R2.

The Route 246 operates between Bromley North and just outside the TfL boundary to the Kent Village of Westerham and on Summer Sunday's in runs even further to Chartwell House.

Another Tender Transfer this month has been the Route 168 which changed hands between Arriva London and Metroline, this is one of the major inroads Metroline seem to be making in South London now making them the second biggest operator in London.

Metroline New LT's for 16.

One of the latest New Routemasters (as we now have to call them) is seen at Marble Arch while working on the Route 16 to Cricklewood Bus Garage, the introduction of these buses on the Route 16 allowed buses to start on the new contract Route 168. These buses also feature the new style blinds with the Capital Letter qualifying point.

If you liked any of the pictures in this post then feel free to check out the rest of my pictures, @KLTP14 on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124193440@N06/

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Route 79 runs between Edgware Bus Station and Alperton Sainsbury's, serving Queensbury, Kinsbury, Preston and Wembley in the process.

The route is operated by Metroline from Perivale Bus Garage. The route is 7 miles long and has a Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 11.

Metroline VW1206 LK61BMV seen here on stand at Alperton Sainsbury's.

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Another month has past, they seem to be dropping like fly's at the moment, this month featured a tube strike, the next batch of new routemasters were pressed into service as well as the first new style Wright Gemini 3's for London and not forgetting Notting Hill Carnival prompts the return of the suffix.

Tube Strike Extra's

Abellio London's 8018 is seen at Aldwych while working as an extra on the Route 188 (Taken by Kristian Lake on 06/08/15)

Ensignbus's pride and joy MD60 is seen on Whitechapel High Street while working as an extra on the Route 25 (Taken by Kristian Lake on 06/08/15)

Ensignbus ER882 is seen on Whitechapel High Street while working as an extra on the Route 15 (Taken by Kristian Lake on 06/08/15)

Introduction of Mercedes Citaro's on Route 108

MEC21 is seen approaching North Greenwich, while working on the Route 108, MEC's have been rushed into service on this route following a recent fire damaged DWL. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 28/08/15). It has been rumoured that upon the introduction of the new BYD Electric E200s on Routes 507 and 521, MECs should be moving south, with Routes 108 and 293 mentioned. 

New Routemaster - Route 88

 

LT509 is seen on Clapham Common Stand while working on the first day of service on the Route 88, the introduction of New Routemasters on this route will allow a cascade within Go-Ahead London to take place eventually ridding them of the remaining early numbered PVL's. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 22/08/15)

New Go-Ahead Volvo B5LH's at Croydon for Routes 119, 202, 405

WHV44 is seen on Blackheath Common while working on the Route 202, this is one of 39 new style Wrightbus Gemini 3's currently being introduced at Metrobus Croydon. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 22/08/15)

Victoria Line Closure - Rail Replacement Buses

TP408 is seen on Broad Lane, Tottenham approaching Seven Sisters while working on the Temporary Route 558 between Chingford Mount and Seven Sisters, normally long term closures frustrate regular users, however in the final days of the closure of the Victoria line a petition was set up by Chingford residents to keep this route in operation after the line has re-opened.  (Taken by Kristian Lake on 11/08/15)

Notting Hill Carnival Extra Buses:

12313 is seen crossing Warren Street while working on the Route 205X between Liverpool Street and Harrow Road. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 30/08/15)

MEC14 is seen in Vauxhall Bus Station while working on the Route 436X between Peckham and Notting Hill Gate. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 30/08/15)

WVL397 is seen in Vauxhall Bus Station while working on the Route 36X between New Cross Gate and Harrow Road. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 30/08/15)

VLA65 is seen in Vauxhall Bus Station while working on the Route 2X between West Norwood and Notting Hill Gate. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 30/08/15)

Second Irizar I2e Electric

This month also saw the introduction of the Second Irizr I2e Electric Bus at Waterloo Garage, Ei2 is seen on London Bridge on 01/09/15, taken by Kristian Lake.

Adverts:
New Nike 'Built for Brilliance'

LT282 is seen at Trafalgar Square while working on the Route 453 sporting the new Nike 'Built for Brilliance' all-over advert. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 22/08/15)

New Dove - Rugby World Cup

LT241 is seen approaching Shoreditch High Street while working on the Route 8, this is one of the buses to have the #Scrum Together, Dove Men Care, Rugby World Cup advert. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 15/08/15)

New Tommy Hilfiger

LT440 is seen on Regent Street at Oxford Circus having arrived on the Route 12 from Dulwich Library. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 30/08/15)

Outskirts of London:
Arriva Kent Thameside - New 'Fastrack' Wrightbus Streetlites (Routes A/B Dartford-Bluewater area)

4303 is seen arriving at Bluewater Bus Station while working on Fast-track Route B. (Taken by Kristian Lake on 08/08/15)

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Route 297 runs between Willesden Bus Garage and Ealing Broadway Station, serving Wembley, Alperton and Perivale in the process.

The route is operated by Metroline from Perivale Bus Garage. The route is 9 miles long and has a Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 16.

Ex-Metroline Demonstrator VWH1469 BF63HDG having just completed a trip from Willesden.

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July is typically the month that signals the start of a lot of things, garage open days, where many enthusiasts can come together to appreciate the hobby on one-accord, similar to a church choir, or the peak in the hay-fever season which makes carrying tissues essential , not forgetting the joys of having a stream flowing from your nose. But here at the Circle of London, this July signalled the ever closer one millionth hit, something which really justifies the work we do and our levels of consistency. Typical of July, the bus scene was booming with action, so lets take a look and see what July had for us to offer.

With Hampton Court Flower Show and Wimbledon Tennis overlapping this year it meant that some extra vehicles would be needed to run both services.
Hampton Court Flower Show Shuttles:

NV171 (Now preserved by the Bromley Bus Preservation Group) was returned to its former owner to work on the Hampton Court Flower Show Shuttles and is seen in glorious weather in the village of East Molesey on 05/07/15 (Taken by Kristian Lake)

Former Metroline VW1469 is seen powering along the Hurst Road alongside the River Thames having been acquired by Go-Ahead London along with Ex Arriva VGD1. (Taken on 05/07/15 by Kristian Lake) 

Wimbledon Tennis:

Meanwhile at Wimbledon, a number of the Enviro 400's which had been used on the Route 135 for the past month (covering until Enviro 400 MMC's arrived) where pressed into service with out blinds in the case, on the various shuttle services to and from Wimbledon Tennis, they have since moved on to a number of other garages around London to cover for roadworks and refurbishments. (Taken on 05/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

Latests NBFL Adverts:

LT97 is seen at Marble Arch on the Route 390, this was one of the first buses to receive the new bPay advert livery (Taken on 05/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

Green Bus

LT538 is seen on Park Lane at Marble Arch while working on the Route 73 to Victoria. (Taken on 01/08/15 by Kristian Lake)

Tube Strike Extra's:

This month saw the biggest Tube Strike for over 10 years and it was reliant on extra buses being provided to move as many people as possible, in reality around 100 extra buses where provided and here we see two Stephensons of Essex Optare Olympus's at Holborn while working on the Route 25. (Taken on 09/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

Potters Bar Garage Open Day
The first garage open day of year traditionally takes place at Metroline's Potters Bar Garage located just outside the LT boundary zone, even though two TFL bus routes operate there. It is also a short ride out of Barnet on Metroline's Commercial Route 84/84A and you may even be lucky enough to get a TP/TPL, a dying breed in TFL land now.

Brief Garage History
The Garage itself celebrates 85 years in operation this year, having been opened back in May 1930. The Garage has seen many different types of buses over the years and this year it hold the largest number of buses in its history (171 buses based at PB with 10 outstations at South Mimms)

Arguably the main attraction for many people was the brand new Wright Streetlite (exclusively revealed here a few weeks), it has now been branded for the new Route 714 to Luton Airport which it should see use on. (Taken 11/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

DES794 a recent repaint into Commercial Colours is seen blinded for the Route PB1. (Taken 11/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

As with all open days, inside the garage was filled with heritage vehicles and stalls. (Taken 11/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

Not all of the garage was open to the public as PB has a lot of buses running in and out all day for driver changes. (Taken 11/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

As part of the open day, Sullivan Buses also operated three tours to there bases at North Mymms and South Mimms, showing off the various buses which where not out on a big Rail Replacement job that weekend.

ALX 5 is seen alongside DPS575 at Sullivan Buses North Mymms Engineering Base. (Taken 11/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

TAL123, TPL927 and TN1 are seen at Sullivan Buses South Mimms Base. (Taken 11/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

Metroline Transfers

Metroline West VP476 is seen negotiating the mini roundabout at Uxbridge Station following its transfer to its new garage. 

Following the introduction of up to 34 VWHs at their Willesden Garage, Metroline took the opportunity to rehouse 9 of these vehicles to 'west' garage Uxbridge to help oust the TP class there although some have remained temporarily for the London Overground/Underground shuttle Route 558 which will run from Cricklewood.

As detailed in our CELF Centre Part 50 post, the introduction of MMs on the E8 commenced on the 29th of July with the first journey completed by MM783. At present 5 MMs have transferred from West Perivale to the nearby Brentford base following the early double-deck conversion of Route 90. Little is known about whether they will form the basis of the up and coming tender bid for the route, however their introduction to the base has been supplemented by some DEs from Cricklewood.

Introduction of Stagecoach Enviro 400 MMC's Diesels from NS

July has seen the introduction of seven Diesel Enviro 400 MMC's at Stagecoach's Romford North Street Garage for the route 498 recently won from Go-Ahead London. (Taken 20/07/15 by Kristian Lake)



Introduction of Stagecoach Enviro 200 MMC's Diesels from NS

Another recent tender win for Stagecoach at Romford was the Route 499 between Gallows Corner and Heath Park Estate, won from Arriva Kent Thameside. (Taken on 31/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

Introduction of Go-Ahead Wright Streetlites

A surprise introduction this month was these brand new Wright Streetlites, fitted with Damiler Engines and Flywheels. They will be gradually replacing the slightly older vehicles which will be returning to Wrightbus. (Taken 25/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

The final farewell to the DLA class

It is expected that July will see the end of the operational fleet of DLA's in London, with only two remaining at Palmers Green as School Buses and three south of the river at Thornton Heath. However as the schools have now finished they are likely to be withdrawn any day now. Contrary to this, Garston will continue to operate small numbers of the class, however, they are not technically, 'DLAs' as they are numbered in the Arriva Shires fleet system. (Taken 25/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

End of Month Tender Changes
Uno - Route 383

We have also seen a new company start to infiltrate TfL services this month, Uno or University Bus took over the Route 383 between Barnet and Woodside Park from Metroline. Using Brand New 8.8m Enviro 200's. 602 is seen at High Barnet on the first day in service. (Taken 25/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

London Sovereign - Route 326

Another company expanding this month is London Sovereign as they take over the Route 326 between Barnet and Brent Cross which will use refurbished Enviro 200's from London United. One such bus DE16 is seen on Station Road near New Barnet. (Taken 25/07/15 by Kristian Lake)

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