Welcome to The South London Bus Blog

2014 is The Year of the Bus and you can celebrate it here with The South London Bus Blog.

The Team

South London Bus Blog has an excellent team of bloggers on the blog and we also run a forum @ ltbb.boards.net .

Service Changes

A page with the latest service changes can be found here.

Rare Working of the Month

Find out all the latest rare workings from the past month, to be released soon.

Route 136 Extension and Catford Bus Garage Open Day

Recently we saw Route 136 extended to Elephant and Castle to help relieve the 343, do you think the extension is useful? Did you guys also want to TL's open day and how was it? Find the two posts on our blog and enjoy reading it.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Sotuh London Bus Route - Route 225

(C) All rights reserved by Ledlon89
Route 225: Canada Water - Hither Green
Operated by: Go Ahead London (London Central)
Garage: NX - New Cross
PVR: 7
Running Number: NX 141 - 147
Length: 8km/5 miles
Bus Type: Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m/Alexander Dennis Pointer


There is not much to say about this route but it's one of the overcrowded routes making it way to Hither Green via Deptford Green School using a 10.2m vehicle.

It runs via Canada Water, Surrey Quays, New Cross, Deptford, Lewisham and Hither Green. The route consistently suffers from a long wait with the bus being ridiculously crowded, which means NX (New Cross) having to pull out longer SD's on the route to deal with the problem.

Personally from my own point of view, I feel the route will be better ran under both Go Ahead London (London Central) and Stagecoach by using either Streetlites Max or Mercedes Benz Citaro's.

Fleetlist:   
LDP209 SN51UAY
LDP210 SN51UAZ
LDP273 LX06EYT
LDP274 LX06EYU
LDP275 LX06EYV
LDP276 LX06EYW
LDP277 LX06FBD
LDP278 LX06FBE
LDP279 LX06FAA
LDP280 LX06FAF

Thank you for reading this post and for visiting our blog.
Remember to stay safe.



London Bus Route 49



(C) All Rights Reserved by Brian Creasey
 Route 49: Clapham Junction - White City
Operated by: London United (RATP)
Garage: S
PVR: 20
Length: 9km/6 miles
Bus Type: Volvo B7TL/Vykings, N230UD/Scania Omnicity, N94UD/Scania Omnidekka and Trident 2/ALX400


TA240 on its first day on the 49
(C) All rights reserved to the owner
Before I start I just want to say Happy New Year to you all and I hope this year you complete all of your goals!

 The 49. Where to start. Okay, the 49 began back in the 50s and is actually one of London United's oldest routes! It should really be a route they would die for, having once stretched from Harlsden to Crystal Palace! Think about that for a minute, the 49 a route that most don't know much about used to be a key West London route well it still is but just not as important but it does serve a lot of high profile places like Clapham Junction home of 'Britain's busiest railway station', the posh area of Chelsea, South Kensington home of the Natural History Museum, Kensington High Street or High Street Kensington (however you say it) home of Palace Gate and a lot of high profile shops and where it meets up with fellow London United routes 9, 10, 27 & C1 all of them being prestigious routes in their own way respectively. Then takes a right down Holland Road for Shepherd's Bush's Tube, Train and Overground Station and White City Bus Station. Also the birthplace of the Westfield franchise and the second biggest shopping centre in western Europe.
A Routemaster somewhere on Tooting Bec Road.(C) All rights reserved to the owner
So now onto its buses, the 49 when it began as most routes used Routemasters and personally I'm glad they saw the back of them, I'm not really a fan of the Routemaster and actually prefer the Borismaster anyway until the late 80s the 49 continuously ran using Routemasters and the odd MCW Metrobus, then the 49 was awarded to a proper bus company (I don't class South London as a company) and that company was London General from their Stockwell Garage, it used MCW Metrobus buses for the entire contract with the occasional Volvo Olympian.


VA64 in Shepherd's Bush Garage a few weeks before it's put to rest(C) All rights reserved to the owner

So this paragraph will be focused on London United's 15 year reign of the 49, London United began operations of the 49 in 1999 and converted the 49 back to single deck operations following the footsteps of Arriva & London General with the 319 & 345 making the Clapham Junction - Battersea - Chelsea corridor single deck operations. But the 49 specified extra long Darts at 10.7m the longest vehicle the 49 could take. The takeover didn't go to plan because the 209 had been awarded to Armchair from their Brentford Garage at the same time but weight restrictions on Hammersmith Bridge meant that the buses ordered for the 209 were to heavy and London United's DPs were delayed so the most logical thing to do was temporarily award the 49 to Armchair from their Brentford Garage using the single deckers ordered for the 209 and the 209 to remain with London United with its existing buses until the weight restrictions were lifted on Hammersmith Bridge.

A VA on the 49 using the early IBUS announcement system(C) All rights reserved to the owner
In 2003 it was announced that London United had retained the contract of the 49 with a PVR of 19 and converting the 49 back to Double Deck operation using the VAs from the 337 which was lost to Arriva from their London Sightseeing Garage in Wandsworth and a 10 new Vykings coded VE1-10. They would prove a good purchase as they all still live on the route. 

Around 2009 London United was the first bus company to take on the IBUS system and the 49 was one of the first buses to use it. Note the IBUS says ' Route 49 to Clapham Junction ' compared to the recent ' 49 to Clapham Junction '. Also in 2009 the 49 had it's contract renewed and it was awarded at least 7 new Double Deckers to work alongside the existing East Lanc Mylenniums, ALX400 & early Omnicitys on the route, those double deckers were an updated version of the Scania Omnicitys that were already seen on the route from 2006 (SP1-15 & SP29-40) with SP1-15 moving to Hounslow for the H91.




VA62 battling through the rain in White City



Now in 2013 it was announced that the 49 was up for tender and did not receive a 2 year contract extension so it made it seem as if the 49 was to pass to a different company. I hoped for Abellio London and during September it was announced that Metroline West route E3 was awarded to London United using 27 Double Deckers this lead us (me) to believe that the 49 would almost certainly be awarded to a different bus company and it was too and on the 21 November 2013 the 49 was awarded to Abellio London from their Battersea Garage using 20 new Hybrid Double Deckers.

Fleetlist

Mylenniums
VE1 - PG04 WGN
VE2 - PG04 WGP
VE3 - PG04 WGU
VE4 - PG04 WGV
VE5 - PG04 WGW
VE6 - PG04 WGX
VE7 - PG04 WGY
VE8 - PG04 WGZ
VE9 - PG04 WHA
VE10 - PG04 WHB

Omnidekkas
SLE43 - YN55 NKM
SLE44 - YN55 NKO

Tridents
TA238 - LG02 FBC
TA240 - LG02 FBE

Omnicitys

SP29 - YN08 DHU
SP30 - YN08 DHV
SP31 - YN08 DHX
SP32 - YN08 DHY
SP33 - YN08 DHZ
SP34 - YN08 MRU
SP35 - YN08 MRV
SP36 - YN08 MRW
SP37 - YN08 MRX
SP39 - YP58 ACJ
SP40 - YP58 ACO
SP109 - YR59 FYO
SP110 - YR59 FYP
SP111 - YR59 FYS
SP112 - YR59 FYT
SP113 - YR59 FYU
SP114 - YR59 FYV
SP115 - YR59 FYX
SP116 - YR59 FYW
SP117 - YR59 FYY
SP118 - YR59 FYZ
SP119 - YR59 FZA
SP120 - YR59 FZB
SP121 -YR59 FZC
SP122 -YR59 FZD
SP123 - YR59 FZE
SP124 - YR59 FZF
SP125 - YR59 FZG
SP126 - YR59 PBF
SP127 -YR59 PBO
SP128 - YR59 PBV
SP129 - YR59 PBX
SP130 - YR59 PBY
SP131 -YR59 PBZ
SP132 - YR59 PCF
SP133 - YR59 PCO
SP134 - YR59 PCU
SP135 - YR59 PBU

Please enjoy some pictures of the 49 below.


This bus has been withdrawn but was a a regular on the 49
(C) All rights reserved by StephenGilletPhotos
VE3 on the Shepherd's Bush - White City path
(C) All rights reserved by Dave McKay


SP29 on Northcote Road approaching it's stand on Bolingbroke Grove
(C) All rights reserved by Ledlon89
SP36 in White City Bus Station
(C) All rights reserved by James Panaligan

TA238 in Shepherd's Bush
(C) All rights reserved by leesbuspics
Thank you for reading this post and for visiting our blog.
Remember to stay safe.

4 Months On, Over 18,000 Views, Happy New Year!!!

It has been a tremendous 4 months since I, LondonBuses67 have started this blog in August 2013, where FG49 joined shortly. In September, we had a long term supporter of the blog Eastlondoner, whom agreed to join this blog following from my invitation to allow him the opportunity to be part of this team. Yebz, joined in November being the ex driver for Go Ahead London (London General) working at Northumberland Park (NP) depot and is now a driver at ... Stagecoach London working at Leyton (T) depot. He might be lucky driving both first ALX400 and Enviro 400 (TA1 and 19000).





For those wondering how I was inspired to start of this blog, I was the former blogger at WLBB back in 2012, where I started there to gain some experience before opening my own blog in August 2013. I would say that COLBB and WLBB were the two blogs that had inspired me. Sadly, due to consequences I left WLBB following a few months but even with those I would've still left sooner. As of today, we have apologized and are usually seen talking to each other on WLBB. ;)

________________________________________________________________
Service Updates for 2014
For those who want to cover the changes to the bus scene ... ;)

January
Route 96: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 25/01/14. 21 New E40H/Enviro 400s  Hybrids Introduced.

Route 228: Contract retained by Metroline on 18/01/14. 13 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s will be refurbished.

Route 308: Re-routed from Leyton Road via Penny Brookes Street, Montfichet Road, Stratford City, Montfichet Road, International Way, Stratford International Station, Celebration Avenue, East Village and Temple Mills Lane (north) instead of Leyton Road, High Road Leyton and Ruckholt Road. Also extended from Clapton Park to Lea Bridge Roundabout. Frequency increase on 25/01/14.

Route 428: Contract retained by Arriva Kent Thameside on 25/01/14. 8 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s Plus 1 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200 Transferred from Route 256, all will be refurbished.

Route 472: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 25/01/14. 20 New E40H/Enviro 400s Hybrids Introduced.

Route 601: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 25/01/14. 4 Existing Buses.

Route 602: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 25/01/14. 2 Existing Buses.

Route 603: Contract retained by Metroline on 11/01/14. 2 Existing Buses.

Route B15: Contract retained by Arriva Kent Thameside on 25/01/14. 6 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s transferred from Route 256, will be refurbished.

February
Route 122: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 08/02/14. New E40H/Enviro 400s Hybrids Introduced.

Route 148: Converted to New Routemaster operations on 15/02/14.

Route 200: Contract retained by Go Ahead London: London General on 22/02/14. 14 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s will be refurbished & 2 New Double Deckers Introduced (Unknown Type).

Route 486: Contract retained by Go Ahead London: London Central on 22/02/14. 16 Existing Trident/Enviro 400s will be refurbished.

March
Route 262: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 29/03/14. (12) Existing Buses Scania Omnicitys transferred from Route 96, will be refurbished.

Route 283: Contract retained by London United on 01/03/14. 13 Existing Optare Versas will be refurbished.

Route 317: Contract retained by Arriva London North on 29/03/14. 4 Existing Buses used until 2015, new buses introduced in 2015.

Route 372: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 29/03/14. 6 Existing Buses Introduced.

Route 393: Contract retained by Arriva London North on 22/03/14. (13) Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s will be refurbished & 2 New Buses Introduced (Unknown Type).

Route 396: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 29/03/14. 4 Existing Optare Versas will be refurbished.

Route 473: Contract retained by Stagecoach on 29/03/14. 10 Existing Buses Scania Omnicitys transferred from Route 96, will be refurbished.

April
Route 75: Contract Awarded to Stagecoach on 26/04/14. 13 New B5LH/Gemini 2 Hybrids Introduced from Catford (TL) Garage, +1 School Journey from Forest Hill to Lewisham operated from Bromley (TB) Garage using a bus from Route 269.

May
Route 54: Contract Awarded to Stagecoach on 03/05/14. 16 New B5LH/Gemini 2 Hybrids Introduced from Catford (TL) Garage.

Route 272: Contract retained by London United on 24/05/14. 8 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s will be refurbished.

Route 440: Contract retained by London United on 24/05/14. 10 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s will be refurbished.

Route T31: Contract retained by Arriva London South on 10/05/14. 9 Existing E200Dart/Enviro 200s will be refurbished.

Route E1: Contract Awarded to Abellio London on 31/05/14. 7 New Double Decker Hybrid Buses Introduced (Unknown Type).

Route E3: Contract Awarded to London United on 31/05/14. 26 Double Decker Buses Introduced (Unknown Type).

Route E10: Contract Awarded to Tellings Golden Miller on 31/05/14. 8 New Single Deckers Introduced (Unknown Type).

June
Route 7: Contract retained by Metroline on 21/06/13. 21 New Double Decker Hybrid Buses Introduced (Unknown Type)

Route 8/N8: Contract retained by Stagecoach London with 30 New Routemasters 28/06/14.  

Route 418: Contract retained by Quality Line on 28/06/14. New & Existing Double Deckers (7). 

July
Route 71: Contract retained by London United on 05/07/14. 12 Existing Scania Omnicity Buses will be refurbished.

Route 281: Contract retained by London United on 05/07/14. 23 Existing Scania Omnicity Buses transferred from Routes 49 & 148, which will be refurbished.

Route 286: Contract Awarded to Go Ahead London: London Central on 12/07/14. 13 New Single Deckers Introduced (Unknown Type).

Route 681: Contract retained by London United on 05/07/14. 2 Existing Scania Omnicity Buses transferred from Routes 49 & 148, which will be refurbished.
August
Route 112: Contract Awarded to Metroline West on 02/08/14. 9 New Single Deckers Introduced (Unknown Type).

Route 232: Contract retained by Metroline Travel on 02/08/14. New & Existing Single Deckers (13).

Route 611: Contract retained by Metroline Travel on 02/08/14. 2 Existing Double Deckers.
September
Route 49: Contract Awarded to Abellio London on 06/09/14. 20 New Hybrid Double Deckers introduced (Unknown Type).

Route 100: Contract Awarded to Go Ahead London: London General on 20/09/14. New Hybrid Single Deckers introduced (Unknown Type).

Route 640: Contract Awarded to Metroline 06/09/14. 2 Existing Double Deckers introduced.

_____________________________________________________________


Our Thank You's ...
The blogging team at London's Tremendous Bus Blog would like to thank the following for their continued support, allowing us to use their pictures and for commenting on our posts (giving your thoughts and opinions).



Blog Admins
FG49 - For his fantastic edits and great posts on SLBB so far. We wish him well for his injury resulting him to be not seen often on the blog.

Yebz - For his great effort and behind the scenes information (on buses).

LondonBuses67 - For his work on the blog so far and for leading the blog successfully since the first 4 months. 

Other Bloggers/Bus Enthusiasts
Lawrence Abel

Eastlondoner
London Bus Breh
LondonBuses72 (Jacob Cartmann)
Lewis JN
BexleyBuses
Ledlon89
South London Enthusiast (Robert Mighton)
LondonTransport3 (Mark McWalter)
Christopher A Bradford
Lees Bus Pic 
Rys-X-Kizuki
wltmauc (Aubrey Morandarte)
Lewis
GreggC84
Bromley Bus Garage
Matt J Frobes
maljoe
JLVPhotography
Tube101
FreeBBC
NewBuses2014 (Thomas Flusky)
Andy Burbridge
Kyle Forrester (Arriva London driver)
+ Other Viewers of SLBB ;)
_________________________________________________________________Our Favourite Pictures
Obviously due to copyright issues with people, we cannot use their pictures without permission and at this time of writing we cannot guarantee they will respond to us in time. Therefore, Flickr links will be seen below for you to see the pictures we like from others. Thank You.

LondonBuses67

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57491546@N02/11634963734/in/faves-100010075@N06/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61008783@N06/11666617465/in/faves-100010075@N06/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/11381129274/in/faves-100010075@N06/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonbuses72/11277978423/in/faves-100010075@N06/

EastLondoner
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57491546@N02/9607646667/in/faves-102010851@N02/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonbusbreh1912/11471046126/in/faves-102010851@N02/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonbusbreh1912/10911964613/in/faves-102010851@N02/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonbusbreh1912/10785493483/in/faves-102010851@N02/

FG49
http://www.flickr.com/photos/110036769@N03/11646970153/in/faves-100494304@N03/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swanswell/10613963994/in/faves-100494304@N03/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ridgway/9966691316/in/faves-100494304@N03/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59115230@N06/11476625434/in/faves-100494304@N03/

_________________________________________________________________
Finally, we would like to wish you all a happy new year. Public Transport is free from 11:45pm (31/12/13) until 4:30am (01/01/14), please enjoy your free travel while it lasts. Remember, DON'T be the one arguing with the driver at 4.31am (01/01/14) about free travel, you're already one minute late and there's no exceptions.

Please visit TFL for travel plans and what not tonight (01/01/14)
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/


Thank you for reading this post and for visiting our blog.
Remember to stay safe.