Monday 24 November 2014

L1/Group News October-November 2014

General Notes:

L'Card is accepted with Reading Buses, London OmniBus (49, 718 soon), Thames Travel (except in Oxford area), chessingtonbuses, trentbarton and kinchbus. The MANGO card is also accepted on L1/Beeline, 7series, 5series, route461 and Surrey Locals.

TP2000 is currently at SA & DI for the 456 for six weeks. This bus will tour Heathrow Buses garages.
TP2001 is currently at UP for the 25 for three weeks. This bus will tour Romford Buses garages.

9 showbuses (and one modified) for 'Bus of the Year' are TE1110-TE1119: all have had new liveries, and interiors (vinyl floor design and new moquette, and where needed, painted bars) to match:
TE1110 - Shillbeer livery (interior like DM2646)
TE1111 - London Transport RM1 livery + interior (ENVIRO 450H TE1111)
TE1112 - Low Floor Livery 1990s (interior like LU LLWs)
TE1113 - London Transport 1980s (M1) livery + interior
TE1114 - 
Heathrow Buses livery 2003 (as in TAN1) + interior
TE1115 - London Transport RT1 livery + interior
TE1116 - Green Line 1960s (RMC) livery + interior
TE1117 - London Country 1930s (ST821) livery + interior
TE1118 - Beeline livery 1990s
TE1119 - Romford Buses livery 2004 + interior

All buses will have their retrospective liveries permanently, and will stay in TfL service. 
All buses will keep their existing interiors afterwards.

Most early TEs are leaving the fleet, current showbuses (and TE69) are exempt.
TE/L141-499, 501-510, 520-550 are next to go. The last batch will go to New Citybus (and most of them are being used on Route 471), and this is the first lot of TEs leaving L1/Group.

TE511-519 are now training buses, and as they are are capable to run the 666, they can train for all routes. They are convertible in case they are needed in a Tube Strike, or an emergency.

The E27H/Wright Nebula is starting a new fleet numbering series, thus the numbering for this type is separate from other single deckers. They will not match with the Wellglade system due to the planned split of London operations.
Confirmed codes:
EWS - 8.8m model
EWT - 9.5m model (this model so far will not be needed)
EW - 10.3m model
EWL - 11m model
EWF - 12.1m model

Poppy Buses (will be in wrap until January 2015):
LT285 - Wembley (Route 16)
LT350 - Brentford Dockside (Routes 311/392)
LT474 - Stratford (Routes 8/15)
TE1000 - Upminster Park (Routes 25/86)
TE1666 - Hackney (Route 278)
TP2002 - Heathrow North (All Routes)


L1/Heathrow Buses


Heathrow North (HN)

Route 458 (Heathrow North Garage-Uxbridge via Langley), a new route for TfL was won by us and will use new hybrid 8.8m E27H/Wright Nebula (EWS) from JANUARY 2015

Route H13 and H14 have been converted to E27H/Wright Nebula earlier than planned, and both routes have a complete allocation of those buses.

Route 461 is now using Mercedes Citaro Ks ex-Croydon Buses until E27H (EWLs) are delivered for the route, using new route461 branding.

7series 176 Heathrow North-Leatherhead is now up and running. It will use existing TempoSR Hybrids displaced from the temporary double decking of 7series X74 before permanently using 12.1m E27H/Wright Nebula, the first 7series route to get this new bus.

The conversion of Routes 90 and 235 to permanent double deck operation has begun, using existing buses displaced from Route U4 and new E45H/Enviro 400MMC.

TE1771 (LN63 JCL) is removed from London duties, and is in 7series livery, permanently as a non-London bus.
DW1091 is in an all over advertisement - Visit Dubai
TPs 2003, 2004, 2005 are in an all over advertisement - Heathrow Airport
TP2006 is in an all over advert for YouTube - L1/Group
TP2007 is in an all over advert for Virgin Atlantic
TP2008 is in an all over advert for British Airways
TP2009 is in an all over advert for ourselves about L'Card
TP2010 is in an all over advert for NFL - Houston Texans
TP2011 is in an all over advert for NFL
TP2012 is in an all over advert for Costco Hayes
TP2015 is in an all over advert for Heathrow North Garage Open Day 2015


Southall (SA)

The first E27H/Wright Nebula (EW1, LN64NEB) is already in service on Route 456 as a demonstrator and is part of TfL testing. EW1 is a showbus, named after a local hero.


Route 666 now has a dedicated fleet at SA, consisting of TE69, TE665, TE666, TE667, TE668, TE669.
TE69 is in an all over advert for NHS - Chlamydia
TE666 is in an all over advert for Gunnersbury Catholic School
TE670 is in an all over advert for Relish
TEL790 is in all over advert for the Philippines Tourism Board
LTs 137, 138, 139, 140 are in an all over advert for YouTube - SloMoGuys - on Route 392
LT141 is in an all over advert for YouTube - Matt Mulholland - on Route 392
LT488 is in an all over advert for YouTube - TomSka - on Route 392

Brentford (DI)

LTs 115, 116, 117, 125, 127, 369, 371 are in a Adidas all over advert - on Route 311/392
LT370 is in a Ugg all over advert - on Route 311
LTs 120, 121 are in an all over advert for YouTube - ViceNews - on Route 311/392
LT121 is to be repainted to an advert for Android in December 2014
LTs 118, 119 are in a Visit the Philippines all over advert - on Route 311/392
LT351 is in an all over advert for YouTube - TomSka - on Route 311/392
LT360 is in an all over advert for NFL - Houston Texans - on Route 311/392
LT361 is in an all over advert for NFL - Dallas Cowboys - on Route 311/392
LT362 is in an all over advert for NFL - on Route 311/392
TEs 890-898 are in an all over advertisement for Brentford FC.
TE899 is in an all over advertisement for GAP.


Wembley (WE)

Route 79 has been won by us, even though it will get existing TEs. The ordered TPs for the route will instead be used on the 278 from DI and HO.

LTs 261, 520 are in an all over advert for YouTube - Ashens - on Route 16 and 98
LT530 is in an all over advert for YouTube - TomSka - on Route 16 and 98
LT550 is in an all over advert for Android - on Route 16 and 98

Fulwell (F) and Walton (WT)

Route 411 now has its Optare TempoSR hybrids, hence the diesel ones have moved to Hemel Hempstead.

Routes 74 and N74 is now run from Fulwell, where new NBfLs are on 74, and N74 has current/new E45Hs.

TE1800 is in an advertising livery for Relish
LT495 is in an all over advert for YouTube - Ashens - on Route 74
LT496 is in an all over advert for YouTube - TomSka - on Route 74
LT501 is in an all over advert for Android - on Route 74

Bracknell (BL)

Bracknell Garage now hosts new Beeline Route 391, running from Bracknell to Woking using initially existing Mercedes Citaro Ks ex-Croydon Buses, until new E27H/Wright Nebula (EWF - 12m) are delivered for Beeline services.
TEN115 is in an all over advertisement for Launchpad charity.

Hemel Hempstead (HE)

No new news.

L1/Romford Buses

Upminster (UP)

Routes 62 and 169, won in the latest tendering round, will use new TPLs, as part of an order that replaces the current TELs on the 25, cascading them to replace TEs within UP.
Route 362 will use EWs when it is transferred from Blue Triangle.

Existing spare DEs are currently being stored at UP, and are being repainted into the 2005 Romford Buses livery. New Essex routes are to be introduced and some of First's Brentwood services are to be taken over by the 10th January 2015.

TELs 760, 761 and 769 are in an all over advert for Victoria's Secret

TE521-550 are being loaned to New Citybus, along with the sub-contract of the 471 (Canada Water-Thamesmead) until the 1 is taken over, before it is taken in-house by Romford Buses until the 471's new buses arrive.

Hackney (HO)

No new news.

Stratford (SD)

Route 8 has been converted to LT-class buses. Various TEs from the 8 have been moved to CA (Charlton) for use on new route 471, operated by New Citybus on our behalf. Some have moved to UP for the 66. To accommodate more LTs at SD, some of the 15 allocation has moved to U, and some of the 25 allocation has moved to UP.

LT453 is in an all over advert for YouTube - Nerd Cubed - on Routes 8 and 15
LTs 475, 476, 485 are in an all over advert for YouTube - KSI - on Routes 8 and 15
LT468 is in an all over advert for YouTube - TomSka - on Routes 8 and 15
LT480 is in an all over advert for Android - on Routes 8 and 15

Upton Park (U)

See Stratford Garage.

Sunday 23 November 2014

WLTM Tenders November 2014 (from TfL)

Tranche 277A:
471: Awarded to New Citybus with new buses, contract start 4th July 2015. Temporary contract by L1/Romford Buses, contract start 28th February 2015

Tranche 278:
42: Awarded to Abellio London (formerly London Central) with new hybrid buses, contract start 18th July 2015
196: Awarded to Diamond London (formerly London General) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th June 2015

Tranche 279:
62: Awarded to L1/Romford Buses with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th June 2015

Tranche 280:
68/N68: Awarded to Arriva London (formerly London Central) with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th June 2015
108/108N: Awarded to Stagecoach London (formerly London Central) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th June 2015
225: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly London Central) with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th June 2015
415: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly Arriva London) with new hybrid buses 13th June 2015
422: Awarded to kentishbus (formerly London Central) with new hybrid buses
468/X68: Awarded to Croydon Buses New Citybus with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th June 2015

Tranche 281:
273: Retained by Stagecoach London with new hybrid buses, contract start 20th June 2015

Tranche 282:
79: Awarded to L1/Heathrow Buses with new hybrid buses (to be cascaded to Route 278, existing hybrid buses will be used), contract start 6th June 2015

Tranche 282A:
B99: Temporary contract awarded to New Citybus with existing buses, contract start 22nd November 2014
K50: Awarded to London OmniBus (formerly London United) with existing buses, contract start 22nd November 2014

Tranche 283:
93/93N: Awarded to London United (formerly London General) with new hybrid buses, contract start 4th July 2015
156: Awarded to London United (formerly Abellio London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 4th July 2015
169: Awarded to L1/Romford Buses (formerly Stagecoach London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 4th July 2015
244: Awarded to kentishbus (formerly London Central) with new hybrid buses 4th July 2015
472/472N: Awarded to New Citybus (formerly Stagecoach London) with new hybrid buses 4th July 2015

Tranche 284:
19/N19: Awarded to London United (formerly London General) with new hybrid buses, contract start 18th July 2015
46: Awarded to Tower Transit (formerly Metroline) with new hybrid buses, contract start 18th July 2015

Tranche 285:
362: Awarded to L1/Romford Buses (formerly Blue Triangle) with new hybrid buses, contract start 13th June 2015
687: Awarded to L1/Romford Buses (formerly Stagecoach London) with new hybrid buses, contract start 3rd January 2015 (new buses to arrive July 2015)

Tranche 286:
324: Retained by London Sovereign with new hybrid buses, contract start 25th July 2015
326: Awarded to London Sovereign (formerly Metroline) with new hybrid buses, contract start 25th July 2015
383: Awarded to Universitybus (formerly Metroline), with new hybrid buses, contract start 25th July 2015

Other News:

The 468/X68 was supposed to be awarded to Croydon Buses, but due to their demise, New Citybus will instead take the route under the conditions by Croydon Buses.

New hybrid buses for London are on the 456, L1/Group's TP2000 and EW1, testing the newest hybrid technology available is being used on the TfL test route. In addition to those operator owned buses, a Wright Streetdeck and Optare Metrodecker hybrid is on the route (only the ADL products and the Optare Metrodecker have firm orders for TfL service).

B99 is awarded on a temporary contract for this season to see whether it will be viable to restart this service. Both B99 and K50 are awarded on the basis of non-TfL vehicles.

Route 471 will go to full L1/Romford Buses operation when the 1 is taken up by New Citybus due to the 471's buses being needed for the 1. The 471 is therefore to end the sub-contracting when the 1 is taken up, until all the new buses arrive for New Citybus to take over.
Route 447 is still under scrutiny and will be tendered hopefully in January 2015.

NBfL Conversion Timetable (all LTs):
24 - 22nd June 2013 (LT9-36)
9 - 22nd June 2013 (LT37-49, 51-70, LT99)
11 - 21st September 2013 (LT70-98)
15 - 2nd November 2013 (LT100-111, 166-180)
392 - 2nd November 2013 (LT1, LT50, LT111-165)
390 - 30th November 2013 (LT181-204)
38 (and N38) - 7th December 2013 (LT2-8, LT205-260)
16 - 1st February 2014 (LT261-282, 284-286)
7 - 15th February 2014 (LT283, 287-315)
148 - 15th February 2014 (LT316-343)
311 - 5th April 2014 (LT344-371 - this includes a 392 increase)
49 - 7th June 2014 (LT372-396)
22 - 21st June 2014 (LT397-423)
10 - 1st November 2014 (LT424-452)
8 (and N8) - 1st November 2014 (LT453-485)
74 - 1st November 2014 (LT486-516 - this includes a 392 increase)
98 - 1st November 2014 (LT517-550)
159 - 13th December 2014 (LT551-589)
453 - 20th December 2014 (LT590-628)
C2 - 10th January 2015 (LT629-652)
137 - 21st March 2015 (LT653-687)

No tenders for December 2014, tenders for January 2015 will be announced in a separate post.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

London OmniBus in November



It's been a while, so here's the latest:

connectwith49
The previously launched 49 is running very successfully now, and hopefully very soon it will accept L'Card offered by L1/Group, alongside the 49ticket, contactless cards and ordinary cash payment. The timetable has not changed since its introduction in April, and services on route 49A continue to run to Eton via Datchet.
However, the ageing vehicles on the route (921-922, 924-928 which are VLEs ex-Sovereign) are beginning to be withdrawn. 4 new Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 buses have arrived from Southdown PSV to replace some VLEs - other new buses will be ordered in due course.
The Wrights are as follows:
901 - KX14CLN
902 - KX14CLO
903 - KX14CLP
904 - KX14CLR


greenline 718
The Greenline 718 will be introduced slightly later than originally planned, it will now be in late January (date tbc). The Wright Gemini 3 hybrid buses have now all arrived at HD and HS in preparation - all are taking part in driver training duties with the aim that when the ex-18 refurbished buses return to HD the route will be able to commence almost immediately. The fare system has not yet been finalised, but it is hoped that L'Card, contactless cards and cash payment will all be accepted.
The buses for Greenline 718 are as follows:
601 - LT63NKA
602 - LT63NKB
603 - LT63NKC
604 - LT63NKD
605 - LT63NKE
606 - LT63NKF
607 - LT63NKG
608 - LT63NKH
609 - LT63NKJ
610 - LT63NKK
611 - LT63NKL
612 - LT63NKM
613 - LT63NKN
966 - BN64COL
967 - BN64COM
968 - BN64CON
969 - BN64COR
970 - BN64COS
971 - BN64COU
972 - BN64COV
973 - BN64COY
974 - BN64COZ
LC1001 - 1CLT (NBfL introduced at a later stage with a conductor)

The buses from the 18 are currently in refurbishment, so 13 buses from L1/Group are covering. Eventually, these will transfer to their respective new operators and the 18's PVR will decrease from 50 to 38, and the 718 will cover with a PVR of 20 and a frequency of every 10 minutes to Harrow Bus Station, extended every 30 minutes to Watford Town Centre.
Watch out for adverts to know when this service will be launched!

Byfleet (BF) 39A/B/C 40 81 84 218(A) 570/1/2/4 637 663 690 701/2 X74
With the introduction of TFL route 420, the Optare Versas from route 45 transferred to Byfleet to act as spares. 881 has been sprayed into the '218A via Royal Estate' livery, thus replacing MCV Stirling 106, which has now been sold. 882 and 883 are in plain blue, and operate all routes at the garage.
The Railair 701 has had a timetable change which now includes services running to Aldershot via Woking (still numbered 701) and Aldershot direct (numbered 702).
It has also been announced that route K50 will be operated by London OmniBus this year, with a mixture of TFL-spec and non-TFL buses. These will include the MAN/MCVs already in operation on our Surrey routes, the Optare Versas from discontinued route 45, the National Express buses from routes 701/702, the ex-U9 buses and the buses currently on route 49. The Wrights for route 718 will be thus utilised on route 49 until the K50 has finished.

East Hayes (EH) 41 65 74 112 223 420 431
EH has recently taken on a unique batch of vehicles - these being the only Volvo B8RLEs to be bodied by the older style Eclipse body. They have had a few slight style changes to accommodate the new chassis and also to reflect the Gemini 3 (eg daytime running lights), however they will be the only of their type as Wright are now configuring their new body for the B8RLE chassis.
These new buses are as follows:
121 - BN64CNC
122 - BN64CNE
123 - BN64CNF
124 - BN64CNH
125 - BN64CNJ
126 - BN64CNL
127 - BN64CNM
128 - BN64CNO
129 - BN64CNP
130 - BN64CNR
121 is in fact at HS for another PVR increase on route 421, and 122-130 are at EH for new route 431 which runs from Harrow to Radlett via Harrow Weald & Bushey Heath.

The new buses for route 420 are Optare Metrocitys with Cummins engines, and are as follows:
864 - YJ14BWH
865 - YJ14BWJ
866 - YJ14BWL
867 - YJ14BWN
868 - YJ14BWO
869 - YJ14BWS
870 - YJ14BWT
Routes 420 and 431 are running very successfully.

The contract for route U9 passed to Arriva the Shires on 1st November - the four buses allocated to the route will move to route K50, following which they will probably be sold.

West Hayes (HS) 49(A) 114 195 335D 421 E3D
London OmniBus have won the contract for route E3D, running from Gunnersbury Sch to Chiswick, Barrowgate Road. This will use the single Enviro400 in our fleet - 951, SN13ACH - and will interwork with the 335D.

Harrow Weald (HD) 18 335D 398 408 421 640 N18 N114
The temporary loan buses for route 18 are:
TE206 - LN59ASH
TE207 - LN59ASJ
TE208 - LN59ASK
TE209 - LN59ASL
TE210 - LN59ASM
TE275 - LN59DSY
TE276 - LN59DSZ
TE282 - LN59DTF
TEL303 - LN59EST
TEL304 - LN59ESW
TEL305 - LN59ESX
TE388 - LT10AAA
These are all from L1/Group, and will transfer to various other operators after they have finished their service with us, including Stagecoach Manchester and Yellow Buses, Bournemouth.

FRED BRUNDELL
The London OmniBus Company

Monday 3 November 2014

Croydon Buses Update

Croydon Buses has ceased trading. The assets have been seized by the administrators, and the business is awaiting a buyer.

EDIT 03/11/14
The assets have been bought by New World Holdings HK (trading as New Citybus in London) and SR (East Croydon-Southern Station) and P (Old Kent Road) are now under New Citybus ownership.
All commercial services have been discontinued, and all TfL services are being administered by L1/Group using the existing buses, until 8th November 2014, when New Citybus takes over.

Routes 64 and 409 will be as per normal, using the current buses.

Route T31 will have existing E25H/Enviro 200 hybrids ex-L1/Group replacing Citaro Ks, which will transfer to L1/Group. The Enviro 200s ordered by Croydon Buses are for sale.

Route 412 - the new buses for the route are now E45H/Enviro 400MMCs, contract will still start in January 2015

Routes 663/689 - as intended, existing Enviro 425H/Enviro 400 Hybrids will operate the routes.

EDIT 05/11/14:
The fleet (note the ex-L1/Group buses gain their old fleet numbers back):

Routes 689, 663 (ADL E42H/Enviro 400):
TE270 LN59DST
TE271 LN59DSU
TE272 LN59DSV
TE273 LN59DSW
TE274 LN59DSX

Route T31 (ADL E25H/Enviro 200):
DE2 LN58END
DE3 LN58ENE
DE4 LN58ENF
DE5 LN58ENG
DE6 LN58ENH
DE7 LN58ENJ
DE8 LN58ENK
DE9 LN58ENL
DE10 LN58ENN
DE11 LN58ENO
DE12 LN58ENP
DE13 LN58ENR

Spare non-London Buses (Mercedes Citaro):
MCN910 KX54TBX
MCN911 KX05TBA
MCN912 KX05TBB
MCN913 KX05TBC
MCN914 KX05TBD
MCN915 KX05TBE
MCN916 BX09ABA
MCN917 BX09ABB
MCN918 BX09ABC 
MCN919 BL59ABD

Route 64/N64 (ADL E40D/Enviro 400) (under L1/Group coded TENC):
T2 LT63LPH
T3 LT63LPG
T4 LT63LPJ 
T5 LT63LPK
T6 LT63LPL
T7 LT63LPM
T8 LT63LPN
T9 LT63LPO
T10 LT63LPP
T11 LT63LPR
T12 LT63LPS
T13 LT63LPT 
T14 LT63LPU
T15 LT63LPV
T16 LT63LPW
T17 LT63LPX
T18 LT63LPY


Route 409 (Volvo B5TL/Wright Gemini 3) (under L1/Group coded VTNC):
WVL1 BX63MPA
WVL2 BX63MPB
WVL3 BX63MPC
WVL4 BX63MPD
WVL5 BX63MPE
WVL6 BX63MPF
WVL7 BX63MPG
WVL8 BX63MPH
WVL9 BT63MPJ
WVL10 BT63MPK
WVL11 BT63MPL