Tower Transit route 69: Canning Town, Bus Station - Walthamstow Central, Bus Station
Approaching Stratford Bus Station (A)

Route 69 had its new contract to Tower Transit advanced to 6 February 2016 with loaned ALX400s from previous contract holders Stagecoach, although these were quickly ousted back home by existing Enviro400s from Lea Interchange (LI) and other surplus buses from Westbourne Park (X) and its outstation Atlas Road (AS).

Additionally, three new Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC Virtual Electric buses were introduced in October last year. These use inductive wireless technology fitted into the stands at Canning Town and Walthamstow to charge the batteries of the buses. The hybrid engine operating patterns are more similar to the 'New Routemaster' in the sense that the engine runs longer when in operation than the usual hybrid, which have that distinct pattern of turning off at a halt or slow speeds and switching on again after 10-12mph. With the VEs, the electric mode lasts a satisfying while even on the move. I'm not too sure how to rate the buses as hybrids, but when running on the electric motors the drive is lovely - like a double-decker Irizar i2e.

The best aspect of the DHs, by far, is the seating layout. Instead of headrails on top of the chairs, the seating height extends just above the average passenger's head to rest on, with enough windowsill to lean your elbow on and chill, or take a nice rest. And I took advantage of this - useful for when stuck in traffic. Great buses, this is my favourite double-decker bus type.

©London Bus Breh 2016.

Tags:   Transit Systems Tower Transit Alexander Dennis Alexander Dennis Alexander Dennis Limited ADL Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC Enviro400H MMC E400H MMC Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC VE Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC ZeEUS Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology Virtual Electric ZeEUS DH DH38501 SN65 ZGR 65-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 69 Route 69 Stratford Stratford Broadway Stratford High Street TfL Transport for London

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Tower Transit route 69: Walthamstow Central, Bus Station - Canning Town, Bus Station
Grove Road (SJ)

©London Bus Breh 2017.

Tags:   Transit Systems Tower Transit Alexander Dennis Alexander Dennis Alexander Dennis Limited ADL Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC VE Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC ZeEUS Enviro400H MMC E400H MMC E40H MMC ZeEUS Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology Virtual Electric VE DH DH38502 SN65 ZGP 65-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 69 Route 69 Leyton Walthamstow Hoe Street TfL Transport for London

© All Rights Reserved