Metroline route 182: Harrow Weald, Oxhey Lane - Brent Cross, Shopping Centre
Bypassed Wembley Triangle (SM), towards Wembley Stadium Station (SD)
Metroline have retained route 182 from Harrow Weald (HD) with new B5LH-Gemini 3 buses, the new contract starting from 3 September 2016.
The buses have been phased into service as early as 8 August. Apparently, they come with new modifications but I have not noticed anything different compared to other examples. Nevertheless, a much needed service change to modernise a popular and useful route with more inviting vehicles than their predecessor.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 Gemini 3 Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VWH VWH2221 LK16 HZP 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 182 Route 182 Wembley High Road Wembley TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route 140: Harrow Weald, Bus Garage - Heathrow Airport, Central Bus Station
Heathrow Central Bus Station.
Metroline have retained route 140 from Harrow Weald (HD) with new B5LH-Gemini 3 buses, the new contract starting from 3 September 2016.
The buses have been phased into service as early as 8 August. To make my review fair, I first endured route 140 with its VPs during the cloudy humidity of the early evening peak-hour before checking out the new buses.
The front window was itself clouded with dirt, the bus became packed, people standing on the top of the stairs, the bus driver forced to skip stops in the suburban section following Harrow. The additional weight slowed the bus completely, worsening acceleration. But the journey got slightly better from Hayes onwards, the bus emptying and becoming lighter to allow for a faster drive to Heathrow - a decent end to a very demanding journey.
Many new buses passed in the other direction and, although busy, they were not as packed as mine. I enjoyed my experience of route 140 on return to Harrow with a VWH, an extremely fast ride and with better air-conditioning. The service seemed better from Heathrow than from its garage in Harrow Weald, but other than that I'm quite happy with this service change.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 Gemini 3 Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VWH VWH2221 LK16 HZP 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 140 Route 140 Heathrow Heathrow Airport Heathrow Central Bus Station TfL Transport for London
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Metroline West route N18: Harrow Weald, Bus Garage - Trafalgar Square
Stonebridge Park Station / Point Place (D)
Since routes 140 and 182 have introduced their new VWHs, the hybrid buses have started running on route N18. I was expecting the new buses to appear on the route N16 duty covered by Harrow Weald (HD), but they now share half of the N18 with its existing VWs from Willesden Junction (WJ).
I have not been on many night routes, but this one is currently my favourite. Getting on at Harrow Bus Station, the new buses suit the route which itself is great fun, but I much prefer a VW given a fast driver.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Metroline West The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 Gemini 3 Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VWH VWH2193 LK16 HZX 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route N18 Route N18 Stonebridge Park Stonebridge Park Station TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route N7: Oxford Circus, John Prince's Street - Northolt Station
Greenford Broadway (N)
Route 7 is to display the Mark 2 update to The Wright Group's Gemini 3 with new batch VWH2285-2305 this summer. Due to the lower PVR of night routes, the N7 has already converted bar one or two original VWHs. The new buses replace VWH2001-2023, which are currently transferring to Holloway (HT) for route 17.
Apparently, the route failed a test for its new buses which again brings up the question as to why buses are purchased before compatibility for their route is confirmed: Metroline's existing Mark II Gemini 3s would have come in useful here. Anyway, at least Holloway get newer buses, although continuing their theme of acquiring second-hand vehicles ousted from other garages.
©London Bus Breh 2017.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 Gemini 3 Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VWH VWH2297 LK17 DFU 17-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route N7 Route N7 Greenford Greenford Broadway TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route 7: Oxford Circus, John Prince's Street - East Acton, Brunel Road
Burwood Place (EK)
Route 7 is to display The Wright Group's Gemini 3 Mark 2 update this summer, with new batch VWH2285-2305. Due to the lower PVR of night routes, the N7 has converted bar one or two original VWHs. The new buses replace VWH2001-2023, which are currently transferring to Holloway (HT) for route 17.
This particular bus is from previous batch VWH2266-2284 which recently introduced route 120 to Metroline from Perivale West (PA). Nevertheless, it showcases the upcoming allocation for the 7.
©London Bus Breh 2017.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 Gemini 3 Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VWH VWH2284 LK17 CZM 17-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 7 Route 7 Edgware Road Burwood Place TfL Transport for London
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