Blue Triangle route EL2: Becontree Heath, Leisure Centre - Dagenham Dock
Approaching Becontree Heath Leisure Centre (K)
Blue Triangle retained their contracts to the East London Transit from River Road (RR) on 18 February 2017. A bulk of 'New Routemasters', LT903-953, were introduced upon contract renewal but have only recently received new ELT branding.
I started off with route EL2, which upon research I've only just realised has changed termini from Ilford to Becontree Heath. A busy route with demand at its peak in Barking, the journey was nevertheless consistently fast with the driver hitting and maintaining 40mph around the empty roads of Dagenham Dock. The service was quite good, the quick loadings at stops enabled by the three doors beneficial for keeping to timetable, as the driver later commented. Further opinions from behind-the-wheel approved of the air-conditioning and superior smoothness of drive to that of the WVLs previously allocated to the ELT.
However, while accepting the new buses, there was some dissatisfaction with the "turning ratio", translating to me as stiff steering. The recurring issue of managing fare evasion was highlighted, with 1/3 of passengers estimated to get away with it although we did have an inspector on my journey which is a better sight than more commonly finding them on conventional two-door buses where drivers can 'inspect' fares themselves. Also, the driver doubted the durability of the LTs would match that of the WVLs in years to come, mentioning frequent rear door issues such as them either keeping closed when commanded to open or opening whilst driving. Perhaps a subtle hint to bring back conductors.
An interesting start to the renewed ELT experience, the EL2 is my favourite out of the three routes.
©London Bus Breh 2017.
Tags: Go-Ahead Go-Ahead Group Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle East London Transit ELT The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Borismaster Wright Borismaster hybrid New Routemaster LT LT934 LTZ 2134 London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route EL2 Route EL2 Becontree Heath Becontree Heath Leisure Centre Wood Lane TfL Transport for London
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Blue Triangle route EL3: Barking Riverside - Little Heath
Approaching Westbury Road (T)
Blue Triangle retained their contracts to the East London Transit from River Road (RR) on 18 February 2017. A bulk of 'New Routemasters', LT903-953, were introduced upon contract renewal but have only recently received new ELT branding.
Go-Ahead also added a third route to the ELT, route 387 awarded from Stagecoach London. Its inclusion into the ELT means the route has been renumbered 'EL3' and now runs a more direct routing through Ripple Road and Station Parade in Barking instead of going around the town centre like most of the area's routes do.
A bus stop at Little Heath has a notice informing passengers to expect further changes to routes EL1 and EL3 this month.
©London Bus Breh 2017.
Tags: Go-Ahead Go-Ahead Group Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle East London Transit ELT The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Borismaster Wright Borismaster hybrid New Routemaster LT LT909 LTZ 2109 London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route EL3 Route EL3 Barking Ripple Road TfL Transport for London
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Blue Triangle route EL1: Ilford Station - Barking Riverside
Vicarage Field Shopping Centre (EL)
Blue Triangle retained their contracts to the East London Transit from River Road (RR) on 18 February 2017. A bulk of 'New Routemasters', LT903-953, were introduced upon contract renewal but have only recently received new ELT branding.
Route EL1 has also been extended from Thames View Estate to Barking Riverside since my last visit. However, buses seemed to terminate at different stops at the extension: my journey finished at Rivergate Centre, but then the next EL1 to arrive ducked into the little area where the EL3 stands nearby. Asking a driver for some clarification, he said after 21:00 the EL1 stands with the EL3 abruptly explaining it's "just the policy" ...
Anyway, my bus presented the EL1 as the messier example of the demand for the ELT and it also felt like the shortest of the routes.
©London Bus Breh 2017.
Tags: Go-Ahead Go-Ahead Group Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle East London Transit ELT The Wright Group Wright Group WrightBus Wright Wright Borismaster Wright Borismaster hybrid New Routemaster LT LT930 LTZ 2130 London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route EL1 Route EL1 Barking Barking Town Centre Vicarage Field Shopping Centre TfL Transport for London
© All Rights Reserved