London Central route 36: New Cross Gate - Queen's Park
Departed St. Mary's Hospital (G), towards Paddington Station (F)

Go-Ahead introduced the new Optare MetroDecker EV to London with route 36 on 9 January. The first of its kind, MD1 was originally a diesel bus until converted to electric by MagTec. It was expected to enter service last year, but instead went on trials exclusive to FirstGroup services in Leeds and York before adding itself to a growing list of new buses at New Cross (NX).

The bus entered service limited to morning runs typically lasting from 05:15 to 12:30 before switching to an evening duty (pictured) that would complete a round from 17:00 to 20:00, have a break then re-enter service from 21:00 to midnight. More recently, it has been entering service from mid-day until midnight, maintaining its 8pm interval, but has not been in service for almost a week now.

The battery life only lasts three rounds to explain its limited running time. But other than the fact that there is also no iBus upstairs, Optare have kept BYD on their toes with this impressive demonstrator. I shall try to complete a full review on London Connected when the delayed new E40H MMCs arrive for the 36, buses rumoured to include updated hybrid technology similar to KERS in F1, bringing my passion for buses and motorsport closer together.

©London Bus Breh 2018.

Tags:   Go-Ahead Go-Ahead Group Go-Ahead London London Central Optare Optare MetroDecker EV MetroDecker MagTec Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle EV MD1 YJ17 FXX 17-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 36 Route 36 Paddington St. Mary's Hospital Norfolk Place Praed Street TfL Transport for London

© All Rights Reserved

London Central route 21: Lewisham, Shopping Centre - Newington Green
Departed Lewisham College (SJ), towards Lucas Street (D)

After a month out of service, MD1 returned to route 36 once more on 23 April before emigrating to route 21, but the electric double-decker does not seem to do the full route. Reaching Lewisham, I am yet to see the bus blinded for Newington Green, London Bridge the furthest northbound trip I think it has made. I assume the poor battery life is the reason for the curtailed service.

If the nearest bollard was not there, I would have been able to exploit a wider angle for this photo. Although, I find that the achieved angle demonstrated above extracts extra aesthetic appeal from the awkward front design of the MetroDecker.

©London Bus Breh 2018.

Tags:   Go-Ahead Go-Ahead Group Go-Ahead London London Central Optare Optare MetroDecker EV MetroDecker EV Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle MD MD1 YJ17 FXX 17-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 21 Route 21 St Johns Lewisham Way TfL Transport for London

© All Rights Reserved