Metroline route 30: Hackney Wick, Trowbridge Road - Marble Arch
York Street (F)
Metroline started their new contract to route 30 from King's Cross (KC) on 23 June 2018. The service change introduces new MCV EvoSetis to Metroline, the first of the type for the operator to complete their first non-Wright order since 2015. VMH2433-2498 are allocated to both routes 30 and 274 (pending).
The buses are refreshing in the new look they bring to the 30 but also in that their air-conditioning is outstanding, coming into service at the right time if you consider the hot weather we have been having recently - the only thing is that it is almost always on so when directly underneath it gave me a bit of a headache. The ride is as good as you would expect from any Volvo B5LH, although I couldn't enjoy its potential because my driver was slow and the virtually standstill traffic in Hackney meant not much more could be extracted from the performance of the bus.
Overall, a very good purchase from Metroline and the start of a more varied fleet to come.
©London Bus Breh 2018.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles MCV MCV Bus and Coach MCV EvoSeti EvoSeti Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VMH VMH2470 LK18 ANP 18-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 30 Route 30 Baker Street York Street TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route 32: Edgware, Bus Station - Kilburn Park Station
Approach Whitchurch Lane (N)
I used to think that route 32, like the 210, was the hand-me-down service of Cricklewood (W) when it came to vehicle allocation, always using buses like TAs, TEs and TEHs made surplus by new buses for other routes at the garage. It is only since last year that an exception was made with LTs.
Now that it has moved to Edgware (EW), route 32 has already showcased a fresh look with the new VMH-type introduced to route 113 only a day beforehand. Easily the best-looking vehicle it has used.
©London Bus Breh 2018.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles MCV Bus and Coach MCV EvoSeti EvoSeti Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VMH VMH2436 LK18 AFJ 18-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 32 Route 32 Edgware Station Road TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route 113: Edgware, Bus Station - Oxford Circus, John Prince's Street
Departing Finchley Road / College Crescent (B), towards Swiss Cottage Station / Avenue Road (D)
New MCV EvoSetis have been introduced to route 113 from 1 September 2018. The Perivale West "PA" garage code to the side of these buses are indicative of their original home for route 31, which would have started its new contract to Metroline West with new VMHs if existing VWs were not introduced instead.
I love these new buses on the 113, itself an attractive motorway route. As a result, its fast-paced nature considering the predominant use of dual carriageways and traffic making use of the multiple lanes available means it is quite difficult to explore new photo opportunities along this route, especially in low light. Such conditions work well with the VMH's interior lighting to illuminate the refreshing style of the EvoSeti in Metroline colours, though, with a momentarily clear road helping to achieve this depiction.
©London Bus Breh 2018.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles MCV Bus and Coach MCV MCV EvoSeti EvoSeti Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VMH VMH2440 LK18 AFV 18-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 113 Route 113 Swiss Cottage Finchley Road TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route N113: Edgware, Bus Station - Trafalgar Square
Approaching York Street (G)
The new VMHs for route 113 have been making a few outings on its night service which otherwise uses TEHs. I have always found the N113 a bit out of place in the sense that going to Trafalgar Square, "night bus central", is not much of a credible extension to its day route which terminates at Oxford Circus.
The 113 might as well be 24-hour, or a northbound extension of the N113 could give it a more useful distinction. I have not paid much attention to the demand for the service, but even if we take this observation as an example: the bus looks empty!
©London Bus Breh 2018.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles MCV Bus and Coach MCV MCV EvoSeti EvoSeti Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5L Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VMH VMH2436 LK18 AFJ 18-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route N113 Route N113 Baker Street Baker Street Station TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route 113: Oxford Circus, John Prince's Street - Edgware Station
Approaching Alpha Close (LC)
Curtailed to Hendon Central.
©London Bus Breh 2018.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles MCV Bus and Coach MCV MCV EvoSeti EvoSeti Volvo Volvo Bus Volvo B5LH Volvo B5L Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VMH VMH2445 LK18 AGU 18-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 113 Route 113 Marylebone Park Road TfL Transport for London
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