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 297: Ealing Broadway Station - Willesden, Bus Garage
Manor Drive (B)
Curtailed to Neasden, Shopping Centre.
©London Bus Breh 2019.
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 VMH2558 LA68 DXK 68-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 297 Route 297 Wembley Wembley Park Wembley Park Drive TfL Transport for London
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Metroline route 274: Lancaster Gate Station - Islington, Angel
Camden Town / Camden Road (N)
Metroline retained route 274 from King's Cross (KC) on 23 June 2018. New MCV EvoSetis, fleet-coded VMH, were introduced from 2 October 2018, although supplementary journeys between London Zoo and Marble Arch already kickstarted the double-decker conversion of the service throughout the summer.
I'm not sure route 274 warranted double-deckers, even though it does get quite busy during the peak hours. Single-deckers with consistent reliability in terms of service control would be able to withstand the demand, but I guess double-deckers add capacity thus less buses need be used, saving TfL money they seem to need. On top of that, it has made for an interesting service change.
©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 B5LH Volvo B5L Volvo B5L Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Bus Hybrid Technology VMH VMH2466 LK18 AMU 18-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 274 Route 274 Camden Camden Town Camden Road TfL Transport for London
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