London: Buses in London

Saturday 20 June 1987 – Is the man leaning on a barrier in Camden Town contemplating the end of the world? The World’s End pub was the terminus of London Buses service 74. MCW Metrobus M1436 (M436 BUV) (and possibly two others ahead of it) stands in Greenland Road. Buses don’t park here anymore and the lettering of Miller Beale and Hider has been overpainted with what looks like a graffiti message.

Thursday 25 April 2002 – Arriva London DLA46 (S246 JUA), an Alexander ALX400 bodied DAF new in 1999, seen passing the Prudential Insurance Building as it headed east on Holborn.

Sunday 22 May 1994 – Leaside Buses (a London Buses operating unit) L354 (VLT 32) was the last numerically of a batch of 40 Alexander R type bodied Leyland Olympians which were new in 1994. L351-354 featured higher backed coach style seating and were additionally used for private hire and excursion work. L354, delivered as J354 BSH, was re-registered in January 1994 to VLT 32, a registration number taken from Routemaster RM32. It was seen here on the A1065 at Barton Mills having just left the lay-by adjacent to Walker’s Snack Bar returning to Fiveways roundabout working an excursion to Great Yarmouth.

Saturday 13 July 1991 – London Buses Selkent Division Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tiger TPL4 (G608 SGU) new in January 1990. It was seen at AJ’s Family Restaurant at Barton Mills, Suffolk when working a private hire trip to Norwich for St. Andrew’s Church at Catford. It was allocated to Catford garage.

Saturday 13 July 1991 – London Buses Selkent Division Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tiger TPL4 (G608 SGU) new in January 1990. It was seen at AJ’s Family Restaurant at Barton Mills, Suffolk when working a private hire trip to Norwich for St. Andrew’s Church at Catford. It was allocated to Catford garage.

Saturday 13 July 1991 – London Buses Selkent Division Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tiger TPL4 (G608 SGU) new in January 1990. It was seen at AJ’s Family Restaurant at Barton Mills, Suffolk when working a private hire trip to Norwich for St. Andrew’s Church at Catford. It was allocated to Catford garage.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1333) – My very first ride on a Wrightbus NBFL (New bus for London) was on board LT2 (LT61 BHT) which was new in February 2012. With Piccadilly Circus in the background LT2 is seen approaching the bus stop in Shaftesbury Avenue bound for Hackney. Arriva London initially operated the eight NBFL hybrid prototypes on London Buses contracted service 38 interspersed between traditional service buses on the route. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1350) – ‘New bus for London’ LT2 (LT61 BHT) one of the eight NBfL prototypes operated by Arriva London on London Buses contracted service 38 interspersed between traditional service buses on this route. Built by Wrightbus the buses are hybrid powered. The open rear platform, which allows passengers to board and alight when the bus is stopped in traffic - as here in New Oxford Street - is watched over by an attendant. During off peak times the rear door can be permanently closed and the bus operated by the driver only. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1350) – ‘New bus for London’ LT2 (LT61 BHT) one of the eight NBfL prototypes operated by Arriva London on London Buses contracted service 38. Built by Wrightbus the buses are hybrid powered. The open rear platform, which allows passengers to board and alight when the bus is stopped in traffic - as here in New Oxford Street - is watched over by an attendant. During off peak times the rear door is permanently closed and the bus operated by the driver only. Passengers then enter by the front doors and leave by the centre doors. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1353) – The open rear platform of a ‘New bus for London’ [LT2 (LT61 BHT] allows passengers to board and alight between official bus stops when the bus is stopped in traffic - as here in New Oxford Street. The rear doors remain open during peak times and are supervised by an attendant but in off peak times they are permanently closed and locked. The bus is then operated by the driver only and passengers enter by the front doors and leave by the centre doors. The buses, built by Wrightbus are hybrid powered, and operated by Arriva London on London Buses contracted service 38. During the time it was stood in the traffic jam the engine closed down. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1351) – ‘New bus for London’ LT2 (LT61 BHT) one of the eight NBfL prototypes operated by Arriva London on London Buses contracted service 38 seen stuck in traffic in New Oxford Street. Built by Wrightbus the buses are hybrid powered and the engine goes to rest during these periods thus reducing emissions and exhaust. The open rear platform, supervised by an attendant, allows passengers to freely board and alight when the bus is held up like this and so passengers are not ‘trapped’ on board when they could otherwise get of and maybe walk to their onward destination. During off peak times the rear doors are permanently closed and locked and the bus operated by the driver only passengers entering by the front doors and leaving by the centre doors. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1333) – A view of rear staircase on a ‘New bus for London’. Arriva London LT2 (LT61 BHT), one of the eight prototypes operated on London Buses contracted service 38 was in Shaftesbury Avenue. The bus has two staircases, the forward one is positioned behind the driver. A hybrid powered model built by Wrightbus, Northern Ireland. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1334) – A forward view on the top deck on Arriva London LT2 (LT61 BHT), one of the eight ‘New bus for London’ prototypes operating on London Buses contracted service 38. The bus has two staircases, the forward one visible in this photograph. The rear one is located in the offside rear corner in the same position as traditional rear entrance platform buses of old. A hybrid powered model built by Wrightbus, Northern Ireland. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1334) – A view through the rear window from the top deck of LT2 (LT61 BHT) in Shaftesbury Avenue looking towards Piccadilly Circus. This is one of the eight hybrid powered ‘New bus for London’ prototypes built by Wrightbus, Northern Ireland operated by Arriva London on London Buses contracted service 38. The bus has two staircases, the forward one is positioned behind the driver. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1339) – A forward view on the lower deck on one of the eight ‘New bus for London’ hybrid prototypes built by Wrightbus and operated by Arriva London on London Buses contracted service 38. LT2 (LT61 BHT) was in Shaftesbury Avenue. Up ahead is First London VN36109 (BJ11 DUV), a Volvo B9TL with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1340) – A view towards the rear platform area on one of the ‘New bus for London’ prototypes [LT2 (LT61 BHT)]. During the main part of the day the rear doors remain open, and supervised by an attendant as seen here. At off peak times these doors remain closed and locked and passengers enter by the front doors and leave by the centre doors. NBfL is a hybrid powered vehicle built by Wrightbus, Northern Ireland. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Wednesday 3 April 2013 (1340) – The open doors on the rear platform of the ‘New bus for London’ are supervised by an attendant. During the main part of the day the rear doors remain open to allow passengers to freely board and alight between official bus stops particularly when the bus is stuck in traffic. At off peak times these doors remain closed and locked with passengers entering by the front doors and leaving by the centre doors. NBfL is a hybrid powered vehicle built by Wrightbus, Northern Ireland. There were 1000 Wright NBFL buses delivered for London service which carried fleet numbers LT1 to LT1000. The buses carried registration numbers in the Northern Ireland LTZ series: LT1-900 (LTZ 1001-1900) LT901-999 (LTZ 2101-2199) LT1000 (LTZ 1000) However, some of the early deliveries (LT1-8, LT10-12 and LT16) initially carried standard style English registrations although were later re-registered: LT1 (LT61 AHT) to LTZ 1001 in November 2015 (new April 2012) LT2 (LT61 BHT) to LTZ 1002 in June 2016 (new February 2012) LT3 (LT61 CHT) to LTZ 1003 in October 2015 (new July 2012) LT4 (LT12 DHT) to LTZ 1004 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT5 (LT12 EHT) to LTZ 1005 in December 2013 (new July 2012) LT6 (LT12 FHT) to LTZ 1006 in December 2013 (new May 2012) LT7 (LT12 GHT to LTZ 1007 in December 2013 (new June 2012) LT8 (LT12 HHT) to LTZ 1008 in May 2014 (new July 2012) LT10 (LK13 FJE) to LTZ 1010 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT11 (LK13 FJJ) to LTZ 1011 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT12 (LK13 FJF) to LTZ 1012 in September 2013 (new April 2013) LT16 (LK13 FJN) to LTZ 1016 in September 2013 (new April 2013) Thereafter new buses entered service from June 2013 onwards (LT9, LT13-15 then LT17 upwards) with LT1000 entering service in January 2018.

Tuesday 2 April 2013 (0921) – A line up of Metroline Alexander Dennis Darts with Plaxton Pointer style bodywork (DLD class) single deckers on the north side of Finsbury Square during a break from London Buses contracted service 214. They are (from left to right): DLD 702 (LK55 KLV) new Dec 2005; DLD706 (LK55 KME) new Jan 2006; and DLD708 (LK55 KMG) new Jan 2006. Service 214 is operated from Kings Cross (KC) garage. Metroline has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore based ComfortDelGro since March 2000.