Regent Street Bus Rally

Late in 2013, it was announced by TfL that 2014 would be Year of the Bus, with events celebrating the history of London's buses. One of the highlights of these events was a bus rally in Regent Street. I was quite surprised at this happening, however I think it was a very good idea! The rally included 50 buses, all have worked in London at some point. The Orpington Roundabout Optare City Pacer sadly didn't turn up however there were plenty of other good buses there. Also present was London United's new Optare Metrocity electric, which has part leather seats. London Central's WHV1 has also been fitted with a seat availability screen at the bottom of the staircase, showing which seats available. Tower Transit's WSH62994 has also been fitted with a GPS device, showing the location of the bus on a screen. All in all, there was some very good buses there, and I hope TfL do a similar event soon. I hope you enjoyed reading this post.

Route 54 Observations

Route 54 started in the 1940's?, and provided a service between Selsdon and Plumstead, using RT's from Catford garage. In 1952, a Sunday allocation at Elmers End was introduced. In 1959 the Sunday service ceased to serve Plumstead. In 1961, the Elmers End Sunday allocation was withdrawn, and Catford garage ran the entire service. In 1963, the entire service ceased to serve Plumstead Common all other days of the week, and terminated at Woolwich. In 1965 weekday peak hour journeys were introduced between Riddlesdown and Woolwich Industrial Estate. In 1972 a Elmers End allocation was reintroduced and Catford ceased to run the service on a Sunday. In 1973, the route ceased to serve Selsdon and Woolwich Industrial Estate, and simply ran Woolwich to Croydon. The Sunday service also started to be run by RM's. Later that year, the Sunday service was converted to One Person Operation. In 1978 the full service was converted to One Person Operation. In 1985, during Saturday shopping hours, some Saturday daytime journeys were extended to serve the Asda superstore at Charlton, however these ceased just a year later. In 1988, a Sunday Plumstead allocation was introduced, and used Leyland Olympians. Some Sunday journeys were also extended from Woolwich to Plumstead garage. In 1991, the Sunday allocation was transferred back to Catford garage, and used single deckers. Later that year, a part allocation was also given to Plumstead garage. In 1993, the entire service was transferred to Plumstead garage. In 1996, the Sunday service reverted to double deckers. In 1997, Volvo Olympians, were introduced. In 1999 the service and its buses transferred to Catford garage. In 2000, route 54 ceased to serve Croydon, due to the new Tramlink system. In 2001, a Plumstead allocation was reintroduced, running the full service on a Saturday, and a joint service on weekdays and Sunday's. In 2002, the route received brand new ALX400 Trident's, and in 2003, the Plumstead allocation was removed. IN 2006, Stagecoach sold their London operations to Australian investment bank Macquarie, for £264 million pounds. This saw the route run by East London bus group, with South London business branded Selkent. In 2009, Selkent lost Route 54 to Metrobus, who ordered Scania/Optare Olympuses, running the route from Green Street Green depot. These arrived late, and for a few months Selkent Trident's were hired. In 2012, due to the loss of Route's T33 and X26 at Croydon depot, Route 54 was transferred there. In 2014, Metrobus lost Route 54 to Stagecoach, who purchased Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 3 buses for the route, however, these were transferred to Plumstead instead. The 54 ended up using Enviro 400 hybrids, running from Catford garage. The Scania Olympuses the ran the route for 5 years, will be transferred to Go Ahead London, one will go to Belvedere, two to Bexleyheath and the remain vehicles will be transferred to Blue Triangle at Rainham for route 498 and school routes. I hope you enjoyed reading this post.

Route 75 Observations

Yesterday, Route 75 retruned back home to Stagecoach Selkent from Catford garage, after 5 years at Metrobus with Scania bodied Optare Olympus'. Route 75 started in 1934 running between Woolwich and Caterham, but by 1950 was shortened run between west Croydon and Woolwich. In 1960, the weekday service was extended to South Croydon bus garage, and the PVR was increased to 29 RT's Monday to Friday. In 1962, the Sunday service ceased to serve Charlton and Woolwich, serving Blackheath to West Croydon only. In 1969, the sunday service ceased to serve Selhurst and Croydon, with the exception of some morning journeys, but by February 1977, the Sunday service once again served Croydon. The route was also converted to one person operation that month. In 1985, the Sunday service had a allocation at Elmers End garage reintroduced, but just a year later, the Sunday service went back to South Croydon garage as Elmers End garage was closed. In 1988 South Croydon garage introduced new Olympians onto the 75, however, by 1989, the Sunday service was transferred to Catford garage. In 1991, the 75 ceased to serve Charlton and Woolwich all days of the week, and the route simply ran Blackheath to Croydon. Later that year, some Saturday journeys were extended to serve Surrey Quays shopping complex, however this extension ceased to run beyond 1994. In 1993, the Sunday service was converted to single deck operation, in 1994, the Monday to Saturday service also was single deck operated. In 1995, Selkent converted the route back to double deck operation once again. In 1997, Stagecoach Selkent introduced brand new Volvo Olympian's on the 75. In 2002, the route was extended from West Croydon bus station, to Fairfield Halls, new ALX400 Trident's were also introduced around the same time. In 2004, the night service was withdrawn. In 2006 Australian investment bank Macquarie purchased Stagecoach' London operation, rebranding the operations as Selkent and East London respectively. In April 2009, Selkent lost the route to Metrobus, however late delivery of the state of the art Scania bodied Optare Olympus' saw the Tridents linger on until July 2009, when the buses had been delivered and accepted into service. In August 2013, Route 75 was lost to Stagecoach Selkent once again, on the basis of brand new hybrid double deckers from Catford garage. A order for 32 Volvo B5LH/ Wight Gemini 3's was placed, a first for Stagecoach, however these were reallocated to Plumstead garage, and the 75 gained Enviro 400 hybrids. Today the change happened and there were many curtailments, West Croydon being the most common. I will miss Metrobus operating the route, hwoever I hope Stagecoach run the route well. Many thanks to the kind driver for letting me take pictures of the cab and interior. Thanks for reading!