Today I checked on LVF as usual and looked up Route 463 and it said that SD43 was operating the route, which is an odd working. I therefore decided to go and capture it at Beddington Asda, the closest place on the route to where I live. So I walked there and waited for it to return from Pollards Hill, which took an hour due to the fact that the roads where full of traffic, Asda car park was rammed and it was taking up to 45 minutes to get through. I eventually got on it to Wallington where it had to be curtailed to due to the drivers working hours running out; it eventually arrived at Wallington Station 1 hour and 20 minutes late. I have also included some pictures of the traffic, mainly caused by roadworks on Beddington Lane. Buses were also running straight along Beddington Lane instead of running via Coomber Way, Beddington Farm Road, Marlowe Way and Asda; in a hope to cut the time spent late. I am quite surprised it fitted round some parts of the route in which 8.9 metre buses can only fit. NOTE: The blinds displayed Coulsdon rather than Coulsdon South due to the fact they do not carry blinds for Cousldon South. The future of these buses is currently unknown from January 2014 because the S1 contract which these are for is due to expire after a 5 year term and 2 year extension and could recive new buses whcih would probaly be OPL's (9.6 metre lenghted Optare Solo SR's). Hopefully there will be more odd's on the route due to the fact that Quality Line today confirmed via it's website that Optare will be supplying with a new Solo SR for the Route 404 contract which has been retained for a further 5 years. I hope you enjoy reading this post.
