First is now Last

Hot off the press, First announced that it would be selling it's London division to Metroline, an established London operator and Transit Systems Group, an Australian company that currently runs buses in the Sydney area. This sale is still subject to approval. First London currently has 9 garages which are as follow, Atlas Road, North Acton (AS), purchased by Transit Systems Group Route's 28 and N28, 31 and N31, 266, and 328. The garage has a variety of buses, mainly Volvo's. The type of buses at Atlas Road are as follow, VDL DB300/Gemini 2 diesel for Route 328 VDL DB300/Gemini 2 hybrid for Route 328. Volvo B7TL/Gemini 1 diesel for Route's 28 and N28, 31 and N31 and 328. Volvo B9TL/Gemini 2 diesel for Route 266. Alperton (ON), purchased by Metroline Funnily enough Metroline will regain Route 245 which they lost to First in 2008. Route's 83, 223, 224, 245 and 487. Dart 4/E200 diesel for Route's 245 and 487. E20D/E200 diesel for Route's 223 and 224. B9TL/Gemini 2 diesel for Route 83. Greenford (G), purchased by Metroline Route's 92, 95, 282, E1, E3, E5, E7, E9 and E10. Funnily enough Metroline will regain Route 95 which they lost to First in 2006. Dart 4/E200 diesel for Route's 95, E5, E7, E9 and E10. Trident/Plaxton President diesel for Route 282. Trident/E400 diesel for Route's E1 and E3. E40D/E400 diesel for Route 92. Hayes (HS), purchased by Metroline Route's 195, 207 and N207 and 427. Dart 4/E200 diesel for Route 195. N230UD/Omnicity diesel for Route 207 and N207. B9TL/Gemini 2 diesel for Route 427. Lea Interchange, Leyton (LI), purchased by Transit Systems Group This garage is also home to the only Hydrogen buses in London. Route's 25, 26 and N26, 30, 58, 236, 308, 339, 686, RV1, W14 and W15. Dart 4/E200 diesel for Route's 339, RV1 and W15. E20D/E200 diesel for Route's 236, 308 and W14. Trident/E400 diesel for Route's 26 and N26 and 30. VDL SB200 Wright Pulsar hydrogen for Route RV1. B9TL/Gemini 2 for Route's 25, 58 and 686. Uxbridge (UX), purchased by Metroline Route's 331, 607, A10, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5 and U10. Dart 4/E200 diesel for Route's 331, A10, U1, U5 and U10. Trident/E400 diesel for Route 607. Dart/Caetano Nimbus diesel for Route's U2 and U3. Trident/Plaxton President diesel for Route's U3 and U4. Westbourne Park (X), purchased by Transit Systems Group Route's 9H, 23, 70 and 295. AEC/Routemaster diesel for Route 9H. E20D/E200 diesel for Route 70. E40D/E400 diesel for Route 23. E40H/E400 hybrid for Route 23. B9TL/Gemini 2 diesel for Route 295. Willesden Junction (WJ), purchased by Metroline This garage also is home to the Streetlite demonstrator, although it is unknown whether this will transfer to Metroline. Route's 18 and N18, 187, 206, 226 and 228. Funnily enough Metroline will regain Route 206 which they lost to First in 2012. Dart 4/E200 diesel for Route's 187, 226 and 228. E20D/E200 diesel for Route 206. B9TL/Gemini 2 diesel for Route 18. So it is sad to see an operator go but on the other side we get a new one Transit Systems Group. Dagenham (DM) for some reason has not been sold so First will still continue to be in London. Transit Systems Group will brand the operation Tower Transit. I hope you enjoy reading this post.