Weekly Summary - March 22nd

It's been a fairly active week on the bus scene, whilst the next two weekends certainly won't disappoint either!

This week in action:

• Both the 1938 stock and 'On The Buses' tours were successful last weekend, with both events being very popular.
• Routes 696 and 697 have had their allocations transferred to Hounslow (AV) garage, which means there's now roughly a 50/50 split between this base and Hounslow Heath (HH) for the limited number of remaining 56-reg Scania OmniCity N94/UD vehicles.
• WDL1, the Wrightbus Gemini 2 DB300 demonstrator vehicle operated by Go-Ahead, has been withdrawn from London service and can now be found at Carousel Buses.
• It has been confirmed that route 607 will have its operation transferred to Greenford (G) garage on Saturday 6th April.
• A new Wrightbus Gemini 3 B5LH has arrived at Fulwell (FW) garage for route 65.
• The last Class 43 HST operated by Great Western Railway is believed to operate on Saturday 18th May, forming the 1830 London Paddington to Taunton via Bristol Temple Meads.
• One of the new E40H Cities ordered by CT Plus for the 20, 2540, was on display at the ExCeL Centre earlier this week, allegedly boasting an innovative iBus screen.
• TfL have released another consultation regarding changes to route 339 within the Olympic Park, this time involving a new bridge in Fish Island.
• Abellio have sneaked out two of its new ADL Enviro 400 'smart hybrid' MMCs, 2001 and 2002, onto routes 427 and U5, whilst a refurbished E40D has emerged on the E1 and E9. These buses will form part of the 207s allocation when the operator takes over on April 6th.

This weekend: 23rd/24th March

• A classic bus running day will take place on Sunday 24th March to commemorate the 40th anniversary since the withdrawal of London Transport's last RF. These will be on routes 218 and 219, from Kingston to Staines and Weybridge.
• CT Plus will assume operation of route 20 on Saturday 23rd March, with new ADL Enviro400H Cities displacing the Gemini 2s which usually work the route under Go-Ahead. However, the planned frequency reduction of route 388 has been cancelled at the last minute (this would've freed up two existing City vehicles to complete the allocation), so for now two diesel E400s will be loaned from Stagecoach.
• Metroline take over the 393 too, but the existing ADL Enviro 200 vehicles which Arriva currently use will be loaned since the new buses ordered against the contract are too long. It is expected that some existing 9.3m E200s already in the Metroline fleet will also work the route.
• Rail replacements are in action from Earl's Court to Wimbledon, Stratford to Romford, Sandilands to Birkbeck and Elmers End, Teddington to Shepperton, Purley to Caterham and Tattenham Corner (Sunday), Beckenham Junction to Orpington (Sunday) and Lewisham to Dartford via Bexleyheath (Sunday). 

Next Weekend: 30th/31st March

• Another classic bus running day will take place on Saturday 30th March, commemorating the 40th anniversary since the withdrawal of London Transport's last RF and RT. This will be centered around Barking (BK) and River Road (RR) garages, with special bus services being operated between and beyond the two locations, as well as a procession of RTs at the end of the day.
• Routes 262 and 473 will pass from Stagecoach London to Tower Transit on the Saturday, with Wrightbus Gemini 2 B9TLs from the 25 taking over the current allocation of Scania OmniCity vehicles, on Saturday 30th March.
• Stagecoach also lose the 396 on this day, but this route will head over to Go-Ahead with existing Enviro 200s. It is likely that double deck workings will cease with this contract change!
• Friday 29th March marks the last day of route C2 operating as a London bus service. Its replacement will come in the form of a re-routed and extended 88, which will deviate to serve London Zoo and Albany Street between Oxford Circus and Camden Town instead of its current routeing via Mornington Crescent. It will run through to Kentish Town and Parliament Hill Fields like C2 currently does.
•  Rail replacements are in operation from Earl's Court to Wimbledon, Addiscombe to Elmers End, Hackney Downs to Chingford, Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction and Stratford to Romford.