Go-Ahead London's Wright Eclispe Gemini's Versions 1 & 2 (WVLs)- Summary

The Wright Eclipse Gemini is one of the UK's most successful buses of all time. London currently owns about 2000 of these buses (Version 1 on Version 2). Out of these buses Go-Ahead own about 452 of these Gemini's and more are still on order!

2002

WVL1-WVL28 (The start): In April 2002, Go-Ahead London ordered the first 28 Gemini's for Route 345. These Gemini's were to be operated from (SW) Stockwell Garage. Although in 2009 WVL14-WVL27 transferred to Putney Garage in 2009 when Route 345 was retained by Go-Ahead London with 28 brand new Enviro400's.

WVL29-WVL71 (Putney's first Gemini's): In November 2002, Go-Ahead London ordered 44 Wright Gemini's for Putney Garage. These were to operate on all of Putney Garage's routes and back then they were mainly found on Routes 74 and 85

Route 87, London General, WVL2, LG02KGU

2003

WVL72-WVL104 (Handy surprises): In January 2003, a brand new bus route had appeared. Route 333 (Elephant & Castle- Tooting Broadway). Route 333 was made in effort to shorten sister Route 133 what operated between Tooting Broadway and Liverpool Street. Route 333 was to gained 14 Gemini's from Stockwell Garage. Route 133 also gained 19 Gemini's from Stockwell Garage on the same day. However, in November 2007 these buses transferred to Mandela Way Garage (MW) when Go-Ahead London gained Route 24 from Stockwell Garage.Route 24 gained 29 Enviro400's. There wasn't enough space inside Stockwell to hold both the 24's Enviro400's and the 133/333's Gemini's causing the Gemini's and Route 133 to transfer to Mandela Way (WVL72-WVL104). But in January 2010, these 33 Gemini's transferred to Merton Garage as Go-Ahead London lost route 133.

WVL105-WVL121: In April 2003, Route 37 was retained by London General with 17 Gemini's from Stockwell Garage.But sadly in 2004 route 37 transferred to Peckham Garage and left its WVL's behind. Currently today Route 37 use LX06XXX Enviro400's along with the odd President and Gemini2.

WVL122-WVL152 (Flagship route's conversion to double deckers from Routemasters): In October 2003, Route 11 converted from Routemasters Route 11 is Go-Ahead London's flagship route. The route operates between Fulham and Liverpool Street and is one of few routes well known to tourists and Londoners. Route 11 gained 30 brand new Gemini's from Stockwell Garage

WVL153-WVL159 (A PVR increase for Route 74): In December 2003, Routes 74 had a PVR increase. Putney didnt have enough buses to cater for the PVR increase. Go-Ahead ordered 7 Gemini's for Putney Garage.

Route 87, London General, WVL147, LX53AYY

Route 74, London General, WVL158, LX53BDO

Route 155, London General, WVL91, LF52ZNZ

2005

WVL160-WVL211(Putney's Routemaster Change): In 2005, Routes 14  and 22 were converted from an RM operation to a modern day London Bus operation. Go-Ahead London decided to order 52 Gemini's for these two routes. These buses are operated from Putney Garage.These buses are now usually found on all of  Putney Garages routes.

2006

WVL212-WVL273 (Go-Ahead London's biggest gain and Arriva London's Biggest loss): On April 29th 2006, Go-Ahead London won its biggest gain in its history. The 68 group from Arriva. The 68 Group is formed of 4 bus routes, 68, 468, X68 and N68. Go-Ahead London ordered 62 Gemini;s for these 4 routes. Theses 4 routes were to be operated from Camberwell Garage (Q). WVL260 has recently transferred to Mandela Way. Sadly WVL221 was burnt out in Camberwell Garage.

Route 68, London Central, WVL255, LX06EBO

2009

WVL274-WVL302 (A new type of Gemini): In November 2009, Go-Ahead London ordered a new specification of Wright Gemini's for Route 21. These were called "Gemini 2's". Route 21 gained 29 of these Gemini 2's from New Cross (NX) Garage. But sadly in August during the London riots, WVL302 was burnt out by looters in Peckham.

WVL303-WVL333 (some strangers arriving at Peckham): In December 2009, Go-Ahead London retained Route 63 from Peckham (PM) Garage. Route 63 gained 30 Gemini 2's. These Gemini were the first type of any Gemini to ever step foot into Peckham Garage. Although these Gemini's are generally found on Route 37

WVL334-WVL349 (New Transits in East London): In February 2009, Transport for London introduced 2 brand new routes, EL1 and EL2. These buses gained the title "East London Transit". These 2 routes were to be operated from Rainham (BE) Garage. Go-Ahead London ordered 15 Gemini 2's for these two routes.

Route 21, London Central, WVL280, LX59CYV

2011

WVL350-WVL385 (Bexleyheath's turn): In January 2011, Routes 229 and 422 were retained by Go-Ahead London. Go-Ahead London ordered 36 brand new Gemini 2's for these 2 routes. The new Gemini's currently operate from Bexleyheath (BX) Garage. In late October 2011 WVL380-WVL385 transferred to Camberwell Garage to serve Route 12 when it converts from a bendy bus operation to a Double Decker operation. Go-Ahead London decided to replace these 6 buses with 6 brand new Enviro400's which are E202-E207.

WVL386-WVL412 (Route 171's retained!): In April 2011, Route 171 was retained by Go-Ahead London with 25 brand new Gemini 2's for New Cross Garage. Route 171 operates between Holborn and Belligham, Catford Bus Garage.

WVL413-WVL421 (The first ever Gemini's to Docklands Buses: In April 2011, Route 474 was retained by Go-Ahead London with 7 brand new buses and 5 existing buses. Go-Ahead London order 7 Gemini 2's for Silvertown (SI) Garage.Route 474 runs between Canning Town and Manor Park

WVL422-WVL434 (getting even bigger): In September 2011, Go-Ahead London successfully won Route D7 from First London. Route D7 runs between Poplar and Mile End. Go-Ahead London ordered 14 Gemini 2's for Silvertown Garage.

WVL435-WVL454 (Bye Bye to Q's bendy buses): Go-Ahead London ordered 15 new Gemini 2's for Camberwell Garage to operate on Route 12 when it converts from a bendy bus operation on the 5th November 2011. WVL435-WVL452 have been delivered really early. On the 24th September, Go-Ahead London put these Gemini's on Route 45. The reason ibeing is that Route 453 converted from a bendy bus operation to a Double Decker Operation. But some the buses the Route 453 were suppose to use (Enviro400's) were not delivered as yet. So Camberwell lent Mandela Way Garage there PVL's to cover for the undelivered buses. Camberwell Garage decided to put the new WVL's out on Route 45.

Route 45, London Central, WVL436, LJ61GWV

Route 171, London Central, WVL407, LX11CWM

Future?: Currently Go-Ahead London have ordered brand new Gemini's for recently won routes 19, 20 and 249.