Final Farewell to Metroline's T&V reg TPs

On the 5th of September 2012, Metroline's last 5 remaining 1999 built 9.9m Dennis Trident 2s with Plaxton President bodywork (TPs), left Metroline's Holloway garage on their way to Ensignbus of Purfleet, Essex (Dealer) to be sold on to the provinces. 

TP5 Decomissioned and off to Ensignbus on the 5th of September.
Luckily i was in the right place at the right time to get this shot

History of the Buses
In 1998/1999 Metroline had placed an order for 65 9.9m Dennis Tridents with Plaxton President Bodywork, to be used to oust out Metrobuses inherited from the late Finchley garage and Volvo Olympians allocated to route 4. This meant that Routes: 10,17,43 & 134 we converted to Low Floor Operation. These buses were numbered between TP's 1 - 65. These were the first "Low Floor" buses  Metroline had ever purchased.

(C) Peter Horrex 2000

In 2006 after 7 years in service, Metroline decided to lower the blue skirt on the buses to comply with regulations set out by TFL that all london buses should be painted 80% red.

(C) Peter Horrex 2006

(C)Peter Horrex 2006

(C) Peter Horrex 2006

In 2009 To again comply with TFL regualtions Metroline decided to lower the skirt on their buses to a 100% red livery, so a Few TP's were sent off for a repaint.

(C) Peter Horrex

In the Summer of 2011 it was announced that Metroline had lost route C2 to Abellio London, which meant it had lost 19 buses of work in the form of these TPs. Later in October it was announced that Metroline had also retained routes 43 & 134 with the 134 & 43s contract stating New buses, but the 43's also stated that it was to gain existing buses. These buses are in the form of 57 new Volvo B9TL's with Wright Gemini 2 bodywork. (VW's) Numbered between VW1243 - VW1306 This also meant that the remaining TP's at Holloway could be decommisoned and sent off to Ensignbus. Which is what throughout the course of this year Metroline have been doing.


Specifications 
Euro 2 Cummins Engine
3 Speed Voith Gearbox
Powerblinds (front only), although some were delivered with manual
They seat 64 passengers & 1 wheelchair

Without Further Ado here is the Fleetlist and Pictures:

TP1 T101 KLD

TP2 T102 KLD

TP3 T103 KLD

TP4 T104 KLD

TP5 T105 KLD

TP6 T106 KLD

TP7 T107 KLD

TP8 T108 KLD

TP9 T109 KLD

TP10 T110 KLD

TP11 T81 KLD

TP12 T112 KLD

TP13 T113 KLD

TP14 T114 KLD

TP15 T115 KLD

TP16 T116 KLD

TP17 T117 KLD 

TP18 T118 KLD

TP19 T119 KLD

TP20 T120KLD

TP21 T71 KLD

TP22 T122 KLD

TP23 T73 KLD

TP24 T124 KLD

TP25 T125KLD

TP26 T126 KLD

TP27 T127 KLD

TP28 T128 KLD

TP29 T129 KLD

TP30 T130 KLD

TP31 T98 KLD

TP32 T132 CLO

TP33 T133 CLO

TP34 T134 CLO

TP35 T135 CLO

TP36 T136 CLO

TP37 T137 CLO 

TP38 T138 CLO

TP39 T139 CLO

TP40 T140 CLO

TP41 T141 CLO

TP42 T142 CLO

TP43 T143 CLO

TP45 T145 CLO

TP46 T146 CLO

TP47 V307 GLB

TP48 T148 CLO

TP50 V750 HBY

TP51 V751 HBY

TP52 V752 HBY

TP53 V753 HBY

TP54 V754 HBY

TP55 V755 HBY

TP56 V756 HBY

TP57 V757 HBY

TP58 V758 HBY

TP59 V759 HYB

TP60 V760 HBY

TP61 V761 HBY

TP62 V762 HBY

TP63 V763 HBY

TP64 V764 HBY

TP65 V757 HBY

Where have They Gone Now?
Ensign bus have sold on quite a few now, with a few going to Xelabus of Winchester  & The Green Bus of Birmingham. but they still havent sold every single last one.

So...

Ensignbus are selling these tridents so If you have a spare £25,000
you can get one yourself.
Photo (C) Ensignbus

I'm actually quite sad to see them go, as I have been using these buses almost every day for the past few years to get to school E.TC. but I guess every dog has his day, 
So I say Farewell....

Thanks For Reading!