Route 82, Here Comes The Upgrade

As you may be aware, Route 82 is currently in the process of receiving new buses, these are to help start regenerate the life of the route for another 4 of the 5 year contract. The reason why I mention four is due to the fact that, the contract was actually awarded last year. But due to manufacturing complications & other unforeseen circumstances, the manufacturing process was held back a year to allow things to process. One year on and 27 10.2m Alexander Dennis E400's (E40D's) are currently being rolled out on the route.

These are Metroline's second batch of Enviro 400's to this spec; the first being W's TE1307 - 1317. and I must say they look stunning although they are a far cray from my "beloved" TPL's which are slowly being displaced from the route due to the arrival of the new buses.

A brand spanking new TE1422 sees service heading
 for it's fourth ever trip to Victoria. in Finchley

Throughout January and February, these new buses were delivered straight to CELF where they were appraised by Metroline and given the necessary TFL equipment. Whilst this was occurring, sister Vehicle, Cricklewood's TE1309 was sent to Potters bar for Type Training purposes. I myself had seen it many a time sitting in North Finchley blinded for the 139 . 

By mid February, some buses were ready to enter service, but did not... Until late February when they were given the go ahead to go out.

The first 13 to be delivered and put into service were: 

A 250 horsepower Euro 5 Cummins ISB6.7EV 6 cylinder, turbocharged and inter-cooled Engine coupled with a: 4 speed Voith D854.5E Gearbox.

TE1420 - LK62DXM - body no. C440/1
TE1421 - LK62DXP - body no. C440/2
TE1422 - LK62DXS - body no. C440/3
TE1423 - LK62DXT - body no. C440/4
TE1424 - LK62DXX - body no. C440/5
TE1425 - LK62DXY - body no. C440/6
TE1426 - LK62DYA - body no. C440/7
TE1427 - LK62DYC - body no. C440/8
TE1428 - LK62DYD - body no. C440/9
TE1429 - LK62DYF - body no. C440/10
TE1430 - LK62DYG - body no. C440/11
TE1431 - LK62DYH - body no. C440/12
TE1432 - LK62DYN - body no. C440/13
TE1433 - LK62DYO - body no. C440/14 

A Second batch was strangely ordered but with good reason (explained below)

This batch also contains a: 250 horsepower Euro 5 Cummins ISB6.7EV 6 cylinder, turbocharged and inter-cooled Engine,but  coupled with a: ZF6HP1203B 6 speed Gearbox. This latter batch originally was thought to have contained TFL new spec, white blinds but It turns out it that this was just a myth.

TE1434 - LK13BEU - body no. C441/1
TE1435 - LK13BEY - body no. C441/2
TE1436 - LK13BFA - body no. C441/3
TE1437 - LK13BFF - body no. C441/4
TE1438 - LK13BFJ - body no. C441/5
TE1439 - LK13BFL - body no. C441/6
TE1440 - LK13BFM - body no. C441/7
TE1441 - LK13BFN - body no. C441/8
TE1442 - LK13BFO - body no. C441/9
TE1443 - LK13BFP - body no. C441/10
TE1444 - LK13BFU - body no. C441/11
TE1445 - LK13BFV - body no. C441/12
TE1446 - LK13BFX - body no. C441/13
TE1447 - LK13BFY - body no. C441/14 

The buses were split into two different batches because Metroline are undergoing a series of trials, these trials include ways to reduce costs within the company. Metroline, wanting to test fuel consumption; arranged to fit 14 of these examples with the Voith Gearbox and a further 13 with the more popular, ZF gearbox.

The Route's History:

Route 82 was introduced in 1986 in aid of replacing the withdrawn section of route 2B between Golders Green and Baker Street, although it formerly ran to North Finchley. This was under route 2 that ran from North Finchley to Crystal Palace until it was split into two routes. Anyways Route 82 at this point was working a service between Golders Green and Victoria Station., although garage journeys were to North Finchley. This is because the route was run from the infamous Finchley Garage (FY). On a Sundays the route was extended to run to Barnet  Chesterfield Road. This was induced to cover the withdrawn Sunday allocation of route 26 which ran from Barnet to Golders green and so fourth during the Week.

Following closure of Muswell Hill garage in 1990, Leylan Titans were dispersed to other London Northern premises. One of them being Finchley. During this period the 82 received a part allocation of T's alongside with the MCW Metrobuses also used on the route.

Below is T745 is seen in Golders Green whilst on a
 garage journey to North Finchley; bursting with life I must say!

 Peter Horrex

In  the February of 1991. The route was permanently withdrawn between Barnet and Golders green on Sundays. Route 82 only ran up to North Finchley whilst completing garage journeys.

Only three months later and the Route was fully Extended to North Finchley during weekdays and the Saturday shopping hours,excluding Evenings. On Sundays the route ran to Golders Green to Victoria. Again only 6 months later. the route was to run to North Finchley during the daytime. Yes the Service was very erratic!

In 1993, Finchley garage was deemed to close. Thus forcing out the existing stock at the garage. Much of the fleet was relocated to nearby, Potters Bar garage in Hertfordshire. Including route 82. 

Here in 1993, London Northern M392 is seen here running 
out from he former Tally Ho bus stand. Located a
 few feet away from where the new Bus Station lays today. 

 Peter Horrex

In 1994, London buses went into subsidisation. Thus meaning that companies were able to run bus services under strict guidelines from TFL. The former London Northern sector was placed into the Company of MTL. You guess at conjugating what  MTL stands for, is a good as mine! Anyways MTL ran from Potters Bar and Holloway. Painting there buses in an all over red paint scheme and having the nearside and offside logos placed towards the rear of the bus.

Demonstrating the former MTL paint scheme is M113 
whilst approaching terminus place.

 Peter Horrex

In 1998, a company based in the North west of London named Metroline, acquired the MTL operations. This included all of the garages and all of the fleet. Soon after this acquisition, buses were engulfed into the Metroline livery. This included their infamous blue skirt along with the flourish of the white stripe above.

M1330 Swings out of Victoria Station, about to tackle Grosvenor Place in 2001.

 The last year of Metrobus allocation.

 Peter Horrex

In 2001 following a contract renewal. The route was converted to "low floor" operation. Along with other retained contracts, Metroline decided to buy in excess of 103, 10.6m Plaxton Presidents on the Volvo B7TL Chassis. These buses were seemingly fitted with Voith gearboxes. This gave the VPL's their distinctive "whine" especially when the retarder kicked in;

These 101 vehicles were distributed around 4 earmarked garages which had all retained contracts specifying  New "Low Floor" buses. Potters Bar received 20 for use on route 82's contract. Whilst the rest were distributed around: Holloway, Edgware & Willesden garages.

Brand new VPL206 heads down past the Queen's Head pub in Finchley. 

It is on Regents Park road hastily approaching 

Henly's Corner on it's way to Victoria.

John Delaney 

One year later in 2002 and Metroline had regained route route 263 from First. Their chosen vehicles were 3 year old Tridents which were sourced from Harrow Weald garage. To fill the gap left by these buses. Metroline allocated 19 long wheel based Tridents to Harrow Weald. At the time Metroline had placed an order for 61 10.6m Presidents with the Trident 2 chassis (seemingly preferred by Metroline). Whilst the gradual delivery of these buses was occurring. The TA's that been sourced from the 263 occasionally found themselves on the 82. These TA's were proclaimed for their: high back seats and sliding windows which made for a pleasant journey.

TA117 is on the Return journey to North Finchley. 

After negotiating Park Lane and now on Oxford Street. seen in 2002.

John Delaney 

As I mentioned above. 19 long wheelbase presidents were delivered to fill the void, left by the TA's. Well actually, these 19 long wheelbase tridents were actually part of, a batch of 61 of these examples. The plans of these 61 buses were to help oust out older stock, within the Metroline fleet and help standardise allocations on routes. 33 of these buses were delivered in February 2002 and entered. service duly.  Now, these buses first 33 were to be split between 3 main garages. TPL237-255 were sent off to Harrow Weald. This left the remaining 14 buses were split between Potters Bar and Holloway. 

Metroline had decided 6 months later that, to oust out the remaining MCW Metrobuses at Edgware, using VPL's from the 82's allocation. Therefore a replacement 20 odd buses were needed to fill the void. Metroline had opted for the Trident, because it would be easier to standardise maintenance by having more tridents alongside the TA's. For a period of about 6 months from February 2002. These TPL's were rolled out on route 82 allowing some of the VPL's to be withdrawn and moved to Edgware. during this point the 82 had a split allocation of VPL's and TPL's.

A Brand new TPL262 is seen in what looks the an ever prevailing traffic jam. 

These are a common sight on the highly condensed Finchley Road, 

which is the backbone of the route. Seen in 2002

John Delaney 

In the May of 2002, 28 of the remaining 61 Tridents, were phased into service throughout Metroline. Most of the VPL's had been moved across to Edgware. Thus allowing a full Trident allocation on the 82. 
The Volvo Chassis was seemingly short lived on the route, but Metroline favouring the Trident, they would of course want more.

An almost brand spanking new TPL272, pulls out of the old
 Victoria Bus Station in 2002. Sporting Metroline's former livery:
 A high raised blue skirt, with a White pinstripe. 

 Peter Horrex 

In 2003, due to many complications at Harrow Weald. Metroline concluded that the TPL's were too big for use over there. So, the TA's formerly used were sent back and in turn Potters Bar received TPL's in exchange.
However Route 263 was moved to Holloway, where it received a batch of new 9.9m Tridents (TP's) and TPL's were exchanged between the two garages, but with Metroline this is common practise.

In 2003 Metroline Retained routes: W8 & 217 with new buses. This allowed Metroline to oust out former Scania's and Metrobuses. Anyhow. These 9.9m Trident Presidents (TP); the shorter variant. These buses did not take long to appear also out in service on the 82, being the garages "flagship" route.

TP464 is one of the few un-refurbished TP's at PB. 
Demonstrating it's original livery in Finchley in 2012

In 2004 Metroline had once again retained the Contract with the existing fleet of buses and no changes were deemed to be fitted apart from a new Timetable.

By 2007 the strain of London work had taken it's toll. The bodywork was becoming bruised and battered, the interior was rotting away. Not to mention the fading paintwork! 

Although I do like the TPL's; I must say this period was the worst point within their lives.

In 2007 TPL290 pulls into the stop outside the Swiss Cottage Odeon. 

Looking very worse for wear

 Peter Horrex 

But avail! Metroline finally decided to fix up some of the TPL's. And by early 2008 a selection were sent for a refurbishment. By this time, to comply with  TFL regulation. Metroline repainted the buses with their infamous blue skirt lowered. This trait was actually introduced in 2006 and all new and refurbished buses were delivered with the blue skirt lowered to the bumpers only.

More featues from this refurbishment included:

• New Floor Lino
• New Stop Bells
• Removal of Fainsa Cosmic Seating; in place of new Rowan Telmac Telford 2 seats
• A New Blindset (For the latter)

Fresh from refurbishment, TPL295 braces itself for the traffic 

on the minute section of Oxford Street the route serves.

 Peter Horrex 

Furthermore, TPL241 is also seen in the sample place again 

on this rather wet day in 2008. 

What can you expect from Britain though?

 Peter Horrex 

In January 2009, Route 263 (Now back at PB) had revived a batch of brand new 9.9m Alexander Dennis E400's, following a contract renewal. It did not take long for odd workings to appear on the route; especially with a duty on the school route: 626 interlinked with evening 82 journeys. Thus allowing the garage allocating a TE for this duty.
However these days, workings like this are considered the norm and occur practically every day.

A year old TE937 stands in Park Lane whilst on a short working to Park Lane-Hilton Hotel in the Spring of 2010. A lovely long exposure shown here. It really does show how modern cameras are able to take tremendous shots at night without the need for flash.

 Peter Horrex

The refurbishment process for the TPL's was slightly elongated and did take some time, well about 2-3 years!
Within this period to again comply with further TFL regulations. Metroline decided to introduce a 100% red livery for all new and refurbished buses from March 2009 onward. Within this time, Metroline were still in the process of refurbishing the buses. Thus the latter TPL's of the batch were repainted in the new livery in due course.

TPL288, whilst in Finchley, demonstrates Metroline's current livery in May 2012. As you can see the bus was curtailed to Marble Arch at the time. Which should come to a relief of the driver, thus being the route is quite long and treacherous for a 10 mile Suburban to City route.

In October 2011 the tranche including the route was finally announced ( 2 moths overdue) which brought  good news to the company. Metroline had retained a big sum of important  routes, including the 82. 

Finally in the Spring of 2012, it was announced that Metroline had chose to order a batch of 27 E40d's, over VW's. To reduce the costs of introducing a new type at the garage, plus PB is categorised as a "Trident" garage, opposed to a Volvo one.  

Once 3 TE's entered service on the 28th of February, the route was slowly introduced with these buses. However there are still many buses to come so catch the TPL's whilst you can!

2012 - The Former 82 allocation in all it's glory. Farewell a-

nd I bid them a few good couple of years outside London.

Here are the rest of the pictures:

A special thanks goes to Peter Horrex and John Delaney for allowing us to process and use their photos. Without them, this post would not be able to fully broaden. 

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