The New Additions At Bow

Stagecoach's Bow (BW) garage in East London has seen not one, but two changes recently. The count will be three by the end of summer and Bow (BW) will become almost a fully-hybrid garage bar the route 277, between East India (Leamouth, Billingsgate Market) and Highbury & Islington Station.

"Bow-ismaster"

First up is route 8, who was converted to Borismaster operation upon contract renewal on the 28th June 2014. Route N8, which is the 8 but extended eastwards to Stratford, where a less frequent service extends beyond to Hainault, The Lowe was also converted. As explained in a post published back in the Spring containing facts about routes, 8, 10 and 38, this part of the post will just show observations made of these new Borismasters.

More Borismasters were painted black for the FIFA World Cup 2014, which has already ended with Germany taking the cup, these are LT252-255 and LT268-270. There are also some silver Borismasters now on route 8, and your original red one too. LT256, 271 and 272 were painted silver, for Year of the Bus celebrations. Route 8 is the first route to have Borismasters that are all built to Euro 6 specification. 

The whole route is allocated LT239-272, and any Borismaster not mentioned above with special promotions/ advertisements are all over red. This route (The 8) is Stagecoach's first route to be converted, the next one will be route 55 which has just had it's contract retained by Stagecoach with new LTs next February. 

One thing that really did get several enthusiasts excited was the ride on route 8 between Bow Church and Old Ford via the A12, this being the fastest stretch on any Borismaster route. How good is the ride? I'll leave you to judge that yourself!


Some photos are provided here of the new LTs on route 8.

©EHBusman1958

First up is Silver/ Chrome Borismaster LT272 (LTZ 1272) seen on route 8 towards Tottenham Court Road Station. A simpler red strip has been adopted in comparison to the first silver bus LT150. Currently the route 8 is cut off between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road due to Crossrail works even though the 25 and 55 still serve Oxford Circus. 

Seen below is the traditional red Borismaster, LT240 (LTZ 1240) seen also heading westbound towards Tottenham Court Road.

©EHbusman1958

©EHbusman1958

Seen above is LT252 (LTZ 1252) on route 8, this time heading eastbound to Bow Church. This one is a black Borismaster, which Adidas has placed some adverts on several buses on routes 8 and 38. 

So far, LT257 has been involved in an incident and will be off road for the time being. Several other buses have also had electrical faults and have already proved unreliable. So if you do travel on route 8, you may be lucky enough to catch the last of the conventional buses on the route (usually an Enviro 400 Hybrid, whether from the 15 or 205). However the last chance to get an 04-reg Trident has already gone, all the buses are up in Scotland on Commonwealth Game shuttles. 

"Regent Spark"

Route 205 has an allocation change, to brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids, as part of Stagecoach's huge fleet shuffle and update - to oust out old ALX400s around the Stagecoach fleet such as 51-reg Tridents still running on Central London routes such as 55 or suburban routes such as the 472.

The 205 was to receive it's batch from the stream in August/ September - however Stagecoach decided to convert the 205 to hybrid operation earlier, using the batch from what was suppose to go to Plumstead (PD) for the 122 and 472, instead. The batches were swapped and now route 205 is allocated 12304-12327.

It's thought the buses make the route look smart, I can certainly agree. Regular users of the 205 route are already familiar with hybrid workings on route 205 before 2014, from the hybrids on route 15 between Trafalgar Square - Blackwall which is allocated the 61-reg hybrids. There were concerns over the interior of these buses (the 61-reg have the green interior that doesn't seem to be favoured) whereas the blue one is in style to enthusiasts. These, like the new arrivals have the standard blue interior.

The hybrids, built to Euro VI specifications seem to be in favour by most enthusiasts and users of the route. One general passenger said:

"I like the new 205 buses, they are more comfortable and stylish than the old ones, not that I didn't like the old ones - they were lovely and spacious although the seats were rather uncomfortable, too hard. This gives Regent's Park the spark".

It's been recommended to go on these hybrids on route 205 between Paddington, Eastbourne Terrace and Bow Church.

Here is the fleetlist of the new buses:

SN14 TXZ - 12304
SN14 TYA - 12305
SN14 TYB - 12306
SN14 TYC - 12307
SN14 TYD - 12308
SN14 TYF - 12309
SN14 TYG - 12310
SN14 TYH - 12311
SN14 TYK - 12312
SN14 TYO - 12313
SN14 TYP - 12314
SN14 TYS - 12315
SN14 TYT - 12316
SN14 TYU - 12317
SN14 TYV - 12318
SK14 CSX - 12319
SN14 CSY - 12320
SN14 CSZ - 12321
SK14 CTE - 12322
SK14 CTU - 12323
SL14 LRO - 12324
SL14 LNP - 12325
SL14 LNR - 12326
SL14 LNT - 12327
SL14 LNU - 12328
SL14 LNV - 12329
SL14 LNW - 12330
SL14 LNX - 12331
SL14 LNY - 12332
SL14 LNZ - 12333

Finally, here's some photos of the new hybrids at Bow (BW):

©Jacob Cartmann

Above, is seen at Edgware Road Station is 12322 (SK14 CTE) near the start of route 205 at the western end, Paddington on the route going to Bow Church Station. There seems to be a confusion with the registration plates (whether they are SN14, or SK14) as 12322 is SK14 CTE but 12321 is SN14 CSZ.

Seen below is 12331 (SL14 LNX), at Paddington Station heading on route 205 towards Bow Church DLR Station. Note that the buses are currently absent of hybrid stickers. 

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

Above is 12319 (SK14 CSX) on route 205, along Praed Street nearing Edgware Road Station. 

Final photo here is 12314 (SN14 TYP) seen along Praed Street in Paddington once again, nearing Edgware Road. This completes the set of SK/SN/SL registration plates. 

©Jacob Cartmann

"Cascade to Upgrade"

The new hybrids on route 205 have allowed route 277 to get newer buses, to get an upgrade to newer and refreshed 09-plate Scania Omncities fresh off route 205. Route 277 is Bow's suburban route and is currently allocated Alexander Dennis ALX400s that are mainly 2003-2004 built. However, their day has passed and it is time for them to leave London service. 

The Scania Omncities will be refurbished first before entering service on route 277, allowing the Tridents to either be withdrawn or go around the company to displace the older Tridents. More information will be confirmed soon by Stagecoach themselves.

Here's some photos of the reshuffle on route 277:

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

Stagecoach's 15107 and 15108 (LX09 FZD and LX09 FZE) are seen with brand new white-on-black blinds on stand whilst both serving route 277 at Highbury & Islington Highbury Corner on a mid-August's afternoon.

Well, that's all folks. Sorry for the delays in the post. 

Thanks for Reading! 

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