Final day of operation for the Waterloo to West End link under the current operator and one of my favourite bus/route combos. | London Sovereign RATP Group Wrightbus Volvo Gemini 2 B5LH working the 139 to Golders Green.

Today is the final day of the 139 under London Sovereign control. They took over the route when the Finchley Road changes occurred and this contract was transferred from the 13. I’ve always enjoyed riding these B5LH units with their original seating - helps that this is one of my local routes too.

 

However, RATP have had reliability problems for some time with their operations. Multiple routes have had bunching up or lengthy gaps between buses (latter in this case). So in that sense, it’s not surprising Edgware (BT) have lost the route but it’s a shame either way. Hope RATP sort their issues out before winning more routes.

 

Metroline will re-take the route tomorrow using ex-34 Gemini 3 smileys bass out of Cricklewood (W) which are pretty good buses overall and will probably be a side-step. It’s worth noting ML and W have had the 139 before but only when it went to West Hampstead.

 

I’ll certainly miss these buses; the only time I’ll see them at Waterloo is when the 172 utilises them on occasions, I’ll catch them when that happens. The G2 B5LH buses will get a refurb and then transfer onto the 28 next May. Whether it’ll be from Edgware or Park Royal (RP) remains to be seen.

 

For one final day, BT13YWR (VH45119) is leaving Waterloo Station/Tenison Way on a journey to Golders Green.

Done