tr_nt.
First Bus London ADH45077 (SN12 AUA)
A First Bus (for a second time!)
After First Bus completed the takeover of RATPdev London, a number of vehicles from First's original operation in the capital were reacquired by the company in an ironic turn.
One such vehicle is SN12 AUA, new to First Centrewest in 2012 for route 23 between Liverpool Street and Westbourne Park. In this fleet, she was numbered DNH39131 and this number would be retained by Tower Transit after the takeover of part of First's operations.
In 2021, RATP Dev and Kelsian (owners of Tower Transit) merged to form RATP Dev Transit London, reducing the presence of Tower Transit's branding. DNH39131 was renumbered to her present number you see here. In September 2023, RATP would take full control of this company only to announce that they would sell the company in December 2024 to FirstGroup.
The sale was completed in February 2025 and as a result, First reacquired this bus along with a few others. Up until this point, RATP had been utilising it on route 414 however after that route was withdrawn the bus was transfered to route 31 which now seems to be the standard allocation.
I find it ironic that TfL would accept a tender to replace more recent B5LHs from Metroline with these 13 year old E400Hs though I imagine they are simply being used as a stopgap until new electric vehicles arrive.
And yes, that is a real internet cafe you see there...
First Bus London ADH45077 (SN12 AUA)
A First Bus (for a second time!)
After First Bus completed the takeover of RATPdev London, a number of vehicles from First's original operation in the capital were reacquired by the company in an ironic turn.
One such vehicle is SN12 AUA, new to First Centrewest in 2012 for route 23 between Liverpool Street and Westbourne Park. In this fleet, she was numbered DNH39131 and this number would be retained by Tower Transit after the takeover of part of First's operations.
In 2021, RATP Dev and Kelsian (owners of Tower Transit) merged to form RATP Dev Transit London, reducing the presence of Tower Transit's branding. DNH39131 was renumbered to her present number you see here. In September 2023, RATP would take full control of this company only to announce that they would sell the company in December 2024 to FirstGroup.
The sale was completed in February 2025 and as a result, First reacquired this bus along with a few others. Up until this point, RATP had been utilising it on route 414 however after that route was withdrawn the bus was transfered to route 31 which now seems to be the standard allocation.
I find it ironic that TfL would accept a tender to replace more recent B5LHs from Metroline with these 13 year old E400Hs though I imagine they are simply being used as a stopgap until new electric vehicles arrive.
And yes, that is a real internet cafe you see there...