SW11simon
London United SP96 on route 281 in Kingston-Upon-Thames
London United (in Transdev ownership days), along with Metrobus and The East London Bus Group, have favoured Scania vehicles for double deck orders in the past. Integral Scania Omnicity N230UD was the last version to gain significant orders and SP96 from 2009 is seen in Kingston-Upon-Thames on route 281. This model is no longer available and although ADL bodies Scanias, none have been ordered for London service. RATP appears to have adopted a Wright/Volvo preference for recent orders, with Metrobus falling under Go-Ahead London vehicle policies and East London Bus Group bought back by Stagecoach.
Route 281 started in 1962 replacing trolleybus route 601 and running from Tolworth to Twickenham via Surbiton and Kingston. It was first extended to Hounslow in 1965 via route 73 (in the days when the 73 made it out west!)
With the odd peak hour extension added, that is how it has stayed operating from Hounslow to Tolworth. It runs out of Fulwell Garage with a peak requirement of 23 buses. At 11 miles long it is a substantial route by today’s London standards.
London United SP96 on route 281 in Kingston-Upon-Thames
London United (in Transdev ownership days), along with Metrobus and The East London Bus Group, have favoured Scania vehicles for double deck orders in the past. Integral Scania Omnicity N230UD was the last version to gain significant orders and SP96 from 2009 is seen in Kingston-Upon-Thames on route 281. This model is no longer available and although ADL bodies Scanias, none have been ordered for London service. RATP appears to have adopted a Wright/Volvo preference for recent orders, with Metrobus falling under Go-Ahead London vehicle policies and East London Bus Group bought back by Stagecoach.
Route 281 started in 1962 replacing trolleybus route 601 and running from Tolworth to Twickenham via Surbiton and Kingston. It was first extended to Hounslow in 1965 via route 73 (in the days when the 73 made it out west!)
With the odd peak hour extension added, that is how it has stayed operating from Hounslow to Tolworth. It runs out of Fulwell Garage with a peak requirement of 23 buses. At 11 miles long it is a substantial route by today’s London standards.