Helping Out

[NRS]

Chaseside Propulsion 206 (W88 CSO) seen in Tunbridge Wells this morning on Metrobus service 291 to East Grinstead and Crawley.

[DRH]

On the same day, Bluestar (Go South Coast)  Scania N94UD OmniDekka 1006 on the 291 at Fiveways, Tunbridge Wells.

DRH
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For those unaware, Metrobus has temporarily withdrawn all their Wright GB Kite Hydroliners for checks following a "thermal incident" involving 6069.   Vehicles have been loaned from Brighton & Hove, Morebus, Swindon, Bluestar, London General, Chaseside, Go Bus, South East Omnibus and Southern Transit to cover.

[Martin Smith]

The hydrogen powered vehicles have been taken off the road after single decker caught fire.

There are over thirty hired in vehicles from a variety of Go South Coast fleets, Chaseside, Go Coach and London.

[davidb...@gmail.com]

Martin et al

 

It’s certainly a big exercise – the “thermal incident” (see below) looked quite dramatic in the pictures on various media outlets.

 

Dave B

 

 

Sent: 10 December 2025 21:11

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[DRH]

Among the vehicles hired-in by Metrobus is former Ham's Enviro200MMC DW21 HAM, now numbered CMs3 and re-registered GB21 JCB with Southern Transit, Upper Beeding. 

On route 100 (Crawley - Redhill); The Broadway, Crawley; 12 December 2025.

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

Another loan is Go South Coast (in adapted Go North East colours) B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6913.  This was new to Go Ahead London Central as WVL264.

Crawley-bound on route 291 at Groombridge Place; 20 December 2025.

DRH

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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

Some Enviro200 MMC's in dealer white and presumed on loan, include 6718 (YX22 OHH) on an afternoon 231 at Fiveways, Tunbridge Wells; 24 December 2025.

DRH

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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

On 28 December, Brighton & Hove Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, 550 "Spirit of Sussex" was on the 291.

Tunbridge Wells, War Memorial

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[Chris]

Typically, the more "exciting" vehicles as have been pictured above by our local correspondents weren't out to play on Monday (as would be my luck), but Brighton & Hove's native 478, BJ63 UJF, appeared as the non-Metrobus liveried vehicle on the 291. 

As yet, there are no known public statements as to how long the current situation with the Hydrogen vehicles will last, which may mean a resolution is imminent, or this situation will be providing us with something to look out for for weeks to come. 

Chris

[DRH]

Swindon's Bus Company (Go South Coast) ADL E400 1254 (LX56 ETR), new as London Central E47.

Tunbridge Wells, Fiveways; 2 January 2026.

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

Another Swindon (Go South Coast) loan is 2010 (HF58 HTU).

Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells; 6 January 2026

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

Two London General Streetdecks (WSD4/6) are occasional performers on the 291 although they seem to run out of puff on the hills.  The batch was intended to be cascaded to Thames Travel but a few still linger on route 44 (Tooting - Victoria).

WSD6 (SN18 XYY) at Station Road, Groombridge on 10 January 2026.  Since it was first borrowed, Metrobus appear to have fitted digital displays to replace the TfL powerblinds.

DRH

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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

Brighton & Hove Coaster-liveried E400 MMC 736 (YY24 EJD) "Disco Pete" was today's visitor to the 291.

Station Road, Groombridge;  12 January 2026

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[NRS]

Brighton & Hove 421 previously used on 29 until the MMC's were delivered last year was back in Tunbridge Wells this morning (12th) on 291.

On hire 6757 was covering the meal break on 284 this morning having arrived earlier on 233 from Edenbridge.

[DRH]

Later in the day, 6737 returned whence it came via the old 239 route.  It still bears the number 660 from a stint with Reading Buses. Some/all of the hired E200's are Dawson Rentals vehicles.

DRH

[JFO]

When I was in East Grinstead on the 10th, that Swindons Buses E400 1254 LX56ETR was still on Route 291 and was seen with also on hire MMC 7533 YX74UDP from GO Buses.

[DRH]

In inclement weather, East Yorkshire Volvo B5TL / MCV EvoSeti 816 in East Rider livery.

Groombridge Place; 15 January 2026

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[DRH]

Another Go Ahead Group member to help out is Carousel Buses of High Wycombe who contributed Enviro200, 80461 (YX11 HNT).

Groombridge; Station Road; 20 January 2026

DRH
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On Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 21:12:15 UTC NRS wrote:

[NRS]

Assisting on the 231 yesterday (103) and on the 291 today (102).

[Darren Walker]

I think quite a few of the hired in Enviro 200's are from Mistral. The two with Aesys displays certainly are as I assisted in programming them.

Darren

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[DRH]

Chaseside 102 earlier in the day (20/1) at Langton Green.   This was previously an Arriva London vehicle. The chrome air-horns may be a later addition.

DRH
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[JFO]

I belive you are correct about the Chaseide horns, I've been told that they are from a Train!

[DRH]

Seems very likely. Given the number on loan, Metrobus have had to search far and wide.

[DRH]

Could well be. Has anyone heard them?