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For those unaware, Metrobus has temporarily withdrawn all their Wright GB Kite Hydroliners for checks following a "thermal incident" involving 6069.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? 

[NRS]

One of the latest additions seen in Tunbridge Wells this morning.

[DRH]

A new source has been tapped for loans : Thames Travel  Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini  80933 (LX06 EAC), formerly London Central WVL242.

Castlefields, Hartfield; 13 February 2026

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

[Chris]

At the other end of the 291, various vehicles are also still in use on Crawley local services, although I understand there is a plan to reduce the use of non-Go Ahead vehicles, and eventually those from other group fleets as well (hence the recent arrival of white vehicles). 

I always find Crawley a challenging location for photographs - too much shade, too much sun, too many parked vehicles - and I'd already decided which bits of suburbia I was going to test on Saturday 14th, so I was only able to catch-up with Go-Coach's E200 7533 in the town centre, but here it is at The Broadway/Bus Station roundabout operating on route 2. 

Chris

[DRH]

Another loan is former Warrington's Own Buses and new to Lancashire United Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2 6025 (BD12 TEU). With Warrington fleetnames removed, presumed now in dealer hands.

East Grinstead, War Memorial ; 23 February 2026

[DRH]

Another from the batch of dealer loan Volvo B8RLE / MCV eVoRa's : 6493 (BU75 WCM) : East Grinstead, High Street : 26 February 2026

In between all the loans, the regular allocation remains Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2's like 6936 (BJ11 XHF): Forest Row, Brambletye ; 26 February 2026

[adam williams]

In fact, having checked Bustimes today, there were three out on the 400 today, and it was 6802 that I saw after work. Maybe this isn't as rare as I thought!

On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 at 23:10, adam williams <amodelo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Perhaps related to vehicle availability, but deeply unusual (I'm in Caterham regularly for work) today on the 400 was StreetDeck Hydroliner 6810, noted at lunchtime at Caterham Station. B&H Loanee 478 is behind it ready to head up the hill to Caterham-on-the-Hill.

I saw 6810 again when heading out of Caterham back to the M25 just after 1730, so it likely did a full day's turn on the route.

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/adam

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/adam

[adam williams]

Perhaps related to vehicle availability, but deeply unusual (I'm in Caterham regularly for work) today on the 400 was StreetDeck Hydroliner 6810, noted at lunchtime at Caterham Station. B&H Loanee 478 is behind it ready to head up the hill to Caterham-on-the-Hill.

I saw 6810 again when heading out of Caterham back to the M25 just after 1730, so it likely did a full day's turn on the route.

On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 at 21:07, DRH <drh...@gmail.com> wrote:

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/adam

[DRH]

Hydroliner 6801 on the 400 yesterday.

East Grinstead, High Street.

DRH

[DRH]

Brighton & Hove Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2 152 (BN14 CUJ) "Heather Cowl" has not I think, been previously seen on the 291.  New as Metrobus 6004 in Fastway livery and for a short period in the Fastrack fleet.

Ladies Mile, Lye Green : 3 March 2026.   

This is on a temporary diversion (2nd-4th March) due in part to ESCC work to finally repair the Withyham Road (B2110) which is in an appalling state.  291 diverts at Withyham down Ladies Mile, Cherry Gardens Hill, Hendall Hill to rejoin the B2110 at Florance Corner, Groombridge (and vice-versa in Crawley direction).   This has necessitated  a mainly single-deck allocation for the duration.

~~~

Metrobus E200MMC 6789 (YW25 DDZ) heading for Crawley: Cherry Gardens Hill, Lye Green : same date.

~~~

Historical question : was Lye Green ever served by bus in olden days?

[Robin Farmer]

Historically Lye Green was served by M&D 137 Crowborough - East Grinstead acquired from Sargent of East Grinstead and Southdown 121 operated a Friday single journey service from Crowborough - Tunbridge Wells acquired with Beacon Motor Services. It also benefited from a London express service initially one day a week but daily after the closure of Cuckoo Line.

[Chris]

Robin's mention of the 137 rang bells, and there was also a seemingly short-lived service 237 for a year or so just after deregulation, operated by Warrens of Tenterden, also on Fridays only. 

It featured as one of the first posts in what I've taken to calling the "Timetable Tardis" on the Club's Facebook page, which means a scan is readily available, as attached. 

Chris

[DRH]

Thanks both.    Rather foolishly I had forgotten that I had written an article on Beacon and Sargeants in the Transport Ticket Society Journal in 2024, which mentions, inter alia the routes that served Lye Green. One loose end concerned the Sargeants routes that passed to Southdown in March 1951 and thence to M&D in September of the same year.  When did these start?   The two others were East Grinstead - Ashurst Wood and East Grinstead - Cowden.

I had also forgotten the Warrens 237; alas I did not photograph it but maybe someone else did.

Another, unconnected loose end is the spelling of Florance (Corner, Groombridge).  Metrobus mostly favour Florance, as does ESCC on the bus stop flags, but I have seen it as Florence.   And who was Florance/Florence anyway?

DRH

[DRH]

The single-deck regime continues although the Withyham Road has been patched and reopened.  Roadworks billed to continue to 9/2 appear to have ended early.

Go Coach E200MMC 7533 (YX74 ODP) at the Three Crowns, Ashurst Wood.

Metrobus Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2  6016 (BU14 EFT) at the Hay Waggon, Hartfield

Metrobus Fastway Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2  6009 (BN14 CUW) at Church Road, Hartfield

6 March 2026

[DerekJ]

Hi David

We've occasionally mentioned Sargent of East Grinstead on the group before - see https://groups.google.com/g/mdekbusclub/c/nkUNrsCK_fY/m/DKpQu5pZBgAJ 

East Grinstead-Ashurst Wood via Homestall started in 1948 and was numbered 3 by Sargent.

One of the other routes you mentioned was 3A, which had been part of one that started before WW2, Edenbridge-Cowden-East Grinstead, the Edenbridge (Stangrove Road)-Cowden section being detached in 1948 and transferred to a new service which continued instead to Crowborough Cross via Colestock Crossroads, Hartfield, Withyham and Lye Green.  In July 1949 the Crowborough service was extended, doubling back to Friars Gate (Half Moon), only just down the present B2188 from Lye Green!

Southdown did not number the services during their involvement but when M&D took them over in 1951, EG-Cowden became 135, EG-Ashurst Wood 136 and Edenbridge-Crowborough 137.  Opening of M&D's new Edenbridge garage in 1955 facilitated a recast and 135 reverted to a through Edenbridge-Cowden-East Grinstead service, initially via Mark Beech and Hever, but diverted via Stick Hill in 1958 to echo the Sargent routeing.  At the same time 136 was withdrawn and 137 diverted to run East Grinstead-Forest Row-Crowborough.

135 and 137 in M&D hands were renumbered 235 and 237 on 21 April 1974 so that is when the number 237 was first used.  Little now remains other than fragments of the original Sargents routes.

Florance definitely seems to be the right spelling, but I can find no reference to a person of that name in the area - the name Florance Corner comes from Florance Lane, a private lane adjacent to the road here.

Derek J

[DRH]

Another dealer loan ADL Enviro200 is 660 (KX64 AEG), seen here on a midday Saturday 231.

Penshurst, Institute ~ 14 March 2026

[NRS]

Spirit of Sussex 555 is now on loan to Crawley.  Seen at Whitehall, East Grinstead this afternoon.

When in the Brighton & Hove main fleet it was numbered 439 and was in Pride colours for many years.