Metrobus 291 in East Grinstead

[Chris]

By my reckoning, East Grinstead was the westernmost terminus of M&D's solely operated services, and second only to Brighton if shared workings were taken into account. The eastern end of today's Metrobus 291 appears to follow the route of the traditional M&D 91, via Groombridge, Hartfield and Forest Row, mostly if not entirely operated by double-deck Scania Omnicities. 

The day had not started out quite as I intended with the drive on my outward journey to Crawley taking his destination as an instruction and none of the new Hydroliners in service, and my return to East Grinstead for lunch was met by a 'passing shower' - not quite passing quickly enough to avoid drowning me and half the town. 

On Saturday 12th August, 6976 shows off the standard livery Kent-bound on London Road with little more than a few drops in the air to show what was to come, whilst barely 20 minutes later 6971 shows it's now slightly faded gold front in the pouring rain that followed heading for Crawley. 

From next week, East Grinstead becomes a complete Metrobus fiefdom with the exception of a single Compass Travel service for 6 minutes every 2 hours (on 261). 

Chris