London bus route 149 converted to New Routemasters

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New Routemaster LT573 seen on London Bridge on October 14 – its second day of service on route 149. KRISTIAN LAKE
New Routemaster LT573 seen on London Bridge on October 14 – its second day of service on route 149. KRISTIAN LAKE

Bus route 149 has become the latest on the Transport for London (TfL) network to be converted to operate with New Routemaster buses.

A phased conversion is now underway on the route, which travels between London Bridge Station and Edmonton Green. The vehicles will be based at Arriva’s Tottenham garage.

The 24-hour service, operated by Arriva, will be running entirely with New Routemaster buses by mid-November.

During peak hours, 38 of the buses will be in passenger service, able to carry the 43,000 people who travel on the route each week day.

Route 149 buses will operate with the rear platform closed when the bus is moving, while at bus stops large numbers of passengers will be able to quickly board and alight using all three sets of doors and two staircases.

To date, 16 bus routes in London are operating with New Routemasters.  The conversion of route 149 will see the 600th New Routemaster bus enter passenger service, with 200 more scheduled for delivery by mid-2016. Arriva now operates the New Routemaster on four of its routes – the 38, 137, 73 and 149.