The Optare MetroRider Fleet
The Optare MetroRider Fleet |
| Optare MetroRiders that have seen some service with Nu-Venture
J698 CGK ex 698 DYE (03/98), J698 CGK (08/92) |
The first MetroRiders joined the Nu-Venture fleet in December 1998.These were acquired for service 123 between West Malling Station and the local Kings Hill area. They were refurbished prior to use and had dual purpose seating fitted. They also received '123' route branding on their Nu-Venture livery, as shown here by (J698 CGK). |  |
The second
pair joined the fleet just over three years later in February 2002. These were
slightly older MRL181/9 acquired from Silcox of Pembroke Dock. The first didn't
stay long being withdrawn after only a few months with Nu-Venture. The second
stayed to be a backup vehicle. |
Later in 2002, April three later MetroRiders joined the fleet from Metrobus of Orpington where they originally worked route 138. These were (N901/5/6 HWY). The operated for a while in Metrobus blue/yellow before receiving Nu-Venture livery, as demonstrated by the first treated (N905 HWY). |
|
| A fourth member of the same batch arrived in December 2002 and is seen on a winters day at Christmas 2002 still wearing Metrobus colours. This vehicle has since been repainted. |
December 2003 saw (J698 CGK) withdrawn from service and broken up for spares. A further mk 2 MetroRider joined the fleet from Southlands, Swanley in January 2004. This one differs from the others in the fleet as it is fitted with a wide body and entered service in Maidstone. (H689 YGO) left the fleet in February 2004 leaving just (J705 CGK) of the mk 1 MetroRiders. This lost its route branding during March 2004. The first Mk2 MetroRider to retire from service was (M109 JHB) during March 2005. However due to the arrival of new contracts from the end of August 2005 it was reinstated to service. Early 2008 and the only MetroRiders still in daily service were 901/905 and 906. Inroads were made into the MRL fleet at the end of August with three (109/903/906) being scrapped. Early September 2008 saw another; 901 stood down and broken up for spares being scrapped towards the end of the month.
Where are they now?
M109 JHB - Aylesford Metals for Scrap 08/08
H152
UUA - Southlands Travel (Returned off loan) 03/02, Sullivan Buses 01/05
H681 YGO - Scrapped 11/02
H689 YGO - Wealden PSV 02/04
J698 CGK - Scrapped 01/06
N903 HWY - Aylesford Metals for Scrap 09/08
N903 HWY - Aylesford Metals for Scrap 08/08
N906 HWY - Aylesford Metals for Scrap 08/08
24 September 2008
