Change is afoot on the 7. Actually had a hard time finding any pictures of the route as it is now, as I only seem to have taken thirteen since its OPO conversion – that’s how little it matters any more.
At the moment it’s Trident-operated from Westbourne Park at First London (aided by Volvo B7TLs of varying bodywork and classification, like the 28 group’s VNW 32396 (LK04 HXE) in Oxford Street last 12th November, but on Saturday 23rd June Metroline take over with new East Lancs Olympus-bodied Scanias. Or will be once they’re delivered – the first few days will be accomplished with fleet TPLs while the First TNAs are hired and tucked away out of sight on the 297 and 460.
More on or shortly after Saturday’s changeover.
The London Bus Page In Exile 
Well, This isn’t the first time that Metroline had to hire buses from First London, if you remember they had to hire some Tridents from first before for the convertion of Route 4 to low floor. But why are Metroline for the hired buses onto routes 297 & 460? and not the route they hired the buses for – route 7?
Comment by Richard — Thursday 21 June 2007 @ 8:58 pm
#1 – “But why are Metroline for the hired buses onto routes 297 & 460? and not the route they hired the buses for – route 7?”
To hide the fact they aren’t ready. To get Metroline livered vehicles on the 7 as quickly as possible.
Comment by Arriva436 — Friday 22 June 2007 @ 3:58 pm
On a slightly different tangent, did an RM run today on the 7?
Comment by Russell — Friday 22 June 2007 @ 4:37 pm
I saw one of the new Olympus buses by the fuel pumps at the Perivale depot this morning, no idea of the fleet number, I only saw her as I whizzed past in my Dial – a – Ride bus this morning.
Comment by Gavin Cork — Friday 27 July 2007 @ 5:24 pm