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| Count | Photo | Details | Added  |
| 1 |  |
By Ray Monk Having recently photographed new Ford Transit box truck 9546F at Acton Works, Ray found a sister vehicle (9545F) at Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026. Both vehicles have an extension over the cab, although this is perhaps as much for streamlining as for load-carrying, and they are not really what you would call 'Luton' vans. |
19/07/2026 |
| 2 |  |
By Ray Monk The Ford Transit Custom model was revised in 2023 with a more angular appearance, while retaining the same overall shape and sloped waistline. It is referred to as the second generation Transit Custom although I have not decided whether we should distinguish this in database entries. In a curious reversal of the Transit Connect situation (where the latest Ford version is a development of the Volkswagen Caddy), the new Transit Custom has also been developed into the latest variant of the VW Transporter. Hybrid-powered Transit Custom minibus 9488F was seen at Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026, with various other SVs in the background. |
19/07/2026 |
| 3 |  |
By Ray Monk By contrast with L4H3 9493F, 9508F is an L3H3 Transit van. There are no sidelights on the rubbing strip, and the door runner reaches almost to the rear of the bodyside. The extra height of the H3 variant (as compared to the H2) is given away by the crease above the side windows/panels. Seen at Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026. |
19/07/2026 |
| 4 |  |
By Ray Monk After a gap of a few years, full-sized vans are once again being added to the central fleet. Most are diesel-engined Ford Transit Mk8s, although there are also some other types (possibly Vauxhalls or Peugeots, awaiting details). Several of the Fords have been allocated to Stratford Market Depot, including crew van 9493F seen there on 15th July 2026. This is a jumbo (L4H3) variant, as evidenced by the additional side lights on the rubbing strip, and that the side door runner does not reach the back of the bodyside. |
19/07/2026 |
| 5 |  |
By Ray Monk Another Mk3/Mk2 comparison at Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026. The main subject is Mk3 hybrid van 9649F, with Mk2 crew van 9341F on the left and Mk2 van 9390F on the right (with VW Caddy 8884VW). The appearance of fleetnumber 9649F was surprising, given that most other recent arrivals have been in the lower half of the 95xx range. However, we also have some 98xx numbers already in use so anything goes! |
19/07/2026 |
| 6 |  |
By Ray Monk A partial comparison between the recent versions of the Ford Transit Connect is offered by this view of Mk3 9574F at Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026 with a Mk2 crew van alongside. In the left background are 9575F and MM74HSL, an unmarked Renault Kangoo van which is unusual for having white (instead of black) bumpers. MM74HSK was the same, also seen at this location, and has been added to the LTSV database. I suppose logically I should also add HSL.... |
19/07/2026 |
| 7 |  |
By Ray Monk The Mk3 version of the Ford Transit Connect has nothing in common with earlier variants other than its general size and configuration. Deliveries so far seem to all be of hybrid versions, thus having the 'green leaf' graphics applied to the doors. Shown here is 9575F at Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026. The Mk3 Connect is actually based on the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Caddy, introduced in 2020. LUL/TfL has a large fleet of Caddy vans (like the Caddy Maxi crew van visible on the left), but these were all of the second or third generation models. |
19/07/2026 |
| 8 |  |
By Ray Monk With deliveries of new vehicles picking up, a visit to Stratford Market Depot on 15th July 2026 found several now based there. First up was 9531F, a high-roof Ford Transit Mk8 crew van delivered to Acton Works in February. |
19/07/2026 |
| 9 |  |
By Derek Everson As usual, Go-Ahead London provided a number of shuttle bus services to the Wimbledon Tennis tournament, which this year started on 29th June. Also as usual, a couple of service vehicles were to be found parked at Wimbledon Station for the duration. This photo shows WK70VCX, a short wheelbase Ford Tourneo Connect minibus, although it could also be classed as an estate car. Acquired in late 2025, it was seen at Orpington (MB), then at Barking, River Road (RR) before seemingly settling at Sydenham (SM). It was unmarked but has now had Go-Ahead logos applied (possibly just for the duration of the tennis). Parked in front, but hard to photograph as there was street furniture in the way, was Nissan NV250 van HG21XSX. Quite a few of these vans have been operated by Go-Ahead London over the past few years, all in unmarked white. HG21XSX did have Go-Ahead London logos in the windscreen, but again these may have been only temporary. The buses used on the tennis services this year were mainly new Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers, like DEL163 seen here. These buses are due to remain in the area afterwards and should convert route 200 from Optare Metrodecker operation. |
19/07/2026 |
| 10 |  |
By Ray Monk Transport UK uses two examples of the 're-imagined' Fiat 500 car as crew ferries, this being white RE67VDA seen at Twickenham (Fulwell) on 6th July 2026. Just visible on the right is RA18XPX, a Ssanyong Tivoli SUV. Although in unmarked red, this car has been added to the database as it appears to have been in use for a couple of years. It is (so far) the only product of the curiously-spelled South Korean company to feature in the LTSV database. |
19/07/2026 |
| 11 |  |
By Ray Monk As shown by the signage, Hounslow Heath Garage is now operated by First Bus, having earlier come under the Westlink, London United, Transdev and RATP names. On 6th July 2026 there were (as usual) a number of crew ferry vehicles parked outside, in this case all being Dacia Sandero cars. In the middle is NU72GBV from the batch acquired in late 2022 and which have never carried company lettering or fleetnumbers (this one is allocated D75138). On either side are older examples from the large batch of 30 acquired in late 2019 and early 2020. These have all lost their former RATP Group fleetnames, but have retained their D751xx fleetnumbers. Both of the cars here were previously used from Park Royal (RP) garage, D75125 (MJ69ZPC) until about 2024 and D75128 (MJ69ZPB, and still with its former 'local' number 7 in the window) until RP closed in March 2026. |
19/07/2026 |
| 12 |  |
By Ray Monk Amongst various crew ferry cars found at Dawley Road (Hayes) Garage on 6th July 2026 was Ford Focus hatchback AO17XVA with fleetnumber 6896. This had been acquired in early 2024 and was initially based at Fulwell before moving to Beddington later in 2024, and then to Hayes in spring 2026. Note that the car in the left background has had the DH allocation code applied, though this is not a common practice. |
19/07/2026 |
| 13 |  |
By Ray Monk Vauxhall Astra hatchback MV16OUK was acquired by Abellio in about early 2023, though we had recorded it as being withdrawn before the end of that year (based on licensing data). However, it was in fact retained, and it has since been given replacement Transport UK logos and it now carries fleetnumber 6834. Having been initially based at Beddington, it later moved to Dawley Road (Hayes), where it was photographed on 6th July 2026. |
19/07/2026 |
| 14 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft From mid-2024 there was a program to replace cars in the (liveried) central fleet with vans and by mid-2025 the only ones that remained were three Mitsubishi Outlander, all of which were for emergency-related roles. The most easily seen of the three was 9054MIT, normally to be found in the car park outside the southern entrance to Harrow-on-the-Hill Station. When Ray visited on 6th July 2026, the Mitsubishi was gone, and in its place was a BYD Seal electric car carrying Incident Response Vehicle livery and fleetnumber 9836B (although the latter is not visible here due to reflections). Chinese firm BYD has been a major supplier of electric buses to London over the past decade, and has also supplied a number of cars and vans to London bus operators. However, this is the first BYD for the central fleet, and it brings the B suffix back into use after a long gap. The last Bedford-badged vehicle in the central fleet was Midi van 2457B, withdrawn in about 1998, although the B suffix was also applied to a number of Vauxhall vehicles until about 2002. The use of fleetnumber 9836 is interesting. A couple of months ago, two Vauxhall Vivaro minibuses were given fleetnumbers 9833V and 9834V, which we assumed were incorrect since they were about 300 higher than other contemporary deliveries. Now it seems that they were correct, but why? Is it possible that a very large number of vehicles have been ordered and assigned fleetnumbers? Time will tell. By the way, the other two Mitsubishi Outlanders were 8830MIT (believed to be based at Southwark Palestra, but very elusive) and 9162MIT with the Emergency Response Unit at Acton Works. It is possible that these have also recently been replaced. |
19/07/2026 |
| 15 |  |
By Andrew Lidinson An interesting find at Go-Ahead London's newish Sydenham Garage on 6th July 2026 was Mercedes Sprinter minibus KN20VCT, previously operated by West Midlands Accessible Transport. It is evidently now part of the Go-Ahead London fleet (having gained logos on the front and sides), but the reason for its addition is not clear. It seems rather large to be for use as a crew ferry, so perhaps it is for bus driver training and assessment. |
19/07/2026 |
| 16 |  |
By Thomas Young Abellio added four Ford Transit Custom minibuses in 2022 which have operated as crew ferry vehicles from various garages but have never gained any company lettering or fleetnumbers. The operator is now known as Transport UK, and EO22KKU was seen arriving at Southall (Great Western) garage on 23rd June 2026 as EO22KHT departed. |
19/07/2026 |
| 17 |  |
By Chris Jennings Lettered for 'Uno Engineers Service', NX18YHE is a Peugeot Partner van based at Hatfield but photographed at Potters Bar Station on 19th June 2026. |
19/07/2026 |
| 18 |  |
By Chris Jennings Seen at the Hatfield Garage on 19th June 2026, CT60MTT is a Mercedes Sprinter minibus that has recently joined the Uno fleet, presumably for use as a crew ferry vehicle. The semi-personalised registration shows that it was previously operated by Motts Travel of Aylesbury. |
19/07/2026 |
| 19 |  |
By Ray Monk When Stagecoach London took over the CT Plus operation of Hackney Community Transport in August 2022, it inherited two 21-reg Mercedes Sprinter vans used by the engineers at the garages at Walthamstow and Hackney (Ash Grove). In May 2026 these were replaced by two new Vauxhall Vivaro electric vans. DL26NKR is allocated to Walthamstow (where it was photographed on 15th June 2026) and is allocated national fleetnumber 91458. |
19/07/2026 |
| 20 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva London's Enfield Garage received a new Vauxhall Vivaro van in late 2024 (FD74HMF, seen at the garage on 15th June 2026) to replace a 67-reg Ford Transit Custom van (MK67XHP) which we never got a photo of. In the background is an ES-class Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner bus from a batch delivered earlier this year for use on route 217. |
19/07/2026 |
| 21 |  |
By Ray Monk It is perhaps unsurprising that Arriva's garages in the 'country' area require the use of crew ferry vehicles, nor that not many people ever report them. These two cars seen at Ware garage on 15th June 2026 are totally anonymous but are clearly company vehicles, since they are Seat Aronas, a type widely used by Arriva London. Visible in the background is Dynes Recovery 4-axle Mercedes Arocs LT24BKD. The earlier photo of this vehicle on LTSV shows that it is named Noel, but it also has lettering on the supports for its spoiler that reads 'In the spirit of Freddie'. It seems that this is carried by several Dynes vehicles, and it apparently refers to the name given to their first truck. |
19/07/2026 |
| 22 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Transit van BG72XFP has been based at Arriva's Ware garage in Hertfordshire since delivery in late 2022. I have lost track of what Arriva actually calls this operation, but in TLB we have recently reverted to calling it Arriva East Herts and Essex. In the background is a Wrightbus StreetLite bus. Seen on 15th June 2026. |
19/07/2026 |
| 23 |  |
By Ray Monk Sister vehicle to 9465F is 9466F, also seen at Acton Works on 15th June 2026. Note the charging socket is built into the front grille. It is also interesting that both of these vehicles have 'Minibus Options' lettering in front of the nearside mirror. This is a firm that produces minibus bodywork and conversion, although these vehicles do not appear any different from Ford's own minibus products. |
19/07/2026 |
| 24 |  |
By Ray Monk Electric-powered versions of the Mk8 Ford Transit are referred to as E-Transits, and have blue highlights on the front grille. Seen at Acton Works on 15th June 2026 was minibus 9465F, which is believed to have been one of a pair ordered for use by the Elizabeth Line. Although that user had already taken Vauxhall Vivaro minibuses 9833V and 9834V, it is possible that they were temporary pending delivery of the Fords. It is notable that all other vehicles numbered in the range 9461 to 9486 were assigned to the Elizabeth Line. |
19/07/2026 |
| 25 |  |
By Ray Monk Small Fords are also being added to the central fleet, despite the delivery of over 250 Transit Connects and Renault Kangoos in 2024. The latest Transit Connects are of the Mark 3 variant, which is based on the Volkswagen Caddy and built in Poland. One of the first was hybrid 9541F, seen at Acton Works on 15th June 2026. The charging point on these vans is behind the hatch in front of the nearside door. |
19/07/2026 |
| 26 |  |
By Ray Monk All of the Ford vehicles added to the central fleet over the past year have had registrations starting in E, suggesting that they are now supplied by a dealership in Essex. 9530F is an L3H2 crew van, seen at Acton Works on 15th June 2026. |
19/07/2026 |
| 27 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Transits being delivered for the central fleet recently have been to various sizes. Seen at Acton Works on 15th June 2026 was 9561F, which is an L3H3 crew van. |
19/07/2026 |
| 28 |  |
By Ray Monk An interesting find at Acton Works on 15th June 2026 was recently delivered Ford Transit 9546F. I refer to this type of van (where the body is separate from the cab) as box trucks or box vans. There are only a couple of such vehicles in the central fleet at any given time, and this new one may be a replacement for Hearne House based Transit 8541F or Acton based VW Crafter 8833VW. |
19/07/2026 |
| 29 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Transit van 9491F was first registered in May 2026, and by 15th June it appears to have entered service based at Acton Works. This is based on the fact that it was parked on the roadway alongside the REW building (along with several LUL-liveried vehicles), and that it had items of staff clothing in the cab. The tower block visible in the left background is a new addition to the skyline, and is located on Bollo Lane, opposite the site of Frank Pick House (which has now been demolished). |
19/07/2026 |
| 30 |  |
By Ray Monk The large batch of Ford E-Transit crew vans delivered for the Elizabeth Line in August 2025 have proved tricky to get photographs of. Fortunately 9483F was present at Acton Works on 15th June 2026. Note that there are variations in the 'green leaf' logo applied to vehicles, with the top line either stating 'Electric' or 'Plug-in Hybrid'. |
19/07/2026 |
| 31 |  |
By Ray Monk Awaiting delivery from Acton Works on 15th June 2026 were two high-roof Ford Transit vans, with 9506F nearest and 9495F behind. Of note is that both vans had yellow safety stripes applied. These seem to only be used by certain departments (e.g. LBSL and LUL Power Supply), so it will be interesting to see where these vans end up. |
19/07/2026 |
| 32 |  |
By Ray Monk The hatch below the offside headlamp shows that this Ford Transit Custom minibus has an electric charging point, although it is a hybrid rather than a pure electric. 9538F was seen on the stub road at Acton Works on 15th June 2026, parked ahead of a pair of high-roof Transit vans with yellow stripes (see next photo). It seems, that following the loss of both the front car park and the lorry yard, some new vehicle preparation work (e.g. applying lettering and fitting equipment such as trackers) is now done here. |
19/07/2026 |
| 33 |  |
By Ray Monk Deliveries of new vehicles for the central fleet appeared to pick up pace in spring/summer 2026. On 15th June, recently-arrived Ford Transit crew van 9522F was found parked on the stub road at Acton Works. As the grey 'fire brigade' diamond towards the rear shows, these are conventional diesel powered vans. |
19/07/2026 |
| 34 |  |
By Derek Everson A 'four-fer' to end today's jumbo batch of photos. This view near Woking Station was taken on 14th May 2026 and shows vehicles used by White Bus Service and Falcon Buses. Nearest the camera is Ford Transit Connect van RJ09VNC, which is White Bus fleet number 95, although it is lettered for owning company The Rowgate Group. Ahead of that are Citroen Nemo YG10PBZ (White Bus 99) and Ford Focus WR61AUO (White Bus 94), while at the front is Falcon Ford Fiesta van LL17TXN, whose blue skirt betrays the fact that it started life as LUL service vehicle 8427F. |
24/05/2026 |
| 35 |  |
By Ray Monk Following numerous requests, here is another photo of a TfL Ford Transit Connect crew van. This one is 9195F, which has not been reported since it was delivered to Acton Works in spring 2024. Ray found it on Crookston Road near Eltham on 7th May 2026. Hang on, I think I mis-read the numerous requests.... |
24/05/2026 |
| 36 |  |
By Ray Monk Despite the loss of several routes, Arriva London crew ferry vehicles from Dartford Garage still turn up at the bus stand in Bexleyheath, as shown by this photo of Volkswagen Tiguan YD23NSV there on 7th May 2026. Observations suggest that none of the crew ferry cars at Dartford now carry company lettering, even those that are owned/leased (as opposed to hired) and have been in stock for a long time. |
24/05/2026 |
| 37 |  |
By Ray Monk Another fork-lift truck at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026, though this time to an unusual side-loading configuration, was FLT5, the make of which is unknown. It was seen loading (or is unloading) track components from Nooteboom trailer T80. |
24/05/2026 |
| 38 |  |
By Ray Monk While on a tour of Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026, Ray photographed a couple of oddities that are not really service vehicles but which may be of interest. First up was a Toyota fork-lift truck, seemingly referred to as FLT6. |
24/05/2026 |
| 39 |  |
By Ray Monk As well as minibuses 8945VW to 8948VW (as seen in the previous photo), 23 other Volkswagens with RK69T** registrations became service vehicles. Among them were a couple of Crafter vans for LBSL, but the majority were Caddy Maxi crew vans for LUL, typified by 8976VW seen at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 40 |  |
By Ray Monk 8945VW to 8948VW are a batch of four Volkswagen Transporter minibuses delivered in autumn 2019 and based at Lillie Bridge. All four are visible in this photo taken there on 29th April 2026, with 8947VW to the fore. |
24/05/2026 |
| 41 |  |
By Ray Monk Looking very similar to an earlier photo, this one shows Ford Transit dropside truck 9048F at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 42 |  |
By Ray Monk Although many were replaced by the large delivery of TfL-liveried Ford Transit Connects and Renault Kangoos in 2024, about 80 of LUL's earlier Renault Kangoos remain in use. Two small batches dating from 2019 (8941R to 8944R and 8961R to 8965R) have been associated with Lillie Bridge Depot, and examples from both batches were seen when this location was visited on 29th April 2026. Shown here is 8942R, with 8944R on its left. |
24/05/2026 |
| 43 |  |
By Ray Monk 9430R is one of the batch of 40 Renault Kangoo vans delivered in late 2024 in the now standard TfL white livery and spread around various locations. This was the only one seen at Lillie Bridge on 29th April 2026, although there were a handful of similarly-aged Renault Kangoos in unmarked white, which I am going to presume were hires, so that I don't need to add them to the database! |
24/05/2026 |
| 44 |  |
By Ray Monk One of the oldest vehicles still at Lillie Bridge is Ford Transit crew van 8525F, delivered in September 2017 and based here ever since. It has been reported a few times, but had never been photographed until Ray's visit on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 45 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Transit dropside truck 9044F was parked next to consecutive 9045F at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 46 |  |
By Ray Monk One of the few parts of Lillie Bridge Depot that can be seen from outside is the area between two long buildings that you can look down on from the Cromwell Road bridge. This space was previously used for several sidings but these were removed and the area resurfaced with an odd-looking tiling or mesh material. When Ray visited on 29th April 2026, only one liveried service vehicle was in this area, this being TfL Ford Transit Connect crew van 9350F new in 2024. |
24/05/2026 |
| 47 |  |
By Ray Monk Judging by reported sightings, Ford Transit crew van 8733F was initially based at Stratford Market Depot following delivery in early 2019 but moved to Lillie Bridge in about 2021. For a while it could be found parked in the low-level yard alongside the platforms at West Kensington Station, but this location seems to be no longer used, and 8733F was in the main yard (next to Ashfield House) on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 48 |  |
By Ray Monk The Ford Transit Courier crew van is one of the rarer models in the central fleet, currently represented by five examples delivered in 2020 (9120F to 9124F) that were seemingly partial replacements for a larger batch delivered in 2015 (8099F to 8106F). It is believed that these vehicles may be used by the Ultrasonics team (for testing rail conditions), although all we can say for certain is that they have been mainly based at Lillie Bridge, where 9124F was photographed on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 49 |  |
By Ray Monk Among the last vehicles delivered in LUL's white/blue/red livery were a trio of Ford Transit Custom hybrid electric vans new in mid-2021 as 9134F to 9136F. These seem to be trial vehicles, and they have moved around a bit. 9135F was allocated to Edgware Road Station for much of 2022 and 2023 before moving to Lillie Bridge (where it was photographed on 29th April 2026). 9134F has been more elusive with just a handful of sightings, while 9136F appears to have stayed at Acton Works throughout. |
24/05/2026 |
| 50 |  |
By Ray Monk Another Ford Transit dropside (or flatbed) at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026 was 8991F. The majority of service vehicles at this location are still in LUL white/blue/red livery. |
24/05/2026 |
| 51 |  |
By Ray Monk Seen at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026, Ford Transit dropside 9047F is 'typical' in two ways. Firstly, it has a single cab (rather than a crew-cab with an extra row of seats). LUL used to nearly always specify crew-cabs on its Transit trucks but this changed from about 2016 onwards. Secondly, it is missing a piece of trim! |
24/05/2026 |
| 52 |  |
By Ray Monk Another TfL Ford Transit Connect crew van at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026 was LD74GPX, which was initially based at Hearne House, Acton Town. This van is officially numbered 9260F but carries no numbers on either sides, while the number 9260F has already been seen on similar LJ24YLT, which is 'officially' 9378F. |
24/05/2026 |
| 53 |  |
By Ray Monk Several of the large batch of Ford Transit Connects delivered in 2024 are based at Lillie Bridge Depot, including 9242F seen at home on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 54 |  |
By Ray Monk Fleetnumbers 9044 to 9053 were all on Ford Transits delivered in 2020 and based at Lillie Bridge. The batch was split between five dropside trucks and five mid-height vans, like 9051F seen at the depot on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 55 |  |
By Ray Monk Lillie Bridge Depot has always had a larger contingent of dropside trucks than other depots, although judging by the marking of this one's parking space, they are referred to as flatbeds. 9046F was another vehicle delivered during the COVID era and was seen at the depot on 29th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 56 |  |
By Ray Monk I won't be using all of Ray's photos taken at Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026, although it was notable that the majority were of vehicles that have not previously been shown on LTSV. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that quite a few of the vehicles were delivered around the time of the first COVID-19 lockdowns. Among these was Ford Transit van 9049F, first licensed in November 2020 but not reported by anyone until September 2022. Note that this has been listed on LTSV as a crew van, whereas it is in fact a plain van. |
24/05/2026 |
| 57 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray was granted an official visit to Lillie Bridge Depot on 29th April 2026 and, although escorted, he was permitted to take photos of all the service vehicles present. Perhaps surprisingly, there were fewer than 50 liveried vehicles on site, although it is not clear if this reflects a reduced workload or just bad timing. Seen parked in front of the huge Ashfield House building, 8835F is a Ford Transit dropside truck (with tail-lift), and has been based here since delivery in late 2019. |
24/05/2026 |
| 58 |  |
By John Schofield Nominally based at Hearne House in Acton Town, Ford Transit Connect crew van 9208F was found parked in the neat suburbs between Pinner and Eastcote on 24th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 59 |  |
By Derek Everson Most of Falcon's fleet of buses and coaches have been acquired new, while most of the support vehicles have been second-hand. This includes some quite youthful vehicles, such as BK70NWE, a Ford Fiesta van that has not yet reached its sixth birthday. Seen at Byfleet Garage on 19th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 60 |  |
By Derek Everson Over the past ten years, Falcon Buses had built up a small network of routes in Surrey, using a fleet of mainly Enviro 200 single-deckers, but only really entering the Greater London area at Kingston. This will change later this year when Falcon takes on two new, albeit quite small, contracts. TfL route 467 (Hook to Epsom, requiring two buses) will be taken over from First Bus London on 5th September, while routes KU1 and KU2 for Kingston University are also taken over from First. Eight new Alexander Dennis E400EV electric double-deckers are on order, of which three will be in TfL red. A recent addition to their support vehicle fleet is Ford Transit Custom van YS19OET, seen at the Byfleet Garage on 19th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 61 |  |
By Derek Everson Derek regularly visits the White Bus garage at Horsell (near Woking), where a variety of service vehicles can usually be found. On 19th April 2026 these included red Peugeot Partner van KW64DZO (fleetnumber 100) and Peugeot Partner Vision car SF59NSV. The latter is a specialised wheelchair carrier, although the application of fleetnumber 91 on the rear suggests that it is a fleet member. Ford Transit Connect van RJ09VNC (number 95) is just visible on the left, while Citroen Berlingo PN12YWV on the right may be another recent addition. |
24/05/2026 |
| 62 |  |
By Ray Monk Renault Kangoo electric crew van 9441R had been reported at Turnpike Lane and Walthamstow Bus Stations, suggesting that it was an LBSL allocated to the former location (Walthamstow has not had its own allocation in recent years). However, on 17th April 2026 it turned up at Bromley North Station (as shown), which is probably a bit beyond the area normally covered by Turnpike Lane! Perhaps it has some specialised role, or perhaps it has changed allocation. Unless somebody knows (and can tell me), more sightings would help. |
24/05/2026 |
| 63 |  |
By Ray Monk We had been advised that two new minibuses were on order for the Elizabeth Line, to replace VW Transporters 8651VW and 8652VW, and it appeared that these would be numbered 9465 and 9466 (with 9461-9464 and 9467-9486 already allocated here). However, when the minibuses eventually turned up in spring 2026, we were rather surprised to find that they carried numbers 9833 and 9834. Given that the highest number otherwise reported in use at the time was 9533F, it seemed likely that incorrect numbers had been applied. Either that or a whole load of other vehicles have been ordered! Another surprise was that the minibuses were Vauxhall products (Vivaro-E electrics), bringing the V suffix back into use after a gap of two years. Vauxhall was a major supplier to the central fleet until early 2012, after which just six Vauxhall Movano minibuses had been taken (arriving in 2014-2017 and disposed of in 2019-2024). The two new minibuses were seen through the fence at Plumstead Depot on 14th April 2026, with 9833V on the right and 9834V on the left, the latter being the first 26-reg vehicle reported for the central fleet. One of the Renault Kangoo electric crew vans is also in evidence. |
24/05/2026 |
| 64 |  |
By Ray Monk A couple of vehicles in the previous LUL white/blue/red livery have had yellow 'safety' stripes applied, including Ford Transit Custom crew van 8848F. Another Power Supply vehicle to gain a stripe is Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8856R, seen at the Tufnell Park depot on 14th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 65 |  |
By Ray Monk The fleet of about 25 vans allocated to the LUL Power Supply Section at Tufnell Park (Station Road) currently includes seven recent vehicles in TfL livery, the remainder dating back to 2019/2020 and hence carrying the LUL white/blue/red livery. One of the former is Ford Transit Connect crew van 9220F, seen at the base on 14th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 66 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Transit Connect crew van 9245F is based at Edgware Track Depot but was at the Ford garage in Alperton on 14th April 2026 being temporarily used as a coat hanger. |
24/05/2026 |
| 67 |  |
By Ray Monk The fleet of recovery vehicles operated by Dynes appears to have grown a lot over the past few years, perhaps exceeding that of Sovereign Recovery, who were once dominant on London bus recovery work. With a personalised registration, DY25NES is a Scania R660 V8 seen at Metroline's CELF works in Perivale on 14th April 2026 with LT100 on tow. This bus currently has an advertising wrap for Marc Jacobs Daisy and had crashed into barriers at Brent Cross Bus Station on 27th March. |
24/05/2026 |
| 68 |  |
By Ray Monk An interesting find at Acton Works on 14th April 2026 was a trio of MG4 electric cars in Works for London livery. They were parked in the part of the works where LBSL vehicles are kept. Despite the British heritage of the MG marque, the brand has been Chinese-owned since 2005. Visible beyond EX25OBR and EX25OAU is TfL Ford Transit 9318F. |
24/05/2026 |
| 69 |  |
By Ray Monk Renault Kangoo van 9403R is from a batch of 40 delivered in December 2024 and is believed to be allocated to London Buses. It has been reported at Hammersmith Bus Station, and at the part of Acton Works where LBSL vehicles are kept (as seen here on 14th April 2026). It also has the yellow stripes which are applied to several TfL-liveried vehicles used by LBSL. The black Ford Transit van alongside is presumed to be a hire. |
24/05/2026 |
| 70 |  |
By Ray Monk TfL-liveried Renault Kangoo electric crew van 9452R was new in early 2025 and was initially kept at Cheshunt. About a year later it appears to have been replaced by diesel Kangoo MW24VRU and then moved to Acton Works, gaining a yellow safety stripe at about the same time. It was photographed at Acton on 14th April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 71 |  |
By Ray Monk This Ford Transit Custom van has already appeared on LTSV twice, once before delivery when it was in unmarked white/blue. Now we can show it before disposal, once again in unmarked white/blue, having had its TfL/LUL lettering, roundels and red stripe removed. It was on the stub road at Acton Works on 14th April 2026, and is currently SORN (off the road). Beyond were unique VW Crafter van 8934VW (the only example to carry LUL white/blue/red livery) and Ford Transit van 8673F, although these were both still fully lettered and may not be on the way out (yet). |
24/05/2026 |
| 72 |  |
By Derek Everson While photographing buses in use on rugby connecting services at Richmond on 11th April 2026, this Metroline Ford Puma car caught Derek by surprise, though he managed to grab a very decent photograph of it. This view is interesting because it shows that the green vinyl driver recruitment 'wrap' (previously shown on this car on LTSV) actually has a red/orange section at the rear. It is also notable that the vinyl applied over the rear window has been partially worn away by the wipers. |
24/05/2026 |
| 73 |  |
By Derek Everson Derek visited the First Bus London base (former RATP, originally NCP/NSL) at Twickenham on 11th April 2026 and found several service vehicles in the yard along with a variety of withdrawn buses. Renault Master van MF20RZC on the left had latterly been the engineers van at Park Royal/Harlesden Garage (RP), until that base was closed on 28th March 2026 (when route 18 was transferred to Westbourne Park). The white van in the middle is unmarked Citroen Berlingo CJ73ZNA, assigned fleetnumber MTR75244 and on hire here for about a year. On the right were at least four Dacia Sandero cars, which were also made redundant by the closure of RP. Nearest is D75106 (MJ69ZDM), while the others included D75113 (MJ69ZKU), D75124 (MJ69ZJX) and D75126 (MJ69ZKX). |
24/05/2026 |
| 74 |  |
By Andrew Lidinson The first 26-reg service vehicles to be reported were these Dacia Spring electric cars found at Transport UK's Beddington Cross Garage on 8th April 2026. Lined up were (from left to right) 6014-LV26OLC, 6013-LV26OLB, 6016-LV26OLG and 6012-LV26OLA. There are evidently going to be some more of these around. Apart from the missing 6015, the previous batch of similar cars were numbered 6001-6006. Reports of any of 6007-6011 would be welcomed. |
24/05/2026 |
| 75 |  |
By Chris Jennings Uno's crew ferry fleet is now dominated by BYD E6 electric cars, but they retain a few other types. FY59PZA is a Vauxhall Astra hatchback, seen at the Hatfield Garage on 3rd April 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 76 |  |
By Chris Jennings Another visit to Uno's Hatfield Garage, this time on 3rd April 2026, shows three more BYD E6 electric cars. BX15OGR nearest the camera had yet to gain company names or fleetnumbers, while the other two show the curious vertical application of the new UNOx fleetnumbers. |
24/05/2026 |
| 77 |  |
By Ray Monk Go-Ahead London's Fastrack operation is now supported by this unmarked white Mercedes E-Vito electric van, as seen at the Dartford base on 1st April 2026. The registration of NK72YAV is somewhat appropriate, given that the operation is officially known as the 'North Kent Fastrack' (there is now another Fastrack network centred on Dover). The bus alongside is WVN41, one of many Volvo B9TLs inherited from First London. This is not a Fastrack bus, and was here for storage ahead of disposal, most likely to Go South West. |
24/05/2026 |
| 78 |  |
By Ray Monk The distinctive-looking D version of the Vauxhall Combo van was Fiat-based and built in Turkey between 2012 and 2018, replacing the Opel-derived Combo C and eventually itself replaced by the Peugeot-Citroen (can you guess?) Combo E. FP18LSD has been with Arriva London since new in mid-2018, initially in unmarked silver. It disappeared for a few years but was found at Grays Garage, now with company lettering, on 1st April 2026. Remains of the reference to ownership by DB can still be still, suggesting that the lettering was applied before the sale of Arriva to I Squared Capital in June 2024. |
24/05/2026 |
| 79 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray found Stagecoach London Vauxhall Vivaro-E van DY22LDF parked outside North Street Garage (Romford) on 1st April 2026. This van was new in autumn 2022, though it was operated in anonymous red for its first year or so. It now has full lettering, including 'Working in conjunction with TfL' on the roundel, but it does not show its allocated national fleetnumber of 91758. Even without the lettering, you could tell this was a service vehicle from the missing trim on the driver's door! |
24/05/2026 |
| 80 |  |
By Ray Monk This Toyota Proace van photographed inside Stagecoach London's Barking Garage on 1st April 2026 has been around for a while. It was initially believed to be covering for resident engineers van DY22LCJ, and when the latter was returned we presumed that ND73FVP had departed. However, it then appeared on the Stagecoach fleetlist, albeit shown at being at West Ham Garage. Instead of re-instating the vehicle on LTSV, I inadvertently added a new record, resulting in this van having two separate entries. I will fix that one day! Anyway, the van is no longer listed by Stagecoach, but it is evidently still with them, either back at Barking or there throughout. By the way, if you think the design of this van looks familiar, it is because it is essentially the same as the Vauxhall Vivaro (as per resident DY22LCJ and other examples with Stagecoach). The same design can also be seen badged as a Citroen Jumpy, a Fiat Scudo, a Peugeot Expert and a Wolseley Cargomaster. Actually, I made the last one up... |
24/05/2026 |
| 81 |  |
By Martin Hazel Seen at the premises of Acorn Trucks near Waltham Cross on 30th March 2026, BF72VSV is an Iveco Daily van with 'Works for London' lettering and which has a hydraulic man hoist. Such vehicles are often used for street light repairs, and it may be that this vehicle has no involvement with TfL's bus or rail operations. Note that the Works for London contact phone number is based on the former London Transport enquiry line (222-1234). |
24/05/2026 |
| 82 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft This Renault Kangoo van is believed to be hired by TfL (it was not shown on a recent fleetlist), and it initially had LUL logos applied. By late 2025 it was unmarked and appears to have moved to Cheshunt, where it was photographed on 30th March 2026. This suggests that it had replaced electric Kangoo 9452R, the latter now at Acton. |
24/05/2026 |
| 83 |  |
By Malcolm Millichip The 'common-user' livery now applied to TfL vans is a bit disappointing for enthusiasts, and it also makes it even harder to work out where vehicles are allocated. The application of yellow 'safety stripes' seems to be for vehicles that are allocated to bus or roads related work rather than LUL, although this is not a completely reliable indicator. Ford Transit Connect van 9381F has the stripes, and it has been reported at a variety of locations, including Keston, Southwark, Woolwich and Chiswick. Where it is based is therefore a mystery for now. On 27th March 2026 it was found parked on Kew Road at Richmond. |
24/05/2026 |
| 84 |  |
By Ray Monk When Stagecoach London took over the former Hackney Community Transport (CT Plus) operation in August 2022, it came with two garages. Walthamstow Avenue was relatively new, having opened in 2016, while Ash Grove was a former London Transport garage dating back to 1981 and which had latterly been shared with Arriva London. The operation was supported by a pair of Mercedes Sprinter vans for the engineers, although it is not clear if these were new to HCT. KR21YRT was photographed inside Ash Grove garage on 23rd March 2026. An open day at this location is planned for 3rd October 2026 in connection with a running day on route 106. |
24/05/2026 |
| 85 |  |
By Ray Monk Carrying the name 'Noel' LT24BKD is a Dynes Recovery Mercedes Arocs that was found in the yard at Clapton Garage on 23rd March 2026 (the overhead wires of the North London railway are visible in the background). Dynes also have similarly-registered LT24BKE, although that is a 3-axle Mercedes Actros, rather than a 4-axle Arocs. |
24/05/2026 |
| 86 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva London's Clapton Garage has had quite an interesting history. Opened in 1909 it housed trams and later trolleybuses, and was initially named Hackney (which is more accurate given its location) but was renamed to Clapton in 1950 to avoid confusion with the other Hackney Bus Garage. It was later closed, then re-opened as a minibus outstation before being restored to full operation as the London bus network grew. It is now one of very few London bus garages to only operate a single type, having an allocation of 90 LT-class 'New Bus for London'/'New Routemaster' double-deckers for use on trunk routes 38, 73 and 253. It also two Vauxhall Combo vans for engineering support, although the scarcity of sightings seems to suggest that they are not called out very often. On 23rd March 2026, both vans were parked in the garage, with FL23JCZ shown here. |
24/05/2026 |
| 87 |  |
By Ray Monk A surprise find inside Stamford Hill Garage on 23rd March 2026 was Arriva London Ford Transit Custom van AJ21CSF. This was one of three similar vans reported as delivered in spring 2021 but which have proved very elusive. It may be that they are assigned to a company-wide role (such as the building maintenance allocation of the Stagecoach van in today's photos), rather than being based at a particular garage. This would seem to be supported by the fact that Stamford Hill already has a Vauxhall Combo van for engineering support (FL23JBZ). |
24/05/2026 |
| 88 |  |
By Ray Monk Almost 20 new Vauxhall Combo vans were added to the Arriva London fleet in 2023/2024, mostly for use as engineering support vehicles. FL23JDJ is based at Tottenham Garage, but never seems to be visible when I walk past the garage entrances. Ray found it parked inside on 23rd March 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 89 |  |
By Ray Monk Vauxhall Vivaro-E electric van is allocated to the engineers at Leyton garage and, since it was last shown on LTSV in 2023, it has been given a full set of lettering, including national fleetnumber 91761. Also applied is an unusual adaptation of the TfL roundel, with the words 'Supporting TfL' on the cross-bar. Similar van DL73EEV at Catford has 'Working in conjunction with TfL' in the same location. Parked alongside was Ford E-Transit van MJ75VKH, as shown in the previous photo. This had some additional side lettering, which is not quite legible, although we now that it is assigned to Building Maintenance. It was possibly here in connection with the installation of additional charging points for electric buses, since more are on order for route 275. The equipment visible on the left is also possibly related to this. Leyton Garage, 23rd March 2026. |
24/05/2026 |
| 90 |  |
By Ray Monk Found at Leyton Garage on 23rd March 2026 was recently-delivered Stagecoach London Ford E-Transit van MJ75VKH. The company's own fleetlists show that number 92857 is allocated, and that the van is used for Building Maintenance and based at Lea Interchange Garage. Alongside was resident engineers van DY22LBG. |
24/05/2026 |
| 91 |  |
By Malcolm Millichip TfL Ford Transit Connect crew van 9198F was found at the Kwik Fit garage in Richmond on 23rd March 2026. Just visible through the windows is TfL Ford Transit Custom minibus 9524F, which took the driver back to base. |
24/05/2026 |
| 92 |  |
By Chris Jennings The application of Uno's new fleetnumbers to the rear of their cars is rather unusual, being applied vertically beside the window. To be fair, it probably wouldn't fit anywhere else. OU19FDC was seen at Hatfield Garage on 20th March 2026. It is notable that similar BYD E6 electric cars with other OU19xxx registrations have been used by both Go-Ahead London and RATP/First Bus London. |
24/05/2026 |
| 93 |  |
By Chris Jennings Uno (formerly Universitybus) has recently been applying large fleetnumbers to its ferry car fleet, as seen on UNO9 at Hatfield Garage on 20th March 2026. This example also has a pink diagonal stripe on each side, and 'green' promotional lettering, similar to that carried by some of the buses. Similar but silver UNO8 was parked behind. |
24/05/2026 |
| 94 |  |
By Chris Jennings Uno now has quite a number of BYD E6 electric cars for use as crew ferry vehicles. It would appear that these are hired or leased directly from BYD. For example, FJ64OWO (seen here at the Hatfield garage on 16th March 2026) had been used by Go-Ahead London from 2017 until at least 2023. It is probably no coincidence that Go-Ahead was taking BYD buses at the time, nor that Uno are now doing the same. |
24/05/2026 |
| 95 |  |
By Chris Jennings Having taken over route 292 from Metroline in December 2025, Uno now runs three daytime TfL bus routes, plus six school routes, requiring a total of 36 buses. This work is in addition to the commercial and contracted operations outside London (Uno was started up as Universitybus, providing services to the various campuses of the University of Hertfordshire). Many routes are remote from the main operating centre at Hatfield, so crew ferry cars are used, including BYD E6 LK66KUT seen at the garage on 16th March 2026. Note the large fleetnumber on the bonnet, and the smaller lettering below the offside headlamp. |
24/05/2026 |
| 96 |  |
By Ray Monk I had asked Ray to try and get a photo of the rear of TfL dustcart LT73EAK when he returned to Acton Works, and he achieved this on 11th March 2026. There is quite a lot of gubbins round the back, and it is not very clear what it all does, but I presume it enables large wheelie-bins to be lifted and their contents tipped into the back. Even though TfL lettering has been applied (including on the rear), this vehicle was not included on a recently-obtained fleetlist, suggesting that it is on hire rather than being leased or owned. |
24/05/2026 |
| 97 |  |
By Derek Everson Derek was in Victoria on 7th March 2026 when he caught this Dynes Recovery Volvo FH passing Grosvenor Gardens. It had the name Albie applied on the cabsides, and had an appropriate registration of AL75BEE. The 4-axle unit was towing Go-Ahead London SEL19, a Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner single-decker from Camberwell Garage that had broken down while working route 360. The bus was back in service twelve days later. |
24/05/2026 |
| 98 |  |
By Thomas Young Another service vehicle found at Farringdon Station (Turnmill Street) on 7th March 2026 was TfL Renault Kangoo van 9413R. This van has only been reported a couple of times, at wide-ranging locations, hence we do not know where it is based. Also present were several vans in Balfour Beatty white and blue (like the Ford Transit Custom in front of 9413R) plus LUL mobile office WX08KUY, the rear access steps of which can be seen in this view. |
24/05/2026 |
| 99 |  |
By Thomas Young I found several service vehicles parked on Turnmill Street alongside Farringdon Station on 7th March 2026, during an engineering closure. Shown here are two of the recently delivered Ford Transit Custom electric minibuses (9524F nearest and 9529F in the distance), with a hired Renault Trafic in between. Minibuses are often to be seen in connection with engineering works, and are presumably on hand to move personnel between work sites when required. This does seem to result in them spending a long time just parked up though. |
24/05/2026 |
| 100 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft One of a number of TfL Ford Transit Connect vans found parked on Harcourt Street (near Griffith House, Marylebone) on the night of 2nd March 2026 was 9303F. |
24/05/2026 |
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