LONDON BUS NEWS - Two Upgrades to Routes 171 & 286 (Hybrids and Electrics, no more Single Deckers!)

London Bus News - Routes 171 and 286 (Special Report) Changes to two southeast London bus routes have recently taken place. 0:00 Introduction 0:10 Route 286 8:50 Route 171 Part 1 Route 286 The 286 has used single deck buses since the late 1980s. This has now changed, with Enviro400 MMC hybrids entering service on the route. Until recently, the 286 used a wide variety of both single deck and double deck buses. The 286 was allocated Wright StreetLites from 2017. With two StreetLites from 2016 and 2018 also being used. ADL Enviro200s from 2010 to 2012 and 2014 frequently strayed onto the 286. With double deck Enviro400s and Gemini 2s also common on the route. On the 8th of July 2026, the first hybrid double decker (EH205) entered service on the 286. Two Enviro400 MMC hybrids were used on the 8th of July. The 286 was fully converted to hybrid double deck operation on the 11th of July. With the last single deck StreetLites being used on the 10th of July. The 286 has started a new double deck contract, meaning single deckers are now banned from the route. The 286's StreetLites were initially used on route 170. However, due to a height restriction, the 170 and 286 swapped buses. With YY14 plate Enviro200s transferring to the 170 in return for StreetLites. The 286 is unique in using two types of hybrid single deckers. Wright Electrocities were used on the route between December 2017 and March 2018. With a Wright StreetLite Micro Hybrid HEV being used until July 2026. This StreetLite (WS117 SN18XZV) operated as a regular diesel bus in its final years in service. The 286 is a busy route, with single deckers often suffering from overcrowding. The double deck conversion has justified TfL's decision to decrease the 286's frequency. The route will now run every 15 minutes instead of every 12 on Monday to Saturdays. Buses will continue to run every 20 minutes on Sundays. The 286 runs between Greenwich, Cutty Sark and Sidcup, Queen Mary's Hospital. The route serves Greenwich Town Centre, National Maritime Museum, Trafalgar Road, Westcombe Park Station, Blackheath Royal Standard, Stratheden Road, Shooters Hill Road, Kidbrooke Park Road and Rochester Way, Well Hall Road, Eltham Station, Eltham High Street, Avery Hill, University of Greenwich, Halfway Street, Sidcup Station, Carlton Road and Queen Mary's Hospital. New BYD BD11s have entered service on route 171. These buses were ordered for route 88 (Parliament Hill Fields to Clapham Common). Electrification issues at Stockwell garage have prevented the 88 from using electrics. Meaning its BD11s have been diverted to New Cross (NX) garage for the 171. These BD11s were initially used by Plymouth Citybus before transferring to London. And can now be found on routes 36, 171, 172 and 321. BYD BD11s and StreetDeck Electroliners are now used on the 171. These electric buses have fully replaced ADL Enviro400 MMCs from 2017 and 2018. The 171 has used hybrid MMCs for around 8 years. The 171 runs between Elephant & Castle and Bellingham, Catford Bus Garage. The route serves Elephant & Castle, Walworth, Camberwell Road, Camberwell Green, Peckham Road, Peckham Town Centre, Queen's Road Peckham Station, New Cross Bus Garage, New Cross Gate Station, New Cross Station, Marquis of Granby, Shardeloes Road, Brockley Station, Brockley Road, Crofton Park Station, Brockley Rise, Chandos, Honor Oak Park, Catford & Catford Bridge Stations, Catford Road, Lewisham Town Hall and Catford Bus Garage. #bus #tfl #buses