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Travel with Hunny is the operating
name of a small company owned by Chris Hunn, who had
registered some of the vehicles and services in the company name Gemma Smith
Ltd.
TWH's history is that
following a period concentrated on private hires and TV work
outside of the area covered by this site, there followed a period of association
with Imperial, then from September 2008 TWH elected to operate in its
own right. The initial service 55 competed with Imperial's then Monday
to Saturday H1 route, but was later scaled down as the "North Weald
Flyer" following a vigorous response from Imperial. From September 2009,
route 392 was taken up and subsequently operated for just one year. The
North Weald Flyer disappeared after not too long, but there was then a
change in fortune when in December 2009 Imperial's H1 was withdrawn, and
the 55 was reborn. This was short-lived again, due an intensive war
between Arriva and SM leaving little patronage to fight for. Instead,
from 3rd April 2010, route 555 was introduced and took a different route
between Harlow and Loughton, this time more closely following Arriva's
505 and 250.
Further expansion in 2011 saw the introduction of route X5, bringing
back a direct link between Harlow, Debden and Romford, and the 555
evolve in to a group of three separate routes
(255/355/555) a move thwarted somewhat by difficulties gaining access to
Waltham Cross Bus Station and only the 255 and 555 lasted beyond the
first week.
In February 2011 the 255 and 555 were sold off with the Gemma
Smith Ltd company and some of the vehicles, trading as Lea Valley Buses.
The X5 together with
school service 43 and a Bingo contract bus remained under the TWH banner.
Bringing things almost full circle, Lea Valley Buses turned out to be a
short-lived operation, and the 555 returned to TWH in a shortened form
from July 2011.
Vehicle variety has been quite high and the fleet fluid. Initially a
smart blue and gold scheme was adopted, and following a period where all
red was tried, and a number of vehicles were operated in the acquired
livery, the blue and gold is now making a comeback.
With such a varied and ageing fleet, inevitably many are off the road at
any one time.
Transbus Mini Pointer Dart
It didn't take long into TWH's reign on the 392 for the
two BMC Falcons acquired for the purpose to be deposed. The replacements are two rather more standard
vehicles. "AXB" has recently gained the all-over pink Bingo bus livery,
and has also gained LED destination displays. These vehicles are now the
regulars on Harlow to Romford service X5. |
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SJ53AXB
SJ53AXG |
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After the blue and then the red
livery, the MPDs have brought some further variety to the fleet. (R Hudson). |
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"AXB" in service on the 555. (R Hudson). |
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Volvo B10M/Plaxton
Expressliner
This coach has a 70 seat body with 3+2 seating. It was used on the 392
on occasions, but more recently has found itself a more suitable home on
the X5. |
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S51UBO |

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In service and seen leaving the bus
station, S51UBO when it introduced TWH
colours to the area. It now has a destination blind (R Hudson). |
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Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall
Capital C39
Former London Northern Darts DML19 and 21 look set to be
regulars on 555 and X5. They have marked the return to the distinctive
blue and gold livery. |
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R619VEG
R621VEG |
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R621VEG was the first in service. Note
that the blind box with the three track numbers is not the one which was
carried when new. The vehicle is
seen at the depot. (C Hunn). |
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Dennis Dart SLF/UVG UrbanStar
And another bodywork style, is represented by this vehicle, which
saw service on the 392 before being redeployed to the 555. It was
in bingo pink livery and then all red before the present colours. |
| 783 |
R83GNW |
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R83GNW, when red, carried a dedicated
display for the 555. Now in blue and gold, another dedicated display,
but this time for the X5. (R Hudson). |
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Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton
Pointer 2
A 2011 arrival, straight from Ensign stock, and in
service in the livery of former operator, Go-ahead London. This vehicle
may depart shortly. |
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R447LGH |
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Seen leaving Harlow on the 555. (R Hudson). |
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Volvo B10M-55/Alexander PS
No marks for guessing the former big group owner of
this vehicle. |
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P851GND |
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Seen arriving at Harlow on the 555. (R Hudson). |
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Leyland Olympian/Alexander
RH
Significant capacity is provided by these vehicles.
J847TSC was used in late 2009, and is part open-top. F369WSC was first sighted in early 2010. |
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J847TSC
F369WSC |
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During the process of the red
repaint, the blind box has been covered. The former 55 windscreen board
has had an additional 5 penned on in order to bridge the gap. (R Hudson). |
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Seen on the 555, the bus has
re-emerged as a regular on the reincarnation of the service in 2011. It
features high-backed seats (R Hudson). |
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Scania N113/Northern
Counties
Appearing to be a relatively new double decker,
although dating from the early 90's, is this Summer 2010 addition to the
fleet. |
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H465GVM |
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Conventional and lower case blinds
are fitted to this vehicle, seen leaving the bus station. (R Hudson). |
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Leyland Olympian/Northern
Counties
A double decker was used to operate Saturday service
L55, but has also seen use on the first incarnation of the weekday 55. The vehicle was once
owned by Kentish Bus as part of the fleet used on London services
along the Lea Bridge Road, coincidentally including a route 55. Once dual-doored it has now been converted
to single, and also fitted with an LED display.
When it entered service it was fully closed top, being converted in
summer 2010. The latest change for this vehicle is painting into an
eastend sightseeing tour livery for a service which turned out to be
short-lived. |
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G551VBB |
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A little more blue and less gold is
featured on the double deck version of the 55 livery. Note the US
highway route sign logo also used for a time. (R Hudson). |
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Please note that this is an unofficial site, and whilst
every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, no claims
can be entertained for losses caused by any errors or omissions here, or through any
shortcomings on the part of the operators themselves. We would be grateful if any errors
could be notified to us, in order that we can make a prompt correction. Any suggestions,
comments or other forms of feedback are most welcome by
e-mail. This site
acknowledges the support provided by local operators, but is not directly
linked with any operator.
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