TWH BUS & COACH


Last update
11th October 2011


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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Flyer disappeared after not too long, but there was then a change in fortune when in December 2009 Imperial's H1 was withdrawn, and the 55 was reborn.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.
  SJ53AXB
SJ53AXG

After the blue and then the red livery, the MPDs have brought some further variety to the fleet. (R Hudson).
    "AXB" in service on the 555. (R Hudson).


 

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.
  S51UBO

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).


 

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.
  R619VEG
R621VEG

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).


 

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

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).


 

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.
  R447LGH

Seen leaving Harlow on the 555. (R Hudson).


 

Volvo B10M-55/Alexander PS
No marks for guessing the former big group owner of this vehicle.
  P851GND

Seen arriving at Harlow on the 555. (R Hudson).



 

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.
  J847TSC
F369WSC

TWH Leyland Olympian/Alexander J847TSC open top

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).
    TWH Leyland Olympian/Alexander F369WSC 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).


 

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.
  H465GVM

Conventional and lower case blinds are fitted to this vehicle, seen leaving the bus station. (R Hudson).

 

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.
  G551VBB

TWH Leyland Olympian/Northern Counties G551VBB open top

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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