*Recent Operator Change, Soon to get electrics + H&R 2* TUK 8321 on the S1 (3)

In this 5-part video series, I travel on the S1 between Banstead and Lavender Fields, on 8321, YX10 EBA. The bus that was at the stand when I arrived at Banstead was actually 8583, YX62 DAU, but this bus, unsurprisingly, had mechanical issues. I even saw a Transport UK van, probably with an engineer inside, brought out to inspect the bus. Either way, this ran out of service, probably back to Beddington X. So, I ended up on the bus next in line, which I don't think is tracking properly as it didn't appear on LVF, and is showing up today (03/12/2025) as a rare working, even though it was being used on the route when I took it.

Even my bus had a non-start. Driver was trying to get it going for a good few minutes to no avail, but the bus eventually fixed itself and started pulling away from the stand.

That said, I've always had a liking for the older E200s - 2010 and older. I like the way sound, even if everything else from the ride quality to the sluggishness is absolutely shambolic at this point, and that's literally just a consequence of age.

The S1 runs between Mitcham, Lavender Fields and Banstead under Transport UK now, using Enviro200s from 2010, 2011 and 2012. The newer E200s on the route are noticeably longer than the YX10s, and make me wonder why the route doesn't just use a full allocation of longer vehicles to maximise total capacity per bus. I guess BC doesn't have enough of them for a full allocation. And that said, the route is expected to get electrics, anyway. I've read comments saying that the C10 and P5 are being allocated the electrics that were intended for this route, those being Kites (not sure if this is true), but as I'm typing up this description, the route has actually been allocated a Caetano from the 433. This makes me wonder if the remaining Caetanos at Walworth (WL) will transfer to Beddington X (BC) for this route. That would be interesting!

The S1 is quite a long route for a single decker, I'm not gonna lie. I'd say this one can definitely take you more than an hour to complete. The route serves areas such as Banstead High Street, Belmont, Sutton, St. Helier & Rose Hill, Mitcham Junction, Mitcham, Town Centre before arriving at its terminus, which is in some back road, that being Lavender Fields. Notably, the ibus announcer only says "Lavender Fields", not "Mitcham, Lavender Fields."

The S1 used roads where it is permitted speeds up to the National Speed Limit, however with these E200s, expect 20-30mph to be when you feel the bus pushing - that section is between Belmont and Banstead, by the way. After that bit of the route, you head into South London suburbia mainly, with the route serving not 1, not 2, but 3 Hail and Ride sections! The route serves urbanised areas in Town Centres, and also rural, green areas, so it's quite mixed. Would I take this route again? Probably not. It's a bit too far out for me, but I am interested to see what EV's TUK gives it in the future.

S1 bus rating: 9/10 (vehicles are a let down)

BC* - Beddington Cross Bus Garage

Thanks for watching!