Prepared on Notepad by Ian Smith,
This page created 5th March 2024.

Solo bus histories

Much of these histories has been collated from entries in "The London Bus" and "London Bus Magazine" by LOTS. Their histories are ongoing. Subscribe to LOTS for continuing updates.

There are pictures on the internet ($) of just about every one of these buses, if you have the patience to Google them.

Optare Solo



OSL 1   YJ51 JWY 10/01    8.5m Optare M850 SAB19000000000703 Solo 190703 B17F
                 10/01    new to F.E.Thorpe, Wembley
                  7/06 PA repainted in Metroline red, pale blue skirt
                  7/08    returned off-lease
                          acquired by Harris, Fleur de Lys #1: cream, maroon skirt, "Shuttle"
                  6/09    in service, Ystrad Mynach $
                  8/13    in service, Tredegar $
                  2/14    in service, Caerphilly $
                  4/14    in service, Pontypridd $
                  8/14    in service, Pontypridd $
                  9/14    in service, Blackwood $
                  3/15    in service, Pontypridd $ 
                  2/18    in service, Pontypridd $
                  9/18    in service, Pontypridd $
 
OSL 2   YJ51 JWZ 10/01    8.5m Optare M850 SAB19000000000704 Solo 190704 B17F
                 10/01    new to F.E.Thorpe, Wembley
                  */01    in service to Brent Cross $
                  3/06    repainted, red, blue skirt, Thorpe's fleetname
                          in service on 965, Willesden Junction $
                          in service on 981 to Park Royal Asda $
                  7/08    returned off-lease 
                          acquired by Harris, Fleur de Lys: cream, maroon skirt, "Shuttle"
                  5/10    in service, Bargoed $
                  8/14    in service, Blackwood $
                  2/15    in service, Ystrad Mynach $
                  3/15    in service, Pontypridd $
                  5/15    in service, Ystrad Mynach $
                  3/16    in service, Blackwood $


NSM660 YK05 CCD 6/05 7.8m Optare M780SL SAB19000000001946 slim Solo 191946 B21F 6/05 PV new to Metroline (Perivale East) for H1,H2,H3 7/05 PV in service on H3 to East Finchley $ 6/06 PV H1/2/3 lost to Arriva the Shires: withdrawn into store 7/06 PV used on diverted 297 1/07 PV reinstated 4/07 NW transfer for 346 (North Wembley) 3/08 BD allocated to 318 as well as 346 9/08 BD in service on 346 to Garston $ NSM660 2/09 BD leased by Mullany's Buses, Watford for 318 7/09 in service on 318 $ 11/09 bought by Mullany's 8/10 in service on 318 to Abbots Langley $ 10/12 in service on 346: Meriden & Watford $ 9/11 in service on 318: Leavesden Park & Kings Langley Stn $ 9/12 in service on 318 to Watford $ 10/12 in service on 318: Leavesden Park & Kings Langley Stn $ 10/12 in service on 346: Meriden & Watford $ 3/13 off-lease to Dawson Rentals bought by Lucketts, Fareham #211321: white/chestnut 8/16 in service, Portchester $ 12/16 in service, Salisbury $ 5/17 Lucketts $ 10/17 in depot $ NSM661 YK05 CCE 6/05 7.8m Optare M780SL SAB19000000001947 slim Solo 191947 B21F 6/05 PV new to Metroline Perivale East) for H1,H2,H3 6/06 PV H1/2/3 lost to Arriva the Shires: withdrawn into store 7/06 PV used on diverted 297 1/07 PV reinstated 4/07 NW transfer for 346 (North Wembley) 4/07 BD outstationed at Brookdell Yard 3/08 BD allocated to 318 as well as 346 7/08 BD in service on 346 to Watford $ 9/08 BD in service on 318 to Watford $ 9/08 BD in service on 346: Leavesden & Woodside $ NSM661 2/09 BD leased by Mullany's Buses, Watford for 318 11/09 bought by Mullany's 3/13 off-lease to Dawson Rentals bought by Lucketts, Fareham #211221: white/chestnut 10/17 in depot $ NSM662 YK05 CCJ 6/05 7.8m Optare M780SL SAB19000000001948 slim Solo 191948 B21F 6/05 PV new to Metroline (East Perivale) for H1,H2,H3 6/06 PV H1/2/3 lost to Arriva the Shires: withdrawn into store 7/06 PV used on diverted 297 1/07 PV reinstated 4/07 NW transfer for 346 (North Wembley) 4/07 BD outstationed at Brookdell Yard 10/07 BD in service on 346 to Asda Watford $ 3/08 BD allocated to 318 as well as 346 3/08 BD in service on 318 to Abbots Langley $ 9/08 BD in service on 318 to Watford $ NSM662 2/09 BD leased by Mullany's Buses, Watford, for 318 2/09 in service on 318 to Abbots Langley $ 11/09 bought by Mullany's 6/12 at Warner Bros studios, Leavesden $ 3/13 off-lease to Dawson Rentals 4/13 acquired by Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire: white/blue 5/13 in service, Lancaster $ 5/14 in service, Lancaster $ 10/14 in service, Lancaster $ 3/16 in service, Lancaster $ 4/16 in service, Lancaster $ 6/16 in service, Silverdale $ 8/18 in service on Dalesbus, Clitheroe $ NSM663 YK05 CCN 6/05 7.8m Optare M780SL SAB19000000001949 slim Solo 191949 B21F 6/05 PV new to Metroline (East Perivale) for H1,H2,H3 6/06 PV H1/2/3 lost to Arriva the Shires: withdrawn into store 7/06 PV used on diverted 297 1/07 PV reinstated 4/07 NW transfer for 346 (North Wembley) 4/07 BD outstationed at Brookdell Yard 8/07 BD in service on 346 to Asda Watford $ 10/07 BD in service on 346 to Asda Watford $ 3/08 BD allocated to 318 as well as 346 11/09 sold by Metroline to Dawson's Rentals acquired by Stotts: white, black/grey/red stripes 8/13 in service, Huddersfield $ 5/14 in service, Slaithwaite $ 6/15 in service, Huddersfield $ 6/21 in service, Huddersfield $ NSM664 YK05 CCO 6/05 7.8m Optare M780SL SAB19000000001950 slim Solo 191950 B21F 6/05 PV new to Metroline (East Perivale) for H1,H2,H3 6/06 PV H1/2/3 lost to Arriva the Shires: withdrawn into store 7/06 PV used on diverted 297 7/06 hired by Sunray Travel 9/06 in service on 516 to Dorking $ return to Metroline 1/07 PV reinstated 4/07 NW transfer for 346 (North Wembley) 4/07 BD outstationed at Brookdell Yard 4/07 BD in service on 346 to Asda Watford $ 10/07 BD in service on 346 to Asda Watford $ 3/08 BD allocated to 318 as well as 346 9/08 BD in service on 318 to Watford $ NSM664 2/09 BD leased by Mullany's Buses, Watford for 318 4/09 in service on 318 to Abbots Langley $ 8/09 in service on 318 to Abbots Langley $ 11/09 bought by Mullany's 1/10 in service on 318 to Hemel Hempstead $ 3/10 in service on 318 to Watford $ 8/10 in service on 318 to Abbots Langley $ 9/11 off R8 $ 12/11 in service on 318 to Watford $ 3/12 in service on 318 to Watford $ 10/12 in service on 318 to Watford $ 3/13 off-lease to Dawson Rentals bought by Lucketts, Fareham #211321: white/chestnut 6/13 in service, Havant 3/15 in service, Lucketts 6/18 in service, Salisbury $
2468 YJ06 YRR 6/06 Optare M78SL SABDNDAC06R192442 slim Solo 192442, B21F 6/06 GR new to Arriva the Shires for H1, H2, H3 (Garston) 6/06 GR unusual on 268 6/08 GR 9/09 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 6/11 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 12/12 GR used on Watford 1 7/13 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 7/13 GR in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnet School $ 9/13 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ OS 69 1/16 GR transfer to Arriva London: renumbered 6/16 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ GR unusual on H18 to Harrow Bus Station $ 2/17 GR in service on 268 to Finchley Road $ 9/17 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 4/18 GR in Garston garage $ 6/18 W loan to Metroline for H2, H3 (Cricklewood) 6/18 W in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 7/18 W in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/18 WJ into store (Willesden Junction) 1/19 W change store 4/19 return to store by Arriva.. 4/19 ..sold to Lister PSV, Bolton 7/19 sold to Chartwell Bus Sales, Copthorne, repainted white 7/19 bought by The Big Lemon, Brighton 10/19 in service, Patcham: white $ repainted yellow 9/20 in service, Big Lemon $ 5/21 in service, Big Lemon $ 9/21 in service, Big Lemon $ 2469 YJ06 YRP 6/06 Optare M78SL SABDNDAC06R192443 slim Solo 192443, B21F 6/06 GR new to Arriva the Shires for H1, H2, H3 (Garston) 6/08 GR 11/08 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/09 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 12/09 GR in service on H3 $ 4/15 GR in service on H3 to Golders Green $ OS 68 1/16 GR transfer to Arriva London: renumbered 3/17 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 7/17 GR 6/18 GR in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnet School $ 6/18 W loan to Metroline for H2, H3 (Cricklewood) 7/18 W in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/18 W used on H3 and 631 OS 68 11/18 W bought by Metroline W refurbished W in service on H2 to Golders Green $ W used on H2, H3 and 631 1/19 W 4/19 W 10/19 W 1/21 HZ into store (Hayes) 2/21 W ..and out 3/21 W off service from 631 $ 6/21 W in service on 631 to Golders Green $ 8/21 PB transfer for PB1b(Potters Bar).. 8/21 PA ..into store (West Perivale) 11/21 PB transfer as spare for PB1 3/22 PB in service on 305 to St.Albans $ 5/22 PB in service on 305 to Colney Heath $ 5/22 PB in service on PB1 to Potters Bar $ 6/22 PB in service on PB1 to Potters Bar $ 7/23 PB unusual on 242 2470 YJ06 YRS 6/06 Optare M78SL SABDNDAC06R192444 slim Solo 192444, B21F 6/06 GR new to Arriva the Shires for H1, H2, H3 (Garston) 6/06 GR unusual on H18,H19 6/08 GR 11/08 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 10/09 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 4/10 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 3/11 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 5/11 GR repainted red 9/11 GR unusual on Watford 10 */12 GR in service on H2 $ 6/12 GR in service on H3 to East Finchley $ 6/13 GR in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnet School $ 11/13 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 8/14 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 3/15 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ OS 70 1/16 GR transfer to Arriva London: renumbered 6/16 GR in service on H3 to Golders Green $ 7/16 GR in service on H3 to Golders Green $ 10/16 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 7/17 GR 4/18 GR in Garston garage $ 6/18 GR in service on 631 $ 6/18 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 6/18 W loan to Metroline for H2, H3 (Cricklewood) 6/18 W in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/18 W into store 1/19 W acquired by Metroline for spares 4/19 scrapped 2471 YJ06 YRT 6/06 Optare M78SL SABDNDAC06R192445 slim Solo 192445, B21F 6/06 GR new to Arriva the Shires for H1, H2, H3 (Garston) 6/06 GR unusual on 268 6/08 GR 11/08 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 1/11 GR unusual on Watford 1 5/11 GR repainted red 1/14 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 4/15 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ OS 71 1/16 GR transfer to Arriva London: renumbered 1/16 GR in service, Golders Green $ 7/17 GR 8/17 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 6/18 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 6/18 GR in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnet School $ 6/18 W loan to Metroline for H2, H3 (Cricklewood) 6/18 W in service on H3 to Golders Green $ 9/18 WJ into store (Willesden Junction) 1/19 WJ in store 4/19 return to store by Arriva.. 4/19 ..sold to Lister PSV, Bolton sold, repainted white 7/20 Autocar: white 2472 YJ06 YRU 6/06 Optare M78SL SABDNDAC06R192446 slim Solo 192446, B21F 6/06 GR new to Arriva the Shires for H1, H2, H3 (Garston) 6/08 GR 10/09 GR in service on H1 to Henrietta Barnet School $ 4/10 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 5/11 GR repainted red 9/13 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 4/14 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 8/14 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 12/15 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ OS 72 1/16 GR transfer to Arriva London: renumbered 7/17 GR 8/17 GR in service on diverted H2 to Golders Green $ 9/17 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ GR in service on H3 to East Finchley $ GR in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnet School $ 6/18 GR in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 6/18 W loan to Metroline for H2, H3 (Cricklewood) 6/18 W in service on H3 to Golders Green $ 6/18 W in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/18 WJ into store (Willesden Junction) 1/19 WJ in store 4/19 return to store by Arriva.. 4/19 ..sold to Lister PSV, Bolton bought by Oakley’s Coaches 8/21 in service, Tavistock: pale blue $
OS 2499 YJ68 FXA 9/18 7.8m Optare M7800SL SABBCJ2AXJS291590 slim Solo SR 291590, B19F 9/18 CW new to Metroline (Cricklewood) 9/18 CW at Cricklewood garage: H3 display 9/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 11/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 1/19 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 7/21 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 3/22 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 6/22 CW in service on 81H to Hounslow Bus Station $ 7/22 CW in service, Golders Green $ 9/23 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ OS 2500 YJ68 FXB 9/18 7.8m Optare M7800SL SABBCJ2AXJS291591 slim Solo SR 291591, B19F 9/18 CW at Cricklewood garage: H3 display 9/18 new, at Holloway garage open day 9/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 10/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 12/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 1/19 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 4/21 on 65 at Chessington, 65 Running Day $ 4/21 on 465 to Leatherhead, at Dorking, 65 Running Day $ OS 2501 YJ68 FXF 9/18 7.8m Optare M7800SL SABBCJ2AXJS291592 slim Solo SR 291592, B19F 9/18 CW new to Metroline (Cricklewood) 9/18 CW at Cricklewood garage: 631 display 9/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 11/18 CW in service, Golders Green $ 11/23 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 1/19 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ OS 2502 YJ68 FXC 9/18 7.8m Optare M7800SL SABBCJ2AXJS291593 slim Solo SR 291593, B19F 9/18 CW new to Metroline (Cricklewood) 9/18 CW at Cricklewood garage: H2 display 9/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 12/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 1/19 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/20 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 3/23 CW in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnett School $ OS 2503 YJ68 FXE 9/18 7.8m Optare M7800SL SABBCJ2AXJS291594 slim Solo SR 291594, B19F 9/18 CW new to Metroline (Cricklewood) 9/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 12/18 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 4/19 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/20 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 9/23 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $ 3/23 CW in service on 631 to Henrietta Barnett School $ OS 2504 YJ68 FXG 9/18 7.8m Optare M7800SL SABBCJ2AXJS291595 slim Solo SR 291595, B19F 9/18 CW new to Metroline (Cricklewood) 1/19 CW in service on H3 to East Finchley $ 4/19 CW in service on H2 to Golders Green $
YJ13 HKY 7/13 8.9m electric M890EV SABSW0MF0DS290562 SoloSR 290562, B31F 7/13 new to Optare, Sherburn-in-Elmet: demonstrator: metallic green 10/13 at Starbeck depot $ 12/13 on loan to East Yorkshire: Hull free shuttle service $ 6/14 in First York depot$ 6/14 in service on York P&R $ 11/14 on display at Euro Bus Expo, Birmingham NEC $ 12/14 back on York P&R $ 1/15 in York depot $ 4/17 in service, McGill's OP02ARE reregistered 4/17 in service, McGill's 9/19 in service, Newcastle-upon-Tyne $ 10/19 on loan, Thames Valley #100 1/20 in service on 459 (Iver - Heathrow), Colnbrook $ (OSE 2750) 7/21 PB on loan to Metroline: not used (Potters Bar) 7/21 PB in Potters Bar garage $
8/21 return to Optare, unused 3/22 in service, Pilkington Switch: mauve $

Photo references

NSM 662 YK05CCJ 2/09 TLB535 p46 Mullany's: on 318 to Watford, Abbots Langley

Ian's Bus Stop Solo Index. F.E.Thorpe Solos. Metroline Solos. Metroline Solo histories. Solo photos.