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School routes don't often get to feature on these pages, as they are not often photographed as a result of running infrequently and at times not convenient for most photographers. So here is First London TNL 32926 (W926 VLN), a long Trident/President based at Acton depot nearing journeys end on an afternoon 697 running on 22 March 2006.

Photo © John Bennett.

The route was created in 1997 as an offshoot of the existing 698, which ran from West Drayton via Shepiston Lane, Hayes, Hayes End and Long Lane to Ickenham and Ruislip. Certain journeys were diverted to run instead from Kingshill Avenue and Yeading Lane as route 697, and these have since been back-projected to run along Lansbury Drive, thus practically doubling back on themselves at the junction with Uxbridge Road. At the other end buses now run only as far as Ickenham Coach & Horses, which is where the main school the route serves is.

Apparently the route is one of the worst in London for misbehaviour of the school pupils, which may explain the yellow-jacketed presence by the driver! It may also explain why First Centrewest did not retain the route on re-tendering; the new operator is London United, who will operate the routes from Hounslow garage from September.

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See also routes 698

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