The T32 is one of the Croydon Tramlink feeder buses, and in common with the T31 uses dual door Marshall bodied Dennis Darts, the standard issue at First Centrewest. It is a pretty short route, with running time of just 15 minutes, but connects with trams at both ends. In between, the service runs through quite a lot of open land, and rarely (in contrast to the T31) seems to carry many passengers.

Although the trams were several months late, the buses, for a change, arrived on time. Consequently operators First Centrewest and Metrobus had surplus Darts hanging around. Some of the Centrewest ones (DML363/366-374) were found a temporary use in North East London during March and April, on First Capital route 212 where similar vehicles were due but not yet delivered.

Photo by John Gillespie.

This picture was taken on the first day of normal tram services, 11 May 2000, although Trams had been running free the previous afternoon after an opening ceremony. It is therefore ironic that DML369, now three months old and one of those used on the 212, was the cause of a considerable holdup at the New Addington tram terminus!

The bus is seen here stopped in the middle of the road, not being able to get flush with the kerb, due to a new bus shelter being built just off the picture. Unfortunately, the exit doors got stuck in the open position, and therefore the bus could not move off! The bus was there for at least 15 minutes, some of the cars managing to squeeze past, whilst the buses had no choice but to wait. Having said that, the Metrobus behind on the 130 was just about to drive over the pavement to get by.

In the first few months of operation, First Centrewest was not up to an adequate staffing complement to staff the T32, but Blue Triangle was able to assist by providing drivers. This arrangement has now ceased.

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See also routes 212, T31, T33, Line 3