SP40001-15, or SP1-15 as they were originally known as, were built in 2006 for use on route 148 (Shepherd's Bush to Camberwell Green), ran from Shepherds Bush (S) garage. They were ordered by Transdev as a follow-up order to the 64 SLE class Scania Omnidekkas ordered for routes 13, 27, 267 and 292. These 15 buses were some of the first production Scania Omnicity intergral deckers built, followed closely by orders from Lothian and National Express West Midlands. They are also the only Scanias in London built to this design using the N94UD chassis (with a Euro 3 engine) and with the low height 13'11" body, with all following batches from 2008 being 14'6" in height and being on the N230UD chassis, holding a Euro 4 engine.
These Scanias were supplemented on the 148 by 15 East Lancs Olympus deckers and a handful of 08 reg N230UD Euro 4 Scania Omncities, but all were replaced in late 2009 by a large batch of 59 plate Scania Omnicities. Alongside some of the 08 reg, all of the 56 reg headed initially to Hounslow Heath garage for route H91 (Hounslow West to Hammersmith Bus Station). Their stint on the H91 was brief, however; they were soon replaced by Transdev's last batch of Scania Omnicities, fleet coded SP191-206.
This caused a mass split in the batches, especially with route tenders involved - SP1-5 remained at Hounslow Heath for route 698 (Ickenham to West Drayton), whilst SP6-15 all moved to Hounslow garage for general use on routes 81, 111, 120 (to which some where allocated), 222, H32, H98 (later on) and 697 (to which some where allocated). This remained the case for a long period of time.
2011 saw the batch sold with Transdev to RATP, and then the batch refurbished. All buses received the same moquette, and RATPs standard at the time for refurbs, as some Tridents did (but no other Scanias ever saw), as these were the first SPs to undergo refurbishment.
Other than the complete recoding of the batch from SP1-15 to SP40001-15 in 2016/17, nothing major happened with the buses until 2017. Route 120 (Northolt Station to Hounslow Bus Station) was lost by RATP to Metroline, who now run the route from Perivale West (PA) with Wright Gemini 3/Volvo B5LH vehicles. This meant that SP40010-15 were made redundant, as they were allocated to the 120 alongside a number of ADEs. SP40010-15 were sold off, and now most of the batch can be found at a company named 'Happy Al's'.
SP40001-9 survived the 120 and 222 losses (which could lead to the argument that the newer buses released from these routes could replace these Scanias) and soldiered on as normal. They were refurbished in 2017 for a second time, gaining the latest RATP interior. However, the gain of the 105 lead to route 697 (Ickenham to Hayes End, Lansbury Drive) transferring from Hounslow to Hounslow Heath, bringing SP40006-9 with it. These fit in with SP40001-5, leading to an interchangable fleet of 9 buses between routes 697 and 698. SP40001 received white blinds, allowing it to work route 635 (St Pauls School to Hounslow Bus Station), being the only bus in the batch blinded for it.
The lack of 56 reg at Hounslow meant that the oldest SPs there were the 08 reg. Bar SP40006 and SP40008 transferring in early 2019 for 1 day on the 111, the buses stayed put on their regular routes, alongside appearances on the 116 and 423, until March 2019, when route 697 returned to Hounslow, bringing SP40006-9 with it. This allowed for 56 reg workings to return on Hounslow routes, as seen at the top of the page with the 203. This brings us to where we are today - SP40001-5 can be found at Hounslow Heath on route 698 with strays on the 635 and 423, and SP40006-9 can be found at Hounslow on route 697 with common workings on routes 203, H32, H98 and 696 as well as rare appearances on route 111, which is rarely allowed pre-2009 Scanias.
To finish, here are more pictures:
Thanks for reading!
So why is it allocated euro 6 buses?
111 does not have a Euro 6 section but it could be to do with the allocation.
I think there is a part of the 111 that is euro 6 so I think SP40006-9 can't do the 111 for that reason! If not... I don't know why!