Prepared on Notepad by Ian Smith, This page created 9th October 2000.

The Marshall-bodied MANs: MM254-268, 270-278

R&I Coaches had already experienced MAN bus chassis with the Optare Vectas (MV class) bought for the 112 in 1995, and for its 1996 tenders for the 79 and 95 ordered more - MAN 11.220s with 10.0m Marshall bodies. They were taken over, with the company, by MTL London, in June 1996, after the first batch had been delivered in April.

MM254-268

MM drawing, MTL livery The first batch had Marshall C37 bodies, similar to the Dart body on DM (from R&I), and started work on the 95.
They moved to the 46.

September 2000 saw a move from North Acton depot to Harlesden, when the former closed. They lost their MTL logos at the takeover by Metroline (August 1998), and most have since remained in plain red, only a few gaining blue skirts.

  • 95 :Southall - Greenford - Perivale - Park Royal - East Acton - Shepherds Bush Green
  • 46 :Kensal Rise Stn - Queens Park - Swiss Cottage - Hampstead Stn - Hampstead Heath - Kings Cross Stn

MM262 on the 46 at Kings Cross MM262 on the 46 at Kings Cross
MM 262 sets off from Kings Cross on the familiar 46, still in all-red in September 2001, whereas MM260 presents a repainted rear in the shadow of St.Pancras Stn in February 2001.

MM270-278

This second batch, delivered in December 1996, had the newer style of Marshall Capital bodywork, breaking away from the Duple/Carlyle style, with a low, deep wrap-round windscreen - a style that was to become familiar on the low-floor Marshall-bodied Dart SLFs. The driving position was low too, and the rear was altered to incorporate a number blind above the rear window.

These nine started on the 79 (North Acton) in December 1996, but were found other work after the 79 was changed to newer Darts in September 1999, including operation on the 46.

  • 79 :Edgware Stn- Canons Pk - Queensbury - Kingsbury - Wembley Central - Alperton

Since the takeover by Metroline this batch were mostly repainted in red with blue skirts. Apart from MM273, which was in dark blue for a Tesco contract, the others were sold to Fleetlink in September 2003.

MM277 at Kings Cross Station, September 2000 later MM drawing, MTL livery

MM277 on the 46 at Kings Cross / St.Pancras in September 2000, in plain red livery.

Ian's Bus Stop Dart index. MV. MM. MM histories. MM photos.