In early 1998 Capital Citybus invested in thirteen medium length Dart SLFs with East Lancs Spryte bodywork. These were given company livery of overall yellow (with red bands) and were put to work on route S2 (Stratford - Bow Church - Hackney Wick - Clapton), a traditionally single-decker route (once the 208) involving low railway bridges. Some had route-branding along the sides, but not all. They used black on yellow blinds when heading for Stratford, white on black when going to Clapton. Their garage was Hackney Wick.

First Bus took over the company in July 1998, but it made little difference to the Sprytes. They gained Firstbus logos. They were nominally given a class code of DE, which did not appear on the vehicles.

And there they stayed for five and a half years, still in the same livery despite the world going red around them, until in 2003 they were taken away and given to First Essex in Southend. Admittedly, their new livery of First's Barbie colours suited them much better than the yellow, but the last I heard they (First 41005-41017) were still going strong and looking good.

714 arrives on the S2 at Stratford Interchange, August 2002.

710 on the S2 at Stratford Interchange, August 2000 - or was it route 678?.

713 on the S2 at Stratford Interchange, August 2000.

Bus Stop SLF index. DE text. histories. photo refs.