Transport for London unveils 'Buses for London' – could they take all bus operations back to public control?

Transport for London (TfL) has announced the establishment of a new publicly owned bus operating company named 'Buses for London', which will take over route 6 by late 2027 starting from Park Royal bus garage.

This is a follow-up to my previous article from June 2024.

From the TfL press release:

Transport for London (TfL) has today [Friday 25 September 2026] unveiled 'Buses for London', the capital’s trailblazing publicly owned bus company, alongside plans for its first route and operational base at Park Royal Depot in west London.

This marks a major milestone in TfL's transformational plans to establish a publicly owned bus operator for the capital, helping to support innovation, affordability and sustainability in one of the world's largest bus networks, while improving services for drivers and passengers alike.

Investigating How 'Value for Money' Impacts Public Transport Services

Some of my readers may have noticed I posted on social media about my communications with Transport for London (TfL) regarding my suggestion to improve their bus network with more express routes, reviving the Speedbus proposal from the 1970s, and increasing cross-boundary bus routes.

This is their response, embedded below:

London Bus Tender Awards: Route 38 to Continue Using Hybrid New Routemasters Along with New Route 10

Following Transport for London's (TfL) approval of changes to routes 10, 19, and 38, despite passenger opposition during the consultation, it has been announced that Arriva London North has won the contracts for the new route 10 and route 38 using existing three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters.

LBSL intends to enter into a new contract for the following route with the operator listed below:

10 Years Since the Hopper Fare for London Buses and Trams Was Launched

It has been 10 years since Mayor Sadiq Khan's Hopper fare for London Buses and trams was introduced on 12 September 2016. Starting as a single additional free journey, it evolved into unlimited transfers within an hour on 31 January 2018.

Let's read TfL's press release marking the anniversary:

London Bus Tender Awards: Stagecoach Retains Route 339 With Electric Single-Deckers

Slightly overdue news from the London Bus Tender Awards: Transport for London (TfL) reported on Wednesday 9 September 2026 that Route 339 has been reawarded to Stagecoach London, operating with electric single-decker buses.

LBSL intends to enter into a new contract for the following route with the operator listed below:

Breakthrough Agreement: TfL, Unite and Bus Operators Agree New Air Conditioning Upgrade for London Bus Cabs

Driver's cab of the New Routemaster
Photo by Equipmake

Fresh off the wire, Transport for London (TfL) has announced a major agreement to upgrade air conditioning systems for bus drivers across the capital. Given the significance of this update, I have put together a dedicated article to dive deeper into the details surrounding cab air conditioning, how TfL plans to carry out the rollout, and the underlying technical specifications.

This is undoubtedly welcome news for drivers. The heatwaves throughout 2026 have made working conditions appalling for both transport staff and commuters alike.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Routemasters to Continue on Routes 59 and 137/N137, With More New Electric Buses for Route 265

As we are now in September 2026, with the summer over and the new school term beginning, Transport for London has announced that the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters will continue to operate on routes 59 and 137/N137 as part of the new contracts retained by Arriva London. Meanwhile, route 265 will receive further new electric single-deck buses as part of the new contract awarded to Go-Ahead London.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Route R68

Yesterday (27th August 2026), Transport for London (TfL) announced that Transport UK London has retained routes 201 and R68, with the latter route set to operate using new electric single-deck buses under the new contract.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operator listed below:

London Bus Tender Awards: Major retentions for First Bus with new electric buses, New Routemasters to leave Route 148

As we are in the middle of a heatwave, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that First Bus (which inherited the trading names London United and London Transit from RATP Dev) has retained its routes with new electric buses. This means the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters (NRMs) are expected to leave route 148 as part of the new contract.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operator listed below:

London Bus Tender Awards: Retentions for First Bus, Go-Ahead, Metroline and Uno

Transport for London has announced that First Bus, Go-Ahead, Metroline and Uno have been awarded route contracts without any change of bus operating company.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below: