Transport for London issues update on the replacement of New Routemasters with double-deck electric buses on routes 8 and 16

Route 8 New Routemaster showing front-door-only boarding
Photo by TfL

Here is an update on the New Routemasters that will soon be replaced by double-deck electric buses. I do not currently know which makes and models of electric buses Stagecoach and Metroline have chosen for routes 8 and 16 respectively. This is a follow-up to three of my previous articles.

̶L̶o̶n̶d̶o̶n̶ Dublin Bus Tender Awards: Go-Ahead Ireland Wins Contract to Operate 65 PSO Bus Routes in the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area

As we are in the final month of the year, December 2025, Transport for London (TfL), ahem, the National Transport Authority (NTA) in Ireland has announced that Go-Ahead Ireland has won a contract to operate 65 Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus routes across the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area.

This is a brief follow-up to my previous article in September, when Go-Ahead Singapore won the contract from the Land Transport Authority to operate 27 bus routes in Singapore.

From The National Transport Authority 

Why Paper Tickets Should Be Retained For Travel

Excerpt from Staff Guide 2, Types of Tickets and Ways to Pay, March 2025

Transport for London (TfL) still provides paper tickets for Tube and rail journeys. However, earlier this year (2025), they withdrew the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass from Tube and railway stations, unexpectedly and without consultation, although the Oyster version of the One Day Bus & Tram Pass continues to be available at Oyster ticket stops. As a follow-up, this is in response to my previous article reviewing TfL’s Technology Roadmap 2025, which outlines a long-term plan to phase out magnetic paper tickets.

Superloop Route SL11 to Temporarily Use New Routemasters, Plus Contract Costs Revealed for Routes 8 and 16, and Consultation to Amend Routes 19 and 38

This round-up focuses on the latest news concerning the New Routemaster bus, along with other significant updates from the London bus network.

It has been reported by the London Omnibus Traction Society (LOTS) that the Superloop route SL11 (Thamesmead – North Greenwich) is planned to temporarily use the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters (NRMs). This temporary measure will be implemented while the operating company, Go-Ahead London Central, awaits the delivery of its new double-deck electric buses, as part of its new route contract.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Route 29 and New Routemasters Continue On Route H32

As we approach the end of November, Transport for London (TfL) has announced new London Bus Tender Awards. Under these awards, route 29 will transition to new double-deck electric buses, while the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters will continue operation on route H32.

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

UK Budget 2025: Rail Fares Frozen and £3 Bus Cap Retained, While Ireland Separately Announces €24.3bn Transport Plan

Following the UK Government’s Budget 2025 announcement, a look through the Treasury’s document reveals that railway fares will be frozen, the £3 bus fare cap will be retained, funding will be provided for new railway improvements, support will be given to Transport for London’s plan to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Thamesmead, primarily funded by London with long-term government contributions, and in Ireland, €2 billion from the Irish Government’s Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will support the construction of MetroLink, reflecting its scale and national importance.

Issues With My Videos Hosted On Dailymotion

Last update - 3rd December 2025

My Dailymotion channel in 2022
Via Archive Wayback Machine

Some of my readers and followers may have noticed that I have a Dailymotion channel, where I have uploaded hundreds of my videos since 2014. Unfortunately, some of my old articles now contain embedded Dailymotion videos that no longer play.

In short, Dailymotion is a French online video-sharing platform currently owned by Canal+. Prior to 2024, it was owned by Vivendi, establishing it as a significant European alternative to YouTube.

UK Treasury Announces First Rail Fare Freeze in 30 Years

What a coincidence! Just yesterday, I posted an article suggesting that rail fare consultation should be sought to give the general public input on options, and also shared my thoughts on reforming the fare and ticketing system to make it simpler.

From: HM Treasury Press Release:

Suggestion: Why I Believe That Transport Fares Should Be Consulted 💡

Every year, transport fares rise in line with inflation and the Retail Price Index across many areas of the UK and globally. This significantly impacts certain people, particularly those who are unemployed, receiving benefits, or on a low income.

The Precedent Set by Council Tax Consultation

Transport for London Technology Roadmap: A Strategic Overview of Investment to 2025 and Beyond

Transport for London (TfL) has disclosed its comprehensive strategic plan for the technological overhaul of the capital’s transport network. The document, titled Technology Roadmap 2025, was released into the public domain following a Freedom of Information request (Reference: FOI-2883-2526) made by another individual.

The roadmap details a multi-year investment strategy designed to align with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, specifically the objective for 80 per cent of all trips in London to be made by foot, cycle, or public transport by 2041. The plan sets out a timeline for critical infrastructure upgrades and the implementation of advanced systems to tackle fare evasion and improve operational efficiency.