Citymapper to start operating a night bus service

Citymapper has applied for a London Service Permit to operate a night service, serving from Highbury & Islington station to Aldgate East Station. The route is quite short compared to London Buses who provide 52 night routes along with 72 daytime routes which operate 24 hours a day.

2017 London tour bus prices

This is an update to my previous article titled ‘2016 London Tour Bus Prices’.

The purpose of this article is to compare the prices of open top tour bus companies which serve Central London - so here’s the table below.

Gas buses for Nottingham and three-door two-staircase buses for Switzerland

A brief news update on the bus scene - Nottingham City Transport (NCT) unveiled their gas buses on Friday 19^th May 2017 at the Market Square, Nottingham.

This is the press release from NCT which was released on 16^th May 2017.

Local people invited to be the first to see the greenest buses on the road at fun event on the Old Market Square on Friday 19 May

Five of the buses – one from each route the first 30 buses will be operating on – will be parked in the square from 10am until 6pm, and will be officially launched by Nottingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Mike Edwards at the start of the event.

This occasion marks an exciting time for Nottingham’s award-winning bus operator, as it sees a £17m investment in the greenest buses on the road finally begin their journeys in and around the city this summer.

TfL searches for supplier to build new DLR rolling stock trains

Transport for London (TfL) has announced in their press release about the new trains for the driverless Docklands Light Railway system.

From TfL press release

Customers on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) are set to benefit from new walk-through air-conditioned trains from 2022.

The new trains, which will increase capacity by over 30%, will be more reliable and provide customers with real time information, air-conditioning and mobile device charging points.

Shenfield Station to serve TfL rail service again

After completing works between Brentwood and Shenfield, a full TfL service is set to return on Monday 22^nd May 2017.

From TfL news

Upgrade work has been completed to prepare for Elizabeth line services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in December 2018.

Citymapper trials bus service in Central London

Citymapper, the most popular mobile phone app for commuters has launched their own bus service in the heart of London.

From Citymapper

Introducing the Citymapper Smartbus

Stagecoach introduces new livery for their South Downs route 1 service

I have some more news regarding bus livery. This time Stagecoach South has upgraded their bus fleet to a nice ‘green livery’ for their South Downs route 1 service.

From Stagecoach

Stagecoach South have recently upgraded their bus fleet on the Route 1 which runs from the Sussex Coastal town of Worthing into the South Downs National Park via Pulborough, Storrington and Petworth to Midhurst.

Update on the ‘route branding’ for Barkingside bus routes

The Greater London Authority has issued a press release regarding the branded bus services which serve Barkingside.

From GLA Press release

Mayor trials new Tube-style colour approach to simplify bus network

• Routes given their own distinct colours to make travelling on the bus as easy as taking the Tube
• Buses and signs will be clearly labelled with the colours to help passengers navigate local areas
• Innovative new trial begins in east London

Bus Services Act 2017 is now Royal Assent

The Bus Services Bill is now in force which will enable powers for local authorities in Britain to franchise bus services in their own area.

From Confederation of Passenger Transport UK

CPT has today welcomed Royal Assent of the Bus Services Act 2017 and has confirmed its on-going support for the new partnership measures that will see operators able to continue to operate in a commercial market thereby providing the best possible service to passengers. 

London Buses brings back route branding for Barkingside routes

I never expected to see this happen.

Routes 128, 150, 167, 169, 247, 275 and 462 will have ‘branded buses’ as part of the trial to promote the bus services which serve the Barkingside area.

The route numbers will have their own colour to designate their particular service. It will also appear on timetables, route tiles on bus stop flag posts and new livery with each route being identified by a colour with route description on the side and rear of the bus.

London Buses also promote the frequency of the bus service, for example “up to every 12 minutes” for route 128, which is seen on the side of the bus. The bus spider maps will also be updated to the specific route colour.