Proposed changes for London Bus route 31

This is a quick news update; TfL is proposing to make changes to London Bus route 31 near Camden Town.

From TfL consultation

The London Borough of Camden is proposing changes to the highway at Bayham Street impacting on routes 31, N28 and N31. The changes would affect how route 31 runs through the area.

Popularity grows for the Enviro400 City as Uno launches for Comet services

Since the three-door two-staircase New Routemaster rollout is completed and there will be no more purchased by TfL, the legacy of the design lives on as more and more bus operators have gained interest with the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City.

Hertfordshire bus operator Uno (formerly UniversityBus) which is owned by the University of Hertfordshire has rolled out Enviro400 City buses for routes 614 and 644 branded as Comet Bus.

From University of Hertfordshire

TfL consultation on re-routing route 96 via the Fastrack busway

TfL is proposing a change on route 96 to reroute the section between Dartford and Bluewater to serve Darent Valley Hospital and to use the Fastrack busways to reduce journey times.

From TfL consultations

We’ve been working with Kent County Council to improve bus services to Darent Valley Hospital, whilst also improving the journey time and reliability of route 96. We are now proposing improvements to route 96 between Dartford and Bluewater shopping centre, and would welcome any comments you may have on the proposals.

Mass retains and one gain for Go Ahead London with the London Bus tender awards

Go Ahead London has succeeded in retaining the London bus routes for this month’s tender awards; they also won one route from Stagecoach Selkent which is route 386.

Go Ahead London owns the subsidiary companies of London General, London Central, Blue Triangle, Metrobus and Docklands Buses.

Track installation for Crossrail Elizabeth Line is complete!

As the Crossrail project moves ever forward, the works for the track layout is now officially completed.

From Crossrail

A significant milestone has been marked today with the official completion of the permanent track for the Elizabeth line – London’s newest railway.

TfL launches app to enable passengers to top up their Oyster ‘on the go’

TfL has released their own mobile phone app to enable passengers to top up their Oyster card ‘on the go’.

From TfL press release

Oyster card users can now check their pay as you go balance and top up their card with just a few quick taps of their smartphone after Transport for London (TfL) today launched its new app.

The new app, which was designed by TfL and developed by Cubic Transportation Systems, is free to download via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and enables customers to use their smartphone to quickly add pay as you go credit or Travelcards to their Oyster card. These can then be added after 30 minutes by simply touching the Oyster card on the yellow card reader at any Tube or rail station, tram stop or River Bus pier as part of a journey.

Consultation to abolish cash fares for Croydon Tramlink

TfL has opened up a consultation to abolish cash fares for the Croydon Tramlink network.

From TfL press release

Transport for London (TfL) has begun an eight-week public consultation on plans to make trams in London 'cashless'.

The proposal would see existing cash ticket machines, which only sell a small number of the more expensive paper tickets every week and do not allow customers to top-up their Oyster card, removed from the Tram network.

Department for Transport announces successful bidders for greener buses

The Department for Transport has announced the winners for the Green Bus fund - enabling them to purchase new electric and gas buses.

From Department for Transport

Two Rail Adhesion Trains for Piccadilly Line

To reduce delays and disruptions on the Piccadilly Line, TfL has converted two 1973 stock trains to Rail Adhesion Trains (RATs) to tackle wheel flats.

From TfL press release

New traction motors for the Central Line trains

TfL has awarded Bombardier the contract to supply new motors and traction control equipment for the 1992 rolling stock trains for the London Underground Central Line.

From Bombardier