UK Government announces £48 million for ultra-low emission buses and Electric Bus trial for Kent

The UK government announces £48 million to increase the number of ultra-low emission buses for Britain.

From Department for Transport

Passengers across the country will benefit from a multi-million pound government investment which will help councils and bus companies put more environmentally-friendly buses on the roads.

Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani has today (28 March 2018) announced a new Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme aimed at cutting emissions and ensuring cleaner and greener journeys.

Automatic trains enabled for the Thameslink Core

Automatic Train Operation (ATO) is now starting to be used for the main core section of the Thameslink, which serves the Central London stations.

From Network Rail

Passengers have ridden the UK’s first self-drive mainline train in a major milestone for the rail industry, delivered by the Thameslink Programme.

On Monday 26 March 2018 the 09.46 service from Peterborough to Horsham, one of the new routes that will be opened up by the industry’s biggest timetable change for a generation in May, ran under automatic train operation (ATO) between St Pancras International and London Blackfriars.

Successful tests for the new London Underground Sub Surface Lines signalling system

TfL has announced that testing the new signalling system to upgrade the Sub Surface Lines has been successful.

From TfL Press release

Transport for London (TfL) this weekend expanded testing of the new, modern Tube signalling system, which is set to transform the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, to its largest area yet. The new system was successfully tested from Hammersmith through to Euston Square and Paddington, with the work involving the complex Baker Street junction - the first such junction to be tested with the state-of-the-art Thales communications-based train control (CBTC) system.

New London Sightseeing service provided by Stagecoach

Stagecoach, who owns Megabus, launches an open-top sightseeing bus service for Central London.

From Megabus

Our non-stop London bus tour will take you to 50 of London’s most famous sights in the space of just 2 hours. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and soak up the sights of this incredible capital city from the comfort of the top deck…

Big Ben. The Houses of Parliament. London Bridge. They’re just 3 of around 50 world-famous landmarks on the agenda when you book tickets with megasightseeing.com – our brand new open top London sightseeing bus tour.

From April 2018, you’ll be able to get onboard one of our open top double decker buses in central London every day of the week, every hour between 10:00 and 17:00. And you can start your tour from three locations: the London Eye, Tower of London and Park Lane.

TfL plans to trial on-demand minibus service and London Bus tender awards

I know I haven’t been posting much lately, but here’s one transport news story from TfL which is worth sharing.

From TfL press release

TfL today announced that it is exploring the potential of using a new 'demand responsive' TfL bus service to enhance London's public transport network in the future.

TfL is approaching a range of businesses - including traditional bus operators and tech companies - to see if the latest innovations in ride-booking technology can be used to create a new TfL bus service that complements the capital's existing bus network.

Bromley-by-Bow next to become step-free access Tube station

TfL has announced that Bromley-By-Bow station has had lifts installed, making the Tube station step-free access.

From TfL Press release

Record investment being made to transform accessibility across the transport network.

TfL today confirmed that lifts have been installed at Bromley-by-Bow station for the first time, making it the 73rd step-free station on London's Underground network.

TfL fares will apply to new Crossrail Elizabeth Line service

TfL has announced that the Elizabeth Line pay as you go fares will be the same as on existing TfL services.

From TfL Press release

TfL confirms that Elizabeth line pay as you go fares in central London will be the same as the equivalent Tube fare - saving money for millions of Londoners.

More Enviro200 MMC’s for Go-Ahead Morebus

Brief bus news update:

Morebus invests £7.2 million for 41 Enviro200 MMC single deck buses.

From Alexander Dennis

TfL confirms it will enable step-free access for South Kensington Tube station

TfL have announced the plans to upgrade South Kensington Tube station; they have confirmed they will enable step-free access.

From TfL press release

Development of land around the station will deliver step-free access to District and Circle line, unlocking millions of journeys.

March 2018 London Bus tender awards

LOTS news has posted the recent London Bus tender awards on their website.

From LOTS News: