London Bus Tender Awards: More New Electric Buses For Routes 99, 141, 269 and 401

The London Bus Tender Awards have revealed routes 99, 141, 269 and 401 will be using new electric buses as part of the new contracts won by the private bus operating companies.

24th April 2024
LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Transport for London Confirms They Are Still Selling Bus Saver Tickets

A page from the 2019 Big Red Book on Bus Saver Tickets

A Freedom of Information request made to Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed they are still selling the Bus Saver Tickets.

Request ID: FOI-0096-2425
Date published: 23 April 2024

Question 1. What is the requirement to obtain the bus saver tickets?

London Bus Tender Awards: One Retain And One Loss For RATP Dev London United

This is another London Bus Tender Awards, which shows that RATP Dev London United has retained one route and lost a school route to Metroline West.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: New Single-Deck Electric Buses For Route 33

The recent London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that 33/N33 will be using new single-deck electric buses.

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

Route 33/N33
Retained By: RATP Dev London United
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 18
Vehicles: New electric single deck
Contract Start Date: 9th November 2024
Contract End Date: 7th November 2031

London Bus Tender Awards: New Double-Deck Electric Buses For Routes 341 And Superloop SL3

Bus type suggestions for London Buses, Superloop (including SL3) and East London Transit

The recent London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that routes 341 and Superloop SL3 will be using new zero-emission double-deck electric buses. Hereby replacing the three-door, two-staircase hybrid buses named New Routemaster used for the SL3.

12th April 2024

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

Why is Creativity in Public Transport Important, Including Bus Route Planning and Branding?

Catch The Changes - Different coloured London Buses during the early 1990s

In this article, I will be explaining and referencing my previous articles on why transport authorities need to bring in more creativity to help improve their brand, make their services more attractive, and make wayfinding easier.

London Bus Tender Awards: Reducing Diesel Emissions With New Electric Buses For Routes 4, 22 & 88

As I'm finally back on my short stay out into Ireland to visit my relatives, here's another London Bus Tender Awards that reveals that routes 4, 22/N22 and 88 will be using new electric buses.

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

Route 4
Retained by: Metroline
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 17
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract start date: 28th September 2024
Contract end date: 26th September 2031

London Bus Tender Awards: Electric Buses For Routes 98/N98, 188, 355 & 360

The London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that routes 98/N98, 188, 355 and 360 will be using new zero-emission electric buses.

18th March 2024

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

Route 6 (24h)

Retained by: Metroline

Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 18

Type of vehicles: Existing hybrid double deck

Contract Start Date: 7th December 2024

Contract End Date: 3rd December 2027

London Bus Tender Awards: Electric Buses for Routes R1, R2, R3, R4, R8, R11, U1, U2 and U3

The recent London Bus Tender Awards for the middle of March 2024 have revealed that routes R1, R2, R3, R4, R8, R11, U1, U2 and U3 will be using zero-emission electric buses.

Monday 11 March 2024
LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Route R1
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Metrobus
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 6
Vehicles: New electric single deck
Contract start date: 29th March 2025
Contract end date: 26th March 2032

Making A Case For New Rapid Transit Lines (Including New Tram Lines) By Increasing Bus Priority Measures

To tackle traffic congestion and pollution, London is in dire need of more bus priority measures and light rail services, including trams (also known as streetcars for North American readers), as it will help improve the economy.

The first generation of trams operated from 1860 to 1952, serving most of the London County Council area except for the west end of London. The type of trams London had were double-deck.

Then came trolleybuses, which served the London Passenger Transport Area from 1931 until 1962, as they were replaced by the diesel-engined AEC Routemaster.

Suggestion: London Passenger Transport Area Including London Country Buses Should Be Revived To Enhance Cross-Boundary Connections

Current coverage of London Bus Routes, rail replacements (in red) and bus lanes (in blue)
Google Earth and TfL GIS Open Data

As part of my suggestion on Twitter/X on improving London's Transport (LT) services, I have suggested that the London Passenger Transport Area should be reinstated to enhance cross-boundary connections between Greater London and various areas in the Home Counties.

TfL Reveals Detailed Information About the 464 Feeder Bus Service

Route 464 runs from Tatsfield to New Addington. You can view the map and the timetable on the Bus Times website, as well as the history of the bus route on the London Bus Route Histories website. As part of route 464 is on diversion, it has been revealed that Thames Water is providing a feeder bus service out of their funds.

Taking a look through the Freedom of Information disclosure log on the Transport for London (TfL) website, they have published information about the route 464 feeder bus service in south of Greater London.

My article is in response to BusAndTrainUser's article reviewing his experience with the 464 feeder bus service.

TfL Confirms a Review for the Superloop Could Appear on the London Underground Tube Map and Why the SL3 is Using New Routemasters?

The Superloop is Coming - Released by FOI Request

Taking a look through the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests on the Transport for London (TfL) website, I have noticed one interesting FOI request about the Superloop. Then I noticed that the person who made the request had sent them links to my tweets and my article for reference to their questions.

I have added a comment to TfL's answer to the question.

Request ID: FOI-3938-2324
Date published: 23 February 2024

1. What has enabled the New Routemaster to be used on the SL3? Can you release details about this?
Surplus New Routemasters (NRM) vehicles were available for use on route SL3 as a result of other route contract changes a few months ago.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses For Routes 34, 172, 257 & Superloop SL1

The recent London Bus Tender Awards has revealed that routes 34, 172, 257 and Superloop SL1 will be using new double-deck electric buses.

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

Route 34
Retained by: Arriva London North
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 18
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 9th November 2024
Contract End Date: 7th November 2031

Suggestion: Transport for London Should Revive the Old Speedbus Proposal From the 1970s as Part of Phase 2 of the Superloop

Followers on Twitter/X may have noticed that I have been suggesting that Transport for London (TfL) revive the Speedbus proposal, which first launched in 1973, which is 50 years ago!

This is in response to Andy Lord, the Commissioner of TfL, stating that he has the ambition of launching "phase two of Superloop".

This is also in response to the London Assembly Transport Committee's recommendation to expand the new Superloop services along with more bus priority measures.

TfL Finally Launches Line Names For The London Overground Services To Make Wayfinding Easier!

Map of the Overground with line names

This has been long overdue, and it has finally been unveiled to make wayfinding easier for people navigating the public transport system in London. This is a follow up to my previous article, published in May 2022.

TfL Press release:

London’s Overground lines to be given new names and colours in historic change to capital’s transport network

• For the first time ever, each of London’s six Overground lines will be represented by a new name and line colour
• The new names have been chosen through engagement with customers, stakeholders, historians, industry experts and local communities
• New names, line colours and maps will make it easier for customers to navigate the London Overground and further build ridership, while celebrating London’s diverse communities and histories

In a historic re-imagining of London’s public transport network, each of London’s six overground lines will for the first time ever be given a unique name and line colour. This significant change, which will include a major update to London’s world-famous Tube map, will make it easier for customers to navigate London’s transport network while also celebrating the city’s diverse culture and history.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses For Route 90

Clipping from LT magazine Vol. 22, No. 8 - November 1968

The recent London Bus Tender Awards revealed Metroline retained route 90 with new double-deck electric buses.

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

TfL Provides Explanation About Route 28 Awarded To Metroline With Diesel Double-Deck Buses Instead Of New Zero-Emission Buses

Extract from TfL's bus graphic standard

This is a follow-up to my previous article about London bus route 28 awarded to Metroline with existing diesel double-deck buses from the London Bus Tender Awards.

It has been revealed in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made to Transport for London (TfL) to find a reason why route 28 is reverting to diesel double-deck buses as part of the new contract won by Metroline.

I have noticed that the link to my article about the London Bus Tender Awards has been sent to TfL as part of the FOI request for reference.

We'll take a look at the text from the FOI release:

TfL Anticipates the Launches of Irizar Ie Tram Buses for Route 358 in June 2024 and a New DLR Train in Spring 2024

Transport for London (TfL) has posted multiple Freedom of Information (FOI) requests on their website, which has caught my attention. This is in relation to the delay in the launch of the Irizar Ie Tram buses for route 358 and the new Docklands Light Railway (DLR) B23 rolling stock train.

Firstly, we take a look at the FOI request for the Irizar Ie Tram, which is expected to launch on route 358 this year.

Request ID: FOI-3532-2324
Date published: 30 January 2024

Delays to the rollout of Irizar ie tram style buses for route 358

1. Would you be able to provide information about the delay in the rollout?

London Bus Tender Awards: Routes 5, 15 And N15 To Continue Using New Routemasters

The recent London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that routes 5, 15 and N15 will continue to use the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemaster buses.

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

Why Are Bus Lanes And Bus Priority Roads Beneficial To Emergency Services, Especially Non-Emergency Ambulances?

Non-emergency ambulance using the bus lane in London.
Image by TfL

I have spotted on Twitter/X that a local authority in Hull made a decision to degrade bus priority measures, and another is in America, where the State of Indiana General Assembly is trying to pass a bill to restrict bus lanes in Indianapolis, including the IndyGo Blue Line, a Bus Rapid Transit service.

The purpose of this article is to show my research on how bus lanes and priority measures are beneficial to emergency services, including non-emergency service ambulances.

London Bus Tender Awards: Route 17 To Continue Using New Routemasters - All New Urban Buses Are To Be Zero-Emissions In The EU By 2035

The latest London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that route 17 will continue to use New Routemasters, and Metroline won the route 28 contract with existing diesel double-deck buses.

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

Route 17
Retained by Metroline
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 15
Vehicles: Existing New Routemaster
Contract Start Date: 20th July 2024
Contract End Date: 20th July 2029

Transport for London’s 2023 Consultation Reports for Bus Service Changes Reveal Popularity for the New Routemaster and Tram Buses

Last updated: 24 March 2024

New Routemaster and Irizar Ie Tram

Some of my readers have seen on Twitter/X posting certain pages of various consultations about the proposed London bus service changes, especially with the proposed new routes for the Superloop express bus network. According to the comments TfL received on their consultations, there have been requests to use New Routemasters and Tram Buses on various bus routes in London. What is bizarre is that the Tram Buses haven’t been launched on route 358.

The Mayor Of London Sadiq Khan Allocates £123m Of GLA Funding To Freeze TfL's Fares Until March 2025

I've just woken up, and I saw the surprise news about the Mayor of London freezing TfL's fares till March 2025. I believe this deserves their own article.

From the Greater London Authority press release

• The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is allocating £123m of GLA funding to freeze TfL fares until March 2025
• Millions of Londoners set to benefit from the Mayor’s bold action, with potential savings of up to £90 a year. In contrast, national rail fares are going up by 4.9 per cent
• With record numbers of commuters using pay as you go, compared with Travelcards, the freeze will help more Londoners than ever as the cost of living continues to soar   
• The Mayor says it will put money back in people’s pockets, and also be a boost for London’s culture, retail and hospitality sectors
• New analysis shows that fares set by the Mayor in 2024 will be 14 per cent lower than if they had risen in line with national rail fares, and 21 per cent lower than if they’d risen in line with RPI since 2016
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced bold action to freeze TfL fares this year, to support Londoners struggling with the cost of living and London’s recovery from the pandemic. The Mayor is proposing £123m of additional funding to TfL, identified as part of the GLA budget setting process, to freeze fares for a whole year at a crucial time when Londoners are being hit by inflated food costs and soaring energy bills.

London Bus Tender Awards: Stagecoach London Retains Routes W12, W13 & W14 With New Single Deck Electric Buses

Extract from TfL's bus graphic standard

It has been revealed that routes W12, W13 & W14 have been retained by Stagecoach London with new single-deck electric buses.

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

Route W12
Retained by Stagecoach London
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 14
Vehicles: New electric single deck
Contract Start Date: 7th September 2024
Contract End Date: 5th September 2031

Why I Believe Transport Enthusiasts Are The Biggest Promoters Of Public Transport?

The presence of transport enthusiasts at the New Routemaster launch day on February 27th 2012.
Photo by TfL Press

I've been reading some reports by enthusiasts on social media that they are not allowed to take photos or videos inside train stations or even in public areas outside of railway property as they take photos or videos of buses and trams.

I’m not saying anything negative about the transport staff and their management; the whole purpose of this article is to educate on the encouragement and importance of transport enthusiasts, which includes bus spotting and railfan/train spotting.

The First London Bus Tender Awards Of 2024: Route 211 To Continue Using New Routemasters

Extract from TfL's bus graphic standard.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The first London Bus Tender Awards of the year 2024 have revealed that route 211 will continue to use three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemaster buses, with Abellio London gaining the contract.