London Bus Tender Awards: Route 171 To Use Double-Deck Electric Buses, And Metroline To Operate Routes 327 & W9

As we are approaching the end of August, the recent London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that routes 171/N171 will use new double-deck electric buses, and Metroline will operate routes 327 and W9 which were previously operated by Sullivan Buses.

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

In Defence of the 'Tram-style' Designed Single-deck Buses

Photo by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

I'm aware that on social media there have been objections to the 'tram-style' buses, whether they are articulated (bendy) or not, which also includes 'trackless trams' Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART).

Recently, the Liverpool City Region Mayor unveiled a tram-style bendy bus (Van Hool Exqui.City) leased from Translink in Northern Ireland for demonstration of a new bus rapid transit service in Liverpool, which is part of the Steve Rotheram mayoral manifesto commitment. I'm also aware there's a similar concept in Brisbane, Australia, where they expect to launch a new rapid transit service on 21st October 2024, branded as Brisbane Metro.

Where Can I Catch The London Transport Museum's Branded Electric Bus?

 

LT Museum Bus Wrap - © TfL/LTM

The London Transport Museum (LTM) unveiled their new colourful roundel since mid-July 2024, incorporating all the colours of Transport for London's (TfL) transport modes.

In collaboration with TfL and Transport UK London (formerly Abellio London), they have unveiled a fully electric LT Museum branded bus to promote their new roundel on London routes 133 (Streatham to Holborn), 306 (Acton Vale to Sands End) and C3 (Clapham Junction to Earl's Court Tesco).

London Bus Tender Awards: Route 18/N18 retained by RATP London United

The recent London Bus tender awards have announced that Route 18/N18 has been retained by RATP London United.

LBSL intends to enter into a new contract for the following route with the operator listed below:

London Bus Tender Awards: Metroline Wins School Routes Previously Operated By Sullivan Buses

This is a follow-up to my previous article about a small private bus operating company named Sullivan Buses ceasing to operate all of Transport for London's contracted bus routes due to issues with TfL.

TfL has announced that Metroline has been awarded to operate four school bus routes that had been previously operated by Sullivan Buses.

Superloop Updates: Perceptions Report Reveals Success, Expenditure Revealed, Bus Priority Plans, And Upcoming New Routes

The Superloop Is Coming - Image by GLA

This is a follow-up to my previous article "Updates On TfL's Superloop Express Services: Reports About Performance And Reliability."

A Freedom of Information Request to Transport for London (TfL) has revealed further updates about the Superloop, which is a network of express branded bus services in Greater London.

Let's take a read:

Request ID: FOI-1129-2425
Date published: 05 August 2024

London Bus Tender Awards: Route 427 Retained By Transport UK London

As this is short news, Transport for London (TfL) announced that London Buses Route 427 is retained by Transport UK London (formerly Abellio London) with existing single-deck buses.

LBSL intends to enter into a new contract for the following route with the operator listed below:

Sullivan Buses Cease Operating All Of Transport for London's Contracted Bus Routes

The text of the press release has been circulated on social media by me, Sullivan Buses, and a few others.

I have extracted the text from the image to make it easier to read the press release and make it easier for non-English speakers to translate the text to their own language by using a translator such as Google Translate.

Text from Sullivan Buses press release: