It has been reported by @ediz1975 on X (formerly Twitter) that the bus operating company Arriva London has announced they will surrender routes 149 and 248 two years earlier than the original end date.
In the summer of 2024, independent bus company Sullivan Buses ceased operating all of Transport for London's (TfL) routes due to a financial dispute, and the routes were retendered to different bus operating companies.
From Arriva LondonEmployee Notice
Route News, Routes 149 & 248
As an ongoing part of our Fit for Future programme, we are constantly reviewing our performance as a business. After careful consideration, TfL have been informed that we will surrender routes 149 & 248 at their early termination point.
Every TfL route contract has a one-off break clause in place when an operator can surrender routes two years earlier than the original end date. We do not take decisions like this lightly; however, the losses we are making on the routes 149 & 248 mean that it is no longer financially viable for us to run them on their current commercial terms.
This decision is based entirely on the fact that costs are significantly higher compared to when we prepared our bids and submitted our tenders. This in no way reflects the hard work or dedication of the colleagues involved with these routes.
The routes will be retendered by TfL and the new contracts will start on 17 October 2025. We will retender as we have successfully done on other routes and look to win them back on an improved financial basis.
If you are currently assigned to either route 149 or 248, your employment is safe and there is no need for you to make any decisions at this point. If we retain the routes on improved terms after the retender, there will be no change to your employment with Arriva. We believe that we will be competitive when retendering for these routes and that we have a strong chance of winning the routes again.
If another operator wins the route, those who are assigned to the route will have protected rights to transfer to the new operator (employer) on their existing terms and conditions, in accordance with TUPE regulations. For clarity rotas are not locked down and this will only take place when a route loss or new operator is announced.
We've made strong progress towards a more sustainable Arriva London in the past few months, and with your help and support, we are confident that we will have the opportunity to grow the business in the very near future.
The Arriva London Leadership Team
Taking a look at the Bus Tender results:
Route 149/N149:
• Award announced on 25 March 2022.
• Number of tenderers: 2.
• Successful tenderer: Arriva London North.
• Accepted bid: £6,973,800.
• Lowest compliant bid: £6,973,800.
• Highest compliant bid: £7,250,000.
• Cost per live mile: £6.92.
• Reason for not awarding to the lowest bidder: N/A.
• Notes: Awarded on existing New Routemasters.
Route 248:
• Award announced on 08 March 2022.
• Number of tenderers: 3.
• Successful tenderer: Arriva London North.
• Accepted bid: £3,099,050.
• Lowest compliant bid: £3,880,000.
• Highest compliant bid: £4,225,000.
• Cost per live mile: £5.41.
• Reason for not awarding to the lowest bidder: N/A.
• Notes: Awarded on existing New Routemasters.
Both of these routes, as mentioned, use three-door, two-staircase hybrid buses called New Routemaster (NRM), which are manufactured by Wrightbus (currently known as Bamford Bus Company).
One of the important aspects of improving bus services is increasing the number of bus priority measures to keep buses moving. Additionally, emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances, should be allowed to use bus lanes to improve response times and save lives.
This presents an opportunity for TfL to establish their own bus operating company (a commitment also included in the Mayor's 2024 manifesto) to directly provide bus services, after facing issues trying to tender a bus service with a private bus operator.#London #Transport (LT) Magazine (Vol. 26, No. 11, February 1973) clipping:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 13, 2024
The Chairman of LT reports on the increasing traffic congestion affecting bus services, including comments from bus drivers and a plan to improve bus services with bus priority measures. pic.twitter.com/zPgwvN1akw
Also, as I’ve mentioned before, TfL is not restricted by the Bus Services Act 2017 in relation to creating their own municipal bus company, and they already hold an operator’s licence through one of their subsidiaries.
As I’ve reported on social media, FirstGroup (or First Bus) is returning to the London bus market after agreeing to purchase RATP London for £90 million. This means First Bus may return to Westbourne Park (X) garage.
FirstGroup plc will acquire RATP Dev Transit London for £90 million, entering the London bus market. RATP London has a 12% market share, 1,000 buses, and 3,700 staff. The deal is expected to complete in H1 2025, pending approval.https://t.co/z6JoEsZ8jA
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) December 10, 2024
I also have my suggestions, which include introducing a new common bus specification for London and the franchised bus areas throughout the UK to improve accessibility and enhance zero-emission buses, making bus travel more attractive.
I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
