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Friday, 14 March 2025

London Bus Tender Awards: Go-Ahead London Central Retains Route 12 with New Routemasters, and Route S1 to Use New Electric Single-Deck Buses

Transport for London (TfL) has announced in the London Bus tender awards that the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters will continue to operate on Route 12, and Transport UK London has won Route S1 with new single-deck electric buses.

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

Route 12 (24h)
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 15
Vehicles: Existing New Routemaster
Contract Start Date: 1st November 2025
Contract End Date: 1st November 2030

Route 699
Retained by: Uno
PVR: 4
Vehicles: Existing electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 22nd November 2025
Contract End Date: 19th November 2032

Route R5/R10
Retained by: Go-Ahead Metrobus
PVR: 1
Vehicles: Existing diesel single deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 8th December 2028

Route R7
Retained by: Go-Ahead Metrobus
PVR: 4
Vehicles: Existing diesel single deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 8th December 2028

Route S1
Current Operator: Metrobus
New Operator: Transport UK London
PVR: 13
Vehicles: New electric single deck
Contract Start Date: 29th November 2025
Contract End Date: 26th November 2032

Route S4
Current Operator: Transport UK London
New Operator: Metrobus
PVR: 7
Vehicles: Existing diesel single deck
Contract Start Date: 29th November 2025
Contract End Date: 1st December 2028

New electric vehicles may enter service after the contract start date, dependent on infrastructure and/ or vehicle delivery timescales.
The diesel and hybrid vehicles detailed above will meet Euro VI emissions standards.

It's interesting to see that Route 12 will continue to use the New Routemaster buses, which were designed by Heatherwick Studio and manufactured by Wrightbus.

I outlined in my previous article the importance of adapting bus designs to the specific needs of different routes, and in relation to that, I suggest a new zero-emission double-deck bus with three doors and two staircases to improve seating capacity and enhance boarding and alighting flows at bus stops, particularly on high-frequency urban routes in inner London and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes.


As for Route S1, it will be interesting to see which make and model of single-deck electric bus is chosen, as Transport UK London has won the contract to operate the service.

Here are the highlights of my posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) and BlueSky. If you have an account on X and BlueSky, you are welcome to like and retweet my posts.

#Transport for #London Have Your Say: #Superloop SL11 - Proposed express bus service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood The SL11 would offer frequent, reliable service with double-deck buses, USB charging, and info. Consultation closes on 13 April 2025 haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/sl11-superloop

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 3, 2025 at 12:33 PM

The Urban Transport Group report calls for Mayors and devolved authorities to play a key role in local rail services under the Rail Reform Bill, with devolved powers over timetabling, fares, and stations, aligning rail with local growth and policy goals. www.urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 3, 2025 at 12:44 PM

Delaine Buses has added a third Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-decker, marking the ninth consecutive new bus. It entered service on 1st March, with a fourth Enviro400 on order. The company has operated in Lincolnshire since 1919. www.alexander-dennis.com/delaine-buse...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM

The #Transport and Logistics Bureau in Hong Kong received 27 expressions of interest for the Smart and Green Mass #Transit System project in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and Yuen Long South. Feedback will inform the project’s design, with tenders planned for 2026. www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: Accessibility Policy for Wheelchair Users: #TfL Taxi Support if Staff Unavailable or Line Suspended Staff are trained to assist with #accessibility, offering alternative routes or accessible taxis. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 5, 2025 at 9:11 AM

#Singapore: LTA is increasing enforcement against disruptive commuter behaviour. New signage on public #transport encourages considerate actions. From 10 March 2025, new Conditions of Carriage on buses will set clear guidelines for expected behaviour. www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltag...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 5, 2025 at 12:04 PM

The #Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy aims to improve bus services in the west of #Scotland. SPT is consulting on a draft plan to enhance accessibility, frequency, and coverage, with feedback open until 29 May 2025. www.spt.co.uk/about-us/wha...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM

Passenger numbers in areas with #BusConnects in #Dublin, #Ireland rose 40%. Key progress includes 110 electric buses, 12% more job #accessibility, 35% more bus service kilometres, and 48% higher passenger growth. Core Bus Corridor projects are advancing. www.nationaltransport.ie/news/busconn...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM

Solaris has signed its first Canadian contract with TransLink for 107 trolleybuses, with options for more. Deliveries will start in 2026. This marks a key step in Solaris’ North American expansion, reinforcing its leadership in zero-emission transport. www.solarisbus.com/en/press/sol...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM

Greater Manchester's Bee Network trials converting diesel buses to electric, aiming for a zero-emission fleet by 2030. The conversion offers cost-effective emission cuts and extended bus lifespans, with advanced features for passenger comfort and safety. news.tfgm.com/press-releas...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM

The #UK has launched a bus manufacturing panel focused on zero-emission #buses, creating jobs and boosting regional economies. Discussions aim to improve services, #accessibility, and UK manufacturing, with plans to phase out diesel buses by 2030. www.gov.uk/government/n...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM

The @utg-uk.bsky.social has joined the #UK Bus Manufacturing Panel, launched to support UK bus manufacturing, boost zero-emission #buses, and create jobs. The Panel aims to help local authorities and meet net-zero targets for buses by 2036. www.urbantransportgroup.org/index.php/re...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM

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.

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