London Bus Tender Awards: New Double-Decker Electric Buses For Routes 240 and 486

Transport for London (TfL) has awarded new bus contracts for routes 123, 158, 240, and 486. Routes 240 and 486 will operate with new electric double-deck buses from 2026, while routes 123 and 158 will continue with existing hybrid vehicles.

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

Route 123 (24h)
Current Operator: Arriva London North
New Operator: Go-Ahead London General
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 20
Vehicles: Existing hybrid double deck
Contract Start Date: 28th February 2026
Contract End Date: 2nd March 2029

Route 158 (24h)
Retained by: Arriva London North
PVR: TBC
Vehicles: Existing hybrid double deck
Contract Start Date: 28th February 2026
Contract End Date: 2nd March 2029

Route 240
Retained by: Metroline
PVR: 9
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 25th April 2026
Contract End Date: 22nd April 2033

Route 486 (24h)
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
PVR: 13
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 21st February 2026
Contract End Date: 18th February 2033

New electric vehicles may enter service after the contract start date, dependent on infrastructure and/ or vehicle delivery timescales.

The hybrid vehicles detailed above will meet Euro VI emissions standards.

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 Freedom of Information release: #TfL does not specify moquette designs for operator-owned buses, except for seating demarcation, so the info applies to New Routemasters. A new priority moquette trial was held in 2021, with guidance submitted in 2022. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Southeastern has completed the first phase of a £27m upgrade to its Class 395 fleet with refreshed interiors. Phase two adds live info screens, improved CCTV, and new livery, boosting comfort, safety, and reliability across the highspeed service.https://t.co/cPEKfBIeha pic.twitter.com/rb0u1rlYDm

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 19, 2025

The Northern City Line is now the UK’s first commuter railway without lineside signals, using in-cab digital ETCS technology. Part of the £1.4bn East Coast Digital Programme, it boosts safety, reliability, and sustainability for passengers. www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-tha...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM

#TfL Have Your Say:
Propose new night bus N118 from Trafalgar Sq to Ruislip via Wembley; end weekend-only night route 114; revise N18; replaces earlier N518 plan with updated route and number, based on feedback.
Consultation closes at 29 June 2025https://t.co/gPTvPk4pOS pic.twitter.com/JEPmzkiEnL

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 19, 2025

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: On-bus digital displays design recommendations document tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 11:25 AM

The Transport Department is renewing 13,000 electronic audible traffic signals across Hong Kong. New features include a light unit, tactile map, voice messages, touchless sensors, and night mode to improve access and safety for visually impaired users.https://t.co/lJK6ZOEgRr pic.twitter.com/BRDTpzWURq

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 21, 2025

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: Invitation to Tender (ITT) Specification for Superloop Route SL7 Buses Including details about the requirements for the luggage racks and the bus layout (single-door only) for new electric buses. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM

First Bus has introduced four converted electric buses in Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. Repowered from diesel and fully refurbished, they reduce emissions and improve air quality. The move supports First Bus’s goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035.https://t.co/PLgMbSkmXh pic.twitter.com/UDnrzBy6ed

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 21, 2025

The Urban #Transport Group urges the Government to use the Spending Review to secure long-term funding for local transport, including #London. Investment is key to growth, net zero, and projects like mass transit, zero-emission buses, and the Elizabeth Line. urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 6:51 AM

Lothian Buses and Age Scotland have launched a branded bus to raise awareness of loneliness in older people. Featuring the charity’s helpline, the bus will run across Edinburgh and the Lothians for two years. Bus 465 is now live on Route 14.https://t.co/QlnLMOCmEw pic.twitter.com/LxWqRGLulS

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 21, 2025

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.