The New Routemaster Files: A Directory of Publicly Available Documents

Highlights of publicly available documents concerning the New Routemaster project.

In this article, I have compiled a comprehensive directory of freely available documents and information to make it easier for researchers and enthusiasts to find in-depth, behind-the-scenes information about the New Routemaster (NRM) bus, also known as the New Bus for London (NBfL).

This shows the evolution of the NRM, which was originally envisioned as a half-cab open-platform bus; it launched as a three-door, two-staircase vehicle with an open platform and a second crew member, transitioned into a one-person operation with open boarding, and eventually moved to front-door-only boarding to combat fare evasion.

Transport for London announces over 3,000 zero-emission buses in service!

3,000th zero-emission bus - TfL Image

Transport for London (TfL) have announced in a press release that there are now over 3,000 zero-emission buses in service, marking a major green milestone for the capital.

Highlights of the press release:

The capital’s iconic red buses have hit a major green milestone ahead of Clean Air Day (18 June) with 3,000 zero-emission buses now in operation – around a third of the Transport for London (TfL) fleet.

Reviewing Transport for London’s New Bus Specification v2.7: New Phase of Bus Safety Standards and the Ban on Skylights for New Electric Buses

Stagecoach London Wrightbus Electroliner with skylights

Transport for London has published version 2.7 of the New Bus Vehicle Specification, following a freedom of information (FOI) request made by a member of the public.

A quick scan of the documents reveals that certain information regarding CCTV and Bus Runaway has been redacted under Sections 24 and 38(1)(b) of the FOI Act. This is because public disclosure could compromise network security, facilitate a potential attack, and endanger Transport for London staff and the public.

However, a particular section immediately catches the eye:

Transport for London quietly increases the cost of a new Oyster card to £10.50

This is quite a surprise to some people that Transport for London (TfL) has quietly increased the cost of a new Oyster card to £10.50 without a refundable deposit.

Here's the freedom of information (FOI) response to a member of the public on the TfL website about the Oyster card price increase.

London Bus Tender Awards: Diesel and hybrid fleet retentions, with Route U10 set to introduce new single-deck electric buses

Transport for London (TfL) has announced the London Bus Tender Awards, with several routes retained using existing diesel and hybrid buses, while Route U10 has been awarded new single-deck electric buses.

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

Why is it important for TfL to preserve its digital history and retain documents for researchers to access?

I have come across a freedom of information (FOI) response on the Transport for London (TfL) website where they have started to remove pages and older documents from their website, which brings disappointment.

Here's what it states:

Request ID: FOI-0442-2627
Date published: 05 June 2026

The Funding Challenges Preventing the Original Launch Dates for the New Tube for London (2024 Stock) for the Bakerloo, Central, Piccadilly, and Waterloo & City Lines

A review of historical and recent Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosures outlines the development and subsequent changes to Transport for London's (TfL) plans for upgrading its deep-level Underground lines. What was originally structured as a coordinated programme across four lines has faced adjustments due to changing financial structures, funding constraints, and macroeconomic factors.

Good News and Bad News for the Electric Bus Industry: Over 400 New Electric Bus Orders Placed with Wrightbus

As we approach the end of May 2026, it is time for a round-up of excellent news for Wrightbus, which has secured orders for hundreds of new electric vehicles.

First up, First Bus has announced a major rollout of fully electric vehicles for the West of England network, including brand-new buses alongside repowered and refurbished models operating in Bath.

First Bus press release:

London Bus Tender Awards: Stagecoach retains rerouted 310 with new double-deck electric buses

Transport for London (TfL) has announced in the latest London Bus Tender Awards that Stagecoach London has retained route 310, which will be rerouted to accommodate new double-deck electric buses. Coinciding with this, TfL has published its consultation report confirming that plans to alter the route are proceeding.

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

The case for enhancing cross-boundary bus services for London and the Home Counties to end the postcode lottery

1967 London Transport Board Central Buses Map

This is a follow-up to my article regarding the reinstatement of the London Passenger Transport Area, in which prior to 1970, London Transport served the areas outside the Greater London Council area with green Country Bus services. Then after 1970, they were transferred over to the National Bus Company; these services were fully fragmented after the deregulation of bus services in October 1986. The London Passenger Transport Area also predates the creation of the Greater London Area in 1965.

London Bus Tender Awards: Retentions for First Bus and Stagecoach

In this round of London Bus Tender Awards, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that routes 116 and 117 has been retained by First Bus (London United), and school route 667 has been retained by Stagecoach London, both using existing vehicles.

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

New weekend Super Hopper fare for London's buses and trams for the summer

With the local election period over and Sadiq Khan marking 10 years as the Mayor of London, he has released a surprise announcement regarding transport fares.

Press release by the Greater London Authority:

The Postcode Lottery of Free Travel: Why the "London Boundary" remains a Mess

This is a follow up from my previous articles regarding free travel concessions, especially in regards with my research where Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists get free travel on TfL services and National Rail in Greater London. While that is a great benefit for athletes, the general "mess" of validity for disabled and elderly travellers remains a significant issue.

London Bus Tender Awards: School Route 632 to use three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters

With the start of May 2026, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the bus operating company Metroline has retained routes 140, 182, 186, and 632.

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

The Little-Known Free TfL Travel Concession for a Select Group

Athlete's Oyster Photocard

There is a secret free travel scheme which is known only by TfL staff and a selected group of people: the Elite Athlete's Oyster photocard. Holders of this card receive free travel on Transport for London (TfL) services and most railway services from zones 1-9. To be eligible, they must be a highly ranked athlete, such as a gold medalist, as defined by the British Olympic Association (BOA). The purpose of this article is to show the research about this scheme which has not been widely publicised.

London Bus Tender Awards: Electrification for Routes 128 and 359

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that London bus routes 128 and 359 will be using new electric buses, which may enter service at the end of this year (2026).

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

London Bus Tender Awards: First Bus London secures five School Bus Routes; South Yorkshire launches Franchising Procurement; and Bus Éireann takes over Limerick Route 310

This news follows the official reports first released on 14th April 2026. It confirms that First Bus London (operating as London United) has successfully retained four school bus contracts and gained one additional route. These services will continue to be operated using existing diesel and hybrid vehicles that meet Euro VI emissions standards.

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

My Thoughts on the New Bus Stop Shelter Trial at Romford Station

A New Bus Stop Shelter trial at Romford Station

As I write this on World Public Transport Day, I’m sharing my review of the new bus shelter design currently being trialled at Romford station.

The stop was quite busy, so I couldn't capture every angle, but the layout feels more premium than the initial designs shown in the press release I reported on previously. While it is a strong start, there is definitely room for improvement.

Transport for London reveals trial locations for new bus stop shelters

TfL Image - New Bus Shelter Design in Southwark

Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the list of bus stops featuring the new shelter design as part of a trial to improve accessibility, safety, and the customer experience.

You can read more about the new bus stop shelter trial in my previous article.

The list was released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and has been published on the TfL website.

Request ID: FOI-4284-2526
Date published: 09 April 2026

New Shelters Trial:

Transport for London Updates on the Future of the New Routemaster with Retrofitted Electric LT11 Set for Service Return

3D images of the New Bus for London - 2010
© Transport for London

Firstly, a very happy Easter to all my readers and followers across my social media platforms.

It has been revealed that Transport for London (TfL) has provided an update via the Freedom of Information (FOI) section of their website. It is expected that some of the New Routemasters (NRMs) are due to move to routes 27, H32, and others yet to be allocated.

Request ID: FOI-4696-2526
Date published: 01 April 2026

Mike Harris to cease production of printed Greater London Bus Maps

It is disappointing to see that Mike Harris has ceased the production of his printed bus maps. These maps provide comprehensive coverage of the Greater London bus network, including commercial routes that cross the Greater London boundary.

Here is the statement from his website:

A Huge Thanks to Dailymotion

On 25 November 2025, I published an article detailing some technical hurdles I was experiencing regarding my video archive, a collection of over 350 videos uploaded since 2014.

I am pleased to share that, following a Subject Access Request, the Dailymotion team provided me with a comprehensive list of my old videos hosted on the platform. While the original source files were no longer hosted on the platform, this data was vital; it allowed me to identify every video, the total count, and the video upload dates.

UK Government announces new transport strategy with tap-and-go travel across trains, trams and buses

The UK Government has announced further integration for transport services in England, featuring expanded tap-and-go travel, stronger service coordination, and a partnership with Google Maps to provide live coverage of buses.

From the Department for Transport press release:

The case for dual-door buses outside London: why is it important to improve journey times?

On 15th March 2026, I published an article outlining my review of the West Yorkshire Bus Specification Options Report regarding the design of the new "Weaver Network" buses, which are expected to launch from April 2027.

Then, on 18th March 2026, I hosted an opinion poll on X (formerly Twitter) regarding whether high-frequency buses should have dual-door and/or triple-door configurations.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 127 and Superloop SL14

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that routes 127 and SL14 will use new double-deck electric buses, and the SL14 is expected to enter passenger service on 1st May 2027 with Stagecoach London.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 209 and 378

As it has been a month since the last London bus tender awards, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that routes 209 and 378 are expected to use new electric single-deck buses.

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

Doors, Design and Accessibility: Decoding the Weaver Network Consultation Results for West Yorkshire’s Franchised Bus Fleet

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire

Some of my followers on X (formerly Twitter), Mastodon and Bluesky may have noticed that I have posted some news about the bus franchising plans in West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire invests tens of millions in Weaver Network buses, with public control, upgraded stations, new zero‑emission depots, and all-day free travel for disabled passengers, supporting accessible, reliable transport across the region. www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/news/tens-of...

[image or embed]

— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM

Fact check: Does automating the Tube avert strike actions?

With the news on 10 March 2026 that Tube staff (specifically drivers and station workers represented by the RMT union) are set to stage a series of 24-hour strikes across March, April, and May, the debate over automation has returned. While proponents often suggest that "driverless" trains are a definitive solution to travel disruption, the reality involves a complex mix of safety laws, high capital costs, and infrastructure limitations.

What is GoA? Which TfL services use them?

Public transport is now more essential in this current geopolitical situation

From LT News

I do not usually wish to get involved with politics or geopolitics. My purpose is not to scaremonger; this is a suggestion to help avoid catastrophic situations by proposing a "Plan B" involving public transport. I genuinely hope we do not reach that situation. Overall, it remains essential to tackle climate change by encouraging more public transport usage and increasing the electric vehicle (EV) rollout.

Bear in mind that I am not an expert in this field. However, an old article by London Transport News from 1974 may be of interest, as they tackled the oil crisis at that time. I have included the full text of that article at the end of this post for those who are unable to read the text within the images.

Does London need a new ‘bespoke bus’ to replace the hybrid New Routemaster?

This piece is written in response to a recent article by Ross Lydall in The Standard, in which the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, stated: "If that means getting rid of the legacy of the mess made by the previous mayor, so be it."

In relation to the Mayor's statement, I hosted a poll on X asking whether London should have a bespoke bus to replace the New Routemaster. The result shows a majority "No" vote at 48.1%. However, if you combine the "Yes" votes and "All makers should", it makes the result similar to a tie. This indicates that while there is support for moving on, there is still significant interest in a bespoke bus for London.

Greater Anglia Announces New Contactless Pay-As-You-Go 💳 at 20 More Stations, Including Stansted and Southend Airport ✈️🚅

Update - 9 March 2026: It is now officially live!

This is a quick news update to announce that Greater Anglia will extend contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing from 8 March 2026. The launch was originally expected in December 2025, but was delayed due to technical issues.

Travellers will soon be able to use contactless bank cards to travel to and from Stansted or Southend Airport without needing a paper or mobile ticket.

Let’s hope it is not delayed again! 🤞

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Route 267, New Routemasters Continue on Routes 24 and 27

New bus for London launch poster, 2012 - TfL image

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that routes 24 and 27 will continue to use three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters. Route 267, which currently uses New Routemasters from the final batch, will be replaced by a mix of new and existing double-deck electric buses, presumably taking over vehicles previously used as older New Routemasters on other routes.

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

A directory of Data Protection Officer contact details for TfL-contracted bus companies and National Rail train operating companies in Great Britain

If you need to request personal data, such as CCTV or body-worn camera footage, you must act quickly. Most transport operators in the UK only retain footage for a very short window—often as little as 10 to 14 days—before it is automatically overwritten.

Crucially, if you are making a formal complaint about an incident or a missing item, such as a smartphone, you should submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) at the same time. Filing a complaint does not always guarantee that footage will be preserved; a separate SAR ensures that the Data Protection Officer is legally required to identify and protect the relevant data before it is overwritten.

This directory provides the direct contact details for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) at London Bus operating companies and National Rail Train Operating Companies for submitting a Subject Access Request (SAR) under UK GDPR.

Transport for London publishes Preliminary market engagement notice for the Bakerloo line upgrade

I’ve been scrolling through the UK Government’s Find a Tender website. It caught my eye that Transport for London (TfL) has published a preliminary market engagement (PME) notice for the Bakerloo Line upgrade.

Text from UK Government Find a Tender:

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses on Routes 52 and 234

It has been a short while since Transport for London (TfL) last announced London bus tender awards in mid-January 2026. It has now confirmed that routes 52 and 234 will be using new electric buses.

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

Transport for London Unveils New Bus Stop Shelter Design

TfL Image - New Bus Shelter Design in Southwark

Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled a new bus shelter design, which features a modern aesthetic and enhanced accessibility. The updated structures include improved seating arrangements, specifically incorporating designated priority seats for elderly or pregnant passengers and those with disabilities.

The following press release provides further details regarding the official launch of these new bus shelters by TfL:

Transport for London’s 2025 Consultation Reports on Bus Service Changes Reveal Ongoing Demand for the New Routemaster and Tram Buses

Last updated: 2nd June 2026

Wrightbus Electroliner, New Routemaster and Irizar ie Tram
at Crystal Palace Bus Station

This is the follow up to the previous articles from last year and the year before where I gathered information from Transport for London’s consultation reports and highlighted the requests for zero-emission New Routemaster (NRM) and tram-style buses.

Let’s take a look at the 2025 consultation reports I have researched:

̶L̶o̶n̶d̶o̶n̶ Liverpool City Region Bus Tender Awards: Stagecoach And Go-Ahead Win Franchised Bus Contracts

It has been announced that Transport for London, ahem, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority website that Stagecoach has won the contract to operate the franchised bus network in St Helens, and Go-Ahead has won the contract to operate the franchised bus network in the Wirral.

Transport for London reveals number of refurbished Central line trains as of January 2026

A review of the Freedom of Information section on the Transport for London website reveals an update regarding the refurbishment of the 1992 Tube Stock for the Central line. This work is being delivered as part of the Central Line Improvement Programme (CLIP), which includes the installation of new wheelchair bays, automated announcements, and refreshed seat moquette.

Request ID: FOI-3812-2526
Date published: 22 January 2026

Plane ✈️ vs. Train 🚄: A Detailed Comparison of Domestic Travel Across Great Britain

For journeys within Great Britain, the choice between air and rail travel is rarely as simple as looking at a flight time. While a domestic flight might promise a rapid one-hour transit, a closer look at the entire door-to-door experience often reveals that the seemingly slower train can be more competitive in terms of total time, cost, and stress.

From the "hidden" inconveniences of airport security to the city-centre ease of the railway, this article explores the friction points and benefits of how we move across the country in 2026.

A Comparative Analysis: Bus Franchising Legislation Across the UK

The landscape of public transport in Great Britain is undergoing its most significant structural shift since the mid-1980s. As of January 2026, the transition from a deregulated commercial market to a "franchised" model—where local authorities control routes, fares, and branding—has reached a critical turning point.

Note on Northern Ireland: It is important to distinguish Great Britain from the UK as a whole in this context. Northern Ireland never adopted the 1986 deregulation model; instead, it maintains a publicly owned system under Translink, meaning the current franchising reforms do not apply there.

Legislative Framework Comparison

The following table breaks down the primary acts and the legal hurdles required to implement franchising:

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 109/N109, 119, 197, 353, 407, 645 & 664

As we are in the middle of January 2026, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that more routes will use double-deck electric buses—specifically routes 109/N109, 119, 197, 353, 407, 645 and 664—as part of the new route contracts.

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

Transport for London Terminates Route 38 Contract Early Amidst Ongoing Consultation on Proposed Changes to Routes 19 and 38

⚠️ Just to clarify: when a contract is terminated early, it does not mean that the route is withdrawn or changed immediately. Route 38 continues to run in its current routing.

Structure of proposed changes to routes 19 and 38
TfL Image

I don't usually publish the tendering programme updates by Transport for London (TfL), as I mostly report on the London Bus Tender Awards on my site.

 

However, a consultation on the proposal to amend routes 19 and 38, with a potential new route 10, is currently being hosted on the TfL 'Have Your Say' website.

Transport for London Reveals Usage and Revenue for Bakerloop BL1 Bus Route

Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the usage and costs of the Bakerloop BL1 express bus service, which runs parallel to the proposed London Underground Bakerloo line extension.

Request ID: FOI-3475-2526
Date published: 09 January 2026

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 102, 322, 233 and SL10

Transport for London has released the first announcement of the London Bus Tender Awards for 2026.

It confirms that routes 102, 322, 433, and Superloop Route SL10 will be served by new electric buses as part of the new route contracts.

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

Vote on which TfL service should be next for 24-hour weekend travel alongside the Night Tube and Overground?

A Superloop bus was spotted at the New Year's Eve 2026 fireworks.

Happy New Year 2026 to all my readers! I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating the start of the year, whether you were at the heart of the festivities or enjoying a quieter evening with friends and family.

As we step into January, it is worth reflecting on the vital role played by Transport for London (TfL) last night. Navigating the city after the midnight celebrations can often be a challenge, but thanks to the provision of overnight services, Londoners were given several reliable alternatives to the night bus network to ensure a smooth journey home.