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:
Route 613
Retained by: London United
PVR: 1
Vehicles: Existing diesel double deck (Euro VI)
Contract start date: 29th August 2026
Contract end date: 31st August 2029
Route 662
Retained by: London United
PVR: 1
Vehicles: Existing diesel double deck (Euro VI)
Contract start date: 29th August 2026
Contract end date: 31st August 2029
Route 665
Retained by: London United
PVR: 1
Vehicles: Existing diesel single deck (Euro VI)
Contract start date: 29th August 2026
Contract end date: 31st August 2029
Route 671
New operator: London United (Gained from Transport UK West London)
PVR: 1
Vehicles: Existing diesel double deck (Euro VI)
Contract start date: 29th August 2026
Contract end date: 31st August 2029
Route 696
Retained by: London United
PVR: 2
Vehicles: Existing hybrid double deck (Euro VI)
Contract start date: 23rd January 2027
Contract end date: 25th January 2030
The vehicles detailed above will meet Euro VI emissions standards.
London United (along with London Sovereign and London Transit) is now branded as First Bus London following FirstGroup’s acquisition of RATP Dev Transit London on 28th February 2025.
In other news, South Yorkshire Combined Authority has launched their first stage of procurement for bus companies to bid on franchised services, which will be delivered via two contract lots for the Leger Way and Olive Grove depots with a restriction of one lot per operator to ensure fair competition.
From SYMCA press release:
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has launched the first stage of procurement for franchised bus services, opening its Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) / Invitation to Participate (ITP) to operators.
The PSQ marks a significant milestone in South Yorkshire's journey towards bus franchising with Phase 1 services due to begin in September 2027 and follows a period of rapid progress for South Yorkshire’s franchising programme.
The acquisition of six strategic bus depots from existing operators was completed earlier this month, bringing them into public ownership 17 months ahead of franchised services beginning. The Authority also recently secured £33.4m of Government funding to support the introduction of 187 electric buses at Olive Grove in Sheffield, supporting full electrification of the depot and accelerating the region's transition to a zero-emission fleet.
Read more
Over in Ireland, Route 310 in Limerick, which famously utilised former London "bendy buses" (articulated buses), will be operated by the state-owned company Bus รireann from 20th April 2026. As part of a new contract awarded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the route will transition from previous operator Dublin Coach to a fleet of new fully electric buses.
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.๐ฎ๐ช๐ Route 310 in #Limerick, #Ireland will be operated by Bus รireann from 20 April 2026 under a new NTA contract. Services, fares and Leap Card use remain, with cash added. The route will be updated and run with electric buses. www.nationaltransport.ie/news/nta-ann...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) April 10, 2026 at 11:46 PM
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UK Department for Transport Freedom of Information release:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 21, 2026
DfT released New Bus for London (New Routemaster) documents (2009–2011), covering the “open platform” legal workaround, hybrid driveline, certification, accessibility, and 2011 prototype testing.https://t.co/KH3PrDd1UY pic.twitter.com/8Ji1v5hu32
๐ฌ๐ง๐ UK railway stations could support over 1 million jobs and add £79bn to the economy by 2036, research finds. Development around stations boosts housing, business and access to jobs, strengthening the case for continued rail investment. news.gwr.com/news/railway...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 23, 2026 at 4:04 PM
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๐ The UK Government has told HS2 Ltd to cut costs and speed up delivery, including reviewing train speeds from a planned 360km/h to 300–320km/h to better match global standards. The move aims to save billions, reduce delays and bring passenger services into operation sooner. pic.twitter.com/eBgDhzLJZ9
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 23, 2026
On 13 March 2026, the West Midlands Combined Authority approved plans to fund 24 tram-style electric Sprint buses and charging infrastructure. The scheme aims to deliver faster, greener, reliable journeys, improve accessibility and cut emissions, with services expected to launch in October 2027.
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 24, 2026 at 7:07 PM
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๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฃ️ The government will invest £27bn over five years to upgrade England’s major roads, fix ageing infrastructure and cut congestion. Plans include A66 dualling and the Lower Thames Crossing, alongside funding for repairs, local schemes, jobs and growth.https://t.co/1nXe7dq7VQ pic.twitter.com/wF9ZZ04XZn
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 26, 2026
Transport for London Freedom of Information release: All 272 Tube stations feature Mark Wallinger’s labyrinth artworks. TfL holds a full list of station locations, mostly in ticket halls, platforms, and corridors, with minor possible updates since installation. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 26, 2026 at 5:09 PM
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Transport for London Freedom of Information release:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 27, 2026
TfL released Ticketing and Revenue Update 158, noting a March 2026 fares rise of about 6% with some fares frozen. Contactless travel is expanding, with staff discounts, station upgrades, and events.https://t.co/MDrJWLkUJG pic.twitter.com/VX9cUuOt7k
From 18 May, Transport for London adds 16 weekday peak services on the Mildmay line, funded by Olympia, boosting capacity and easing journeys between Clapham Junction and Shepherd’s Bush. Trains depart Platform 17; Stratford services remain on Platform 1. tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/olympia...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 27, 2026 at 1:49 PM
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From Fastrack Kent on Facebook:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 31, 2026
Fuel costs* are rising and worrying many. ๐
Switching from car to bus is worth considering. ๐ค
Fastrack fares are locked until 2027, helping passengers budget with confidence and avoid fuel uncertainty.
[* Illustration for concept only.] pic.twitter.com/bt6cGE1FiX
Transport for London Freedom of Information release: TfL said the Gallows Corner project cost £51.5m to October 2025, with £15.1m more spent by February 2026. Delays linked to ground conditions increased costs. The junction is due to reopen by end April 2026. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 12:27 PM
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West of England residents can shape the Bus Plan until 10 May, influencing bus routes, frequency, safety, and green transport, with £150m funding set to improve services and expand the modern electric bus fleet across the entire region.https://t.co/bIz6i57oJz pic.twitter.com/0suAQpS8jA
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 31, 2026
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐๐๐๐๐ The UK Government’s new transport strategy will expand tap-and-go travel, improve real-time bus tracking via Google Maps and simplify parking payments. Backed by funding and new powers, it aims to deliver cheaper, better connected journeys across England nationwide for passengers.
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) April 2, 2026 at 10:12 AM
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In a promotional video, Alexander Dennis highlights its range of double-deck and lightweight buses, including efficient zero-emission models tailored to operators. Backed by AD24 support, the firm has 130 years of heritage, operates in ten countries, and is part of NFI Group. pic.twitter.com/GJwSCQ1Kzk
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 3, 2026
In a 1992 ‘Perpetual Motion’ BBC documentary, Ensignbus founder Peter Newman compares the AEC Routemaster’s open platform crew buses with one-person operation buses. He has recently opened his Zero2 Bus Museum in Essex, featuring over 60 vintage vehicles and 10,000 models. ๐๐
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) April 8, 2026 at 7:22 PM
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Introducing RouteMapster by OmGaler. ๐
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 12, 2026
Explore London bus coverage with filters for regular, prefix, and night routes.
View frequency trunks, garages, and stations.
This video includes TfL GIS Open Data Hub bus routes and bus lanes for comparison. I suggest adding in bus lanes. pic.twitter.com/KaKsKgSUF5
๐๐๐๐๐ World Public Transport Day on 17 April brings celebration with 200+ organisations showcasing public transport through events campaigns and services Participants share impact data, with UITP hosting webinars, training activities. #WorldPublicTransportDay www.uitp.org/news/celebra...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) April 14, 2026 at 2:47 PM
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๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐ Cardiff Bus in Wales reported growth in 2025–26, with 600 staff, nearly 9m km travelled and over 175,000 departures. Its 191-vehicle fleet achieved a 100% MOT pass rate, while electric buses expanded and contactless journeys rose to over 2 million.https://t.co/KDZrV01iqF pic.twitter.com/E3iLGITYMk
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 15, 2026
York and North Yorkshire have launched an eight-week consultation on plans for a greener economy. The strategy aims to make the region carbon negative by 2040, while cutting bills, improving homes and protecting the environment. Ends 10 June 2026. yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/public-asked...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) April 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
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⚠️ Transport for London warns of major Tube disruption from 21–24 April 2026 due to RMT strikes. Some lines may see no service, with others reduced and crowded. Elizabeth line and buses will run but be very busy. Passengers are urged to check journeys before travelling. pic.twitter.com/vE1im2DniU
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 16, 2026
๐️๐๐ฎ๐ช Transport Infrastructure Ireland has opened a public consultation on the preferred Luas Cork route from Ballincollig to Mahon. The plan includes up to 27 stops and route changes to improve access and reduce impacts.
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 17, 2026
➡️ Submissions close 12 June.https://t.co/b6MjADOy9j pic.twitter.com/0vca3gwh21
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.
