Tuesday, 20 October 2026

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 192, 327, 617, 629 and W9, While New Routemasters Continue to Serve East London Transit Routes

As we are already halfway through October, Transport for London (TfL) has reported that routes 192, 327, 617, 629 and W9 will operate using new electric buses. Go Bus will enter the London bus market with its newly awarded contracts for school routes, while Go-Ahead London’s Blue Triangle will continue to operate three-door, two-staircase New Routemasters on the East London Transit services.

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

Route Current Operator New Operator PVR Vehicles Contract Start Date Contract End Date
192 Arriva London North Go-Ahead London General 15 New electric single deck* 6th November 2027 3rd November 2034
327 Metroline Metroline 1 New electric single deck 28th August 2027 25th August 2034
617 Metroline Metroline 2 New electric double deck 28th August 2027 25th August 2034
624 Go-Ahead
London Central		 Go Bus 2 Existing hybrid double deck 2nd January 2027 4th January 2030
625 Go-Ahead
London Central		 Go Bus 2 Existing hybrid double deck 2nd January 2027 4th January 2030
629 Metroline Metroline 2 New electric double deck 28th August 2027 25th August 2034
658 Go-Ahead
London Central		 Go Bus 2** Existing hybrid double deck 2nd January 2027 4th January 2030
EL1 (24h) Go-Ahead
Blue Triangle		 Go-Ahead
Blue Triangle		 19 Existing New Routemaster 20th February 2027 20th February 2032
EL2 Go-Ahead
Blue Triangle		 Go-Ahead
Blue Triangle		 12 Existing New Routemaster 20th February 2027 20th February 2032
EL3 Go-Ahead
Blue Triangle		 Go-Ahead
Blue Triangle		 14 Existing New Routemaster 20th February 2027 20th February 2032
W9 Metroline Metroline 6 New electric single deck 18th September 2027 15th September 2034

* Two existing Euro VI diesel single deck vehicles will also initially be used.

** Fleet PVR: 3rd bus crosslinked from route 624 in AM peak.

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.

As you can see in the image accompanying this article, I previously suggested that TfL should consider reviving the bendy bus in a fully electric form, incorporating the latest Bus Safety Standards, for the East London Transit services, given that they are classified as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.

As I have said before, the New Routemasters should be refurbished, converted to fully electric operation and sold for use as Bus Rapid Transit vehicles in areas outside London. This would require ambition from local authorities, public bodies and bus operating companies, as well as investment, to give the New Routemasters (NRMs) a new lease of life.

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 is consulting on plans to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists at Monument Junction in the City of London, including new crossings, cycle lanes and pedestrianisation of Fish Street Hill. The consultation closes on 24 November 2026. tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/tfl-set...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 13, 2026 at 1:02 PM

Transport for London Have Your Say: TfL is consulting on safer walking and cycling at Monument junction, including new crossings and protected cycle lanes. Feedback closes 24 November 2026, with potential delays for buses and other vehicles during peak hours. haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/monument-jun...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 13, 2026 at 1:25 PM

🐝 A new Beat Network map highlights public transport links to 52 grassroots music venues across Greater Manchester. Launched by regional music and transport bodies, it aims to make gigs more accessible, with £2 night bus fares available every Thursday to Saturday. news.tfgm.com/press-releas...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 13, 2026 at 6:50 PM

Six 18-metre Irizar ie tram buses have entered service at Bristol Airport. The all-electric vehicles feature a modern design and dedicated luggage racks, aiming to improve passenger comfort and boarding efficiency while providing a zero-emission transport option. irizar-emobility.com/en/events-an...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 15, 2026 at 1:47 PM

🚎🇫🇷 Solaris will supply 10 articulated Trollino 18 trolleybuses to Saint-Étienne, France, by late 2027. The order will bring the city's Solaris fleet to 41 vehicles, supporting its zero-emission public transport network and improving sustainable urban mobility. www.solarisbus.com/en/press/sol...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 16, 2026 at 8:10 PM

First Bus has reached 100 electric buses in Norfolk after adding 14 double-deckers to Norwich routes. The £13.8m joint investment with Norfolk County Council means over 60% of its regional fleet is now electric, helping to reduce emissions and noise. news.firstbus.co.uk/news/first-b...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 19, 2026 at 11:31 AM

Transport for London Freedom of Information release: TfL withheld individual operators’ QIC bonus and penalty figures, citing commercial sensitivity. Network net payments were £2.01m in 2023/24, £1.37m in 2024/25 and £5.06m in 2025/26. Bonuses reached £10.01m in 2025/26. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) October 19, 2026 at 6:07 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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