Celebrating 25 Years of Transport for London

TfL Image - TfL 25 Roundel

Transport for London (TfL) celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking its creation alongside the Greater London Authority (GLA). Both of these authorities were established as part of Tony Blair’s New Labour 1997 manifesto commitment to create a new London-wide authority, a step that had been absent since the Greater London Council was abolished in 1986. In 1998, 72% of the electorate voted in favour of establishing the Greater London Authority, alongside the Mayor of London, the London Assembly, and Transport for London. The voter turnout was 34%.

Subsequently, the government passed the Greater London Authority Act 1999, which created the GLA and TfL. Elections for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly were held on 4th May 2000.

This led to significant changes in public transport in London.

It’s been 10 years since the New Routemaster entered service – from a rear platform bus with conductor, to a three-door, two-staircase hybrid bus

Ten years ago, the Wrightbus New Routemaster (LT2) first entered public service on 27th February 2012, on Route 38.

The New Routemaster (previously named New Bus for London) is a three-door, two-staircase diesel-hybrid bus. It originally had an open platform design with conductor which lasted until September 2016 on routes 9, 10, 11, 24, 38 and 390.

This article features texts from Transport for London (TfL), the Greater London Authority (GLA), and Government and UK Parliament websites about the New Routemaster, including specifications.

Let’s take a look at the press release of the passenger service launch day of the New Routemaster which took place on 27th February 2012.

5 years of the Enviro400 City!

It's been five years since bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) unveiled their eye-catching double deck variant, the Enviro400 City!

The body design of the Enviro400 City is based on the New Routemaster (NRM), designed by Heatherwick Studio and manufactured by Wrightbus. Thomas Heatherwick, the founder of Heatherwick Studio, praised the Enviro400 City as a "back-to-front compliment".

10 year anniversary of the New Routemaster design – How it has improved bus designs over the years

It has been 10 years since TfL, the London Mayor (now currently Prime Minister) Boris Johnson and Heatherwick Studios unveiled the final design of the most controversial three-door, two-staircase hybrid bus known as the New Routemaster,back in 2010.

We take a look at the press release from TfL when they unveiled the final design of the New Routemaster on 17^th May 2010.

From TfL press release

The final design of the New Bus for London, based on the much-loved Routemaster, was today unveiled by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy.

Pioneering design

The bus will use the latest green technology. It will be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than existing hybrid buses, and 40 per cent more efficient than conventional diesel double decks and much quieter on the streets.

Some brief Transport News updates after my hiatus

Hello to all my readers

First of all, I do apologise for the lack of articles of late which has been due to personal circumstances that have prevented me from writing new articles. I should however be able to maintain my usual output from now on.

So let us have a look at some of the transport news from press releases of the transport authorities and companies.

10 years of London Overground

It’s been 10 years since TfL took over the Silverlink Metro Services back in 2007.

Arriva Rail London operates the London Overground concession and it is part of the National Rail network.

30 year anniversary of the Docklands Light Railway

TfL is celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the Docklands Light Railway. (DLR)

Back on the 30^th July 1985, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the Docklands Light Railway in East London. The purpose of the DLR was to regenerate the Docklands area of East London with an elevated light railway system.

New buses for independent bus companies and the closure of Epsom Coaches

In this article, I will be relaying articles from Route-One and Alexander Dennis regarding new bus purchases and deliveries made by the independent bus companies in Britain. I’m not referring to the Big 5 bus companies which are Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, National Express Group and Stagecoach Group.

First off, ‘Borders Buses’ has invested £3.5 million for 30 new vehicles after they took over the First Scotland East operations in the Scottish Borders.

90 years of EYMS and another SRM update

I have some big news about the bus scene in England and will start off with the news extract regarding the anniversary of East Yorkshire Motorbus Service (EYMS).

50 years of the Red Arrow bus service

MEC50 repainted to the classic Red Arrow livery.

Am I referring to the Red Arrow service by Trent Barton? No, but there is one in Central London which is still regulated by London Buses today, currently they are routes 507 and 521.

Here is a brief history of the Red Arrow bus service.

The Red Arrow service was first formed in 1966 as part of the Bus Reshaping Plan. Their purpose was to have long single deck buses with a reduction of seats to enable increased passenger standing capacity.

10 years of diesel-electric Hybrid operation for London Buses

Wright Electrocity

This article will be a bit of a surprise for most you, in-so-far as today is the 10th anniversary of the first hybrid bus operation in London.

The first diesel-electric hybrid buses to enter London service were the Wright Electrocity buses (based on VDL SB120 chassis) which began operation on route 360 on 8th February 2006. They were then temporarily withdrawn due to engine overheating problems.

So then, let’s take a look at the old press releases from TFL about the hybrid buses.

On the 7th February 2006, TFL issued the following press release about their first hybrid bus.

10 years of the Enviro400

First of these entered service on route 24

First of all, I'd like to wish all my readers and followers a very Happy New Year. 2016 is the 10th  anniversary of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 in London bus service. Please note, I do not know much about the Enviro400, if I miss anything important out then please let me know in the comments section below. This article is mostly aimed at the Enviro400 operation in London.

Three years since the New Routemaster commenced operation on route 38

It’s been three years now since the New Routemaster first entered in to public service on 27^th February 2012, on Route 38.

On 27^th February 2012, the first prototype entered in to service was the LT2 (LT61BHT), starting their first journey at lunch time. It attracted many people to come and view the bus but