A consultation for a proposed small change on London Bus route 372

TfL has opened up a consultation for London Bus route 372 for eastbound routing to serve Rainham Railway station more closely.

From TfL consultations

We are proposing to make changes to how bus route 372 serves Rainham Station to improve the interchange for passengers. The proposal also helps to respond to concerns raised by councillors from the London Borough of Havering about historic infrastructure on Wennington Road.

Shenfield Station to serve TfL rail service again

After completing works between Brentwood and Shenfield, a full TfL service is set to return on Monday 22^nd May 2017.

From TfL news

Upgrade work has been completed to prepare for Elizabeth line services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in December 2018.

Update on the ‘route branding’ for Barkingside bus routes

The Greater London Authority has issued a press release regarding the branded bus services which serve Barkingside.

From GLA Press release

Mayor trials new Tube-style colour approach to simplify bus network

• Routes given their own distinct colours to make travelling on the bus as easy as taking the Tube
• Buses and signs will be clearly labelled with the colours to help passengers navigate local areas
• Innovative new trial begins in east London

London Buses brings back route branding for Barkingside routes

I never expected to see this happen.

Routes 128, 150, 167, 169, 247, 275 and 462 will have ‘branded buses’ as part of the trial to promote the bus services which serve the Barkingside area.

The route numbers will have their own colour to designate their particular service. It will also appear on timetables, route tiles on bus stop flag posts and new livery with each route being identified by a colour with route description on the side and rear of the bus.

London Buses also promote the frequency of the bus service, for example “up to every 12 minutes” for route 128, which is seen on the side of the bus. The bus spider maps will also be updated to the specific route colour.

New Routemasters for East London Transit!

A couple of weeks ago I published an article suggesting that New Routemaster routes should have a branded bus service, then out of the blue TfL decides to have East London Transit routes with New Routemaster buses that have 3 doors and 2 staircases.

Route 48 is also listed for New Routemaster conversion and a follow up with various routes converting to standard hybrid buses.

Bus service maps of London and the Home Counties

Since there are loads of cross boundary bus services bordering the Greater London area, many of those cross boundary routes are part of London Buses.

The North West, North East, South East and South West London bus maps also show cross boundary services. The routes that are in green are not part of the London Buses network and so different fares apply.

Hertfordshire and Essex councils cut funding for London Bus cross-boundary services

I am aware of the changes being made to the bus services in Hertfordshire early this year. The local newspaper reported that the council wanted to save £390,000 per year. Also another local newspaper reported that Harrow Council is asking TFL to keep running the cross-boundary London Bus services.

Update on the three Harlow operators

LOTS (London Omnibus Traction Society) have released an update about the three Harlow bus operators who lost their Operating licenses.

Reported on Monday 11th January 2016:

After a third Public Inquiry within four years, the three Harlow operators Townlink Buses, Road Runner Buses and Olympus Bus & Coach have finally had their Operators’ Licences revoked by the Traffic Commissioner from 2359 on Friday 26th February, They had been operating without an effective Transport Manager since at least March 2014 and for a very long time had been somewhat ‘cavalier’ (!) with respect to route registration dates and adherence  to routes and timetables.

News about Townlink, Road Runner & Olympus bus companies

It’s now official; the Traffic Commissioner has decided to take away the O Licences for the following companies:

Townlink Buses

Roadrunner Buses

Olympus Bus & Coach Ltd

I had previously written back in late October 2015 that the Harlow bus operating companies had to face a Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry. This took place on the 3rd November 2015.

LOTS (London Omnibus Traction Society) have a report on their news page as it’s their only news item:

First Essex Route 100, Chelmsford to Lakeside with Volvo 7900H

Taken from their leaflet cover

First Essex operates Route 100 in Essex with the route starting from Chelmsford and ending at Lakeside. The route goes via Billericay, Noak Bridge, Basildon and Grays.

Video: Buses, Trucks and traffic at Romford, North Street Roundabout

On 29th January 2015, I have captured footage of the traffic at North Street Roundabout in Romford, Essex Greater London.

So there is nothing much to say but to show you the video.

Where’s the double deckers for route 66?

Route maps of route 66

Screenshot from Traveline

Route 66 is a London Buses route that uses the A12 Eastern Avenue road which links from Leytonstone to Romford Station. The route goes parallel to the Central Line stations between Leytonstone to Newbury Park, then it goes towards Romford station.

Video: Ride via the rural roads to Lakeside (on Route 370)

On the Wednesday 16th July, I have embarked on the journey to Lakeside to see the non TFL bus services at the Bus Station. I have video recorded routes 370 and 372 respectively to show the rural countryside of Essex.