London Bus Tender Awards: Major retentions for First Bus with new electric buses, New Routemasters to leave Route 148

As we are in the middle of a heatwave, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that First Bus (which inherited the trading names London United and London Transit from RATP Dev) has retained its routes with new electric buses. This means the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters (NRMs) are expected to leave route 148 as part of the new contract.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: Retentions for First Bus, Go-Ahead, Metroline and Uno

Transport for London has announced that First Bus, Go-Ahead, Metroline and Uno have been awarded route contracts without any change of bus operating company.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: First Bus Wins Superloop Route SL15 Contract with New Electric Single-Deck Buses

As we enter August 2026, Transport for London (TfL) announced a round of London Bus Tender Awards on Friday 31st July, confirming that First Bus will operate Superloop route SL15 with new electric single-deck buses.

First Bus Essex Unveils Cross-Boundary Extension of Route B1 to Harold Wood Station – Launching Sunday 26 July 2026

Back in May 2026, I published an article making the case for more cross-boundary bus services. I highlighted how areas just outside Greater London suffer from a distinct lack of connectivity, pointing out major gaps like Transport for London's (TfL) route 375 terminating short at Passingford Bridge instead of Ongar, and the missing link between Waltham Abbey and Chingford.

It is incredibly rewarding to see progress being made on this exact issue so quickly.

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:

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:

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Route 81

As of October 2025, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Route 81 will operate with new double-deck electric buses, following Metroline’s successful retention of the contract.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: New Routemasters to Continue on Route 3, New Electric Buses for Routes 173/673, 292, 675, B12, and B15

Transport for London (TfL) has announced in the London Bus Tender Awards that route 3 will continue to use hybrid New Routemasters with three doors and two staircases. Routes 173/673, 292, 675, B12, and B15 will use new electric buses.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: Existing Single-Deck Diesel Buses to Continue on Routes 246, 352, 354, 356, and K2.

Transport for London (TfL) has announced in a London Bus Tender Awards that routes 246, 352, 354, 356, and K2 will continue to use existing single-deck diesel buses as part of the contract renewal.

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

London bus tender awards for late July 2019

TfL has recently announced new contract awards for their London bus services.

One of the notable routes mentioned is the 25 which TfL awarded the new contract to Stagecoach London.

Bus and Light Rail videos - February 2017

To round this month off, I will show you my videos which feature London Buses, Tramlink, and Docklands Light Railway services.

Buses and Trams outside East Croydon station

Buses and Trams outside East Croydon station by clondoner92

End of the line for AEC Routemaster's on Route 9

New Routemaster and AEC Routemaster on route 9

Creative Commons Image

Route 9 has been called "London's oldest existing bus route" and the origins of the route can be traced back as far as 1856. The route was first introduced on the 1st November 1908 and was operated by the London General Omnibus Company. In 1933, London Transport gained control of the route as well as other bus routes in London.

Go Ahead London Enviro400 on route 498

Link to video on Dailymotion

Link to video on YouTube

I haven't posted an article about this video so I apologise.
Route 498 goes from Romford Queens Hospital to Brentwood.

The route contract novated from First London on 22/06/2013.
The route have a PVR of 6 buses and it operated by Go Ahead Blue Triangle from Rainham (BE) garage. The route usually have bus types of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 leased from First Group, Volvo B7TL Plaxton President from Northumberland Park Garage which used to be part of First Group and Go Ahead Wrightbus Gemini Volvo B7TL.