London Bus Tender Awards: Arriva Retains Superloop Route SL2 with New Electric Buses

TfL Image

Transport for London (TfL) has announced, in the latest London Bus Tender Awards, that Arriva London has retained the Superloop route SL2. The route will be operated with new electric double-deck buses and is expected to launch sometime next year. This announcement coincides with TfL’s 25th anniversary, which is highlighted in the social media posts embedded below.

London Bus Services Limited (LBSL) intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Route 43 (24h)
Retained by: Metroline
PVR: 26
Vehicles: Existing electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 31st January 2026
Contract End Date: 28th January 2033

The zero emission 'New Routemaster spin-off' Enviro400EV City finally entered service on London Buses Route 43

Finally, after a very long wait, the spin-off of the New Routemaster, the pure electric Enviro400EV City which is jointly manufactured by Alexander Dennis and BYD has entered in to service on London Bus route 43 as of 1st July 2019.

Bus designs have evolved to reflect similarity to the New Routemaster bus and I’d like to say a new chapter has started with the iconic Enviro400 City which has gone pure electric.

According to London Vehicle Finder, the first five of the BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV City entered service on route 43 on 1st July 2019 - here's the mini fleet list.