INTRODUCTION and EDITORIAL

GENERAL and INDUSTRY NEWS

GREATER LONDON AREA Route Developments

COUNTRY AREAS Route Developments

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PUBLICITY, FARES & TICKETING

RAIL REPLACEMENT SERVICES

GREATER LONDON AREA - Route Developments

Section editor: Tony Wilson, ** Summerfield Road, Chesterfield, S40 1xx or by
e-mail to ********@sky.com (note change of e-mail address).
This section covers all local bus service routes of all operators within the LBSL area, i.e. the Greater London County boundary. Fuller detail of any commercial or county services that enter London from outside will also be found in the Country Area Route Developments section later in TLB. LBSL services are identified thus:
TG = tendered gross cost contract (LBSL keeps the revenue, operators compete on costs).
QC = Quality Incentive contracts (5 years, but extendable to 7 after good performance).
LLSA = routes on a London Local Service Agreement, i.e. commercial or county-supported routes, with
TfL ticket validity within London only.
LSP = London Service Permit routes, i.e. those outside the formal TfL system.
pvr = peak vehicle requirements, in M-F,Sat,Sun order, expressed as, e.g. "pvr 10/8/5".
R/No = running number sequences (e.g.#BW261+); individual numbers expressed as, e.g. #35.
= = when appended to a day route number, this denotes a 24-hour service.
Where we show just a "timetable change", there is no change to frequencies, types or allocation. Night buses commence on the Friday night an hour or so before the Saturday date quoted. Routes all run Daily unless stated.

SUP-37U – additions and amendments:
Note that vehicle class/type allocations at many garages are variable in practice and that it is not possible, nor correct, to be precise in SUP-37.
Page 10 Night routes list – I missed mention of the Night =205 and =295.
Arriva LN: 128/651 delete cross-link.
Arriva LS: 159– add TC as well as TH for links from N159. 289- d/d type DLA not DW.
Arriva KT: 428- pvr is 7/7/3. BT/Docklands- 167 pvr 9/8/4 (the 9th operates on SDO).
ETB: The extra ‘Dome’ evening buses are double-deck, off route N1.
Selkent: 472- pvr is 18/15/10 (as correctly quoted in TLB518!).
L.Central: 35,40,45 – should be AVL/PVL mixed. Metrobus- 466 delete cross-link to 664.
Metroline: 139 add note *632. The 237/635/E8 were revised from 10th November and should now be shown thus: 237 #AH1+ 23*/17/11 DT/TA (M-F *635 and E8). #AH20 also works E8(am) and 635(pm), #AH21 also on E8(am/pm) and #AH22 on 635 am/pm
Transdev LU: 72- delete link to N72. 203- type is DPS. Night 148- type is SO/SP.
Transdev LS: H9/H10/H17- The H17 should be 6*/5/4. #SO176 from the H17 (am) also works on both H9 and H10 (pm), then assuming Run.No #SO97.
Travel London: R70 pvr is 11/10/5, thus Run/Nos #TF166-176.

1st,8th,15th,22nd,27th,29th,30th December: Service changes all OK as in TLB519/520.
Metroline pvrs for 22nd Dec: 231 now 7*/7/6 (634 link off). Arriva LN Add 634 #AD 1/0/0 DLA.
ELBG pvrs for 29th Dec: 25 #RM1+ 42/38/25. Night 25 #RM101+ 13(Su-Th)/15(Fr-Sat nts).

Saturday 1st December: (additional)
5 (East London)(Canning Town & Romford) Additional M-F peak journeys. No change to basic daily PVR, but two extra M-F peak buses added as #BK501 and #NS502.
230 (East London)(Upper Walthamstow & Wood Green) Timetable change Daily (PVR 12/12/9).
P13 (Travel London)(Streatham & New Cross Gate) Timetable changes Daily.

Sunday 23rd December:
ELC,ELP,ELS (Travel London) as in TLB519 p10. PVRs: ELC- #WL271+ 12 (M-F am peak) or 10 (M-F pm peak), 6 (M-F daytime), 5 (Sat), 4 (Sun). ELP #WL286 1 bus every day. From 2nd January, four extra buses were added as “standbys” to the ELC, operating M-F peaks only according to demand. These took Run/Nos WL291-294.
ELW There has been a change to the southbound routeing of the ELW at Shadwell which has caused an extra bus to be needed. The frequencies are amended from that published, too, so that it runs every 10mins on Mon-Fri daytime & peaks, and every 15mins in M-F evenings and all day Sats & Suns. Operation by First London from Dagenham (DM), pvr 5/4/4 with a mix of Enviro400 and Trident. The full route is repeated below.
From opposite Whitechapel Station via Whitechapel Road, New Road, left on Commercial Road, Sutton Street, Cable Street (Shadwell Station), continuing on Cable Street to Dock Street, then back along The Highway, down Wapping Lane, loop via Prusom Street, Garnet Street to Wapping High Street (Wapping Station). Northbound to Wapping Lane, right into The Highway, then King David Lane, Cable Street, Cannon Street Road, New Road, Whitechapel Road to Whitechapel Station. The southbound distance is about double that of northbound!

Saturday 5th January: (additional):
142,642,664 As per TLB520. PVRs: 142 #GR301+ pvr to 15/15/13. 642 #GR331/2 2/0/0 on SDO. Note that #GR331 also works on 142 in both peaks.

Opening of Hammersmith Bus Station lower level deferred yet again.
170,239,424,G1,N35 All changes deferred:- to 26thJan(N35), 16th Feb(170,239), 8th March(G1) and to an unknown date(424).
25 (East London) Continuation of the additional x20min frequency (still needing four buses) on Sundays (see TLB520 p7) until at least March 2008, running short journeys between Stratford and Aldgate during shopping hours.
635 (Metroline-AH)(Brentford & Sunbury, SDO) Renewal of LBSL (TG) contract, advanced from 12th January, using existing fleet Dennis Tridents. An additional M-F pm journey was added on the 237 but that was formalisation of the 10th November change.
671 (Transdev LU) Minor timetable changes.
H23 (Transdev LU) Now serves Sealand Road at Heathrow westbound (already served eastbound).
W13 (CT Plus) Running time changes Mon-Sat and re-timing of school journeys..
TLB closing date: all entries after this date subject to alteration or deferment.

Saturday 12th January:
697 (Transdev LU-AV)(Ickenham & Hayes North, SDO) and
698 (Transdev LU-AV)(Ickenham & West Drayton, SDO) New schedules for both routes, along with additional afternoon-only SDO journeys with Darts. (#AV403 on 697, #AV409 on 698).
K50 (Transdev LU –TV)(Kingston Park-&-Ride) Last day of seasonal operation.
S3 (Quality Line) Timetable changes on Mon-Fri.

Saturday 26th January:
183 (Transdev Sovereign-BT)(Pinner & Golders Green) New Daily timetable with an additional morning schoolday-only journey from Golders Green to Pinner. Frequencies increased, evenings (Daily) and Sundays from x20 to x15mins.
203 (Transdev LU-AV)(Hounslow & Staines) New Daily timetable with an additional early morning journey from Hounslow.
222 (Transdev LU-AV)(Hounslow & Uxbridge) New timetable with an additional Mon-Fri SDO morning journey from Hounslow to Uxbridge. Also at Uxbridge, the route terminal stand is due to revert from York Road to the Bus Station.
233 (Metrobus-MB)(Eltham Station & Swanley) Present LBSL contract extended to 23rd February.
346 (Arriva Southend-GY) (Upminster local, M-S) Revised M-F evening peak hour timetable.
411 (Transdev LU-HH)(West Molesey & Kingston) New timetable with additional morning and afternoon journeys.
415 (Arriva LS) Introduction deferred until 8th March (333 diversion also deferred).
498.499 Operator change, route changes and extensions all deferred to 28th June.
N35 (London Central-Q)(Tottenham Court Road Stn & Clapham Junction) Deferred from 5th January. Frequencies increased Fri & Sat nights from x30 to x20mins.

Saturday 2nd February:
112 (Travel London-WS)(Ealing Broadway & Brent Cross) Frequencies increased, Mon-Sat daytimes from x20 to x15mins. No change evenings and Sundays.

Additionally, from this date, Shepherd’s Bush Central line station is to close for rebuilding for 8 months. It is not yet known if any enhanced bus services will be provided.

Saturday 9th February:
36 (London Central-NX/PM)(Queen’s Park & New Cross) Renewal of LBSL (QC) contract. Night-time element introduced at x30mins frequency Sun-Thur nights and x20mins Fri/Sat nights, thus becoming a 24-hour route. Frequencies increased on Mon-Sat from x7.5 to x6mins. No change evenings and Sundays which remain x12mins.
436 (London Central-NX)(Lewisham & Paddington Station) Renewal of LBSL (QC) contract using existing Mercedes-Benz articulated single-decks.
N36 (London Central-NX/PM)(Queens Park & Grove Park) Route withdrawn.
N136 New Night route. LBSL (QC) contract awarded to Selkent with existing fleet Dennis Trident double-decks from Catford (TL). From Oxford Circus via current route N36 to Grove Park. Then via Chinbrook Road, Marvels Lane, Dunkery Road, Mottingham Road, White Horse Hill, Red Hill, Chislehurst High Street and Centre Common Road to Chislehurst War Memorial. Frequencies Sun-Thur nights x30mins, Fri/Sat nights x20mins.

Saturday 16th February:
39 (London General-PL)(Putney Bridge Station & Clapham Junction) Frequencies increased during Mon-Fri peak hours from x8 to x7.5mins.
170 (London General-SW)(Roehampton & Clapham Junction) Extended from Clapham Junction via the current route 239 to Victoria Station. Frequencies increased, Mon-Sat daytime from x10 to x8mins, Suns and evenings (Daily) from x15 to x12mins.
210 (Metroline-PA)(Brent Cross & Finsbury Park) Converted from Dennis Dart single-deck to Dennis Trident double-deck operation using TAs. Frequencies slightly reduced Mon-Sat daytimes from x7.5 to x8mins.
239 (London General-SW)(Victoria & Clapham Junction) Withdrawn.
453/= (Marylebone Station & Deptford Broadway) LBSL (QC) contract awarded to London General with new Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single-decks from Mandela Way (MW). Currently operated by Selkent with Mercedes-Benz articulated single-decks from Plumstead (PD).
Latest date for the opening of Hammersmith Lower Level Bus Station.

Saturday 23rd February:
26,N26,30,86,106,N106,241,257,276,678,D3 (East London) Stratford (SD) Garage closed, with all routes and vehicles transferred to the new West Ham (WH) Garage. This is a new facility on the trading estate off of Stephenson Street/Manor Road, to the south-west of West Ham (LUL/C2C) railway station.
233 (Eltham Station & Swanley) LBSL (QC) contract awarded to Arriva Kent Thameside with new Enviro200Dart 8.9m single-decks from Dartford (DT). Currently operated by Metrobus with Mini Pointer Dart single-decks from Orpington (MB).
277 (East London-BW)(Leamouth & Highbury Corner) Frequencies increased, Mon-Sat daytime from x7.5 to x6.6mins, early Sat morning from x12 to x10mins, early Sun morning from x15 to x12mins and evenings Daily from x15 to x10mins.
367 (Metrobus-C)(Bromley North Station & West Croydon) Introduction of additional morning and afternoon schoolday-only journeys.

LONDON BUSES - TENDERED ROUTES UPDATE
Unless stated, these are 5-year Quality Incentive Contracts which, subject to good performance, may be extended from 5 to 7 years. The new pvr for each route is as announced. When 'existing fleet vehicles' are specified, this means compatible vehicles from the overall company fleet, not necessarily those in current use on the route. These 'existing fleet' buses will usually be refurbished.

Routes newly awarded, subject to final consultations:
13/N13 Retained by Transdev London Sovereign using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 20 retained)(August 08).
143(SDO) Retained by Metroline using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 1 retained)(July 08).
166 Retained by Arriva London South with new single-decks (pvr 8 retained)(August 08).
245 Awarded to First London with new single-decks (pvr from 19 to 20)(June 08). Currently operated with Metroline with Dennis Darts from North Wembley (NW).
246 Awarded to Selkent with new single-decks (pvr 4 retained)(August 08). Currently operated by Metrobus with Dennis Darts from Orpington (MB).
293 Awarded to Metrobus and converted to new double-deck operation (pvr 6 retained)(July 08). Currently operated by Quality Line with Mercedes-Benz Citaros from Epsom.
326 Retained by Metroline with new single-decks (pvr 14 retained)(July 08).
352 Retained by Metrobus using existing fleet single-decks (pvr 5 retained)(August 08).
354 Awarded to Selkent with new single-decks (pvr 5 retained)(August08). Currently operated by Metrobus with Dennis Darts from Orpington (MB).
356 Awarded to Selkent with new single-decks (pvr 6 retained)(August 08). Currently operated by Metrobus with Dennis Darts from Croydon (C).
358 Retained by Metrobus using existing fleet single-decks (pvr 15 retained)(August 08).
383 Awarded to Metroline with new single-decks (pvr 3 retained)(July 08). Currently operated by Sullivan Buses with Dennis Darts from South Mimms (SM).
404 Retained by Quality Line using existing fleet single-decks (pvr 1 retained)(September 08).
405 Retained by Metrobus using existing fleet double-decks (pvr from 8 to 9)(August 08).
412 Retained by Arriva London South using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 8 retained)(Aug 08).
434 Awarded to Travel London with new single-decks (pvr 3 retained)(August 08). Currently operated by Metrobus with Dennis Dart from Croydon (C).
460 Retained by Metroline with new double-decks (pvr 10)(June 08)
466 Awarded to Arriva London South with new double-decks (pvr 16 retained)(August 08). Currently operated by Metrobus with Scania OmniDekkas from Croydon (C).
612 The main Schoolday service between Selsdon and Wallington awarded to Metrobus with new double-decks (pvr 2 retained)(August 08). Currently operated by Arriva London South with DAF double-decks from South Croydon (TC). The separate Hamsey Green- Selsdon journey separated out to a new contract 685 (see below).
626 Retained by Metroline using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 4 retained)(August 08).
643 Retained by Metroline using existing double-deck (pvr 1)(September 08)
685 New route. Schooldays-only replacing the solitary 612 journey from Hamsey Green to Selsdon. Awarded to Arriva London South using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 1)(August 08).
N5 Retained by Metroline using existing fleet double-decks (pvr from 13 to 17)(July 08).
N20 Retained by Metroline using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 14 retained)(July 08).
N50 Originally tendered as N50 but actually awarded as two new routes (see below).
N550 New route (see Service Proposals below), as N50 but between Haymarket and Canning Town only. Awarded to East London using existing fleet double-decks (pvr 4)(August 08).
N551 New route (see Service Proposals below). Nightly from Haymarket to Gallions Reach. Awarded to Docklands Buses using existing fleet double-decks, in practice using those new buses from route 425 due to start in June. (pvr 5)(August 08).

Note that night route pvrs are derived from day route allocations and are not unique. Routes 143(sdo jnys), 612,626,643,685 – as is customary for school routes - are TG (not QC) contracts.

Routes already placed out for tender and awaiting awards (with current operators):
Tranche 256A (start t.b.a.): 900-series routes (Metrobus and Metroline).
Tranche 257 (start 9/08): 248(Blue Triangle), 165,179,252,365(First London).
Additionally, East London Transit 'TG1' is re-offered in this tranche (was in #242A).
Tranche 258 (start 9/08): 226(First), C3(Travel London).
Tranche 259 (start summer 08) New route 228 (Park Royal- Harrow Road).
Tranche 260 (start 9/08-202 or 12/08-R5/R7): 202(Selkent), R5,R7(Metrobus).
Tranche 261 (start 12/08): 292(L.Sovereign), 297,603(Metroline), 307(Arriva LN).
Tranche 263 (start 12/08): 80,93/=,151,154,163,164(London General);
190(Metroline); 391(Transdev LU).
Tranche 264 (start 12/08-51, 1/09-the rest): 51,469,601,602,B12(London Central);
96,472(Selkent); 428,492,B13,B15(Arriva KT).
Tranche 265 (start 1/09): 91/N91(First London),
(start 2-3/09): 184,317(Arriva LN), 263(Metroline), 187,487(First London).
Tranche 266 (start 2-3/09): 283,H32,H91(Transdev LU).
Tranche 267 (start 3/09): 262,396,473(East London); 372(Blue Triangle).

Routes due to be offered to tender within the next three months: No more this month.

FORTHCOMING SERVICE PROPOSALS (some subject to formal consultations)
Operator changes: March 08- new 350 (Travel London), 415(Arriva LS) and 482 (Transdev LU); May 08- new 135 (Arriva LN); June 08- new 425 (Docklands Buses), 231 and 245 to First; July 08- 383 to Metroline; August 08- 246,354,356 to Selkent, 293,612 to Metrobus, 434 to Travel London, 466 and new 685 to Arriva LS, N550 to East London (repl. N50), N551 to Docklands Buses. Other contracts renewed to existing operators.

In conjunction with the opening of the new White City Bus Station at the ‘Westfield’ development, hopefully “during the summer”, the following changes to bus routes have been proposed. The area between the Central line and Overground stations at the eastern end of Shepherd’s Bush Green, used hitherto as a bus stand for terminating bus routes from the west, will be altered to be a bus/rail interchange and a through road. There will be a bus-only short-cut across the centre reservation into the entrance/exit of the interchange and the number of buses calling at the south side of the Green will be much reduced.

31,49,C1 From Holland Park re-routed from the west side of the Holland Park Roundabout through the new right-turn facility and then via new link road (with stopping facility adjacent to LUL Central Line station), to the new Bus Station within the White City complex. Withdrawn from serving Shepherd’s Bush Green.
148 Extended from Shepherd’s Bush Green via Wood Lane and a new link road to the Bus Station.
207,237,260,607 Extended from Shepherd’s Bush Green (Central line station stops) via the new link road to the White City Bus Station.
228 New single-deck route, from Central Middlesex Hospital, Park Royal via Acton Lane, Station Road (Willesden Junction), Old Oak Lane and Old Oak Common Lane (being careful NOT to strike the two very low bridges and the first time a bus route has been scheduled along this road), to East Acton. Then via as yet unspecified roads through the White City Estate, South Africa Road, Wood Lane and the new roads to White City Bus Station. Then on to Shepherd’s Bush Green, Holland Park Avenue, Ladbroke Grove, bifurcation along Canal Way to serve Sainsbury’s, and Harrow Road to terminate at the Prince of Wales and Elgin Avenue. The route has now been put out to tender, using the vacant Tranche 259.
316 Already under consultation to be extended from North Kensington via Shepherd’s Bush to the new White City development.
72,94,95,220,272,283,295,N207 No proposed changes to the routeings of these buses that serve the Shepherd’s Bush area, although all routes do serve roads that are adjacent to, and within easy walking distance of the complex. However, arriving buses on the 95 and 272 from Wood Lane will go round the north and south sides of the Green to terminate outside the Empire Theatre on the west side, then depart direct to Wood Lane.

OTHER SPECIAL and MISCELLANOUS SERVICES (incl. LSPs)
A special service between London City Airport and Canary Wharf and local hotels duly began on 12th December on LSP conditions bySnowdrop Travel.
Correcting TLB520 p10, the 107A did after all operate on 17/18 November as well as 24/25th.

DISRUPTIONS, DEVIATIONS AND DIVERSIONS

Central: From Sunday 6th January until sometime in the Summer of 2008, Westbourne Grove is closed between Porchester Road and Hereford Road due to Thames Water flood alleviation works. Buses on routes 7, 23, 27, 36, 70, N7 and N36 are diverted, some over roads unserved before. Westbound 7/N7 and 23 operate from Bishop’s Bridge Road via Inverness Terrace, Inverness Place, Queensway, Moscow Road, Hereford Road, Dawson Place and Chepstow Place; eastbound via Hereford Road, Leinster Square, Princes Square, Kensington Gardens Square, Porchester Gardens, Queensway (stopping outside Whiteley’s) and Porchester Road to Bishop’s Bridge Road. Westbound 27 diverted via Bayswater Road, Queensway and Porchester Road to Bishops Bridge Road and serve all stops on diversion. Pembridge Road and Pembridge Villas are not served. Passengers on Pembridge Road or Pembridge Villas either walk to stop F on Kensington Church Street, or take routes 7, 23 or N7 from stop PL on Westbourne Grove and change at Paddington; eastbound diverted via Inverness Terrace and Bayswater Road and serves all stops on diversion. The 36/N36 eastbound are unaffected but westbound divert via Inverness Terrace, Inverness Place, Queensway (stopping outside Whiteley’s) and Porchester Road. Route 70 towards Kensington diverts via Hereford Road, Leinster Square, Princes Square, Kensington Gardens Square and Porchester Gardens; towards Ladbroke Grove via Moscow Road, Hereford Road, Dawson Place and Chepstow Place.
Metroline at least are adding two buses to the route 7 M-F and Sat pvr for the duration, but we don’t know yet if other operators are doing likewise.
East: Currently due to road works at the junction of Harford Street and Ben Jonson Road, E1, buses on route 339 are diverted northbound via Rhodes Road, St.Pauls Way, Burdett Road and Grove Road; southbound from Mile End Road via White Horse Lane and Stepney High Street.
Gale Street, Becontree was closed from 2nd January, at least until 25th due to works on the railway bridge. Route 62 was diverted via Lodge Avenue and Porters Avenue, and Route 145 via Woodward Road and Lodge Avenue.
South East: From 21st January the junction of Longlands Road and Park Hill Road, Swanley is affected by roadworks. Buses on route 233 divert from Main Road via Park Hill Road to Longlands Road in both directions. From 27th November until further notice, southbound buses on routes 47,54,75,136,185,199,N36 and N47 have diverted from Rushey Green SE6 via Brownhill Road, Plassy Road and Sangley Road.
South West: Roadworks closed Durham Road, SW20 from 7th December 2007 to 4th January 2008 requiring southbound buses on route 200 to divert via Cambridge Road, Pepys Road, Worple Road and Coombe Lane to terminate at Lambton Road.
North: The diversions at St John Street Islington that had affected route 153 since 23rd July (TLB516 p12 refers) were finished by 27th December although it had been forecast to last until 6th January. However, a little further north, Hemingford Road, N1 is to close from 28th January for 4-weeks causing buses on route 153 to divert in both directions via Offord Road, Caledonian Road and Copenhagen Street.
North West: Due to Victorian water mains replacement work, Clifton Road was closed from 7th January until 22nd February. Routes 6 and 414 are diverted in both directions between Clifton Gardens and Maida Vale (at the junction with Clifton Road) via Randolph Avenue, Sutherland Avenue and Maida Vale. Routes 46 and 187 towards Warwick Avenue only are diverted from Hall Road at Maida Vale via Sutherland Avenue and Randolph Avenue to Clifton Gardens and line of route .
Due to Thames Water works, Spaniards Road will be closed from 14th January until 10th February. Route 210 will be diverted in both directions between Hampstead Lane and Golders Green via The Bishops Avenue, Lyttelton Road, Falloden Way, North Circular Road and Finchley Road. Route 603 will be diverted the same way to Golders Green, then North End Road to resume route at Jack Straw’s Castle.

LOTS