‘Major milestone’: TfL to launch new public bus operator in London

Transport for London (TfL) is set to launch a new public bus operator in London, marking a significant milestone in the city's efforts to improve its bus services. The new company, named Buses for London, will take over a number of London's bus routes, starting with route 6, which runs between Willesden and Victoria station, from late 2027. TfL plans to announce further routes to be run by the public company from 2028.

The move is part of TfL's broader plans to make buses more reliable, safe, and sustainable. With a publicly owned company, TfL aims to have greater control over service provision, enabling better investment in improvements and higher-quality bus services. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, sees this as an opportunity to "reimagine our bus network so that it provides better value for money, supports our climate goals, makes our roads safer, and overall just works better for passengers and drivers alike."

Lorna Murphy, TfL's director of buses, emphasized the significance of the public company's launch, highlighting a new depot in the Old Oak regeneration area as the starting point for a new generation of zero-emission buses. This aligns with London's broader sustainability goals and the push towards more environmentally friendly public transport.

Unions have welcomed the move, with Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, stating that the return of London's bus services to public ownership is long overdue. They argue that outsourcing to private companies has not been effective, citing poor working conditions for workers and deteriorating services for passengers. Wayne King, Unite's national officer for passenger transport, expects Buses for London to set new standards in terms of workers' pay, terms, and conditions, and will hold TfL and the mayor accountable for these improvements.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport, representing bus firms, however, remains skeptical that a new public operator will solve London's bus problems. They argue that the issue lies in the network's speed and reliability, with buses traveling at just 9 mph in the capital – slower than the average cyclist. They also point out that private operators have already invested significantly in London's bus network, including new vehicles and technology.

Despite the differing views, Labour has been pushing for bus overhauls since 2025, advocating for wider franchising and public control of services. Several municipal companies, such as Reading, Blackpool, and Nottingham, have survived deregulation and privatisation in the 1980s, demonstrating the potential for successful public bus operators.