摘要: |
The latest contract awards will see route 322 (Clapham Common - Crystal Palace) pass from London General to Abellio London from next May. When introduced in 1992, the route was operated by Arriva London South. Connex won the contract in 2000, running the route from Beddington garage, but five years later London General took over. Retendering in 2010 saw a return to Beddington, by then under Abellio London stewardship but London General won the route back in 2015. New battery-electric single-deckers will replace the Alexander Dart Enviro200i currently used. Abellio will also introduce battery-electric buses to route 433 (Addington Village - Croydon) although some journeys will be operated by diesel engine single-deckers. Stagecoach East London retains routes 55 (Oxford Circus - Leyton) and 56 (St Bart's Hospital - Whipps Cross Hospital) although the new contracts will see a cut in frequency. It will also take over operation of schooldays route 667 (Ilford - West Hatch School) from Blue Triangle. In partial compensation the Go-Ahead London operator will gain route 677 (Debden -Ilford). With effect from April 1, 2022, new contracts for bus routes will generally be for a fixed term of seven years rather than the current arrangement whereby most contracts were awarded for five years, with a possible two-year extension dependant on performance. This change is intended to assist with the business case for investment in zero emission vehicles by giving a greater degree of certainty to the use of new buses for a longer period as well as providing greater certainty regarding contract renewal dates. TiL may occasionally specify shorter contract durations where this best meets its requirements. Details of all recent contract awards are in the accompanying table. |