Transport for London has announced the launch of ‘Buses for London’, a new publicly owned bus operating company that will begin running services in the capital from late 2027.
The move represents a significant shift in how London's bus network is delivered, with TfL aiming to use the new operator to drive innovation, improve service quality and reinvest profits directly back into public transport.
The first route to be operated by Buses for London will be Route 6, which runs between Willesden and Victoria Station. TfL has confirmed that four additional routes will be transferred to the new operator from 2028 onwards, with further announcements expected over the next year.
TfL currently contracts almost 700 bus routes to eight privately owned operators. By creating its own operating company, the transport authority says it will gain greater oversight of service delivery while creating opportunities to test new approaches to operational performance, safety, customer experience and sustainability.
The publicly owned operator will also support TfL's ambitions around decarbonisation, innovation and driver welfare, while maintaining the standards expected across London's extensive bus network.
The proposal has been developed following engagement with Unite the Union, which has long advocated for greater public sector involvement in delivering transport services.
The new company will be headquartered at Park Royal Depot in west London, which will serve as the first operational site for Buses for London.
The depot is expected to support around 100 zero-emission buses, further strengthening London's commitment to cleaner public transport. The site is being developed in partnership with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and will be leased until 2033 whilst wider regeneration plans are progressed under the Old Oak Masterplan Framework.
TfL and OPDC will work together to identify a permanent depot location before the current lease expires.
Buses remain the most widely used and inclusive public transport mode in the capital. TfL reports that:
- 96% of London households are within 400 metres of a bus stop.
- More than 90% of households are served by high-frequency bus routes.
- All London bus routes are operated using low-floor, accessible vehicles with dedicated wheelchair spaces.
- Bus fares remain among the lowest in the UK.
The network continues to play a critical role in supporting lower-income households, older passengers and those with mobility challenges.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
"I'm excited to announce 'Buses for London', a publicly owned London bus company. TfL and OPDC will join forces in this innovative new partnership to establish the capital's first publicly owned bus operating company. London's iconic red buses are a vital lifeline for many people, which I'm committed to supporting - and sometimes that means taking bold new approaches, so that our world-leading transport network can deliver even more for all those who rely on it.
"This is an opportunity to really 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. I look forward to seeing Buses for London build on the success of our world-leading bus network as we continue to create a greener, fairer, more prosperous city for everyone."
The launch of Buses for London forms part of a broader programme of bus network investment across the capital.
Recent initiatives include the continued expansion of the Superloop express bus network, including the introduction of the SL12 route between Gants Hill and Rainham, alongside service improvements in outer London to support population growth and changing travel patterns.
TfL is also investing in:
- Additional bus priority measures.
- Advanced traffic signal technology to reduce delays.
- Next-generation bus shelters.
- Enhanced real-time passenger information systems.
- Continued fleet electrification.
More than 3,000 zero-emission buses are now operating on London's roads, making it one of the largest electric bus fleets in Europe.
Image credit: iStock
