The latest round of London bus tenders has been announced.
Arriva performed well in the tenders. Arriva London South retained route 59 (existing New Routemasters, PVR 28, starting January 28) and 133/N133 (new Euro 6 and existing Euro 5 hybrid double-deckers, PVR 32, starting January 21). The operator also took control of route 333 from London General, which will utilise new Euro 6 hybrid double-deckers, with a PVR of 16 from January 21, as well as the 157 from Abellio London, which will use the 2010 Euro 5 diesel double-deckers currently allocated to 133 and 242. With a PVR of 18, Arriva will take over the service on December 3.
Arriva London North was re-awarded two routes – the 38/N38 and the 221. The 38 will use 2014 New Routemasters with a PVR of 52 (reduced from 58 due to a peak frequency reduction and alternate journeys to Hackney Central). It begins on November 5. Meanwhile, the 221 will use 2010 Euro 5 diesels which move across from routes 133 and 242, with a PVR of 23 and the same start date.
Other tender announcements are the 152 (awarded to London General from Abellio London with diesel single-decks, either new or existing depending on outcome of routes 42, 108 and D8, PVR 15, start date December 3), 413 (Quality Line from London General, new Euro 6 single-deckers, PVR 8, start December 3), 655 (retained by London General, existing Euro 6 double-deck, PVR 1, starts December 3) and 931 (re-awarded to Abellio London, 2014 Euro 6 single-deckers with PVR taken from routes 201 or 407, starting December 3).
