TfL to launch publicly owned bus operator Buses for London in late 2027

Transport for London has unveiled Buses for London, its new publicly owned bus company, which will begin operations on Route 6 from Park Royal Depot in late 2027.

Transport for London (TfL) announced the new operator on 25 September, confirming Park Royal Depot in west London as its first operational base. The depot will initially support around 100 zero-emission buses and is being leased until 2033, according to TfL.

Route 6, connecting Willesden and Victoria station, will be the first service operated under the Buses for London name. TfL says a further four routes will be announced over the coming year and are scheduled to enter operation from 2028.

The new company will operate within a London bus network where TfL currently contracts services to eight privately owned operators across almost 700 routes. According to TfL, the publicly owned operation will be used for approaches covering operational efficiency, safety, decarbonisation, customer experience and driver welfare. The authority says the proposal was developed following engagement and collaboration with Unite the Union.

The launch comes as TfL continues the electrification of the London bus fleet. London passed the 3,000 zero-emission bus threshold in June 2026, when around one-third of the capital’s fleet was operating without tailpipe emissions. Since 2021, all newly introduced buses in London have been zero-emission at the tailpipe.

Buses for London to start from Park Royal with around 100 zero-emission buses

Park Royal Depot will become the first operating site for Buses for London. TfL is working with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) on development of the site, which will be electrified for zero-emission bus operations.

The depot will initially accommodate around 100 zero-emission buses. The lease runs until 2033, when the site is scheduled for redevelopment under the Old Oak Masterplan Framework. TfL and OPDC will work on identifying another depot location before the lease expires.

TfL says Buses for London will provide it with direct control over the operation of the services assigned to the company, while profits from the operation are intended to be reinvested in the capital’s transport network.

Plans for a public bus company were included in TfL’s 2026 Business Plan. The project is a Mayoral initiative connected with the delivery of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

Route 6 will be the first Buses for London service

Route 6 will become the first route operated by the new company when operations start in late 2027. The service links Willesden with Victoria station.

TfL has not yet identified the other four routes planned for Buses for London. The authority says they will be announced over the next year and will begin operation from 2028.

The creation of Buses for London takes place alongside other programmes affecting the capital’s bus network, including the expansion of the Superloop express network, changes to services in outer, central and inner London, bus-priority measures and investment in shelters and real-time passenger information.

Private operators have raised concerns over the new model. The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), representing bus companies, told The Guardian that public operation would place investment requirements and additional risk on taxpayers. CPT chief executive Graham Vidler also said uncertainty created by the establishment of a publicly owned operator could make it more difficult for private companies to support further investment in London. TfL currently contracts services across almost 700 routes to eight privately owned operators.

In brief

• What is Buses for London?
  Buses for London is TfL’s new publicly owned bus operating company, scheduled to begin services in late 2027.
• Which route will Buses for London operate first?
  Route 6 between Willesden and Victoria station will be the company’s first service.
• Where will the operator be based?
  Its first operational base will be Park Royal Depot in west London, leased by TfL until 2033.
• How many buses will Park Royal Depot support?
  TfL says the electrified depot will initially support around 100 zero-emission buses.

The establishment of the operator also follows discussions with Unite, which, according to the BBC, has long called for public ownership of London bus operations. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the union would now work to ensure that Buses for London provides “well-paid, unionised jobs with excellent conditions”.

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.”

Lorna Murphy, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter for London’s buses and an important first step in exploring how a publicly owned bus company could support the future of the capital’s transport network. We are pleased to be working with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation to establish Park Royal as the first home of a new generation of zero-emission buses, ahead of the site’s transformation as part of the wider regeneration of Old Oak. The depot will provide a base for cleaner, greener services, helping us to build on the progress we’ve already made towards a more sustainable transport system. We look forward to working in partnership with others to bring this vision to life.”

Matthew Carpen, Chief Executive of OPDC, said: “Old Oak is one of London’s most significant regeneration opportunities, with plans to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs and opportunities for Londoners. This site will temporarily support London’s transport network before being released for redevelopment from 2033 as a key part of the Old Oak masterplan, helping to unlock much-needed homes and employment space. We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with TfL that supports cleaner, greener bus services for Londoners today, while enabling the area’s future growth.”