TfL moves closer to launching public bus company
Transport for London is developing detailed proposals to bring bus services in-house.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Includes multiple named sources and cites TfL business plan and Bus Services Act.
Higher is stronger
Provides context, quotes many stakeholders, separates facts, gives next steps and specific figures.
Higher is stronger
Headline matches article; language measured despite political quotes, no clickbait.
Lower is better
Transport for London (TfL) is taking steps towards establishing its own publicly owned bus company for the capital. Officials are preparing to engage with existing private bus operators later this month to discuss the feasibility of bringing franchised services under TfL's direct control. This initiative was outlined earlier this year in TfL’s business plan as part of a strategy to "reimagine London’s bus network."
Assessing the benefits of public ownership
TfL unveils 70 measures for climate resilience
Transport for London's updated Corporate Environment Plan includes adaptation and emission reduction strategies.
The study will examine how a publicly owned company could enhance innovation, improve efficiencies, and increase accountability. It will also assess how such a model could better serve the needs of both passengers and the bus workforce. Under the current franchise system, private companies bid for contracts to operate services, typically for seven years, with TfL retaining control over routes and fare levels.
This potential shift to public ownership aligns with a promise made by the Mayor of London in his 2024 election manifesto. Sir Sadiq Khan stated in August of that year that a publicly owned bus company offered "lots of upsides," including the ability to reinvest any profits back into public transport infrastructure. The legal framework for this move was enabled by the Bus Services Act, passed last year, which removed previous restrictions on local authorities operating their own bus companies.
Industry and political reactions
TfL to begin talks on publicly owned bus company, could reshape London bus services and bring profits back to transport for Londoners across the capital
The proposals, enabled by the Bus Services Act, will be discussed with the 16 private operators later this month as TfL moves towards public ownership.
Trade union Unite has welcomed the development, with regional officer Nadine Edwards stating that the union has long advocated for public ownership. Edwards believes this will prevent funds from flowing to private companies and address concerns about a "race to the bottom culture" affecting drivers and services. Elly Baker, Labour’s Transport spokesperson on the London Assembly, also expressed support, suggesting that direct public ownership could grant TfL greater control, improve reliability and safety, and ensure revenue is reinvested in the network.
However, Festus Akinbusoye, a candidate for Conservative Mayor of London, has questioned the necessity of the move. He argued that Londoners prioritise reliable and affordable services regardless of ownership and that the current franchising model is successful. Akinbusoye suggested that TfL should focus on improving existing services rather than expending resources on establishing a new public operator, warning of potential higher costs and bureaucracy.
A TfL spokesperson confirmed the organisation is developing detailed proposals for a new publicly owned bus company, stating: "We are assessing how this could further support innovation, efficiencies and accountability, and support the needs of customers and the workforce."
Questions this report answers
+What is Transport for London planning to do with London's bus network?
Transport for London is developing detailed proposals to establish its own publicly owned bus company. This initiative aims to improve innovation, efficiency, and accountability within the bus network and ensure profits are reinvested into London's transport infrastructure.
+Why is TfL considering bringing buses into public ownership?
This move aligns with a promise made by the Mayor of London in his 2024 election manifesto. It is also enabled by the Bus Services Act, which allows local authorities to set up their own bus companies, potentially leading to better reinvestment of profits and greater control over services.
+How many private companies currently operate London's buses?
There are currently 16 privately owned operators running the 675 bus routes across London. TfL plans to engage with these operators as part of its assessment into bringing services under public ownership when current franchise contracts expire.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs News LondonCorrections
The London Ledger
A considered capital-wide edit delivered each morning.