Transport for London (TfL) has announced that a publicly owned company called Buses for London will begin operating services in the capital next year, describing the move as a 'major milestone' in its plans to improve bus services.
TfL said the new operator is intended to deliver a 'greener, safer and better-value' service for passengers and drivers. The authority framed the launch as an important step in its wider efforts to enhance performance and standards across London's bus network.
The announcement drew criticism from private bus operators, who warned that moving services to a public operator would not, by itself, fix the underlying problems facing the network. They argued that structural and operational issues will need to be addressed to deliver sustained improvements.
The decision comes amid broader public debate about the health of London's transport system, with growing concern about declining service levels and reliability in parts of the network. TfL and the city's transport stakeholders will now face scrutiny over whether the new company can deliver the improvements its backers promise.
Both TfL and private operators said they will monitor outcomes closely as the new service begins operations next year, with passengers and staff likely to judge its success by tangible changes to punctuality, safety and fares.