London Buses loses four more routes
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
LONDON BUSES has lost another four routes to outside contractors in the latest round of London Regional Transport/county competitive tenders. All operate in the Greater London/Essex border area.
Eastern National is to take over operation of services 20, 167 and 206 and Sampson Travel of Cheshunt will take over service 217.
London Buses has won the contract for a new route, number CI, which replaces part of current service 242.
Other journeys in the area and sonic other routes currently operated by London Buses are the subject of separate renders being sought by Essex County Council.
London Buses says it is disappointed by the results of the tenders, but has yet to establish whether there will be any compulsory redundancies or fleet reductions.
It says it is aware of the need to become more competitive and cannot afford to lose routes to such an extent without job losses becoming necessary in future.
Further tendering results for routes in the Surrey and Hertfordshire border areas and for the Orpington area network in Kent are expected soon.
Long-term savings to LRT and Essex County Council of around C2400,000 a year or 20 per cent of operating costs are expected to result from the franchising arrangements for the five Essex routes.
London Buses plans a major devolution and shakeup of its administration departments. Detailed discussions are taking place with the white collar trades unions. Plans are for the shedding of around 100 jobs and relocating 200 staff Many functions will be moved from LRT headquarters to the six bus operating district offices. Three existing district offices, at Selkent, Abbey and Forest are to be relocated.
Meanwhile, the Transport and General Workers' Union, which represents platform staff on London Buses, is to ballot its members to see if they wish to take industrial action in protest at the route losses and other service reductions.
The ballot is on March 6 and if it goes in favour of action an all-out strike is expected to be called from March 23.
The attitude of TGWU members, employed by other contractors operating routes on behalf of London Regional Transport is not clear, but the union wants them to join in any action.