Suttonbus finally up and running
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• Suttonbus, the latest arm'slength London Regional Transport subsidiary, began operations last Saturday (26 November) — a month late.
It was delayed by staff dissatisfaction with the proposed wages and conditions package (CM 17-23 November). The staff work just under half-anhour more than before to earn about the same as they did before joining Suttonbus.
The new company won the tender following reshaping of LRT's Wimbledon and Sutton area services, to work 10 day and two all-night LRT routes, and four Surrey County Council tendered services. One service is worked by midibuses.
Suttonbus double-deckers are being painted London Bus red with a mushroom skirt. Staff will get new uniforms with the Suttonbus logo, The company has been advertising for staff, offering £215 on double-deckers and £174 on midibuses for a 40hour week. Employees can earn up to £13,000 a year with overtime and week-end working, it says.
Although the introduction of the new routes was delayed by a month, London Country South West began running its existing Reigate-Sutton service through to Morden and St Helier on the original launch date. This now provides new competition for Suttonbus, and takes LCSW further into London than ever before.