TENDERING FOR LRT

This article is the first of two on the subject of putting some of London's traditional red bus services out to contract. The 1984 London Regional Transport Act transferred the responsibility for providing public transport from the London Transport Executive to London Regional Transport (LRT). Separate subsidiaries were formed for buses and tubes and groups of routes were put out to tender. After 4 years 25% of routes are run in this way, 40% by independents and the rest by London Bus Ltd. The tendered operations have been seen to become more efficient and both independent operators and London Bus Ltd have increased passenger loadings. With the expiry of the original three-year tenders some have been extended and some gone out to tender a second time. Cases are also described of early termination of contracts for various reasons. Conditions of work are compared with those in other counties. It is probable that more routes will be put out to tender and this would be popular with independent operators although they are constrained by garaging, labour and investment requirements. Changes in working practices over the past 4 years have resulted in operating costs per bus mile falling from 3.33 to 2.62. The role of the Tendered Bus Unit of LRT is described.