Operational excellence and electrification are at the heart of the First Bus London business plan as it continues a turnaround plan, the operator has said.
It was created earlier in 2025 after purchase by FirstGroup of the former RATP Dev Transit London undertaking. Of 83 routes delivered on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), 21 are currently electrified, and that number will increase further with an aim of having 50% of the around 1,000-bus fleet zero-emission by 2027.
Among those that are scheduled to move to battery-electric are the 18 between Euston and Sudbury. It is the capital’s busiest route and First Bus London has a large batch of BYD BD11 double-deckers on order for it ahead of an expected conversion in early 2026.
Managing Director Bill Cahill says that much work has been done so that the business now consistently ranks as one of the top performing operators on the TfL network. That includes changes to the recruitment and training process and the operational control structure, but how battery-electric buses are handled has also evolved.
Engineers are being trained to maintain that growing fleet and real-time charging visibility and upgraded telematics are being introduced to the business’s four operational control centres, which are responsible for on-road performance in real time.
Continues Mr Cahill: “Our focus is on delivering a cleaner, more reliable service for the communities we serve – something that matters to every Londoner who relies on our bus network every day.
“We are investing in our people, our infrastructure and our fleet to ensure that we are not only meeting expectations but helping to raise the bar for what a modern bus service should look like in the capital.
“Electrification plays a central role in that, but so does day-to-day reliability. We are committed to doing both – reducing emissions at tailpipe while making sure our service delivers for TfL and its passengers.
“Becoming part of First Bus opens an exciting new chapter for our operation. Our shared commitment to our people, operational excellence and sustainability provides a strong foundation for growth. With First Bus’s support, we are well positioned to enhance our service delivery while accelerating our journey towards a zero-emission future.”
Further details of the development of First Bus London will be published in the August issue of routeone, in print on Friday 15 August and online on Monday 18 August.
