Cancelled north London buses saved by new operator

A new operator has been found for eight bus routes that were scrapped in north London, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

In a social media post on X, TfL said a full service was now planned from Monday, 5 August on routes 327, 389, 399, 549 and W9, with a reduced service on routes 217, 298 and 299.

The announcement comes just days after the previous operator, Sullivan Buses, said they had withdraw the routes due to mounting financial issues.

In a statement, TfL said it was working hard to provide alternative travel options and that “the majority of the eight bus routes were expected to run a normal service from today”.

On Friday, Sullivan Buses announced they would “reluctantly” be pulling the routes.

The firm said TfL owed it £130,000 and offered to pay in instalments.

In a statement, it said “pressures on TfL’s funding” had a “direct impact” on its ability to run the services.

While all eight services have been saved, TfL says it expects its new operators to restore a full timetable on all but three of the bus routes.

The services expected to operate reduced services include the 217, which is expected to operate every 18 minutes instead of every 12.

The 298, which is expected to operate every 30 minutes instead of its usual 20, and the 299, which should now be expected every 20 minutes instead of the usual 15.

TfL has yet to confirm when these services will be fully restored or whether the new operator will take over the services on a permanent basis.

Rosie Trew, head of bus service delivery for TfL, said: “We’re sorry for any disruption caused to people’s journeys due to the late-notice withdrawal of the bus operator, Sullivan Buses.

“We are working hard to provide alternative travel options for people in the north London area, with the majority of the eight bus routes expected to run a normal service from today.

“We encourage those who are affected to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.”