Sullivan Bus abruptly ceased running Transport for London (TfL) contracts, including those covering rail replacement services, on August 2.
The only remaining independent operator running buses for TfL, Sullivan Buses was set up by Dean Sullivan, a former London Underground manager, in 1998. It gained its first TfL contract in 2003 and immediately prior to ceasing operations ran eight daytime TfL routes as well as five schoolday services. Routes 298 (Potters Bar – Arnos Grove), 299 (Muswell Hill – Cockfosters), 389 (Barnet – Western Way), 399 (Barnet – Hadley Wood) and 640 (South Harrow – Harrow Weald) had already been awarded to other operators and the 549 (Loughton – South Woodford) was due to cease in September. The 217 (Waltham Cross – Turnpike Lane Station), 327 (Elsinge Estate – Waltham Cross) and W9 (Chase Farm Hospital – Southgate) were already out to tender.
Although there was some disruption to services, TfL worked with operators to secure alternative service provision. Short term negotiated contracts were awarded to Arriva London North (route 217), Uno (298), London General (299, 389 and 399) and Stagecoach East London (W9). These arrangements will remain in place until planned contract c…
