London
Sale of Orpington depot
First London Buses, following receipt of approval from Transport for London, has commenced negotiations with Metrobus Ltd, a subsidiary of Go Ahead plc, for the sale of its Orpington depot operation. It is intended that subject to contract the transfer of the depot will take place on 8th December 2007.
The sale will include the transfer of seven Transport for London (TfL) route contracts (bus routes R1, R3, R4, R6, R9, R11 and T32), the garage in Faraday Way, St Mary Cray and the buses that currently operate the services. Staff at the depot will also transfer to Metrobus under the terms of current TUPE (transfer of undertakings) legislation.
First’s use of Orpington depot has declined with the number of routes operated falling over the period December 2006 to May 2007. The reductions stems from changes to the contracts operated under tender from TfL’s competitive tendering regime.
Adrian Jones, Managing Director of First’s London bus operations said: - "Orpington depot no longer fits within First’s proposed development plans for the London bus market, due to its geographic position in relation to our other depots to the north of the Thames. This is a strategic step towards First’s strategy of maintaining a successful, respected and efficient presence in London. We have no plans to curtail any of our other services within the London area.
Metrobus is a highly respected bus operator and I am sure they will continue to operate the routes to the high standards our passengers have come to expect".
