Roads within Greater London which do not need a London Service Permit for non-London bus operators
Request ID: FOI-2752-2223 Date published: 16 February 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London
I have questions in regards to London Service Permits (LSP) for non-London bus routes which cross through the Greater London boundary.
1. I've noticed a non-London bus route 269 which operates from Brentwood to Grays via Ockendon. The route serves North Ockendon on the B186 which is inside the Greater London boundary outside of the M25. The service is operated by NIBSbuses and I've checked the LSP bulletin and the route and the operator is not listed.
Do they have an LSP to operate a route serving North Ockendon on the B186 which is part of Greater London, and does it apply to other bus operators?
https://bustimes.org/services/269-grays-stifford-clays-south-ockendon-great-warl#map
https://content.tfl.gov.uk/lsp-bulletin.pdf
2. Do the service mentioned above accept TFL's Bus and Tram passes, Travelcards (paper one day and seasons on Oyster), concessionary passes and the 1 hour hopper fare on Oyster PAYG and Contactless payment cards?
3. Can you list the non-London bus services with an LSP which accept TFL's Bus and Tram passes, Travelcards, concessionary passes and the 1 hour hopper fare on Oyster PAYG and Contactless payment cards?
4. Can you list the roads in Greater London in which non-London bus operators do not require an LSP?
5. Can you publish a map of the roads in Greater London which are exempt from your LSP scheme for bus and coach operators?
6. Is there a legal requirement for bus operators to apply for an LSP to protect your London red bus network?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2752-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 January 2023 asking for information about London Service Permits for non-London bus operators.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
1. I've noticed a non-London bus route 269 which operates from Brentwood to Grays via Ockendon. The route serves North Ockendon on the B186 which is inside the Greater London boundary outside of the M25. The service is operated by NIBSbuses and I've checked the LSP bulletin and the route and the operator is not listed.
Do they have an LSP to operate a route serving North Ockendon on the B186 which is part of Greater London, and does it apply to other bus operators?
NIBSbuses does not hold an LSP for route 269. All ‘local’ bus services that operate in full or in part in Greater London that are not part of the ‘London bus network’ should be operated in accordance with an LSP. Colleagues from our Bus Operations team have therefore contacted NIBbuses and Thurrock borough council to determine the nature of the 269 service in North Ockendon and if an LSP is required.
2. Do the service mentioned above accept TFL's Bus and Tram passes, Travelcards (paper one day and seasons on Oyster), concessionary passes and the 1 hour hopper fare on Oyster PAYG and Contactless payment cards?
No, LSP services are operated commercially and independently of TfL ticketing.
3. Can you list the non-London bus services with an LSP which accept TFL's Bus and Tram passes, Travelcards, concessionary passes and the 1 hour hopper fare on Oyster PAYG and Contactless payment cards?
There are none. As above, LSP services are operated commercially and independently of TfL ticketing.
4. Can you list the roads in Greater London in which non-London bus operators do not require an LSP?
There are no specific exemptions, ‘local’ bus services that operate in full or in part in Greater London that are not part of the ‘London bus network’ should be operated in accordance with an LSP.
5. Can you publish a map of the roads in Greater London which are exempt from your LSP scheme for bus and coach operators?
See answer above.
6. Is there a legal requirement for bus operators to apply for an LSP to protect your London red bus network?
Section 185 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 stipulates that,
‘A London local service which is not part of the London bus network may be provided only by a person who is authorised to provide the service by a permit granted by Transport for London (a London service permit).’
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
