In a surprising move, Sullivan Buses announced its withdrawal from Transport for London (TfL) contracts. As a result, several bus routes in north London will no longer be in service. Commuters in Enfield, Haringey, Potters Bar, Waltham Cross, Barnet High Street, and other areas will be affected by the discontinuation of routes such as 217, 298, 299, 327, 389, 399, 549, and the W9.
The decision to withdraw from the TfL contracts was influenced by financial pressures on TfL’s funding, which had a significant impact on Sullivan Buses. The company claims that the remuneration for TfL’s services did not keep up with the increasing costs of operation.
According to Dean Sullivan, the managing director of Sullivan Buses, they had a meeting with TfL representatives in June to discuss these challenges and other issues faced by the business. During the meeting, TfL expressed difficulties in accommodating small businesses like Sullivan Buses within their corporate model.
In June, Sullivan Buses also raised concerns about an outstanding payment of over £130,000 owed by TfL. Although the issue was eventually resolved, TfL requested permission to make repayments in instalments.
The sudden withdrawal of Sullivan Buses from TfL contracts will undoubtedly disrupt the daily commute for many residents in north London. TfL will now have to assess alternative solutions to ensure the affected routes are adequately covered and commuters can continue their journeys with minimal disruption.