The existing Countdown system, which tracks buses and relays arrival information to bus stops, is being replaced with a GPS-based system called iBus.
The current Countdown system was introduced as early as 1996, using a combination of roadside and on-bus beacons which track the locations of buses. The roadside beacons send the location of buses to a control centre, and this information is used to display arrival times at bus stops ahead.
Bus Projects
A segregated high-quality bus scheme is proposed for the eastern centres of Barking and Romford.
High demand for bus services and regeneration sites planned for the Barking and Dagenham riverside area have led to the proposal for a high-quality "intermediate mode" transit system linking town centres and new developments in East London.
London Buses have successfully trialled 3 hydrogen fuel cell buses on central London's route RV1.
Three Daimler Chrysler hydrogen fuel cell buses were operated by FirstGroup on route RV1 as part of a European trial in 9 cities of this technology. They operated over 3,400 hours and travelled 23,000 miles, with excellent reliability, according to TfL.
A segregated high-quality bus route between Greenwich / North Greenwich, Thamesmead and Abbey Wood.
One of four "intermediate transit" studies in London, Greenwich Waterfront Transit is being taken forward as a diesel bus-based system, segregated, with the potential for conversion to tram in future should passenger levels warrant it.
Two heritage routes are operating using historic Routemaster buses in central London.
Following replacement of the all Routemaster (the iconic old open platform buses) vehicles with modern low floor accessible vehicles, two "heritage" routes have been introduced using these buses in central London.
A new bus station with an adjusted road layout around the Vauxhall Cross is now complete.
Improvements at Vauxhall Cross are promised for bus users, pedestrians, cyclists and those changing between modes.
The key feature of the project is a new bus station situated on Bondway, a road in the centre of the junction. All the bus stops which were currently spread around the gyratory system have been moved to Bondway.
