Arriva Secures Seven-Year Extension to Operate Key North London Route 102/N102 with New Electric Fleet

Arriva Secures Seven-Year Extension to Operate Key North London Route 102/N102 with New Electric Fleet

(IN BRIEF) Arriva has successfully retained operation of North London’s 102/N102 bus route following a competitive tender by Transport for London, securing a new seven-year contract from November 2026 to continue running the 24-hour service between Edmonton Green and Brent Cross, which carries more than 6.2 million passengers annually. The route will remain based at Arriva’s historic Palmers Green garage, where 26 new zero-emission electric buses will be introduced as part of the company’s wider £730m electrification programme, taking Arriva closer to having over 500 electric buses in London by the end of 2026. Arriva says the investment will deliver cleaner, quieter journeys while strengthening its long-term commitment to modern, sustainable transport, with senior leadership describing the contract win as a strong endorsement of its operational performance.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 6-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Arriva’s London Bus operation has secured the continued operation of a key North London service, Route 102/N102, after a competitive tender process conducted by Transport for London (TfL). The new contract, which will take effect from November 2026, extends Arriva’s stewardship of the route for a further seven years, reaffirming its role in providing essential transport links across the capital.

The 102/N102 service runs between Edmonton Green and Brent Cross, forming an important orbital connection across outer North London. Operating around the clock, the route supports more than 6.2 million passenger journeys each year and plays a critical role in connecting communities, workplaces, and transport hubs. Arriva will continue to operate the service from its Palmers Green garage, where the route has been based since 1947, supported by a team of approximately 300 employees.

As part of the new agreement with TfL, Arriva will introduce 26 brand-new zero-emission electric buses onto the route. These vehicles are expected to deliver quieter, cleaner, and more comfortable journeys for passengers while contributing to improved local air quality. Their deployment will also mark a significant milestone in the ongoing electrification of the Palmers Green depot, bringing Arriva closer to completing its transition to a fully electric fleet at this site.

This investment forms part of Arriva’s broader £730 million electrification programme across London. The company currently operates more than 290 electric buses in the capital, following the introduction of 140 new zero-emission vehicles over the past year. Arriva remains on course to operate more than 500 electric buses in London by the end of 2026, supported by continued upgrades to depot infrastructure, with half of its 14 London garages now serving entirely zero-emission fleets.

Alongside fleet modernisation, Arriva continues to expand its workforce, regularly recruiting drivers and engineering staff to support its growing electric bus network across its London garages.

Mark Griffin, Area Director for Arriva UK Bus in London, said that retaining Route 102/N102 reflects confidence in Arriva’s operational performance and commitment to delivering reliable services. He highlighted the strategic importance of the route as a vital North London link and expressed pride in maintaining its long-standing association with the Palmers Green garage.

About Arriva Group:

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 36,200 people and delivering around 1.5 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.

Media Contact:

Arriva Group press office
communications@arriva.co.uk

SOURCE: Arriva