Eight north London bus routes that were disrupted when its operator withdrew are back up and running on a limited service.

Sullivan Buses withdrew from its Transport for London (TfL) contracts on Friday (August 2) leaving people without a service all weekend.

Transport for London said it was "working hard" to provide alternative travel options and that the majority of the bus routes were expected to run normally from today (August 5).

The following routes that were affected, 217, 298, 299, 327, 389, 399, 549 and the W9, are being run by other operators although TfL did not confirm which operator is running which service.

These routes serve various areas in north London including Enfield, Haringey, Potters Bar, Waltham Cross and Barnet High Street,

The 549 route also runs to Loughton station and Buckhurst Hill.

Sullivan Buses, which has been supplying services for London since 2002, said that pressures on TfL’s funding “clearly had an impact” on the decision to withdraw and said remuneration for TfL’s services has not kept pace with increasing costs.
 
Managing director Dean Sullivan said: “In June we met with TfL representatives to discuss this and other issues the business was facing.

“TfL told us that they struggled to incorporate small businesses such as ours within their corporate model.”

Mr Sullivan claims that TfL owed over £130,000 in June and while the issue was soon resolved, he says TfL asked if it could “repay in instalments”.

Rosie Trew, TfL’s head of bus service delivery, said: “We’re sorry for any disruption caused to people’s journeys due to the late notice withdrawal of the bus operator, Sullivan Buses.

"We are working hard to provide alternative travel options for people in the north London area with the majority of the eight bus routes expected to run a normal service from today.

"We encourage those who are affected to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.”