RATP Dev Transit London
{{Short description|London bus operator}}
{{For|the operator in London, Ontario|London Transit}}
{{Infobox company
|name = RATP Dev Transit London
|logo = RATP Dev Transit London logo.jpg
|former_name =
|industry = Transport
|foundation = {{start date and age|2021|12|11|df=yes}}
|founder =
|defunct = {{end date and age|2025|02|28|df=yes}}
|fate = Sold to First Bus London
|location_city = London
|location_country = England
|location = Stamford Brook garage
|locations =
|area_served =
|key_people =
|products =
|revenue =
|revenue_year =
|operating_income =
|income_year =
|net_income =
|net_income_year =
|owner = RATP Dev
|num_employees = 3,700
|num_employees_year = 2024
|subsid = London Sovereign
London Transit
London United
|homepage = {{url|https://www.ratpdevtransitlondon.com/}}}}
RATP Dev Transit London was a bus operator owned by RATP Dev in London, England. It owned London Sovereign, London United and London Transit. It commenced on 11 December 2021 as a joint venture between RATP Dev and Kelsian Group. In September 2023, it became a wholly owned RATP Dev subsidiary. In December 2024, RATP Dev agreed terms with FirstGroup to sell the business with First Bus London taking over in February 2025.
History
In September 2021, RATP Dev and Kelsian Group agreed to form a joint venture to combine some of their Transport for London contracted bus operations. RATP held an 87.5% shareholding, with Kelsian owning 12.5%. RATP Dev Transit London commenced with 1,250 buses on 115 routes from 10 garages.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210922224138/https://www.sealinktravelgroup.com.au/news-media/2021/sealink-enters-binding-joint-venture-agreement-for-west-london-bus-operations/ SeaLink Enters Binding Joint Venture Agreement for West London Bus Operations] SeaLink 22 September 2021[https://web.archive.org/web/20210925232043/https://www.route-one.net/news/ratp-dev-and-tower-transit-to-form-west-london-jv/ RATP Dev and Tower Transit to form West London JV] Route One 23 September 2021[https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/ratp-dev-and-tower-transit-to-form-joint-venture/ RATP Dev and Tower Transit to form joint venture] Bus & Coach Buyer 24 September 2021
RATP Dev Transit London combined all of RATP's London Sovereign and London United operations, with both retaining their existing brands, while Kelsian's Tower Transit operations out of Westbourne Park garage operate under the London Transit brand. RATP Dev Transit London commenced operations on 11 December 2021.{{cite web|url=https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02465572-2A1345437?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4|title=Joint Venture Completion - RATP Dev Transit London Ltd|date=13 December 2021|access-date=17 December 2021}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20210927234915/https://www.ratpdev.com/en/home News flash] RATP DevTower Transit and RATP to merge operations Buses issue 800 November 2021 page 24[https://web.archive.org/web/20211213121043/https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/ratp-dev-transit-london-jv-begins-operation/ RATP Dev London JV begins operation] Route One 13 December 2021
The RATP Group placed its London operations under review in March 2023 after reporting a €26 million (£23.2 million) loss across the group's operations in 2022, with RATP announcing they were exploring proposals to sell or dilute their shareholding in RATP Dev Transit London. RATP's London operations have been impacted by a bus driver shortage, inflation and strike action resulting in a 10% pay increase compared to the initial 2.3% offered.{{cite magazine|date=14 March 2023 |title=RATP London operations 'under review' following group financial losses |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/ratp-london-operations-under-review-following-group-financial-losses/ |magazine=Coach & Bus Week|location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=14 March 2023}} In September 2023, RATP Dev bought out Kelsian Group's 12.5% shareholding.Annual report for year ended 31 December 2022 London Sovereign Limited
In December 2024, FirstGroup agreed terms to purchase the business.[https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/first-to-re-enter-london-with-ratp-dev-acquisition/ First to re-enter London with RATP Dev acquisition] Bus & Coach Buyer 10 December 2024 The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.[https://www.firstgroupplc.com/~/media/Files/F/Firstgroup-Plc/reports-and-presentations/press-release/firstgroup-plc-acquisition-of-ratp-london-10-december-2024.pdf Agreement to acquire bus operator RATP London] FirstGroup 10 December 2024 The takeover took effect on 28 February 2025.[https://web.archive.org/web/20250228195615/https://www.route-one.net/news/first-bus-london-born-as-ratp-dev-transit-purchase-completes/ First Bus London born as RATP Dev Transit purchase completes] Route One 28 February 2025
London Transit garage
=Westbourne Park (X)=
Fleet
As at March 2024, the fleet comprised 1,119 buses. Some of them were inherited from Tower Transit.[https://content.tfl.gov.uk/fleet-annual-audit-report-31-march-2024.pdf Bus Fleet Audit] Transport for London