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SECTION 2: PART A 
 
SERVICE SPECIFICATION FOR ROUTE No. N97 
 
 
 CONTENTS 
Page 
 
  1. 
Tenders Required 

  2. 
Proposed Changes 
2   
  3. 
Terminals 
2   
  4. 
Days of Operation 
2   
  5. 
Vehicle Type 

  6. 
Frequencies 
4   
  7. 
Minimum Performance Standards 
8   
  8. 
Running Times 
9   
  9. 
Layovers 
9   
10. Timing 
Constraints 
9  
11. Control 
Strategy 

12. Operational 
Considerations 
10  
13. Stopping 
Arrangements 
10  
14. 
Timing Points and Mileages 
11 
15. Vehicle 
Livery 
11  
16. 
Stands and Blinds 
12 
 
 
Appendices 
 
  A. 
Route Record 
13   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
This document should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s Guide for 
Tenderers (Part A: Explanatory Notes - Service Requirements). Where appropriate, 
reference is made to the relevant section.
 

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
1. TENDERS 
REQUIRED 
 
This document describes the service for which the Corporation requires Tenders and 
Tenderers must submit a fully compliant bid. In addition, Tenderers may wish to draw 
upon their local knowledge to submit alternative bids which offer improved value for 
money in meeting passenger needs. These might incorporate, for example, different 
timings, frequencies, route structures and / or vehicles. The Corporation will welcome 
such bids and give them careful consideration.  
 
For more information, please refer to Section 2.1 of Part A of the Guide for Tenderers. 
 
2. PROPOSED 
CHANGES 
 
At this time, no changes are proposed to the existing service for introduction prior to the 
commencement of the new Route Agreement for Route No. N97.  
 
Tenderers should note that there are no changes proposed as part of this Service 
Specification for Route No. N97. 
 
3. TERMINALS 
 
Route No. N97 will operate between Hammersmith Bus Station and Trafalgar Square.  
 
Full details of the route to be followed, the permitted terminal workings and the available 
stands are shown at Appendix A. Tenderers should particularly note the information 
relating to the shared usage of stands, the taking of meal reliefs and the use of ferry 
vehicles. 
 
4. 
DAYS OF OPERATION 
 
One timetable must be offered for Route No. N97 which will operate as follows: 
 
DAY OF OPERATION 
Option 1 
Sunday nights/Monday mornings to  
Section 6.1 
Thursday nights/Friday mornings 
Friday nights/Saturday mornings 
Section 6.2 
Saturday nights/Sunday mornings 
Section 6.3 
New Year’s Eve night/New Year’s Day morning* 
Saturday night/Sunday morning service 
Christmas Eve night/Christmas Day morning 
No service 
Christmas Day night/Boxing Day morning 
No service 
 
* The New Year’s Eve service level should be regarded as a minimum and any 
frequency increases and/or diversions will be discussed with the successful Tenderer 
on an annual basis. 
 
2

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
5. VEHICLE 
TYPE 
 
Please refer to Section 2.5 of Part A of the Guide for Tenderers. 
 
Route No. N97 is currently approved for vehicles which are a maximum of 10.1 metres 
long and 2.5 metres wide. A formal route test will be required for vehicles which exceed 
these dimensions. This will be arranged with the successful Tenderer.  
 
The service requirement set out in Section 6 assumes that dual door, double deck 
buses with a minimum capacity of 87 of which approximately 60 should be seated, will 
be used on this route. Luggage space should also be provided. 
 
Tenderers are expected to submit proposals based on buses that meet the above 
criteria and are already in use on day services contracted by LBSL. These must be 
of a low floor design and be accessible to wheelchairs by means of a powered ramp  
 
Tenderers must submit details of the day route(s) that would provide buses for this 
contract, including the age and capacity of the buses. Tenderers should refer to the 
vehicle design (including accessibility) features contained in Schedule II to Annex B 
of the Framework Agreement and Section 2 Part B of the Master ITT (Version 2 
issued June 2005). 
 
Bids for both conventional diesel powered vehicles and diesel-electric hybrid 
vehicles should be submitted and separate prices for both types are required. 
 
Bids based on a mix of hybrid and conventional vehicles would be welcomed, 
subject to a minimum of 10 hybrid powered vehicles being offered for this 
route (full hybrid operation should be offered for routes with a vehicle 
requirement of less than 10). 
 
Tenderers should refer to the vehicle design (including accessibility) features contained 
in Schedule II to Annex B of the Framework Agreement and Section 2 Part B of the 
Master ITT (Version 2 issued June 2005). 
 
 
 
3

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
6. FREQUENCIES 
 
The level of service (e.g. every 15 minutes) required by the Corporation is described in 
terms of the interval between departures. Whilst a completely regular service at the 
specified frequency should be possible at most times, occasionally a bus may be 
timetabled to depart up to five minutes earlier or later than the regular time. 
 
Tenderers should note that when the specified frequency changes (e.g. between the 
peak and midday periods), the scheduled interval between buses should never be 
greater than that provided by the lower of the two frequencies AT ANY POINT ON 
THE ROUTE. 
 
Tenderers should note that unless otherwise stated all journeys should operate 
between the terminal points defined in each direction. 
 
4

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
6.1 
Sunday nights / Monday mornings to Thursday nights / Friday mornings 
 
1. 
Hammersmith Bus Station to Trafalgar Square 
 
0010 - 0520   
Every 20 minutes 
 
First departure from Hammersmith Bus Station no later than 0015. 
Last departure from Hammersmith Bus Station no earlier than 0515. 
 
2. 
Trafalgar Square to Hammersmith Bus Station 
 
0010 - 0520   
Every 20 minutes 
 
First departure from Trafalgar Square no later than 0015. 
Last departure from Trafalgar Square no earlier than 0515. 
 
 
5

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
6.2 
Friday nights / Saturday mornings 
 
1. 
Hammersmith Bus Station to Trafalgar Square 
 
0010 - 0520   
Every 10 minutes 
 
First departure from Hammersmith Bus Station no later than 0015. 
Last departure from Hammersmith Bus Station no earlier than 0515. 
 
2. 
Trafalgar Square to Hammersmith Bus Station 
 
0010 - 0520   
Every 10 minutes 
 
First departure from Trafalgar Square no later than 0015. 
Last departure from Trafalgar Square no earlier than 0515. 
 
6

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
6.3 
Saturday nights / Sunday mornings 
 
1. 
Hammersmith Bus Station to Trafalgar Square 
 
0010 - 0515   
Every 10 minutes 
0516 - 0620   
Every 20 minutes 
 
First departure from Hammersmith Bus Station no later than 0015. 
Last departure from Hammersmith Bus Station no earlier than 0615. 
 
2. 
Trafalgar Square to Hammersmith Bus Station 
 
0010 - 0555   
Every 10 minutes 
0556 - 0640   
Every 20 minutes  
 
First departure from Trafalgar Square no later than 0015. 
Last departure from Trafalgar Square no earlier than 0635. 
 
7

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
7. 
MINIMUM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 
 
Please refer to Section 2.7 of Part A of the Guide for Tenderers. 
 
Tenderers should note that the objective of the Operator of Route No. N97 shall be 
to operate all scheduled mileage and adhere fully to the published timetable. The 
Operator must use its best endeavours to achieve this. 
 
The minimum standards of acceptable performance for Route No. N97 shall be: 
 
Departing on Time    
 
 
No less than 85.00% 
Minimum Operated Mileage  
 
No less than 99.00% 
 
or as notified by the Corporation from time to time. The Operator will be required to 
achieve or better the standards. 
 
QSI Thresholds 
 
For Quality Incentive Contracts, the QSI threshold is the standard of performance to 
be achieved by the operator in order to qualify for an automatic contract extension (in 
accordance with Schedule IX of the Framework Agreement). 
 
Departing on Time Threshold = 90.00% 
 
It is anticipated that sufficient QSI surveys for Performance and Threshold 
measurement will be available at or shortly after the commencement of the new 
contract for Route No. N97. When they are available, full incentive provisions will be 
introduced from the start of the next payment quarter using the Departing on Time 
standard above. However, until sufficient QSI surveys are available the contract will 
operate without QIC payments or deductions. 
 
Summary of proposed QSI coverage 
 
Survey arrangements to be advised. 
 
 
8

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
8. RUNNING 
TIMES 
 
The current timetable for Route No. N97 can be viewed by prospective Tenderers on 
Caesar. Attention is drawn to the variations in running times at different times of the 
day. Please refer to Section 2.8 of Part A of the Guide for Tenderers for further 
information. 
 
Tenderers should carefully check the existing running times to ensure that they are 
appropriate in present traffic conditions. Tenderers should particularly check the existing 
running times for Saturday and Sunday nights. 
 
It is expected that any changes to these running times can be accommodated within 
existing cycle times.  
 
When reviewing existing, and devising new, running times Tenderers should refer to: 
 
•  the minimum performance standards for Route No. N97 in Section 7 above; 
•  the historical performance data provided in Section 1 Part B of the introduction to 
this ITT; 
•  the paragraph in Section 12 referring to the proposed extension of the Cashless 
Boarding zone throughout the whole of the London area. 
 
9. LAYOVERS 
 
Under normal circumstances, layover time on stands and at bus stations should be 
restricted to that required to provide a reliable service. Longer layovers for any other 
purpose may only be taken with the permission of the Corporation. 
 
10. TIMING 
CONSTRAINTS 
 
Route No. N97 should interwork with other bus services where possible. 
 
11. CONTROL 
STRATEGY 
 
Route No. N97 can suffer from the effects of traffic congestion, making some form of 
route control essential in order to achieve or better the minimum performance 
standards for this route. 
 
Tenderers should submit proposals on the control strategy they intend to adopt and 
the type of control they would intend to use by completing the form provided in 
Section 3: Part 7 of this ITT. The cost of this control should be included within the 
main Tender price. 
 
Tenderers should also indicate how they intend to facilitate driver changeovers and 
meal reliefs for this route.  
 
Further information is provided in Section 2.11 of Part A of the Guide for Tenderers. 
 
 
9

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
12. OPERATIONAL 

CONSIDERATIONS 
 
Tenderers should note the following operating considerations affecting Route No. N97: 
 
•  Route No. N97 can suffer from unpredictable traffic delays in the Hammersmith 
and Knightsbridge areas. 
 
Tenderers should also note the following factors / events which may have an impact on 
Route No. N97 in the foreseeable future: 
 
•  It is anticipated that Cashless Boarding will be extended throughout London at 
some stage during the lifetime of this contract. This is expected to lead to 
significant savings in running and recovery times to bus routes, and, 
therefore,
  potential resource (cycle time and PVR) savings are expected. 
Tenderers are required to identify and submit the level of savings per 
vehicle that could be achieved by reducing peak vehicle requirement, and / 
or how reliability targets could be revised when the Scheme is introduced.
 
 
The above factors have been included to assist Tenderers and represents the 
information currently available to the Corporation. Tenderers should make their own 
enquiries about events which may impact upon the route and should form their own 
views about their likely effect upon it. 
 
13. STOPPING 
ARRANGEMENTS 
 
Buses operating on Route No. N97 must serve all stops on the line of route designated 
for the route.  
 
10

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
14. 
TIMING POINTS & MILEAGES 
 
 
Timing Points 
The required timing points (and codes) are shown in Caesar. 
 
Mileages for Route No. N97 
 
Hammersmith Bus Station to Trafalgar Square   
 
6.2 miles 
Trafalgar Square to Hammersmith Bus Station   
 
6.2 miles 
 
Tenderers should note that: 
•  these measurements are believed to be accurate to within 0.5 miles, but no warranty 
or representation as to accuracy is given; 
•  out of service stand workings have not been measured and are not included within 
the above measurements; 
•  if alternative or additional measurements are used by the Tenderer, these must be 
stated in the tender submission; 
•  point to point measurements pertaining to recognised curtailment points or alternative 
terminals will be agreed with the successful Tenderer once the contract has been 
awarded. 
 
15. VEHICLE 
LIVERY 
 
All vehicles to be used on Route No. N97 from the commencement of the new Route 
Agreement must be in a livery that is exclusively Corporation red. The paint should be 
matched accurately to the colour as defined by the following manufacturer’s 
specifications: 
 
 
 
ICI London Bus Red P498 FPF 3 
 
Other manufacturers should also be able to produce this specification from the ICI 
colour chart. 
 
This requirement does not include the lower panels which may be in a different 
colour but which shall not exceed 50cm in height, or the rooftop which should be 
painted white so as to reduce temperatures inside the vehicle during the summer 
months. 
 
The positioning and size of Operators’ logos are to be agreed between the Operator 
and the Corporation and, where possible, these should be above the front doors on 
the nearside of the vehicles and above the drivers’ offside cab windows. 
 
All livery proposals must be submitted to the Contracts Tendering Manager for 
approval. 
 
11

Service Specification for Route No. N97 - 15/01/2010 
 
16. 
STANDS AND BLINDS 
 
Tenderers should note that under normal circumstances, the specific restrictions 
relating to each stand will apply to the whole stand at all times. Any variation to such 
standing arrangements must be agreed by the Corporation. In addition, Tenderers 
should note the following general requirements: 
 
1) 
Drivers MUST switch off engines during layover periods at bus stations or on 
stands. 
2) 
No meal reliefs may be taken on any stand (on or off line of route) without the 
permission of the Corporation. 
3) 
No crew ferry vehicles may enter any stand (on or off line of route) without the 
permission of the Corporation. 
4) 
Destination blind displays to be used are shown under each stand description. 
Tenderers may suggest, within their bids, alternative blind displays. 
5) 
The intermediate (also known as via) blind display to be used on the nearside of 
the vehicle is shown in the box below: 
 
 
N97 via Earl’s Court 
 
 
For further information, please refer to Annex C of the Framework Agreement: General 
Conditions relating to the use of London Buses’ Bus Stations and Stands. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LBSL/JAY/Route No. N97. 
15/10/2010. Tranche 338. 
 
12

Printed On: 22 December 2009 13:00:47    
LONDON BUSES - ROUTE DESCRIPTION
ROUTE N97: Hammersmith Bus Station - Trafalgar Square
Date of Structural Change:   5 March 2011.
Date of Service Change:   5 March 2011.
Reason for Issue:   New Tender.
STREETS TRAVERSED
Towards Trafalgar Square: Hammersmith Bus Station High Level, Fulham Palace Road,
Lillie Road, Old Brompton Road, Warwick Road, West Cromwell Road, Cromwell Road,
Queensberry Place, Harrington Road, Cromwell Place, Cromwell Road, Cromwell
Gardens, Thurloe Place, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly,
Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square (South Side), Charing
Cross, Whitehall.
Towards Hammersmith Bus Station: Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, Trafalgar
Square (South Side), Cockspur Street, Pall Mall, Waterloo Place, Regent Street, Piccadilly,
Duke Of Wellington Place, Grosvenor Place, Knightsbridge, Brompton Road, Thurloe
Place, Harrington Road, Queen's Gate, Cromwell Road, Earl's Court Road, Old Brompton
Road, Lillie Road, Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith Bus Station High Level.
STANDING AND TURNING POINTS
HAMMERSMITH BUS STATION, UPPER LEVEL
Private stand for 9 buses in Hammersmith Upper Level Bus Station. Buses to stand as
follows: Bays E1/E2 on east side - Route 267,    
Bays E3/E4/E5 on east side - Routes 9 and N9, Bays W1/W2 on west side - Route 211,    
Bays W3/W4 on west side - Route 10.
Buses proceed from Hammersmith Bus Station High Level direct to stand, departing to
Hammersmith Bus Station High Level.  Set down in Hammersmith Bus Station High Level,
at Stop E and pick up in Hammersmith Bus Station High Level, at Stop C.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:   No more than 2 buses on Route N97 should be
scheduled to stand at any one time.
MEAL RELIEFS:  
No meal relief vehicles to stand at any time.
FERRY VEHICLES:  
No ferry vehicles to park on stand at any time.
DISPLAY:  
Hammersmith.
OTHER INFORMATION:  
Toilet facilities available (24 hours).

EARLS COURT STATION (from TRAFALGAR SQUARE)
Buses proceed from Old Brompton Road departing to Warwick Road.  Set down in Old
Brompton Road, at Stop M and pick up in Warwick Road, at Stop B.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:     Turning Point Only - Buses must not stand
DISPLAY:  
Earls Court.
HYDE PARK CORNER (from Hammersmith Bus Station)
Buses proceed from Knightsbridge via Hyde Park Corner, Duke Of Wellington Place and
Grosvenor Place departing to Knightsbridge.  Set down in Knightsbridge, at Stop T and
pick up in Knightsbridge, at Stop N.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:     Turning Point Only - Buses must not stand
DISPLAY:  
Hyde Park Corner.
HYDE PARK CORNER, ACHILLES WAY (from Hammersmith Bus Station)
Public stand for two buses on the south side (offside) of Achilles Way, commencing 18
metres west of the southbound carriageway of Park Lane and extending 20 metres west.
Buses proceed from Knightsbridge via Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane (Northbound) and
Achilles Way to stand, departing via Achilles Way, Park Lane (Southbound), Hyde Park
Corner, Duke Of Wellington Place and Grosvenor Place to Knightsbridge.  Set down in
Knightsbridge, at Stop T and pick up in Knightsbridge, at Stop N.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:   Unscheduled curtailments only.
MEAL RELIEFS:  
No meal relief vehicles to stand at any time.
FERRY VEHICLES:  
No ferry vehicles to park on stand at any time.
DISPLAY:  
Hyde Park Corner.
GREEN PARK (from Hammersmith Bus Station)
Buses proceed from Piccadilly via Stratton Street and Berkeley Street departing to
Piccadilly.  Set down in Stratton Street, at Stop PA and pick up in Piccadilly, at Stop PE.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:     Turning Point Only - Buses must not stand
DISPLAY:  
Green Park.

PICCADILLY CIRCUS, CHARLES I I STREET
Public stand for two buses on south side of Charles II Street, commencing 4 metres east of
the eastern kerbline of Lower Regent Street and extending 27 metres east.
From Hammersmith Bus Station.
Buses proceed from Haymarket via Charles I I Street to stand, departing via Charles I I
Street to Regent Street.  Set down in Haymarket, at Stop P and pick up in Regent Street, at
Stop Z.
From Trafalgar Square.
Buses proceed from Cockspur Street via Haymarket and Charles I I Street to stand,
departing via Charles I I Street, Waterloo Place and Pall Mall to Cockspur Street.  Set
down in Cockspur Street, at Stop S and pick up in Cockspur Street, at Stop A.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:   Unscheduled curtailments only.
MEAL RELIEFS:  
No meal relief vehicles to stand at any time.
FERRY VEHICLES:  
No ferry vehicles to park on stand at any time.
DISPLAY:  
Piccadilly Circus.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, SOUTH SIDE
Public stand for four buses on south side of Northumberland Avenue in 2 parts:
1. For two buses commencing at a point 16 metres east of the centre-line of Great
Scotland Yard, extending 25 metres east;
2. For two buses commencing at a point 55 metres west of centre-line of Whitehall Place,
extending 25 metres east.
Buses proceed from Whitehall via Whitehall Place and Northumberland Avenue to stand,
departing to Northumberland Avenue.  Set down in Whitehall, at Stop N and pick up in
Northumberland Avenue, at Stop X.
AVAILABILITY:  
At any time.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS:   No more than 2 buses on Route N97 should be
scheduled to stand at any one time.
MEAL RELIEFS:  
No meal relief vehicles to stand at any time.
FERRY VEHICLES:  
No ferry vehicles to park on stand at any time.
DISPLAY:  
Trafalgar Square.
OTHER INFORMATION:  
Toilet facilities available (24 hours).

PART B - PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
Route N97
Mileage Operated
Mileage Oper
100.0
99.0
98.0
rcentage
97.0
e
P

96.0
95.0
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Period
2008/2009
Min Standard
Period
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2008/2009
97.53
98.60
96.02
99.29
99.05
98.85
98.91
97.55
97.36
98.43
97.82
99.04
96.53
Min Standard 98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
98.00
De
D ductible Mileage
3.0
2.5
2 0
2.0
1.5
rcentage
1.0
e
P

0.5
0.0
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Period
Period
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2008/2009
0.60
0.92
0.28
0.20
0.08
0.20
0.54
1.81
1.42
1.15
1.09
0.42
1.13
Non D
N
e
on D ductible Mi

leage
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
rcentage
e
P

1.0
0.0
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Period
Period
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2008/2009
1.87
0.48
3.70
0.51
0.87
0.95
0.55
0.64
1.22
0.42
1.09
0.54
2.34
Note :
Mileage is based on 4 weeks data

PART B - PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
Route N97
Departing On Time
100.0
90.0
e
g
ta

80.0
Percen
70.0
60.0
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Period
Perio
2008/2009
Mi
M n St
n S andar
t
d
Period
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2008/2009
86.90
88.30
88.90
90.20
91.00
92.50
90.10
91.90
90.90
90.80
88.10
89.50
85.80
Min Standard 85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
Departing Early
6.0
5.0
4.0
e
g
ta

3.0
Percen
2.0
1.0
0.0
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Period
2008/2009
Benchmark
Period
10/08
11
12
13
1/09
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2008/2009
Benchmark
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Note :
Reliability is based on 12 weeks rolling data

Document Outline