News - NSL

THE latest route run by NCP Challenger - the 283 - began operation from Park Royal, London on schedule on SaturdayFeb 28 with a full service in operation.

Route 283 runs from East Acton to Barnes Wetlands Centre, one of London's most popular wild life attractions. Starting from scratch in 2005, the bus operation - Part of the NCP Services Group - now employs over 250 people at two depots, with a fleet of 87 buses operating seven London Bus routes.

The smooth start looked doubtful just a few days before, when delivery delays of some of the new fleet of 17 Optare Versa buses caused some logistical headaches.

Matt Larkin, head of public transport, commented: “Getting a new route under way on time is always a huge logistical challenge, but the team at Park Royal worked very hard to get us to a successful first weekend.

"We had to lease some buses from the previous operator, Transdev, and we will be getting delivery of the new fleet over the next few days."

He added: "Although we faced particular challenges due to late delivery of our new fleet, the transition from Transdev finishing on a Fridaynight to NCP Challenger commencing operations on Saturday morning was extremely professional and again demonstrates the level of expertise we have as we try to provide a first class service for Transport for London, and our passengers."

· Notes for Editors. NCP Challenger is part of the NCP Services Group, which also has businesses offering parking enforcement, business process outsourcing, debt recovery, street design consultancy and airport services.

· The company split from National Car Parks on 2007 and is now a standalone business under separate ownership. Around the UK it employs more than 5,000 people

For further information, contact: Tim Cowen, NCP Services Communications: 020 8991 7709.