Bus empire goes to next level with London venture SALE TOPPER: Transit Systems has bought into London's transport network. LONDON'S double decker buses will become Aussie territory after a $31 million deal struck by Queensland's Transit Systems. The privately-owned firm, which currently runs ferries in Gladstone, Stradbroke and Brisbane as well as bus contracts in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide, will take over 400 double and single-deck buses from three London depots, almost doubling its workforce numbers. Transit Systems chief executive Clint Feuerherdt made the announcement yesterday after current bus operator FirstGroup plc released information on the deal as part of its annual results notice to the London Stock Exchange. All up, FirstGroup sold five of its London depots to existing bus operator Metroline and three to Transit Systems Group, for a combined sale value of pound80 million ($A118 million). The Westbourne Park, Lea Interchange and Atlas Road depots were Transit Systems' first international fleet additions and would run as Tower Transit within the Transport for London network. Tower Transit would have the only hydrogen-powered buses in London, Transit Systems said, with 1500 employees. "We are excited to start operating in London as part of the Transport for London network," Mr Feuerherdt said. We'll be ... working successfully with government and private companies, to ensure the transition is smooth and our service to passengers and Transport for London exceeds expectations. Transit Systems, based at Cleveland, east of Brisbane, is owned by Graham Leishman, Lance Francis and Adelaide-based Neil Smith.