600 new hybrid buses to grace London's streets

Date: 21/9/2012

A deal has been finalised between (TfL) Transport for London and Northern Irish company Wrightbus to supply 600 new hybrid buses to the capital.

Wrightbus designed the hop-on hop-off-style buses back in 2010 and since then there have been eight operating on routes around London.

It is thought that 30 of the Routemaster-inspired buses will go into service in April next year with the rest provided by 2016.

A board meeting held at TfL agreed on the financing of the project, which will equate to the biggest order of hybrid buses placed anywhere in Europe.

In a statement, TfL said: "The new bus for London incorporates the most innovative and cutting edge hybrid technology and is the most environmentally-friendly bus of its kind, benefiting air quality and reducing carbon emissions."

TfL has reported that the eight prototype buses already on the roads are running well, which has given extra confidence to the plan to roll out 600 more.

It has not yet been confirmed which routes will receive the buses, though the plan is for them to be deployed in central London where their platform on the rear will be of most use.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "Not only do they deliver significant environmental benefits, they also reinstate the traditional hop-on, hop-off rear platform and passengers love them."

The schedule for bringing the buses in will stretch out over four years with a total of 93 being introduced by the end of 2013, followed by 200 in 2014.

Final batches will arrive in the following two years with 250 planned for 2015 and the rest of the buses to be on London streets by 2016.

By ordering 600 buses in one go, TfL is allowing Wrightbus to employ staff and put the infrastructure in place to aid production.

Mr Johnson said: "I promised an expansion of the existing fleet and I am confident they will be as iconic in London as phone boxes, Big Ben and Beefeaters."

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News