Request ID: FOI-0322-2122 Date published: 09 June 2021
You asked
1) Is there an incoming consultation for further Central London Bus Cuts/Changes in the near future?
2) as it's planned to make the bus network at a tailpipe zero emission by 2037 at the latest, is there a possibility of this date being brought forward?
3) can you confirm please that the New Routemaster vehicles will be retrofitted to a full Electric power in the future and they will NOT be withdrawn?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0322-2122 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17 May 2021. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
Is there an incoming consultation for further Central London Bus Cuts/Changes in the near future?
We continuously keep the London bus network under review to ensure the services we provide align with the needs of our passengers. In line with our obligations under the GLA Act 1999, we will deliver a public consultation should we propose to fundamentally vary a bus route, launch a new bus route or discontinue an existing bus route. Any such consultation would be promoted to bus users and impacted stakeholders through one or more of the following marketing channels (this is not an exhaustive list)
Bus posters
Letter drops
Local media adverts
Digital advertising
By doing so we aim to ensure we raise awareness of the consultation with the general public and allow sufficient time for consultees to respond to our proposals. If you would like to be notified of any future bus consultations then please register on our engagement and consultation website https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/
as it's planned to make the bus network at a tailpipe zero emission by 2037 at the latest, is there a possibility of this date being brought forward?
We are still aiming to make the bus fleet zero tailpipe emission by 2037 with options for bringing this forward as early as 2030 if external funding can be provided quickly to make this possible.
can you confirm please that the New Routemaster vehicles will be retrofitted to a full Electric power in the future and they will NOT be withdrawn?
We expect the New Routemaster vehicles to be withdrawn after approximately 12-14 years of service in London. The vehicles will then be sold by their respective owners. New Routemasters will continue to operate on their respective routes for the economic life of the vehicles generally. However, if a particular route attracts a good proposal for electric vehicles at re-tender of the route, the route may be converted to electric at that stage, with the New Routemaster vehicles being utilised elsewhere. As the New Routemaster fleet was built between 2012 and 2017, we would expect at least 90 per cent of that fleet to be due for natural replacement by the end of 2030 (see point 2 above). Should funding become available to implement a fully zero-emission fleet by the end of 2030, then a few New Routemaster vehicles may require early replacement. If you are considering submitting a further request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI/EIR requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation. If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
