Request ID: FOI-0757-2122 Date published: 03 August 2021
You asked
Dear TFL,
There doesn't seem to be a reliable place to find information on planned trials over the next few years, therefore i have a question. What are all the planned trials taking place on the TFL network within the next few years?
Clarification: 21/07/2021: Could I alter my question to be: Could I have information on the upcoming planned trials for tfl buses?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0757-2122
Thank you for your further request of 21st July 2021 asking for information about London buses.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Could I have information on the upcoming planned trials for tfl buses?”
Your request is still somewhat unspecific and broad. However, note that that new ideas are tried across the bus network every year to see if they can deliver benefits. Some of these are led by TfL, others by the bus operators (in London, bus services are provided by privately run companies under contract with TfL). Notable recent or upcoming larger scale trials include:
The recent launch of 20 double deck hydrogen buses, which have just started service on route 7 from Oxford Circus to East Acton. We are working with different cities to see how this technology and its supporting infrastructure can develop to help us with our plans to turn the London bus fleet zero emission by 2037 (or earlier if external funding can be provided). Note further that the London fleet also has around 550 other zero emission buses, mostly powered by electricity. The current 10.9-metre buses have been made for us by Wrightbus, of Ballymena, Northern Ireland. More details are provided in the following press statement: https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/englands-first-hydrogen-double-deckers-launched;
Improved customer focused bus interiors in November 2021 (full details will be published later this year);
The introduction of a fleet of pantograph charged double deck buses this year, and a separate fleet of single decks in 2022 (full details to be published in due course).
Please visit and keep an eye on our “Improving Buses” page on the TfL website for further information about improvements to bus services. That page can be found here :
If this is not the information you are looking for 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
