Request ID: FOI-1182-2122 Date published: 20 September 2021
You asked
I'm making an FOI request about fully Diesel Bus Vehicles.
1) What is the future plan for fully Diesel Bus Vehicles?
2) Will they continue on TFL Bus Routes for the longer term?
3) As all fully Diesel buses have been retrofitted to ULEZ standards why can't they enter Central London?
4) Will the ULEZ expansion have any impact on fully Diesel buses?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1182-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 5 September 2021 asking for information about Fully Diesel Bus Vehicles.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
1) What is the future plan for fully Diesel Bus Vehicles? We have upgraded our conventional diesel buses to the ultra low-emission Euro VI standard to help cut the most harmful tailpipe emissions by up to 80 per cent. This is enabling them to play a continuing role in enhancing air quality in London as well as transporting the public. Our ultimate role is to make our bus fleet zero-tailpipe-emission not later than 2037 with options for bringing this forward if external funding can be found. We anticipate gradually phasing out diesel buses and replacing them with zero emission buses as and when contracts come up for renewal and we receive bids which we consider to be economically advantageous overall. Our route tendering system is a particularly efficient and affordable way of renewing the fleet. This is explained in more detail in our Financial Sustainability Plan here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/financial-sustainability-plan-11-january-2021.pdf. This means diesel buses will disappear from the contracted London fleet by 2037 with an earlier deadline possible if external funding is provided. If this new funding comes forward, we will develop a plan for vehicles to leave the fleet earlier than expected. We do not have a current plan for this as it is uncertain.
2) Will they continue on TFL Bus Routes for the longer term? See above.
3) As all fully Diesel buses have been retrofitted to ULEZ standards why can't they enter Central London? They can. However, there is a requirement in the London bus contracts that vehicles on TfL contracted routes entering the original ULEZ (Congestion Charge) area should be hybrid or better for double decks or zero-emission for single decks.
4) Will the ULEZ expansion have any impact on fully Diesel buses? No – the requirement for single-deck vehicles to be zero emission and double decks to be Hybrid or better only applies to the original ULEZ (Congestion Charge) area. It does not apply to the expanded ULEZ area.
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
