Upcoming new projects for London Buses including route 358 trambus and high-spec electric buses
Request ID: FOI-1362-2223 Date published: 20 September 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London
1. Can you publish a list of current and upcoming projects for London Buses?
2. On page 67 of your Bus Action Plan, can you disclose a full list of projects in relation to 'trialling new types of services'?
https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-action-plan.pdf
3. Can you publish more information (including documentation) about route 358 trambus project using Irizar ie tram electric buses?
https://twitter.com/Go_Ahead_London/status/1551960536975155201
4. Can you publish documentation such as progress reports and specification in relation to the new 'high-spec' electric buses currently used on routes 63, U5 and 322?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1362-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 September 2022.
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 some of the information you require. You asked:
Can you publish a list of current and upcoming projects for London Buses?
We have a range of projects/initiatives currently in development or in delivery for London Buses, some of these include:
Technology improvements: renewal and improving systems such as Countdown and iBus.
Customer Experience: The New Routemaster refurbishment programme, Route 63 trial, both on board the bus and customer information at bus stops.
Refurbishing and upgrading existing bus stations: Beginning with Kingston Cromwell Road in 2023/24.
Driver training: New Diversity & Inclusion training for c25,000 bus drivers by 2025.
Bus Safety Standard rolled out on new vehicles.
Bus Security Programme to be delivered by 2025.
Renewal of on average eight driver welfare facilities, including mess rooms and toilets, every year until 2030.
25km of new and improved Bus Priority by 2025.
Conversion of bus fleet to zero-emission by 2034.
Ongoing trial of Hydrogen fuel cell technology on 20 buses.
We currently have four limited stop services running in London:
route X140 which runs a limited stop service for its entire length between Harrow and Heathrow
route X68 which runs as a limited stop service for part of its length between West Norwood and Waterloo
route X26 that runs between Heathrow and West Croydon
route 607 that runs between White City and Uxbridge
We continue to review other high frequency corridors where we could trial other limited stop services, such as Old Kent Road, which is being assessed this year. We are also investigating possible bus transit options, but these are at an early stage.
Can you publish more information (including documentation) about route 358 tram bus project using Irizar ie tram electric buses?
We are currently exploring the operation of Opportunity Charging trial on route 358, which will be operated by one of our contracted London Bus Operators, Go-Ahead. The buses are manufactured by Irizar and will be electric (zero-emission), and are expected to operate in service in the first quarter of next year. Further information about the trial will be published via TfL Press Release in due course.
Can you publish documentation such as progress reports and specification in relation to the new 'high-spec' electric buses currently used on routes 63, U5 and 322?
The new features include high back seats, wood-effect flooring, integrated seat-back USB charger/phone holder/stop button, driver/customer intercom, priority seat moquette, sun roof, digital screens replacing the standard on-bus next stop screens, and removal of grab-poles upstairs replaced by seat-back rails. There is no formal specification of the design changes. We will be researching the customer impact of the new features. Any decision on what is included in a future bus specification will take place after the outcome of the customer research.
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
