What are the current and future plans for the New Routemaster project? Do TfL plan to withdraw hybrid New Routemasters in favour of conventional zero-emission buses? What are TfL's plan to retain the unique aesthetic 'London Bus' icon once the hybrid New Routemaster finishes their 14 year life cycle? Do TfL plan to start a 'sucessor' New Routemaster project with zero-emission battery and hydrogen system once the hybrid New Routemaster finishes their 14 year life cycle? Do TfL plan to make it compulsory for bus operators to purchase or lease (two-door, single staircase) buses with New Routemaster styling? Do TfL plan to update the London Bus specification to require manufacturers to build buses with New Routemaster aesthetics for the London Bus market? Can you specify the makes and models of buses which contain aesthetics from the New Routemaster bus?

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TfL Ref: FOI-1814-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9 December 2020.

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:

What are the current and future plans for the New Routemaster project?
We have no plans to withdraw hybrid diesel-electric New Routemasters and replace them with pure electric buses. We are, however, increasing the pure electric fleet as quickly and affordably as possible, and this may result in cleaner buses such as double deck hybrids and Euro VI vehicles moving routes to make way if the routes they are on are suitable for conversion.

Do TfL plan to withdraw hybrid New Routemasters in favour of conventional zero-emission buses?
We have plans to increase the number of pure electric buses in the fleet to 2000 by 2025 subject to a sustainable funding deal being agreed with central government. We don’t have specifics about the location of routes as decisions are made in relation to the bids operators make when contracts come up for renewal and the suitability of routes of shorter operating range. We expect the current fleet of New Routemasters to continue operating up to 14 years, the normal operating life of a double deck bus in London, and not be replaced with a bespoke London vehicle.

What are TfL's plan to retain the unique aesthetic 'London Bus' icon once the hybrid New Routemaster finishes their 14 year life cycle?
Please see the above answer.

Do TfL plan to start a 'successor' New Routemaster project with zero-emission battery and hydrogen system once the hybrid New Routemaster finishes their 14 year life cycle?

Please see the above answer. We do have plans to introduce a small fleet of hydrogen fuel-cell buses in London from next year built by the same manufacturer as the New Routemaster but under new ownership. However, these will be standard double-deck buses.

Do TfL plan to make it compulsory for bus operators to purchase or lease (two-door, single staircase) buses with New Routemaster styling?
No. The purchase or lease of new buses is a commercial decision for bus operators, provided the vehicles meet London operating and design requirements such as the new Bus Safety Standard.

Do TfL plan to update the London Bus specification to require manufacturers to build buses with New Routemaster aesthetics for the London Bus market?
Please see the answer immediately above.

Can you specify the makes and models of buses which contain aesthetics from the New Routemaster bus?

A number of elements of the New Routemasters design have been incorporated into new vehicles over the last few years across the fleet but we do not hold a list of these makes and models.

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Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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