Dear TfL I have a Freedom of Information request in relation to electric buses. 1. Can you list the routes currently served using electric buses? If possible, can you specify them by operator, make & model including type (double/single deck) of the EV buses? 2. Can you list the upcoming routes due to convert to electric buses? If possible, can you provide bus operator, start dates, make & model including type (double/single deck) used for the route? 3. How many bus garages are now using electric buses? 4. Why certain routes are won/retained by bus operator using existing diesel and hybrid buses instead of new zero emission buses? 5. Can you list the bus manufacturers TfL are currently in negotiations with?

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TfL Ref 2431-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 February 2021 asking for information about upcoming routes to be served using electric buses.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold the information you require.  Your questions and our replies are as follows:

1. Can you list the routes currently served using electric buses? If possible, can you specify them by operator, make & model including type (double/single deck) of the EV buses?

Please see details below showing the allocation of electric buses to routes. Other non-electric vehicles may also form part of the allocations for some of these routes, either at all times or a certain times of day.

Route	Operator	Make/Model	Decker
312	Arriva	Optare MetroCity	Single
108	Go-Ahead	Irizar i2	Single
507	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
521	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
360	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
153	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
70	RATP	BYD / ADL	Single
C1	RATP	BYD / ADL	Single
46	Metroline	BYD / ADL	Single
214	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
43	Metroline	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
134	Metroline	Optare Metrodecker	DOUBLE
100	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
94	RATP	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
444	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
212	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
106	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
323	Stagecoach	BYD / ADL	Single
230	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
P5	Abellio	Caetano	Single
357	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
C10	Abellio	Caetano	Single
C3	Tower	Optare Metrodecker	DOUBLE
692/699	Uno	BYD	DOUBLE
23 ***	Tower	Optare Metrodecker	DOUBLE
174/674 ***	Stagecoach	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
184	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
173/673 ***	Stagecoach	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE

*** - Still in course of delivery

2. Can you list the upcoming routes due to convert to electric buses? If possible, can you provide bus operator, start dates, make & model including type (double/single deck) used for the route?

Further routes awards on the basis of electric vehicles are as follows.  Start dates have yet to be confirmed (and are highly uncertain while the Covid-19 outbreak as this continues to impact the ability of vehicle manufacturing to meet orders and the implementation of infrastructure works).  Many roll outs are not expected to take place until 2022. As above, it should be noted that other non-electric vehicles may also form part of the allocations for some routes, either at all times or a certain times of day.

Route	Operator	Make/Model	Decker
484	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	Single
200	Go-Ahead	Optare Metrodecker	DOUBLE
69	Go-Ahead	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
20	HCT	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
160/660	Stagecoach	tbc	DOUBLE
180	Stagecoach	tbc	DOUBLE
319	Arriva	BYD / ADL	DOUBLE
132	Go-Ahead	tbc	DOUBLE
63	Abellio	tbc	DOUBLE
65	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE
281	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE
371	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE
371	RATP	tbc	Single
290	RATP	tbc	Single
H9/H10	RATP	tbc	Single
398	RATP	tbc	Single
183	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE
X140	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE
49	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE
358	Go-Ahead	tbc	Single
235	RATP	tbc	Single
125	RATP	tbc	DOUBLE

tbc - to be confirmed.

3. How many bus garages are now using electric buses?
14.

4. Why certain routes are won/retained by bus operator using existing diesel and hybrid buses instead of new zero emission buses?

This depends on the relative cost of a new contract awarded on new zero emission vehicles and existing diesel / hybrids, and whether the increment for new zero emission vehicles represents good value for money or not.

5. Can you list the bus manufacturers TfL are currently in negotiations with?
Bus operators normally procure vehicles, either by leasing or buying, and include these costs in their tenders for route contracts. As TfL awards contracts for routes and invites private operators to bid for them, it is not involved in negotiations with manufacturers in respect of vehicle orders. The only recent exception to this was with Wrightbus (under the ownership of Bamford Bus Company) where we placed a contract for 20 double-deck hydrogen fuel-cell buses.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI 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

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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