Request ID: FOI-3590-2324 Date published: 08 February 2024
You asked
With two buses recently succumbing to an inferno following lithium batteries being breached can TFL explain what measures are in place to prevent further fires on EV and Hybrid buses in London?
These fires produce much more toxic smoke that from conventional fires not only from battery contents but in the scale of fire consuming the vehicle, therefore what measures are in place to protect passengers, pedestrians and surrounding properties from the the most toxic chemicals of carbon monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3590-2324
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
The safety of staff and customers is always our top priority, and together with our bus operators will not hesitate to take further action if required to ensure the network remains safe. The investigations into the bus fire in Wimbledon and the bus fire in Putney are still in the early stages and there is currently no evidence to suggest that they are linked. The buses involved were all made by different manufacturers and the circumstances for each fire were different. Other buses in the fleets remain in service, and London’s bus network remains safe to use.
We regularly engage with bus operators, manufacturers, suppliers and the London Fire Brigade to address the potential of risk posed by bus fires. Our bus fire safety programme actively considers how to prevent and mitigate bus fires in London and includes: • Learning from previous incidents to improve vehicle design and ensure it is as safe as possible • Working with Subject Matter Experts to learn from international electric vehicle and hybrid bus fire incidents • Working with operators to ensure bus fire safety processes and procedures are in place and effective • Over the last four years, we have been running a fire safety improvement programme, with updated risk assessments and new fire strategies for all bus stations. Produced by fire engineers, these strategies address all aspects of fire prevention and on-site equipment.
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
