FOI request detail

New Routemaster bus

Request ID: FOI-4259-1718
Date published: 12 February 2018

You asked

I've got questions in regards to the New Routemaster bus. 1. What routes are currently served with the New Routemaster buses? 2. How many accidents (vehicle collisions) was involved with the New Routemaster bus since they first entered into service? 3. How long will the New Routemaster buses last in London service? 4. Will TfL continue to invest on the existing New Routemaster buses such as upgrades and mid life refurbishment? 5. Are there plans to withdraw the New Routemaster buses? 6. How will the New Routemaster buses be withdrawn, and what bus type will it be replaced by? 7. Will there be a new double deck bus type with three doors and two staircases in a similar spec to the New Routemaster bus? 8. Is Wrightbus still selling the New Routemaster bus to private bus operating companies, including to non-TfL contracted bus companies? 9. Will TfL increase the fleet of New Routemasters by requiring bus companies to purchase them upon new tender contracts? 10. How much does an individual New Routemaster bus cost? 11. What is the total cost of the New Routemaster project including break down of the costs of everything in relation to the New Routemaster project.

We answered

Our Ref:          FOI-4259-1718

Thank you for your request received on 24 January 2018 asking for information about the New Routemaster (NRMs) bus.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:

1. What routes are currently served with the New Routemaster buses?

The information you asked for is available on our website using the following link:

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/bus-fleet-data-and-audits

The information can be downloaded into a spreadsheet and filtered to search for NRMs in order to ascertain their routes.

In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, TfL is not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.

2. How many accidents (vehicle collisions) was involved with the New Routemaster bus since they first entered into service?

This information is also available on our website:

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/bus-safety-data

Route numbers are listed against the incidents.

3. How long will the New Routemaster buses last in London service?

Buses in London are expected to have a minimum working life of around 14 years.

4. Will TfL continue to invest on the existing New Routemaster buses such as upgrades and mid life refurbishment?

All buses including NRMs undergo a mid-life refurbishment at around seven years of age to keep them in good condition for public travel. All buses in the fleet will also need to meet a minimum of the Euro VI engine emission standard by 2020, involving around half the fleet being refurbished. Because of their relative newness, most of our 1,000 NRMs are already at the Euro VI engine emission standard as well as being hybrid but around 300 will need to be upgraded.

5. Are there plans to withdraw the New Routemaster buses?

There are no plans to withdraw the NRMs.
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6. How will the New Routemaster buses be withdrawn, and what bus type will it be replaced by?

As stated above, there are no plans to withdraw them in the short or medium term.

7. Will there be a new double deck bus type with three doors and two staircases in a similar spec to the New Routemaster bus?

Bus manufacturers may choose to develop vehicles with additional doors and staircases of their own volition to meet the London Bus Specification.

8. Is Wrightbus still selling the New Routemaster bus to private bus operating companies, including to non-TfL contracted bus companies?

Wrightbus has produced a body design which has some similarities with the NRM which is markets to its customers but we are not party to these arrangements as it is an operator choice which makes and models they buy or lease, within and outside London.

9. Will TfL increase the fleet of New Routemasters by requiring bus companies to purchase them upon new tender contracts?

No, but operators are free to purchase or lease spin-off vehicles which contain features of the NRM as long as they meet our Bus Specification.

10. How much does an individual New Routemaster bus cost?

The most recent NRMs cost around £325k.

11. What is the total cost of the New Routemaster project including break down of the costs of everything in relation to the New Routemaster project.

The total capital cost to TfL of the vehicles is around £346 million. However there are net operating cost savings because, for example, operators do not have to buy vehicles and thus over the full 14 year life cycle of the NRMs the net cost to TfL is expected will be considerably lower.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]

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