Hybrid buses destined for the London Buses fleet will be showcased at the Euro Bus Expo 2008 in Birmingham's NEC this week.
"The new buses being tested are just the first step towards creating a cleaner, greener bus fleet"
Boris Johnson
Mayor of London

The new buses being tested are just the first step towards creating a cleaner, greener bus fleet

The buses, from a number of manufacturers, will join Transport for London's (TfL's) ongoing hybrid bus trial programme. 

TfL currently has one double-deck and 12 single-deck diesel-electric hybrid buses operating in London. 

Hybrid buses are cleaner, quieter and use significantly less fuel than their diesel counterparts, cutting emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 40 per cent. 

TfL's commitment to steadily expanding its hybrid bus fleet has resulted in many manufacturers, including Alexander Dennis Limited, Volvo, Wrights, Scania and Optare, developing hybrid buses for the London Buses fleet. 

Cleaner buses

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'Londoners that use buses with the green leaf livery are travelling on vehicles with a double whammy bonus in that they emit fewer pollutants and use less fuel than regular buses.

'The new buses being tested are just the first step towards creating a cleaner, greener bus fleet in London and by 2012 every new bus we introduce will be a hybrid.'

Mike Weston, Operations Director for London Buses, said: 'The Mayor of London and TfL are committed to minimising the impact of public transport on the environment. 

'Increasing the number of hybrid buses in the London Buses fleet is just one of the projects we're working on to reduce emissions and help tackle climate change. 

Green leaf livery

'We are excited to be working with a number of bus manufacturers during this trial phase to help us deliver our aim of reducing emissions and ensuring that by 2012, every new bus entering the fleet will be a hybrid.'

Five of the hybrid bus types soon to be seen in London are on display at the Euro Bus Expo 2008. 

They will be easily identified by a green leaf livery on a traditional red London bus background. 

All the trial hybrid buses use different types of technology to deliver the improvements required by TfL.

Tests

Each type of vehicle will undergo a number of tests while they are in service to assess their performance.

TfL is also working with a number of the bus operators during the trials: Go Ahead, Arriva, First, Metroline, East London Buses, East Thames Buses and London United are all involved in the trial programme.

A total of 56 double and single-deck hybrid buses will be in operation by January 2009.

TfL is committed to a longer term programme that will see a further 300 new hybrid buses joining the fleet by March 2011, after which it is expected that all new buses entering service in London will be hybrid buses.


Notes to editors:

  • The Euro Bus Expo 2008 runs from 4 - 6 November in Birmingham's NEC
  • At the Euro Bus Expo 2008 there will also be other TfL vehicles on display including one of the new Bluebird Dial-a-Ride vehicles, a conventional single deck bus and a typical refurbished double-deck
  • Seven single-deck hybrids run on route 360, operated by London Central, five single-deck hybrids run on route 129, operated by Travel London, and the double-deck hybrid bus runs on route 141, operated by Arriva
  • As well as the five hybrids on display in TfL livery, a further two buses built by Scania currently being considered for inclusion in TfL's hybrid bus programme will be on display