Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has secured a new order with public transport operator Arriva to deliver 87 new electric buses to be used on routes in London.
The order consists of 11 single-deck GB Kite Electroliners and 76 double-deck StreetDeck Electroliners.
The buses, which will be operated on a number of routes around the UK capital, are due to be delivered from July.
It comes on the back of an order the bus operator made last year with the Northern Ireland-based firm for 34 StreetDeck Electroliners and represents one of Arriva UK Bus’ largest investments in a zero-emission fleet.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at Wrightbus, said: “This is another significant deal for Wrightbus and we are delighted to once again be partnering with Arriva in the drive to zero-emission public transport.
“This latest deal further strengthens the reputation we have forged in the zero-emission transport sector and will help play an important part in the UK’s ambitions for decarbonisation.
“We can’t wait to see even more of our buses in operation in London, which will help passengers enjoy comfortable and cleaner transport.”
News of the investment comes at the same time as Arriva announced it had been awarded two new contracts to operate bus routes by Transport for London, in addition to retaining seven contracts as part of its existing London operations.
The two new routes will start operating from August 2024 and, together with the seven retained routes, the latest batch of awards is expected to deliver more than £200m in revenue over the term of the contracts.
Jens Abromeit, managing director of Arriva UK Bus and Arriva board member, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of the famous London red bus network and to have successfully operated it for many years.
“Growing the number of routes we operate is a growth story for London and we can’t wait to welcome the new fully electric buses, growing the size of our zero emission fleet in London to nearly 230.”
Arriva is currently converting its Thornton Heath garage in Croydon to become fully electrified, giving it additional zero-emission capability in South London for more than 100 buses.
This follows the electrification of its Brixton Tramshed in November 2021, from where Arriva operates 35 fully electric buses.
Work is also underway for Arriva’s Enfield depot to be able to handle electric vehicle charging early next year and Tottenham from mid-2024.
Achievements and innovations in EV charging and public transport will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
