There are now more than 1,000 zero-emission buses in operation in the UK’s capital city, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.
According to TfL, this means that more than one in nine London red buses are now green.
Since 2021, all new vehicles joining TfL’s fleet have been zero emission, while all of the operator’s other buses are low emission and meet or exceed Euro VI emission standards – the same emission standard as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
TfL said it is currently on track to transition to a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2034 but, with continued government investment, this target could be achieved by 2030.
Louise Cheeseman, director of buses at TfL, said: “I am very proud that more than 1,000 zero-emission buses are now operating on our iconic bus network.
“It is a significant moment in our journey to achieving net-zero by decarbonising our bus fleet and improving air quality across the capital.
“Buses remain the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to shift trips made by cars to public transport.
“Buses carry up to 80 times the number of people as a car, make efficient use of road space, and cut emissions by both taking polluting private vehicles off the roads and offering up a green alternative.”
Since 2016, the number of fully zero-emission bus routes in London has increased from five to 54, with a further 15 routes using a mixture of zero-emission and low-emission buses.
According to TfL, the number of zero-emission buses on London’s roads has increased by more than 3,000% since 2016, moving from 30 to 1,000 buses.
Through the decarbonisation of London’s bus network, TfL will reportedly save an estimated 4.8m tonnes of carbon by 2034 or an estimated 5.5m tonnes of carbon by 2030 with government funding.
TfL’s zero-emission bus fleet is said to be the largest in western Europe and reportedly has the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometres compared to other global cities such as New York, Sydney, Paris and Vancouver.
All of the new buses joining TfL’s fleet will have enhanced customer features, such as improved flooring, seating, lighting and customer information, and will meet the bus safety standard.
Innovations and achievements such as this will highlighted and celebrated at the second annual CiTTi Awards on 21 November 2023 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Entries are now open and close on August 21. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
