Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Arriva has been awarded the contract to operate route 312, which will become the first in London to be fully served by electric buses. The contract will run from September 2015.
There are currently two Optare MetroCity electric single deck buses on route 312, which runs between South Croydon and Norwood Junction. These two buses have been used as an initial test to establish whether the technology could stand up to the rigors of operating in an intense urban environment such as London.
Arriva is currently in talks with bus manufacturers with a view to adding a further seven electric buses to the route. A date for the route 312’s conversion to all electric buses will be confirmed later this year.
The current trials will help TfL develop plans for greater use of electric buses in central London in the future, contributing to the Mayor’s vision of a central London Ultra Low Emission Zone.
Mike Weston, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “This is an exciting new milestone for our bus fleet, which is already one of the cleanest in Europe. We currently have eight electric buses in our fleet and as this number grows we are learning more about this new technology, which alongside other measures like retrofitting older vehicles with enhanced exhaust systems and continuing the expansion of our hybrid fleet, continues to contribute towards our strategy to further reduce harmful emissions from the Capital’s bus fleet.”
Source: Transport for London.
