 |
| Wright Electrocity |
This article will be a
bit of a surprise for most you, in-so-far as today is the 10th anniversary of the first hybrid bus operation
in London.
The first
diesel-electric hybrid buses to enter London service were the Wright Electrocity buses (based on VDL
SB120 chassis) which began operation on route 360 on 8th February 2006. They were then temporarily
withdrawn due to engine overheating problems.
So then, let’s take a
look at the old press releases from TFL about the hybrid buses.
On the 7th February 2006, TFL issued the following press
release about their first hybrid bus.
Mayor
launches London's first hybrid buses to
make cleaner, greener bus fleet
The
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today announced the addition by Transport for
London (TfL) of six new, environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles - the first
ever such vehicles in London - to the London Buses fleet.
The
new hybrid buses, built by the Wright Group, are cleaner, quieter and use less
fuel than a standard diesel bus, leading to a substantial reduction in carbon
dioxide emissions.
The
hybrids will operate on route 360, run by London Central, from tomorrow, Wednesday, 8 February 2006.
A
leafy motif on the buses will help passengers recognise their
environmentally-friendly status.
The
vehicles will be introduced as part of an ongoing programme by TfL to test
innovative technology and further reduce emissions from its bus fleet, which is
already the cleanest in the UK*.
This
is in line with the Mayor's Air Quality, Energy and Noise strategies.
Ken
Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: "These cleaner, greener hybrid buses
are at the forefront of environmentally-friendly technology.
"They
will help London cut pollutant emissions and so contribute to tackling climate
change and improve the city's air, as well as offering passengers a smoother,
quieter journey.
Quality of life
"Air
pollution affects the quality of life of a large number of Londoners causing
around 1,000 premature deaths and a similar number of hospital admissions every
year. I am determined to improve air quality through reducing transport
emissions and if this hybrid bus trial is successful, we will expand their use
across London."
Mike
Weston, Operations Director for London Buses, said: "London Buses is
committed to minimising our impact on the environment, and initial tests show
these vehicles produce significantly fewer emissions than a standard bus.
"The
bus network in London leads the way in the UK and beyond in innovation - this
is another example of technology we hope might bring benefits to the urban
environment in the near to medium-term future."
The
six hybrid vehicles will be monitored and assessed over the coming months for
performance, reliability and durability.
If
they prove successful, London Buses will encourage their wider introduction
into the fleet.
Shortly after this,
Wrightbus unveiled their own double deck bus in October 2006 and it first
entered service on route 141 during March 2007.
Here is the press
release from TFL on the world’s first Hybrid double deck bus:
 |
| Wright Gemini 2 HEV |
The world's first
hybrid diesel electric double-decker bus goes into service on route 141 in London today, Transport
for London (TfL) has announced.
This
inaugural service comes after the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, recently
announced plans for an increased hybrid bus fleet for the capital.
Hybrid
buses, which use a combination of diesel and electric power, are central to the
Mayor and TfL's plans for a cleaner, greener fleet, and will contribute to
cutting the capital's carbon dioxide emissions.
These
hybrid buses are an important step towards the Mayor's long-term goal of a low
carbon transport system.
A
leafy motif on the buses will help passengers recognise their
environmentally-friendly status.
Ken
Livingstone said: 'This is a world-first for London marking our commitment to a
cleaner, greener public transport network.
'Hybrid
vehicles emit less harmful emissions helping to improve air quality and tackle
climate change.
'I
repeat my call for bus manufacturers and operators to rise to the challenge of
making hybrid buses more financially feasible so we can speed up their
introduction across London.'
The
hybrid bus will operate on Route 141, run by Arriva, from Palmers Green, Wood
Green, Turnpike Lane Station, Haringey, Manor House, Newington Green, Mildmay
Park, Hoxton, Old Street Station, Moorgate, Bank Monument and to London Bridge
Station.
Immense potential
Mark
Yexley, Managing Director, Arriva London, said: 'Buses play a vital role in
encouraging people to use public transport more often.
'By
introducing more environmentally-friendly means of public transport, we're
helping in the battle to reduce carbon emissions across the UK.
'This
hybrid engine initiative is excellent and its potential is immense.
'We're
delighted to be part of it.'
The
adoption of hybrid buses is a key part of a range of measures being developed
by the Mayor and TfL to meet London's contribution to tackling climate change.
The
measures include:
* Continuing modal shift from private car
usage to public transport, cycling and walking
* Greater energy efficiency across all TfL
businesses and modes of transport
* The adoption of more energy from
renewable sources and innovative technology to recycle energy
* Support for the continued research and
development of low carbon fuels
* Strategies and support for organisations
and individuals to travel in more environmentally-friendly ways through Travel
Demand Management schemes, including in the London Borough of Sutton the
largest of its kind in the UK
Unfortunately the
Wrightbus Hybrid HEV was withdrawn from London service in 2010.
In late 2008, TFL
issued a press release about the introduction of more hybrid buses for London.
 |
| Alexander Dennis Enviro400H |
By
2012 we expect every new bus entering the fleet should be using hybrid
technology
Transport
for London (TfL) has unveiled a range of new, single and double deck,
eco-friendly hybrid buses for London today (2 December), the first stage in a
major expansion of the Capital's hybrid bus fleet.
By
the end of January next year, the number of hybrid buses in the Capital will
more than quadruple to 56 buses and confirm the Capital's position as the home
of the largest fleet of hybrid buses in the UK.
A
further 300 hybrid buses will be in operation by 2011.
Twenty-five
new hybrids will go into service this month on routes 16, 141, 276, 328 and E8;
a further 18 hybrid buses will join the fleet early in 2009.
Hybrid technology
Mayor
of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'A wonderful alliance of fuel efficiency and
fume deficiency make hybrid engines the way to go for buses in our city.
'Londoners
that travel on buses with the green leaf livery can rest comfortably in their
seats and enjoy clear environmental consciences, safe in the knowledge that
their journey will guzzle far less fuel and expire a whopping forty per cent
less carbon dioxide than a regular bus.
'I'd
urge all Londoners to look out for their leafy livery on the city's streets and
jump on board.'
Both
TfL and the Mayor are committed to the introduction of hybrid technology and by
2012, TfL expects all new buses joining the fleet will be hybrid.
Cleaner energy
At
a rate of 500 buses a year, it is expected to be the largest roll out of hybrid
buses in Europe.
The
bus industry has responded to that commitment and several major manufacturers
have developed hybrid buses specifically for the London fleet.
The
Mayor has also specified that the 'New
Bus for London' should run on a hybrid engine.
Hybrid
buses are cleaner and greener than their diesel counterparts.
Reduced emmisions
Their
combination of a conventional engine and an electric motor uses less fuel and
is better for air quality as they emit fewer pollutants and reduce CO2
emissions by up to 40 per cent.
Their
roll out will contribute to the Mayor's target of a 60 per cent reduction in
emissions across London by 2025.
Londoners
will notice that hybrid buses are also significantly quieter than diesel buses,
making bus travel more pleasant for passengers and reducing noise for local
residents along bus routes.
Alexander Dennis,
Volvo and Optare have now produced their first hybrid buses for London, while Wrightbus has produced a new double deck
hybrid, using different technology to that used in the 13 hybrids it
already has operating in the London fleet.
Quieter engine
Kulveer
Ranger, the Mayor's Director of Transport Policy, said: 'With bus ridership
rocketing it is vital our buses are as clean and green as possible.
'The
trial of new hybrid buses is a further step towards that aim and will mean we
can be sure that we get the best buses possible for Londoners.
'By
2012 we expect every new bus entering the fleet should be using hybrid
technology and their roll out will contribute to the Mayor's target of a 60 per
cent reduction in emissions across London by 2025.'
David
Brown, Managing Director for Surface Transport at TfL, said: 'London has led
the way in the introduction of hybrid technology in its bus fleet, and I'm
pleased to see so many manufacturers responding with new hybrid bus designs.
Cleanest in the UK
'As
we increase the number of hybrid buses in London, more people across the Capital
will be able to see first hand the future of the bus fleet - cleaner, quieter
and more pleasant for passengers and Londoners on the whole, but also more
efficient and environmentally friendly.'
These
vehicles are being introduced as part of an ongoing programme by TfL to test
innovative technology and reduce emissions from its bus fleet, which is already
the cleanest in the UK.
All
of London's hybrid buses can be recognised by the green leaf motif over their
traditional red livery.
The
new hybrid buses joining the fleet in December will be used for driver training
this week, and will start going into service from next week onwards on the
following routes:
·
Route
E8, operated by Metroline between Ealing Broadway Station and Brentford
(Commerce Road) - five Optare single
decks
·
Route
16, operated by Metroline between Victoria Station and Cricklewood Garage - five new Alexander Dennis Ltd double decks
·
Route
141, operated by Arriva between Palmers Green (North Circular Road) and London
Bridge Station - five new Wrightbus
double decks
·
Route
276, operated by East London Buses between Newham Hospital and Stoke Newington
Common - five Optare single decks
·
Route
328, operated by First between Golder's Green Station and Chelsea (World's End)
- five new Wrightbus double decks
Eighteen
further hybrid buses will join the fleet early in 2009 on the following routes:
·
Route
24, operated by London General between Pimlico (Grosvenor Road) and Hampstead
Heath (South End Green) - five new
Alexander Dennis Ltd double decks
·
Route
42, operated by East Thames Buses between Liverpool Street Station (Worship
Street) and Denmark Hill (Sunray Avenue) - five
new Alexander Dennis Ltd single decks
·
Route
141, operated by Arriva between Palmers Green (North Circular Road) and London
Bridge Station - a further six new Volvo
double decks
·
Route
482, operated by London United between Southall Town Hall and Heathrow Terminal
Five - two Alexander Dennis Ltd double
decks
Thirteen
hybrid buses, built by Wrightbus, are already in service in London:
·
Seven
single decks operate on route 360, operated by London Central between
Kensington (Queen's Gate) and Elephant & Castle
·
Five
single decks operate on route 129, operated by Travel London between Greenwich
(Cutty Sark) and North Greenwich Station
·
One
double deck hybrid on route 141, operated by Arriva between Palmers Green and
London Bridge Station. This bus will be returned to Wrightbus early in the New
Year, when all five of the later model are operating on the route
A
total of 56 double and single deck hybrid buses will be in operation in London
by the end of January 2009. TfL is committed to a longer term programme that
will see a further 300 new hybrid buses joining the fleet by the end of March
2011; after which it is expected that all new buses entering service in London
will be hybrid
This also saw the
introduction of the first batch of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400H as well as
the single deck buses manufactured by Optare. The Volvo hybrid double decks
have the Wright ‘Gemini 2’ bodywork.
Here is a list of the
diesel-electric hybrid bus types.
·
Wright Pulsar Gemini
HEV*
·
Optare Versa Hybrid
·
Wright Gemini 2 HW*
·
Wright Gemini Volvo
B5LH
·
Wright Gemini 2 Volvo
B5LH
·
Optare Tempo Hybrid*
·
Alexander Dennis
Enviro200H
·
Wright New Routemaster
·
Alexander Dennis Enviro400H
MMC (BAE)
·
Alexander Dennis
Enviro400H MMC Volvo B5LH
·
Alexander Dennis
Enviro400H Virtual Electric
*Withdrawn from
service
From
the Hybrid Buses page of the City Transport Info website, it says "As an aside, these are not London's
first 'ever' hybrid buses. In 1986/7 there were trials of an experimental
hybrid bus which captured braking energy that was then recycled to accelerate
the bus to speeds of 20mph." So this means that the Wright Electrocity
was not the first Hybrid bus to enter service in London.
If
anyone has any information about the experimental hybrid bus from 1986/7 that I
may have missed, then please let me know in the comments section below.
TFL have said there
are 1,500 diesel-electric hybrid buses operating on London routes and they are
anticipating to increase it to 1,700. TFL have ordered another 200 New
Routemasters (to increase the fleet to 1,000) which contributes to the increase
in hybrid buses.
Here is a list of
routes which will soon have new hybrid buses in London.
Route
|
Operator
|
Bus
Type
|
Expected
Date
|
26
|
CT
Plus
|
E400H
City
|
25th June 2016
|
35
|
London
Central
|
Unknown
|
30th April 2016
|
40
|
London
Central
|
Unknown
|
30th April 2016
|
53
|
Stagecoach
|
Unknown
|
23rd July 2016
|
72
|
London
United
|
Unknown
|
3rd September 2016
|
85
|
London
United
|
Unknown
|
2nd July 2016
|
114
|
Metroline
|
Unknown
|
3rd September 2016
|
140
|
Metroline
|
Unknown
|
3rd September 2016
|
182
|
Metroline
|
Unknown
|
3rd September 2016
|
Taken
from London Bus Routes service changes page.
The
following is a news update from LOTS:
 |
| Wright New Routemaster |
1)
Introduction Into service on route 47
of Stagecoach’s batch of Volvo B5LH/E400MMCs (13082-102) at Catford is now almost complete. Tridents in the 18481-499 batch have started
to move out, mostly to Bromley to replace older Tridents. Epsom Buses now has in stock its ten
StreetLites (WS 01-10) for route 463, all former London General 64-reg
vehicles. Some of Arriva’s new 9.3m
E20Ds ENR1-7 have started to appear in service on route B13, while just a
couple of Dartford’s E400s remain to appear.
2)
Metroline’s large stock of Trident/ Presidents is now down to just five, two
TPLs and three TPs, all at Holloway. At Uxbridge, just one Dart/ Caetano
(DC1541) remains in use. All of London
General’s ELSs have now gone from route 42, having been replaced by SOEs from
Merton. The last eight of Go-Ahead’s
Euro-II PVLs are still going strong although they must be replaced very soon
now. They are PVL151-SI, 152=NX, 154-BX, 159-NX, 169-Q, 170-AL, 215-NX,
232-Q.
3)
On 3rd February at the TfL Board meeting, financial
approval was given for another 195 NRMs to be ordered so as to take the
total up to the initial ‘promised’
figure of 1,000. This includes the
30 that had been proposed a few weeks ago to Wrights to ‘tide them over’ the
summer. The price per bus of this new
batch has reduced by 40,000 pounds.
It's
interesting how TFL have approved the order for another 195 New Routemaster
buses, which increases the fleet to 1,000. This means the design rights of the
New Routemaster will be handed over to TFL allowing other manufacturers to
design their own buses without having any legal copyright issues.
Also, the price of the extra 195 NRM’s, which is expected to be around £310,000
- £315,000, is close to the price of a conventional diesel-electric hybrid bus.
Since diesel-electric hybrid buses are
increasing, should TFL start increasing the number of zero emission buses such
as the hydrogen and electric buses for their fleet to help combat climate
change and pollution?
So TFL just approved
another 195 diesel electric buses with 3 doors and 2 staircases, which is known
as the New Routemaster, and route 68 has begun the New Routemaster operation.
We are still waiting for route 3 to have New Routemasters entering service.
That's all I have to
say for now and I hope you enjoyed this article which I wrote to commemorate
the 10 year anniversary of the hybrid bus service in London. I'm not an expert
on it but I do like to put the information out there as many people are unaware
of it. We should all be thankful that the London Bus routes are still regulated giving
London more new buses than the rest of Britain which is deregulated.
As always, you can
follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest
and Google Plus for all the latest
transport news which is @CLondoner92
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By AlexNevinTylee - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29307088
By Arriva436 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10736407
By Arriva436 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10736923
By Au Morandarte - Flickr: DSC00666, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31075604