London Bus Tender Awards: New Double-Deck Electric Buses For Routes 341 And Superloop SL3

Bus type suggestions for London Buses, Superloop (including SL3) and East London Transit

The recent London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that routes 341 and Superloop SL3 will be using new zero-emission double-deck electric buses. Hereby replacing the three-door, two-staircase hybrid buses named New Routemaster used for the SL3.

12th April 2024

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Route 341 (24h)
Current Operator: Arriva London North
New Operator: Arriva London North
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 19
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 12th October 2024
Contract End Date: 10th October 2031

Route H37
Current Operator: RATP Dev London United
New Operator: RATP Dev London United
PVR: 13
Vehicles: Existing diesel single deck
Contract Start Date: 1st March 2025
Contract End Date: 25th February 2028

Route SL3
Current Operator: Stagecoach Selkent
New Operator: Stagecoach Selkent
PVR: 15
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 18th January 2025
Contract End Date: 16th January 2032

New electric vehicles may enter service after the contract start date, dependent on infrastructure and/ or vehicle delivery timescales.

The diesel vehicles detailed above will meet Euro VI emissions standards.

Another good news is that we see more new zero-emission buses rolling out onto London's roads.

I did mention in my previous article that, as I have researched from the consultation reports of various London Bus routes, this includes a huge number of requests for New Routemasters to be used on the Superloop routes, including SL3.

It's been revealed that #TfL's #Superloop route SL3, which is a new express route between Thamesmead and Bromley. They will be using three-door, two-staircase hybrid buses named New Routemaster.https://t.co/vBzMXoGZb8https://t.co/wv3vSc9H6U pic.twitter.com/XijNTJIeXR

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) December 14, 2023

London and other areas should have a new era for the bus network, which means taking on board my ideas that public transport needs more creativity in regards to bus route branding, increasing bus priority measures, and bus types to help improve accessibility, such as my suggestion for a new three-door, two-staircase zero-emission bus, and tram-style articulated buses, especially for the Superloop network of express bus services.

Better public transport helps improve the economy along with reducing traffic congestion, which can help the emergency services improve their response times by using bus priority measures and save lives. Reducing traffic congestion can help reduce lateness for delivery firms and other services.

I'll wrap up the article with some highlights of my tweets on Twitter/X.

Along with other London Bus brands, such as the Superloop. I suggested the use of tram-style articulated buses to improve accessibility and capacity. I also suggested the same for Greater Manchester's Bee Network.https://t.co/5ajmQe8rfd
2/4https://t.co/6oStvyKlnX pic.twitter.com/WZOB5WpCEW

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 4, 2024

Not all roads in London have the road space to use tram-style articulated buses.

I have suggested a new accessible zero-emission bus with two wheelchair areas and extra features such as lightweight solar panels, high-spec interiors, etc.https://t.co/8lfyadP01d
4/4 pic.twitter.com/RRSkYU5pwf

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 4, 2024

London Transport (LT) News (No. 429 - April 28 1994) clipping:
The transfer of the Waterloo and City line and the Wimbledon branch from British Rail (Network SouthEast) to the London Underground occurred on 1st April 1994. pic.twitter.com/Ygb7ECgLFr

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 1, 2024

#London #Transport (LT) Magazine (Vol. 26, No.3, June 1972) clipping:
The 1972 Tube Stock for the Northern line was unveiled to the national and local press with a demonstration service from Golders Green to Edgware and back. And driver training for the new rolling stock. pic.twitter.com/5LauNbyjuM

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 11, 2024

I invite you to follow me on Twitter/X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my Twitter/X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.