London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 51, 162, 178, 244, 291, and B11, and Arriva Wins Route 248 with New Routemasters

Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the latest round of bus contract awards, highlighting continued progress towards a zero-emission fleet. Routes 51, 162, 178, 244, 291, and B11 are set to operate with electric buses, including a mix of new electric single and double-deck vehicles. Route 248 will continue to be operated with the existing three-door, two-staircase New Routemaster hybrid buses.

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

Route 51
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 18
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 3rd December 2032

Route 162
Current Operator: Go-Ahead Metrobus
New Operator: Go-Ahead London Central
PVR: 13
Vehicles: New electric single deck
Contract Start Date: 21st March 2026
Contract End Date: 18th March 2033

Route 178
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
PVR: 7
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 3rd December 2032

Route 244
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
PVR: 14
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 3rd December 2032

Route 248
Retained by: Arriva London North
PVR: 15
Vehicles: Existing New Routemaster
Contract Start Date: 20th September 2025
Contract End Date: 17th March 2028

Route 291
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
PVR: 6
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 3rd December 2032

Route B11
Retained by: Go-Ahead London Central
PVR: 8
Vehicles: New electric single deck
Contract Start Date: 6th December 2025
Contract End Date: 3rd December 2032

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

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

Going back to December 2024, Arriva London surrendered routes 149 and 248 due to contract cost issues. As part of my aspiration to see a 100% zero-emission London bus fleet by 2028, coinciding with the next London Mayoral election, Arriva London should have taken the opportunity to retender route 248 with new double-deck electric buses. I would also suggest the same approach for route 149.

Previous bus routes in Havering that were awarded new zero-emission electric buses include routes 165, 174/674, 252, 256, 365, 372, 496 and 649/650/651.

Here are the highlights of my posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) and BlueSky. If you have an account on X and BlueSky, you are welcome to like and retweet my posts.

#Volvo Buses has begun producing electric articulated #buses in #Brazil, meeting demand for zero-emission transport in Latin America. The move supports clean mobility and highlights Volvo’s commitment to sustainable, high-capacity urban travel. www.volvobuses.com/en/news-stor...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM

Reading Buses has ordered 8 more electric Enviro400EV buses, bringing the total to 32. Funded by government schemes, they’ll launch by 2026 with high-spec features and top energy efficiency, supporting cleaner travel and UK manufacturing.https://t.co/rbcLUefyoX pic.twitter.com/LmCNzJZJ4F

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 15, 2025

#Germany: VAG #Nuremberg has received its 100th electric bus, a #Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G, marking a key step in its shift to zero-emission #transport. The milestone highlights the city’s green goals and Mercedes-Benz’s role in sustainable urban #mobility. www.mercedes-benz-bus.com/en_DE/brand/...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 14, 2025 at 4:39 PM

PKM Jaworzno marked 10 years of Poland’s first electric bus, the Solaris Urbino 12. The city now operates 49 electric buses, with 7 more on the way. Over 80% of its fleet is electric, set to rise to 85%, with advanced tech and a 400 kWh battery.https://t.co/RiEjZBWVKI pic.twitter.com/s7P7kyk74M

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) May 15, 2025

I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.

Further reading

Reviewing Transport for London’s New Bus Specification v2.6: New Zero-Emission Buses Should Be Creative, Not Restrictive