Friday, 18 July 2025

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses for Routes 96, 229, 428, and 492

Photo by Arriva Group

As we are now in mid-July and the school term has ended for the summer holidays, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Arriva has won and retained four bus routes, which will operate with new double-deck electric buses.

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

Route 96
Awarded to: Arriva London North (previously operated by Stagecoach Selkent)
Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR): 24
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 24th January 2026
Contract End Date: 21st January 2033

Route 229
Retained by: Arriva London North
PVR: 18
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 24th January 2026
Contract End Date: 21st January 2033

Route 315
Retained by: Transport UK London
PVR: 6
Vehicles: Existing diesel single deck
Contract Start Date: 2nd May 2026
Contract End Date: 4th May 2029

Route 428
Retained by: Arriva London North
PVR: 9
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 24th January 2026
Contract End Date: 21st January 2033

Route 492
Retained by: Arriva London North
PVR: 7
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 24th January 2026
Contract End Date: 21st January 2033

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.

This is quite significant news for Arriva London, as they are one of the major proponents of transitioning the bus fleet in London to 100% zero-emission.

Here's a press release by Arriva Group on the electrification of their bus fleet in London.

From Arriva Group's press release:

• £17m electrification project has completed at Arriva’s Norwood depot in London.
• Depot will facilitate 30 new zero-emission red double decker buses serving key Transport for London (TfL) routes.
• On-going electrification programme supports Mayor of London’s ambition for entire bus fleet to be zero-emission by 2030
Arriva Group has announced the completion of a major electrification project at its Norwood Depot in South London, UK.
The £17m investment reflects Arriva’s position as a leading London operator and a forerunner in clean, modern transport. It supports the Group’s commitment to decarbonising passenger transport across Europe, as well as the Mayor of London’s ambition for the capital’s entire bus fleet to be zero-emission by 2030.
The electrification of the Norwood depot, delivered through Arriva UK Bus and in partnership with fleet electrification specialist Zenobฤ“, includes state-of-the-art smart charging facilities and significant upgrades to the site’s power infrastructure.
The depot is now home to 30 brand new Enviro400EV zero-emission double deckers from British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis. These are the first next generation buses to be used on London’s roads, with pioneering features including blind spot monitoring and intelligent speed assistance.
The electric vehicles will serve customers on two key Transport for London (TfL) routes recently awarded to Arriva, including a pioneering new Superloop line which connects London’s suburbs with the capital’s centre.

This £17 million investment is part of a wider electrification programme for Arriva’s UK Bus operations in London, including Croydon, Enfield, Palmers Green, Tottenham and Thornton Heath.
Arriva’s Zero Emission Institute is supporting the electrification of Arriva’s depots in the UK and across mainland Europe. The ZEI is a hub of knowledge and expertise, sharing best practise with passenger transport authorities and Arriva’s businesses. It gathers learnings from across Arriva’s extensive operations to support the energy transition.

Read more

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.

Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) has ordered 270 more Solaris Urbino 18 electric #buses, following 50 delivered in 2023. Part of a deal for up to 700 buses, the move supports zero-emission #transport goals in #Germany and across #Europe. www.solarisbus.com/en/press/bvg...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:02 PM

To mark TfL’s 25th anniversary, 25 young ‘Superfans’ are making birthday announcements across London stations. Chosen from over 300 entries, they also get tours, museum visits and gifts as part of year-long celebrations of TfL’s impact on the capital. tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/tfl-you...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 12:24 AM

CLP Power Hong Kong has introduced four zero-emission Alexander Dennis Enviro500EV double-deckers, replacing diesel models. Featuring efficient electric drive and smart battery design, they support HK’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal and enhance staff transport. www.alexander-dennis.com/hong-kongs-c...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM

Hong Kong’s KMB donated bus signs and seats to CCC Kei Shun School, creating a “KMB Classroom” to help SEN students learn life skills, values, and bus etiquette in a realistic setting that also aids emotional and social development. www.kmb.hk/news_detail....

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM

#Liverpool City Region expands its AI-powered bus project with South #Korea. A digital twin tests transport changes before rollout. Using real-time data and #AI, it improves services and access—supporting Mayor Rotheram’s “AI for Good” vision. www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/news/liverpo...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 8, 2025 at 12:50 PM

Over 2,500 #Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric #buses serve #Europe with battery and #hydrogen options, advanced safety, and flexible charging. Daimler offers full e-mobility solutions, making the eCitaro a leading, eco-friendly city bus. www.mercedes-benz-bus.com/en_DE/brand/...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM

4G and 5G coverage is expanding across the Tube, with more lines and stations going live. The rollout, led by #Transport for #London and Boldyn Networks, will connect the full network by 2026, keeping passengers online and supporting emergency services. tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/more-se...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM

Highlights from the agenda reports pack (including the Commissioner's Report) for the 21 July 2025 #Transport for #London Board meeting. board.tfl.gov.uk/ieListDocume...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 14, 2025 at 8:19 AM

Hitachi Rail has delivered the most complex phase of TfL’s 4LM upgrade at Neasden Depot, integrating new CBTC tech with legacy systems. It’s a major step in boosting speed, safety, and reliability across 40% of the London Underground network. www.hitachirail.com/press/#/pres...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: On 24 June, train 206 lost communication causing a 9-minute delay and was replaced by train D070, which also had faults. Delays hit Metropolitan Line; last Aldgate trains cancelled, severe delays cleared by noon. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM

From 20 July, c2c rail services will be operated by the Department for Transport Operator, becoming the sixth publicly run service. This marks a key step towards Great British Railways—improving services, cutting waste, and supporting economic growth. www.gov.uk/government/n...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: #TfL won’t disclose Irizar IE tram costs per bus due to commercial sensitivity. Breakdown and towing data are held by Metrobus, the operator of route 358, running under a £4.83m annual contract awarded in 2019. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: #TfL says it has no detailed timetable for refurbishing New Routemaster buses but plans to complete all remaining upgrades within 18 months. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: NIBSbuses do not hold a London Service Permit for route 269. The B186 in North Ockendon is not exempt from the scheme, and no public roads in Greater London are. #TfL will now re-investigate the issue. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) July 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM

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.

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