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| Wrightbus Electroliner, New Routemaster and Irizar ie Tram at Crystal Palace Bus Station |
This is the follow up to the previous articles from last year and the year before where I gathered information from Transport for London’s consultation reports and highlighted the requests for zero-emission New Routemaster (NRM) and tram-style buses.
Let’s take a look at the 2025 consultation reports I have researched:
BL1 – Proposed express bus route between Waterloo and Lewisham town centre
From consultation report:
New Routemaster / Tram-style bus campaign responses: vehicle type e.g. tram-style/ double decker electric/new routemasters/ zero-emission buses/ vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 341
Bus design and interior comments (e.g. moquette, colour scheme)
Number of comments: 27
605 bus route
From consultation report:
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new Routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 3
SL11 - Proposed express bus service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood
From consultation report:
128 respondents were members of the public classified as being part of a suspected campaign advocating the use of New Routemaster buses on Transport for London (TfL) services
Rosendale Road junction with Thurlow Park Road cycling improvements
From consultation report:
We have classified two responses we received as being part of an organised campaign. We applied this classification due to the submission pattern and the similarity in the comments. The two responses suggested that the new Routemaster buses are the preferred bus design. We have classified this as ‘CBVT (Certain Bus Vehicle Type)’ campaign.
452 bus route changes
From consultation report:
Suggestion about vehicle type (e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility)
There were 92 online responses, which due to their pattern of submission and the similar sentiment expressed in them, we have classified as a campaign. The 92 responses did not answer any of the scheme specific closed questions. They did answer the demographic question on registration and we have split out the analysis on the demographics to show the affect the campaign has had. The free text answers were all coded as Out of Scope as were about bus vehicle types. No other substantive points were made. The responses also provided a similar answer to the Quality of Consultation question commenting on the bus vehicle type used in the consultation materials.
673 bus route - proposed withdrawal
From consultation report:
A potential campaign not directly relating to the proposals suggesting that we use New Routemaster buses on our services raised 12 responses.
Suggestion about vehicle type (e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility)
Route 419 hail and ride conversion to fixed stops
From consultation report:
‘Other’ received the most with 59 (42 per cent of the total). Amongst these were; not having a third door on the bus to improve getting on and off the bus, 41 comments and then ten comments about the look, design and unattractive nature of the buses.
Proposed changes to routes 698, 697 and new school route 695
From consultation report:
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new Routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 15
SL12 – proposed express bus service between Gants Hill and Rainham
From consultation report:
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new Routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 127
N118/114 - Proposal for new night bus service route N118 and cease weekend night bus service route 114
From consultation report:
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 123
Bus route 310 (from 2024)
From consultation report:
A campaign not directly relating to the proposals suggesting that we use New Routemaster buses on our services raised 176 responses. These were classified as being out of scope as vehicle type was not part of the consultation.
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new Routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
72 and 283 - proposed changes to routes between Hammersmith and East Acton
From consultation report:
A potential campaign not directly relating to the proposals suggesting that we use New Routemaster buses on our services raised 45 responses.
Suggestion about vehicle type (e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility)
Congestion Charge proposals
From report to the Mayor:
4.2.5 The organised responses identified were:
Routemaster buses: a total of 152 responses were received via our online questionnaire.
4.2.6 Please note that we have received similar responses to the majority of TfL’s public consultations for more than the last 12 months. These responses are predominantly characterised as expressing the opinion that TfL should do more to increase the number of Routemaster buses used across London’s bus network.
4.2.7 The use of Routemaster buses in London is outside the scope of this consultation and any comments received on this topic would have been analysed and coded as ’out of scope’.
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 152
287 and 687 - proposed changes to routes
From consultation report:
Suggestion about vehicle type e.g. tram-style/double decker electric/new routemasters/zero-emission buses/vehicle accessibility
Number of comments: 123
Extending the DLR to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead
From consultation report:
53 were from members of the public classified as being part of a campaign advocating for the use of New Routemaster buses on TfL services
Shoreditch High Street junction with Great Eastern Street - improving safety
From consultation report:
We received 702 responses in total, including 11 from stakeholders. We also classified the following responses as part of a campaign. There is further information about these responses in chapter 3:
• 28 responses that expressed support for the use of New Routemaster zero emission buses on our services.
I then researched Freedom of Information (FOI) requests published on the TfL website and found that some people dislike certain new double-deck electric buses, such as the new-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV and the BYD BD11.
I have used AI to summarise the context from the documents released by TfL.
Complaints and Comments Regarding New BYD BD11 Electric Buses on Routes 101, 320, and 473
Request ID: FOI-3539-2425
Date published: 24 February 2025
We have received 33 contacts in total over the period you asked about - please see the attached sheet which provides the information you have requested.
Of the 30 formal complaints received, 23 specifically stated that customers do not approve of the design and layout of the new vehicles.
Request ID: FOI-3831-2425
Date published: 20 March 2025
The feedback consists of 22 entries regarding the new electric buses on routes 101, 320, and 473. This includes 19 complaints , 2 enquiries , and only 1 commendation. Route 101 generated 11 entries , while Route 320 had 6, and Route 473 had 5.
A total of 18 respondents specifically criticised the "boxy" or "utilitarian" exterior design. 11 complaints highlighted the lack of a three-door and two-staircase layout as a step backward for passenger flow. Furthermore, 9 passengers complained about the "dark" or "cramped" staircase area due to the absence of the glazed window feature found on the New Routemaster.
Safety and accessibility were raised in 2 instances, specifically regarding the total absence of vertical handrails on the top deck and audio announcements being too quiet for visually impaired users. At least 15 separate respondents explicitly urged TfL to adopt the New Routemaster’s design specifications for all future electric bus orders.
Complaints and Feedback on Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV Buses on Route SL3
Request ID: FOI-1048-2526
Date published: 12 August 2025
The feedback regarding the new electric buses on route SL3 consists of 26 individual submissions. These complaints unanimously highlight a perceived decline in quality compared to the New Routemaster, focusing on three primary areas: the loss of the iconic glazed staircase, the reduction from three doors to two, and the move from two staircases to one. Respondents argue that these changes have negatively impacted passenger flow, aesthetic identity, and safety for those with visual impairments.
Across the 26 responses, there is a clear demand for Transport for London to standardise future electric bus procurement based on the NRM's design. Many suggest that instead of introducing the Enviro400EV, TfL should invest in brand-new fully electric NRMs or convert the existing fleet to zero-emission technology to maintain the "iconic" status of London's bus network.
BYD BD11 - Routes 129 & SL4 via Silvertown Tunnel and Enviro400EV - Route SL6
Request ID: FOI-0565-2526
Date published: 28 May 2025
Feedback reveals a strong preference for New Routemaster standards over newer electric models. A total of 19 submissions specifically recorded disapproval of the vehicle design and layout, comprising 5 for Route 129, 8 for Route SL4, and 6 for Route SL6. Common criticisms focused on the "boxy" and "utilitarian" exterior of the Alexander Dennis and BYD vehicles, with many passengers highlighting the absence of glazed staircases as a significant aesthetic and safety regression compared to older fleets.
Interior design was also a major concern, with respondents describing the environments as sterile and poorly aligned with Superloop or London Buses branding. Specific issues were raised regarding Route SL6, where passengers described the seating and legroom as "intolerable," particularly for those with mobility impairments. Across all routes, there are consistent calls for TfL to adopt NRM-inspired specifications—including three doors, twin staircases, and diagonal glazing—as the mandatory standard for all future zero-emission double-deckers to ensure a high-quality passenger experience.
Complaints and Feedback on Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV Buses on Route 196
Request ID: FOI-1824-2526
Date published: 19 August 2025
The feedback consists of 20 submissions from July and August 2025, primarily expressing dissatisfaction with the 18 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV buses introduced on route 196. Passengers frequently described the vehicles as "bland" or "boxy," noting that they lacked the iconic character of the New Routemaster. Specific grievances focused on "mismatched" interior colour schemes and the absence of diagonal staircase glazing, which many felt made the buses feel dark and cramped. There was also a strong preference for the three-door, two-staircase layout of older models to improve passenger flow and accessibility.
The figures highlight a clear public demand for higher design standards, with one passenger even giving the new bus a "0/10 rating." Many respondents argued that the New Routemaster should be the mandatory standard for all future electric vehicles, citing its status as a cultural icon and a symbol of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community. The submissions collectively urge a move away from "generic" designs in favour of bespoke vehicles that reflect London’s unique heritage and maintain the high quality expected of the city's transport network.
Complaints and Feedback on BYD BD11 Electric Buses on Superloop Route SL5
Request ID: FOI-2029-2526
Date published: 17 September 2025
Feedback regarding bus design is the primary driver of customer contact in this dataset, accounting for the majority of the 30 total interactions. Specifically, 15 separate contacts (13 complaints and 2 enquiries) explicitly stated that customers do not approve of the design or layout. This suggests a significant level of dissatisfaction with the physical configuration of the vehicles compared to operational issues like service gaps or driving standards.
While the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, the data includes a lone commendation for "Ambience." This indicates that while the functional layout is a major pain point for most, the sensory environment—such as lighting or interior feel—appealed to at least one passenger. Overall, design-related disapproval represents the single most frequent category of feedback captured in the report.
During late last year, I reported on the London Bus Tender Awards, which showed that Routes 8 and 16 were awarded to bus operating companies using new double-decker electric buses. This subsequently drew some complaints.
Complaints Concerning the Potential Withdrawal of New Routemaster Buses from Routes 8 and 16
Request ID: FOI-3271-2526
Date published: 10 December 2025
We have located 81 complaints / inquiries concerning the New Routemaster buses for the dates requested.
An FOI request to the Greater London Authority shows that it has also received complaints about the New Routemasters due to be withdrawn from routes 8 and 16.
EIR - New Routemaster buses on routes 8 and 16 [Dec 2025]
Request reference number: MGLA281125-9433
Date of response: Monday 29 December 2025
The GLA received 54 items in the timeframe stated. All were referred to TFL for response in line with our service standards.
("Where correspondence is of an operational nature and is related to Transport for London (TfL) or the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), we refer these on to be answered by TfL or MOPAC.").
Request ID: FOI-3554-2526
Date published: 27 January 2026
Please find attached details of the 81 complaints that we have located. You will note that for the most part, there is very similar wording across many of the cases received, which would suggest those complainants are working in concert.
The document shows that TfL has received a surge of complaints regarding the planned withdrawal of New Routemaster buses from routes 8 and 16, with passengers fearing a wider phase-out across the capital. Complainants argue that the replacement two-door, single-staircase electric buses are inferior, as they create bottlenecks and increase dwell times. In contrast, the NRM is praised as a cultural icon and the network’s most accessible vehicle; its three-door, two-staircase layout allows wheelchair users to board more easily via the middle doors while others move through the front and rear.
To address environmental goals without losing this iconic design, members of the public have proposed retrofitting the entire fleet of 1,000 existing NRMs with zero-emission propulsion. There are also calls for TfL to invest in several thousand new fully electric NRMs and collaborate with manufacturers like Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus to ensure future electric double-deckers incorporate the NRM's specific design principles as a standard template. Advocates emphasise that these vehicles, designed by Heatherwick Studio, are essential for preserving London’s visual identity and ensuring inclusive transport for disabled passengers.
As I looked through the document, it shows that TfL has responded to one complainant:
Dear Customer
Thank you for contacting us and for sharing your views on the proposed withdrawal of New Routemaster (NRM) buses from Routes 8 and 16. We understand why many customers value their design and layout, and we appreciate your passion for London’s bus network.
The vehicles from Route 8 are to move to Route 56. The NRMs currently operating on Route 16 are amongst the oldest buses in the NRM fleet and will have been in operation for almost fourteen years when replaced. As such, they no longer meet the Mayor’s zero-emission strategy, and at this age they can no longer deliver the standards offered by modern zero-emission buses.
Our latest two-door electric buses provide better use of space and improved accessibility, including larger accessible areas, greater manoeuvrability, better-positioned priority seating, improved guardrails, and more efficient heating and cooling. They also offer enhanced driver cab layouts.
A new NRM-style design with rear stairs and a third door would require a longer vehicle, limiting the routes it could operate on. The design of today’s electric buses also makes fitting a second staircase or third door very challenging and expensive due to battery placement, weight limits, and capacity requirements.
We must ensure value for money when investing public funds and developing a bespoke new vehicle for London.
It’s interesting to see that the New Routemasters on route 8 are going to be allocated to route 56 once the new electric buses arrive on route 8.
I suggested in my previous article that TfL should work with supply chains to retrofit existing New Routemasters to be fully electric and market them as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses for services in the UK and around the world where traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road.
Wrightbus built one shorter New Routemaster, which goes by the fleet code ST812. The length is 10.6 metres, achieved by removing eight seats; it originally launched on route 91. The usual length of a New Routemaster is 11.2 metres. Taking a look through the Bus Vehicle Specification V2.6, which I reviewed in my previous article last year, it shows that the minimum length for a double-deck bus is 10.1 metres and the maximum length is 10.9 metres. These specifications are subject to the vehicle being able to traverse the specified route and serve all stops safely.
Compared to the BYD ADL Enviro400EV City (which has a design similar to the New Routemaster) that features two doors and one staircase at a length of 10.8 metres, Alexander Dennis reported in 2021 that they had developed a 10.3-metre variant. This shorter model is now used in passenger service on route 292; the fleet number for the Uno-operated bus is 1468, with the registration LD72 XZS.
It shows that a shorter three-door, two-staircase double-decker bus is possible, and TfL hasn’t ruled it out in its bus specification.
In paragraph 6.3 of the Bus Vehicle Specification V2.6, it states:
Minimising dwell time
The choice of the number of doors fitted to a bus shall be informed by an analysis of the effect of dwell time at typical bus stops on the route intended for.
London Buses generally operate a two door system with the entrance door forward of the front axle and the exit door between front and rear axle. When single or three door buses are requested, the front door remains unchanged, the centre door is deleted or duplicated at a specified area of the bus.
What are my solutions?
It is important to note that I am not advocating for a relaunch of the New Routemaster project itself. While I support certain design elements, such as the three-door and two-staircase layout, I have previously detailed my specific research and thoughts on the rear open platform of a bus. This distinction is essential when considering how future vehicle specifications can be modernised while maintaining high standards of passenger flow.
As I’ve suggested over the last few years with the Enviro400EV City, I think Alexander Dennis and other manufacturers should develop a three-door, two-staircase double-deck electric bus. This would give TfL, franchised areas like Transport for Greater Manchester, and the various bus operators a better option for high-frequency routes.
When it comes to reducing weight, battery technology has moved on so quickly that manufacturers are now proving they can make much lighter buses by using smarter materials.
I’ve mentioned the manufacturer Arrival before (which sadly went into administration); they designed a single-decker using lightweight parts and a completely flat floor on a 'skateboard' chassis. It’s a design that several other EV makers have now started to use as well.
Another FOI response on the TfL website reveals that a request was made by a potential start-up for a new electric bus company. However, TfL refused to publish the design specifications for the New Routemaster bus.
Request ID: FOI-3577-2526
Date published: 09 January 2026
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the detailed New Routemaster Design Specifications requested as this information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests.
In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice our commercial interests. Providing the requested information would prejudice our negotiating position and ability to secure best value for money if we were to tender for new bus designs in the future.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
My ideas are not limited to a single manufacturer; TfL should encourage multiple companies to participate in designing and building a three-door, two-staircase double-deck electric bus. This design should be dedicated to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services and high-frequency routes, which I discussed in detail in my previous article.
Looking back to 2020, I published an article citing evidence from various Greater London Authority papers. These documents showed that, following the rollout of 1,000 NRMs, TfL management under Mayor Boris Johnson’s administration preferred to stick with two-door, single-staircase buses that incorporated NRM design features.
In my opinion, TfL’s decision to tender a single bus manufacturer to supply three-door, two-staircase buses with New Routemaster design features is significant. This is supported by my research into Alexander Dennis’s annual financial reports, which noted how the New Bus for London/New Routemaster effectively dominated the London bus market.
Between 2014 and 2017, Alexander Dennis Limited’s annual reports highlighted challenges in the #London bus market due to New #Routemaster orders by #Transport for London. Despite this, it maintained strong UK market share and expanded its Enviro200 and Enviro400, including electric models.
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) May 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
[image or embed]
Transport services need creativity, and I have suggested for a while that I would like to see a new double-deck electric bus with the latest high-tech features. This could include E-ink to rapidly change liveries and branding without the need to repaint the entire bus.
I like seeing different shapes and styles of buses; having the same bespoke design everywhere can be boring, especially for transport enthusiasts. The advantage of having different styles is that it makes it easier to identify a route from a distance just by the shape of the bus. This is why I would prefer to see various manufacturers building stylish new buses with high-specification features for London and elsewhere, making bus travel more attractive.
I noted that newer buses in Singapore feature three doors, two staircases, and an increased length due to their tri-axle design, which also allows for two wheelchair spaces. I suggested that TfL should identify routes suitable for these longer vehicles and trial the Singapore specification in service. This would allow them to evaluate feedback from passengers and accessibility groups as part of a wider service improvement plan. My ideas are not exclusive to London; I would also like to see other regions, including franchised bus areas, utilise different bus types to enhance accessibility.
TfL has published a new business plan for 2029/30, outlining their expectation to have 6,000 zero-emission buses by 2030. Priority should be given to improving transport infrastructure, such as bus lanes and priority measures, alongside securing new rolling stock for the Bakerloo line. Other essential goals include the tendering and construction of the Bakerloo line extension, the West London Orbital extension to the Overground, and accessibility improvements. These should include level boarding at Tube and railway stations, as well as new lifts to ensure step-free access across the network. Deciding how to prioritise these accessibility improvements in London is a significant task for the TfL board and the teams behind the scenes.
Highlights of the agenda reports pack (including the Commissioner's Report) for the 4 February 2026 Transport for London Board meeting:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) January 28, 2026
📄⦵ TfL updates on the 2026 Business Plan
DLR 🚈 and Piccadilly line trains 🚇
a publicly owned bus company 🚌
and morehttps://t.co/MubiBEVVc7 pic.twitter.com/yqEUOR2Ep7
Other past proposals I have suggested, which never left the drawing board, include the Oxford Street Tram, East London Transit, Greenwich Waterfront Transit, and the Cross River Tram. I have also advocated for extensions to the Tramlink services in South London, the Speedbus proposal from the 1970s, and various other schemes.
Conclusion
As TfL balances the significant infrastructure requirements of the Bakerloo line extension and the West London Orbital, the standard of the bus network remains a key component of the city’s transport strategy. To ensure that bus travel remains an attractive and inclusive option, the design and configuration of new vehicles are important considerations. Ultimately, the decision-making regarding future vehicle specifications—balancing passenger feedback on design with operational and financial requirements—rests with Transport for London.
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.
