Stagecoach to test Britain’s first Driverless Bus!

As technology marches ever forward, Stagecoach issues a press release confirming a trial to test a single deck driverless bus in partnership with bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis.

From Stagecoach Press Release

Work is underway to trial the UK’s first full-sized driverless bus.

Transport operator Stagecoach confirmed today (23 July 2018) that it has partnered with bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and technology company Fusion Processing to produce a single deck autonomous bus.

Tottenham Court Road Crossrail Elizabeth Line near completion and London Bus tender awards update

Crossrail have announced the near completion of the new Tottenham Court Road station. We are still months away though until the main core of Crossrail opens up in December 2018.

Excerpts from Crossrail news

New images showing progress at Tottenham Court Road have been released, highlighting the critical role played by businesses across the UK in the delivery of the Elizabeth line. Tottenham Court Road station will be at the centre of London’s first new underground railway in a generation, which will run from Berkshire and Heathrow in the west to south east London and Essex in the east.

Five new Enviro200 MMC’s for Q-Park Limited

Alexander Dennis has announced on their website that Q-Park Limited has purchased five new small Enviro200 MMC buses.

From Alexander Dennis

Q-Park Limited, the company that operates Purple Parking at Heathrow and Gatwick airports on behalf of Holiday Extras, has introduced a fleet of five new Enviro200 single decks built by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL).

Strong backing for the Holborn Tube Station upgrades

In their consultation, Tfl reports that 98% of the respondents agreed with the need to upgrade Holborn Station.

From TfL press release

TfL has announced today (Thursday 5 July) that proposals to substantially boost the capacity of Holborn Tube station have received strong backing from the public and local community.

TfL adds Pay As You Go fares to Journey Planner and Open Data feed

TfL have added prices to their Journey Planner to show commuters how much it would cost to travel on ‘Pay As You Go’ Oyster and contactless fares.

From TfL press release

Customers using TfL's Journey Planner can now see how much a planned journey on public transport in London will cost, following recent upgrades to help make planning journeys easier for customers.

TfL unveils the ‘maintenance train’ for the Crossrail Elizabeth Line

First of all, my apologies for the lack of articles recently which is due to the fact that I haven’t found many newsworthy articles to report on - I have however found one article from TfL reporting on the new maintenance train which will be used on the upcoming Crossrail Elizabeth Line.

From TfL press release

Rail milling train is the first of its kind in the UK rail industry.

Three new bespoke maintenance trains built in Europe will maintain London's newest railway.

Optare announces the rollout of the Metrodecker EV

This is a follow up to my previous article where I showed you the press release from Alexander Dennis.

Optare has recently announced a rollout of 31 electric double deck buses for London Bus Route 134 which will be operated by Metroline.

Excerpts from Optare News

Optare will supply 31 all-electric double deck buses for TFL Route 134 running from North Finchley bus station to Tottenham Court Road to start operation next summer.

TfL unveils the new Class 710 for the London Overground

TfL has unveiled the new Class 710, manufactured by Bombardier which will soon to be used on the Lea Valley Lines, Gospel Oak to Barking Line (GOBLIN), Watford DC Line and Romford to Upminster Line.

From TfL press release

The new trains will carry almost 700 people per train and feature a high capacity walk- through layout, Wi-Fi and USB charging points and a brand new seat moquette.

Electric double deckers for London Bus routes 43 and 134!

At last! We are seeing TfL and the Mayor announcing the rollout of the double-deck electric buses for two London Bus routes.

From Mayor of London press release

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the creation of the largest double-decker electric bus fleet in Europe today, as he brought together city leaders from across England and Wales for a national air quality summit.

Optare Metrodecker buses for Green Line 702

At last, Optare has finally placed an order for five new double-deck Metrodecker buses from Reading Buses for the Green Line Route 702.

From Optare

Optare have confirmed their first ever order for their Metrodecker Euro 6 double decker bus. The order from Reading Buses for five vehicles to operate on the Green Line 702 route between London and Windsor is due for delivery in June 2019 ahead of the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) coming into operation. ULEZ will require all vehicles operating into Central London to meet the stringent Euro 6 engine emission standards.