TfL prepares to change New Routemasters to front-boarding only - Plus an update on negotiations with the Bamford Bus Company

We have some news regarding the three-door, two-staircase hybrid bus known as the New Routemaster (NRM).

This is a brief news update as TfL has unveiled plans in a press release to phase out open-boarding on routes serving New Routemaster buses.

From TfL press release

The real reason why TfL and the Mayor ended the New Routemaster rollout in favour of legacy vehicles containing NRM design cues

First of all, welcome to 2020 and I wish all of my readers a very Happy New Year.

The purpose of this article is to show how the 'London' bus design has evolved from the New Routemaster (NRM) bus to the pure battery-electric and zero-emission Enviro400EV City, jointly manufactured by Alexander Dennis and BYD.

Ten years ago, the New Routemaster design with three-doors and two-staircases was first unveiled back in May 2010 and designed by Heatherwick Studios; the prototypes entered service in February 2012 and the full production of the New Routemaster commenced in September 2012. The original purpose of the New Routemaster project was to reinstate the rear open platform with conductor and the arrangement only served on six routes up until September 2016.

London bus tender awards for December 2019

 

The new tender awards have revealed one route is set to convert to use zero emission electric single deck buses.

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

TfL to change New Routemaster boarding on all routes after successful pilot scheme on route 8 and N8

It has been revealed in a Freedom of Information request released by TfL that the aesthetic 3-door, 2-staircase hybrid bus known as the New Routemaster is undergoing changes to the boarding procedure, moving to front door entry only on all the routes served using these vehicles. 

Comparing the two double-deck EV’s for London: BYD/ADL Enviro400EV and Optare Metrodecker EV

Enviro400EV City

There are two double-deck electric buses currently operating on routes 43 and 134 operated by Metroline for London Buses.

London bus tender awards for mid November 2019 - New Electric double decks for routes 23, 319 & C3

TfL has announced the new London bus tender awards for mid-November 2019; it has revealed three routes will be served with double deck pure electric buses.

Thursday 14 November

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

TfL’s update with the double-deck hydrogen rollout

We have all heard the news of Jo Bamford purchasing Wrightbus, and now a Freedom of Information release has revealed the current situation with the double-deck hydrogen rollout for London bus services.

The FOI release from TfL has revealed details the contract for 20 double deck hydrogen buses hosted on the GOV.UK contract finder website.

Route 19 to convert to three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemaster buses

As more London bus routes are restructuring to save costs, the withdrawal of route 48 has enabled another conversion to New Routemaster (NRM) operation.

According to London Bus Routes service changes, route 19 is expected to partially convert to New Routemaster operation on 12th October 2019 as route 48 is withdrawn. Then on 25th April 2020 it is expected route 19 will be fully served with New Routemaster buses from route 67.

Upcoming new London electric bus routes for 2020

It has been revealed that London will be getting more electric buses during 2020.

Taking a look at a recent Freedom of information (FOI) request submitted to Tfl; they have released some interesting information regarding the electric bus project for London. TfL stated under a Freedom of Information request:

We are currently converting routes 43 and 134 to double deck electric buses – and all buses will be in service by the end of the year. These double decks are made by two manufacturers – Optare and a partnership with BYD/ADL.

London bus tender awards for early October 2019

This is a brief news update for London buses.

TfL has announced the London buses tender awards as bus operators Metroline and Stagecoach retained their routes respectively and Abellio lost their K1 contract to RATP-Dev London United with new diesel single deck buses.

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