Transport for London (TfL) quickly announced the conversion of further bus routes in the capital to battery-electric after it reached agreement with the government over a further funding settlement on 30 August.
30 route contracts were confirmed two days after continuity of government support to 31 March 2024 was agreed. Of those, 11 are for operation with new battery-electric buses, representing a PVR of 136 such vehicles. Go-Ahead London will account for 60 of those, Metroline 31, Abellio London 23 and Arriva London 21.
The total is split equally between double- and single-deck buses with 68 of each. Operation of all 30 newly awarded contracts will begin in 2023. Routes 40, 64, 83/N83, 213, 251, 265, 366, 377, 612, E5 and E7 are those that will go zero-emission under the tendering results in question. Operation of those new contracts may begin with diesel buses, dependent on vehicle and infrastructure availability.
News of the awards was immediately welcomed by a representative of one UK-based bus OEM, who notes that the manufacturing industry had been eagerly awaiting word from TfL and the orders for battery-electric vehicles it will bring.
After the £1.16bn funding settlement with government was reached, TfL Commissioner Andy Byford said that it “helps us to avoid large scale cuts to services” and avoid the threatened “managed decline” of London’s transport network.
Mayor Sadiq Khan was less upbeat, describing the deal as “far from ideal” and one that leaves TfL “with a significant funding gap.” As a result, fares are likely to rise and the body will still proceed with some cuts to bus services, although not to the extent that had earlier been touted. Mr Khan adds that failure to agree would have led to TfL “becoming bankrupt.”
A letter sent to Mr Khan by Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps confirming the award includes a condition that TfL will, in accordance with its Bus Action Plan, deliver at least 25 lane km of new bus lanes by 2024/25. By July 2023 it must also complete studies of at least five major bus corridors “to ensure that road space is used more efficiently, including but not limited to parking and loading,” Mr Shapps adds.
Grant funding from the government may not be used towards the costs of any road user scheme in London that TfL introduces, including (but not limited to) expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
