Press Release

Mayor launches plan for London hybrid bus fleet
31-10-2006   546

The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today announced plans for a hybrid bus fleet for London, as he unveiled the first hybrid double-decker bus in the world. 

Hybrid buses, which use a combination of diesel and electric power, are central to Transport for London’s plans for a cleaner, greener fleet, and will contribute to cutting the capital’s Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. These hybrid buses are an important step towards the Mayor's long- term goal of a low carbon hydrogen based transport system.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:

"Hybrid vehicles can make a real contribution to a cleaner, greener public transport network for the capital. Bus manufacturers and operators now need to rise to this challenge to make this economically and financially feasible.

'Creating a low-carbon bus fleet is an important part of our work to cut the emissions which are causing climate change. It is an important step towards my vision that London becomes one of the world's most sustainable cities." 

The adoption of hybrid buses is a key part of a range of measures being developed by the Mayor and Transport for London to meet London's contribution to tackling climate change.

The measures include:

• Continuing modal shift from private car usage to public transport, cycling and walking;
• Greater energy efficiency across all Transport for London businesses and modes of transport;
• The adoption of more energy from renewable sources and innovative technology to recycle energy;
• Support for the continued research and development of low carbon fuels;
• Strategies and support for organisations and individuals to travel in more environmentally friendly ways through Travel Demand Management schemes, including in the London Borough of Sutton the largest of its kind in the UK;

London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy said:

“Transport for London is committed to playing a full and leading role in supporting London in cutting CO2 emissions and tackling climate change.  Transport for London’s new Business Plan is the greenest yet, demonstrating our commitment to this issue.  For the first time, it includes a £25m climate change fund.  This new fund is designed to develop clean, green initiatives to mitigate the impact of transport related emissions, over and above those we are already taking forward.

"Today, with the announcement of our plans for hybrid buses in London, we are sending a clear message to London and the transport industry that we are serious about this. Transport for London will work with bus manufacturers and operators to take this important step, and they need to start working with us now.”

Transport for London currently has six single-deck hybrid buses operating on route 360 in London, from Elephant & Castle to Kensington and is actively pursuing the development and increased deployment of hybrid buses on London’s bus network.  Transport for London is currently discussing how to achieve this with both bus manufacturers and London bus operators.
ends

Notes to Editors

• The London Bus fleet includes 8,000 buses on 700 routes, carrying over 6m passengers per day;
• The 8,000 strong London Bus fleet is the cleanest in the UK;
• All buses in the London fleet meet at least Euro II emissions standards and have particulate traps, 60% meet Euro III standards and are also fitted with particulate traps, and buses meeting Euro IV standards are now being introduced;
• The current hybrid buses are powered by a small diesel engine and electric power, thereby cutting emissions by up to 40% per bus.  The technology works through a battery pack providing power to the wheels via an electric motor.  The battery pack is kept at optimum power by a diesel Euro IV engine, keeping the battery charged.  When the vehicle brakes, energy which would normally be wasted is also recycled and used to charge the battery.  Thanks to continuous charging of the battery, the vehicle can meet the existing range of a conventional diesel bus.
• The Hybrid double-decker bus has been built by WrightBus Limited.
• It will go on display at the Euro Bus Expo 2006 in the Birmingham NEC from 7-9 November.  On its return to London towards the end of November, it will go into service on route 141 from Wood green to London Bridge, which is operated by Arriva out of Wood Green Garage.
• Photos from the launch will be available from the Transport for London press office following the launch.

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