Christmas Special: London's Green Effort

London's buses have never been so environmentally friendly since the transport network began. What has Transport for London and London's bus operators done to ensure London is as green as it today?

The London Bus Blog goes down under and will provide you with a Christmas special post of hybrid vehicles working London's streets 364(5) days a year. At present, there are over 600 hybrids operating on over 40 routes in London. Almost every London operator has a hybrid of some sort in their fleet, both single-deckers and double-deckers.

© GloriousWater 2014

Hybrid buses were introduced to London as a measure of dealing with the city's air pollution levels. Buses were responsible for 20% of the Carbon Dioxide emissions with them only making up 5% of the transport network. So something needed to be done about it. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone unveiled the first Hybrid bus on February 7th 2006 with them officially entering service on February 8th 2006. These buses were Wright ElectroCity buses and were put to work on route 360.

Later in 2006, the first Double Deck Hybrid bus in the world was unveiled, it was due for London Bus Route 141 and was made by Wrightbus. It eventually entered service on the route during February 2006, almost a year after the first Single Decker Hybrids were introduced to the Capital.

In December 2008, 25 prototype buses entered service in London with a variety of different operators. These buses along with the other Hybrids of 2006 carried a special "Leaf" livery which, as you can tell by the name, had a lot of leaves on the bus. TFL then pledged to introduce 300 Hybrid buses to London's streets by 2012, in which they succeeded when the 300th Hybrid bus entered service on Route 211.

Once Mayor of London Boris Johnson came into power, he pledged to introduce an Environmentally Friendly, Modern version of the much loved Routemaster. This was unveiled in 2012 and 8 of these vehicles were put to operation on route 38 between Hackney Central and Victoria. These buses contained three doors, one having the ability to convert to an open rear platform similar to the one of the Routemasters. But this would only happen in place of a Customer assistant. During times when a Customer assistant is not available the rear door would operate as a normal door. These buses contain Oyster readers at every door, so passengers can board and alight from any door, which is not the case with conventional double decker buses. These buses also contain two staircases which speed up flow between the upper and lower decks, one stair case being in the centre of the bus, similar to conventional London buses with a Spiral staircase at the rear similar to the Routemaster. 

These buses, although highly designed around the Routemaster do have some modern features. They are Hybrid buses and also contain a wheelchair ramp and wheelchair area near the middle door. Making them comply with the Disability Discrimination act.

© EastLondoner 2014

Up until the middle of 2011, routes that converted to Hybrid operation were usually done mid-contract and when Hybrid buses were introduced, they were never a full allocation. But this changed towards the end of 2011 when Metroline Cricklewood routes 16 and 139 were announced to be getting full Hybrid allocations. Soon followed by Stagecoach London Bow route 15. These were among the first fully Hybrid conversions. In 2012 route 27 became the first route to go fully Hybrid upon contract renewal.

During 2014, a new technology was introduced, known as a Flywheel. It is attached to the brakes of a bus and works similar to regenerative breaking found on the London Underground S Stock. This has the ability to save a lot of energy on existing buses which can be enough to class the bus as a Hybrid.

Abellio London

Abellio London currently has 86 hybrid buses in their fleet - numbered 2401-2486 - all of them are double-deckers manufactured by Alexander Dennis on the leading Enviro400 body; these are a mix of Euro 5 hybrids and Euro 6 hybrids and operate on 6 routes in and around central London from garages in Battersea (QB), Hayes (WS) and Walworth (WS), respectively.

2403, SN61DFP showing the Euro 5 rear ©GloriousWater

The Euro 5 hybrids make up the first half of the fleet, they are numbered 2401-2443. The first 13 hybrids - numbered 2401-2413 - entered service on Walworth (WL) route 188 between North Greenwich and Russell Square in early 2012. The 30 other Euro 5's entered service in February and May 2012 at Battersea (QB): 24 - numbered 2414-2437 - for routes 3 and N3 between Crystal Palace/Bromley North and Oxford Circus, and 6 - numbered 2438-2443 - for route 211 between Hammersmith and Waterloo.

2468, SN64OES showing the new Euro 6 rear ©KTLBB

The Euro 6 hybrids complete the second half of the fleet, these are numbered 2444-2486. These contain Abellio's updated interior and Alexander Dennis' new chassis and engine set-up. Hayes (WS) was the first to receive the Euro 6's with 8 entering service in May 2014 on route E1 between Ealing Broadway and Greenford Broadway, these were numbered 2444-2451. Just like the Euro 5's, the remaining Euro 6 hybrids entered service at Battersea (QB): first on routes 211 and C3 (Clapham Junction - Earl's Court) in June 2014 with 2452-2464 and second on route 49 between Clapham Junction and White City in September 2014 with 2465-2486.

What next for Abellio? They currently have 47 more Euro 6 Alexander Dennis hybrids on the new MMC body on order and/or delivery for routes 109, 350, 415 and N109 - numbered 2487-2533 - these will enter service at the start of next year. 

Arriva London

Arriva London were the first operator to introduce Hybrid Double Deckers to London's bus fleet, operating on route 141. Since then Arriva London mainly operate Volvo B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Hybrid buses, these are found at Stamford Hill (SF), Wood Green (WN), Tottenham (AR) and Brixton (BN). Some buses found at Tottenham were early prototypes and carry the "Leaf" livery found on London's other prototypes. The buses operate on routes 29, 59, 73, 76, 141 and 319.

© EastLondoner 2014

Like most other major London operators Arriva London have New Routemaster buses, operating on Routes 38 from Clapton (CT) and 137 from Brixton (BN). Arriva London were the first operator to take delivery of these buses for route 38 back in 2012. Many of Arriva London's New Routemasters for Route 38 were wrapped in an advert for Adidas, as can be seen in the picture. Along with a standard red New Routemaster.


Arriva London also have two Electric Optare Metrocity buses, found at Croydon (TC) garage to operate on Route 312. These buses carry the Electric Leaf livery found on London's other Electric buses.

Picture by Au Morandarte, Some rights reserved

What will happen to Arriva London's environmentally friendly fleet next year? Not much to public knowledge at the moment. Route 253 has been retained with Hybrid buses, but that is about it.

CT Plus

There isn't much to say about this operator in terms of Hybrid buses. They have one bus which is an Enviro400 Hybrid which was donated to the company by a nearby University who wanted to do research on the bus. It operates on Route 388 and is almost always found on the route, but occasionally it does the school journey of Route W13. It isn't unheard off for this bus to operate on route 212, but it's extremely rare.

Go Ahead London

Go Ahead London have quite a few environmentally friendly buses in their fleet. It all started back in 2006 when they were given Wright Electrocity buses for operation on Route 360. These carried the Leaf livery along with most early Hybrids. Below, WHY5 is seen operating on the route.

Picture by Au Morandarte, Some Rights Reserved

In 2008 they also had 5 Prototype Enviro400Hybrid buses, coded EH1-5. They were operated from Stockwell (SW) garage for Route 24 which was operated by them at that time.

Picture By Au Morandarte, Some Rights Reserved

Once Route 24 was lost, these buses primarily re-allocated themselves to Route 88. But before that, Go Ahead London had to convert Route 436 and 12 from BendyBus operation to Double Decker operation. As well as that they had also regained the contract for Route 19 from Arriva London. All three routes were to gain a partial Hybrid allocation. Routes 12 and Route 19 both got Volvo B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 buses while Route 436 got E40H/Enviro400 Double Deckers. 

© GloriousWater 2014

Go Ahead London also like many other Major London operators operate routes which use New Routemasters. These are found at Stockwell (SW) garage and Mandela Way (MW) garage for routes 11 and 453. They also operate the first production batch of the Euro6 versions which are the ones found at Mandela Way (MW). These buses are identical to the ones operated by other operators.

Go Ahead London also operate London's first fully Electric buses, these are made by the chinese manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) and these operate from Waterloo Garage (RA) on routes 507 and 521 which run fully in central London. The charging points for the buses are found in the garage and the buses themselves are coded EB1 and EB2. They entered service on Route 507 during December 2013 and on route 521 early 2014.

© GloriousWater 2014

Go Ahead London also have a handful of Enviro200 vehicles fitted with a Flywheel at Mandela Way garage, originally due to enter service in September they were highly delayed and the first one only entered service on the 19th December 2014. These buses are not full Hybrids and instead make use of regenerative braking. Similar to the type found on the London Underground S Stock. 

So what is in store from London's biggest operator next year? They have ordered Enviro400MMC/Volvo B5LH hybrids for their latest gain from Arriva London on route 135, while their gain of routes 322 and retention of G1 see some Flybrid Single Deckers coming their way.

RATP London Sovereign

London Sovereign only have one batch of Hybrid buses, these are in the form of B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 buses which are allocated to Route 13 from Edgware (BT) garage, which operates between Golders Green and Aldwych. These buses are coded VHs and it is pretty rare for them to appear on any other route at Edgware (BT) garage.

RATP London United

London United are the only operator in London to have pictures of the Hybrid Enviro200, these operate on Route 371 from Fulwell Garage. These carry the old London United interior as opposed to the new one. Sadly no other buses of this type were ordered for London. These buses are easily distinguishable from their Diesel counterparts with their "Leaf" livery and their Battery on the roof.

London United also operate the Enviro400 Hybrid, found at Shepherd's Bush (S) for route 94, and Stamford Brook (V) for route 27. These two batches are easy to identify between each other, with Route 94 containing the older seat moquette and doesn't have interior LED lighting, whereas the 27 has the newer moquette and has interior LED lighting.

© EastLondoner

Like most of London's other major operators, London United have a few batches of "New Routemaster" vehicles, found at Stamford Brook (V) for routes 9 and 10, and at Shepherd's Bus (S) for route 148. Apart from different logos, these buses are the same as the ones which are used by other operators. One of which is in a Year of the Bus Livery, LT150. This is the only one in London to wear a detailed livery for the Year of The Bus with later variants having a much simpler version. 

Later introduced onto route H98 during 2014, were four Electrical buses originally due for route 391. These are fully electric and are Optare MetroCitys. Their charging point is found in the garage, and they contain the electric livery worn by the BYD Electric buses on Routes 507 and 521. These are also the first electric buses to operate on a Suburban Route as well as being the first Optare MetroCity Electric buses.

So what can we expect next from London United? Route 285 is gaining a Double Decker conversion and the new contract specified Hybrids. What bus type will they be? I guess we all need to wait and see!

Metroline

Metroline have a few Enviro400 Hybrid Prototypes, these carry the "leaf livery" like many early Hybrids. Found at their Headquarters Cricklewood (W) these operate mainly on route 16, every now and again on routes 189 and 139, and rarely on the other routes. 

© LondonBuses72

Later in 2011, routes 16 and 139 gained a full allocation of Hybrid Enviro400s, these had the modest livery as opposed to the leaf one. The prototypes remained on the 16, alongside their new Hybrid relatives. These buses also carry a slightly newer Metroline interior, with orange poles.

In 2012, Metroline re-won the contract of Route 24 with brand new buses from Holloway Garage. The route was to gain a partial Hybrid allocation, and Metroline took this opportunity to order their first Wright Eclipse Gemini 2/B5LH Hybrid buses. But during 2013 when route 24 was converted to "New Routemaster" operation, the Hybrids were displaced to Willesden (AC) for route 52, and that is where they are found today.

During 2013, more Alexander Dennis Enviro400 Hybrids were ordered for route 189 a Cricklewood (W), although they can usually be found intermixed with the 61reg buses on route 16 and 139.

Metroline also operate two Batches of "New Routemaster" buses, ordered in June 2013 for Route 24, then in December 2013 for route 390. These buses are almost identical to those of other operators except for the operator logo and are found at Holloway (HT) mixed across both routes.

During 2014, Metroline retained the contract of Route 7, it was announced that this route was to gain a full Hybrid allocation, and this type was revealed to be the Wright Eclipse Gemini 3/B5LH, a First for Metroline. These buses are found at Perivale West (PA) and operate only on route 7, occasionally making guest appearances on other routes. Metroline were later also awarded the contract for Route 34, with Hybrids and the route was announced to also be getting Wright Eclipse Gemini 3/B5LH buses. These are found at Potters Bar Garage (PB) operating on Route 82, to which they were diverted.

So what's next for Metroline? They have won the contract for route 125 in Jannuary 2015, this will see Potters Bar (PB) gain more Wright Eclipse Gemini 3/B5LH buses. The retention of routes 331 and A10 both specified Flywheel Single deckers, due to enter service in 2015.

Stagecoach London

Stagecoach London has 129 E40Hs, 32 B5LHs, 5 Tempo Hybrids and 33 NRMs making 199 Hybrids.

The Optare Tempos were ordered under the ownership of the East London Bus Group, these carry the "Leaf" livery seen on many of London's earlier Hybrids. Originally ordered for Route 276, then sent to Catford (TL) for Route 380 and now Route 178. They contain the Blue ELBG interior and now are the only Optare Tempo Hybrids remaining in London service.

Later once Stagecoach had brought back their London operations, it was decided to convert Route 15 to Hybrid operation as the Route goes right to the Heart of Central London and suffers major traffic, the money used was from the new Contracts of Route 241 and 147. These buses contain a Green version of Stagecoach's normal livery, and are the only London buses to carry it. These buses are on the 61 plate and are at Bow Garage at the moment.

Stagecoach London then didn't order much Hybrids, then in 2013 it was announced that Routes 96, 122 and 472 were to be retained on new contracts and brand new Hybrid buses were to be used on the routes. This was a lot of buses and there was no point keeping the Green livery seen on the 15s buses as Hybrids were starting to become common in London and there was no point making them stick out. The buses were going to be to the new Euro6 specifications and were E40Hs. Although inbetween the retention and New buses arriving Stagecoach London had retained Route 205 with Brand new Enviro400 Hybrids and had won routes 54 and 75 with new Hybrids. 

So what eventually happened was that Stagecoach decided to completely re-organise the allocations of the Hybrids. The first batch of Enviro400Hybrids were going to Catford (TL) for routes 54 and 75, then 10 Hybrids were going to go to Plumstead (PD) to partially convert Route 122. Then the leftovers from the original order were going to Bow (BW) for a premature conversion of Route 205. In the meantime Newly ordered Wright Eclipse Gemini2/B5LH buses originally ordered for route 54 and 75 were going to convert PD Route 53 to Hybrid operation and route 96 would get the displaced Diesels. Then later more Enviro400s would arrive fully converting the 122 and 472 to Hybrid operation. 

These Euro6 Enviro400 Hybrids and Wright Eclipse Gemini 3/B5LH buses contain the blue and orange interior found on most of Stagecoach London's buses.

But during all of the Euro6 Hybrid arrivals, Route 8 got itself some Euro5 Hybrids introducing Stagecoach London's first "New Routemaster" operated route. Apart from the logo on the buses being a Stagecoach one the buses are pretty much identical to their predecessors.

So What is next for Stagecoach? Route 56 is getting an allocation Enviro400 Hybrid MMC buses during February 2015 upon contract renewal. Route 55 is getting an allocation of New Routemaster buses also during February 2015 introducing the companies second operation of such vehicles and Route 177 is getting B5LH/Enviro400 Hybrid MMC buses during May 2015. But what is special is the fact that Route 69 is getting Virtual Electric Enviro400 MMC buses due to enter service during the first half of 2015.

Tower Transit

© EastLondoner

Tower Transit operate a fleet of Enviro400 Hybrid buses from Westbourne Park Garage, as of December 2014 these are the only Hybrid buses that they have. These buses were ordered during the time of First Centrewest and they contain the First Group's interior. They operate on Route 23 between Liverpool Street and Westbourne Park. These buses are 62reg and often stay on the 23, although it is not unheard off to see them on Route 295.

© GloriousWater

Tower Transit also have the only batch of Hydrogen powered vehicles in London, these operate on route RV1 between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway. These are zero emission buses and produce nothing but water.

What are the next steps for Tower Transit? They may be a new operator, u they surely have a big year ahead of them! They have won routes 212, 44 and 488, of which Route 444 will be getting diesel Streetlites. Route 488 will be getting Enviro200s fitted with a Flywheel and will be Tower Transit's second Hybrid operation. Route 212 is to get Wright Eclipse Gemini 3/B5LH buses in 2015.


London has never been greener! With an extra 500 buses roaming the streets by 2021 and a new Ultra Low emission zone possibly being introduced by the end of the decade, there is still a lot of work that London has to do to get its pollution level to EU standards. All Double Decker routes that enter central London will all soon eventually be fully Hybrid and all Single Decker routes which enter central London will have to be Zero Emission.

We hope that you enjoyed this post about London becoming a cleaner and greener city. London will keep on moving for many many years to come, and will get greener for the foreseeable future with many new introductions and older buses getting withdrawn.

I would like to thank all the photographers who have allowed their pictures to be used in this post:

LondonBuses72: https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonbuses72/
LondonBusBreh: https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonbusbreh1912/
Aubrey Morandarte: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/

Please remember to leave a comment below and the team at the London bus Blog wish you all here a Blessed and...

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