London’s new BUBBLE-decker buses: 20 oblong-shaped electric vehicles that will be a ‘mix between a tram with a city bus’ will join TfL fleet from 2023
- New cutting-edge buses will hit the the streets of south London by next year
- Transport for London has announced a new fleet of 20 emissions-free buses
- They will run on the 358 route between Crystal Palace and Orpington
A fleet of high-tech emissions-free buses are set to hit the streets of London from next year.
The ‘tram buses’ will offer passengers a trip home in a stylish modern design – replacing small buses currently in use.
Transport for London said 20 new buses will be on the capital’s roads from 2023 – the first of their kind in the UK.
Initial plans for the electrically-powered vehicles will see them used on the 358 route in south London between Crystal Palace and Orpington.
Built by Spanish engineering firm Irizar, the ieTram is designed to be a hybrid between a tram and bus by being both highly-accessible and track free.
The electrically-powered buses are the latest step in efforts to make cut down on London’s emissions
The modern interior on the buses offers comfort and space for passengers, in place of the city’s older models
All the seats on the ‘tram buses’ come with USB charging ports for commuters
Pictures show the new bus with large windows and a high roof in the shape of a tram car.
It also has covered wheels under the body of the vehicle to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians in busy urban traffic.
All the seats also come with USB charging ports for passengers and 360-degree cameras for drivers in place of wing mirrors.
The buses will be charged by cutting-edge charging points recently installed in south London for the city’s electric bus fleet.
The high-tech buses will come with 360-degree cameras for drivers in place of wing mirrors
The buses are designed to combine the best of trams and buses together with high roofs and easy accessibility for passengers
The emissions-free cars will be on London’s streets by early next year, Transport for London said
Iñigo Etxeberria, Managing Director of Irizar e-mobility said: ‘We are delighted that Go Ahead, London largest bus operator, has chosen our technology; this is a clear testament to the confidence placed in our products and proof of their quality and reliability.
‘London is investing heavily in sustainable public transport solutions and we are honoured for Irizar e-mobility to play a part in this goal.
‘Our technological race continues, and this operation will see our company launching the first super-fast charging route in London, complying with the high standards set by Transport for London.’
TfL’s head of bus business development, Tom Cunnington, said the buses would not be ready for the road until the start of 2023 at the earliest.
He told MyLondon: ‘We don’t expect the buses to be in service until early next year.
‘Our first bus needs to go through comprehensive testing, it’s a new technology and it [this model] is the first of it’s type being built for the UK market.
‘We have to make sure the infrastructure’s in place, test it properly, driver training, and do everything else. While I’d love to have them in service now, we need to make sure it’s truly ready for our customers.’