More NBfL routes announced

The third and fourth routes in the capital to be served by the New Bus for London (NBfL) will be the 9 and 390. Route 9 is operated by London United and runs between Hammersmith and Aldwych, via Olympia, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly, Pall Mall and Trafalgar Square. New buses will appear on this route from 26 October. During peak hours 22 will be in service to carry the 17,000 people who travel on the route each day. The 24 hour Route 390 is operated by Metroline and runs between Notting Hill Gate and Archway, via Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Euston, King’s Cross and Tufnell Park. New buses will appear by the year end. During peak hours 20 will be in service to carry the 18,400 people who travel on the route each day. Buses on both routes will operate with the rear door open and a conductor on the rear platform for the majority of the day.

TfL’s MD of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels, said, ‘London’s increasingly green bus fleet continues to grow apace. The 600 New Bus for London vehicles entering passenger service over the next few years will bolster what is already the largest fleet of hybrid buses in Europe. By 2016 twenty per cent of buses in the capital will be hybrid and these will be concentrated in central London – delivering the maximum air quality benefit where it is needed most.’