Abellio London increases fleet by 5% overnight
Newly-acquired routes to receive Wrightbus Electroliner and Switch Mobility MetroCity firsts
Abellio London has increased its fleet size by 5% overnight as it takes on 41 more buses to serve two additional TfL bus routes.
The operator has taken over the 322 (Clapham Common-Crystal Palace) service, which it is now operating from its Battersea depot, while the newly acquired 111 (Kingston to Heathrow Airport via Hounslow) is being rolled out from the company’s Twickenham garage. The new TfL contracts will operate for seven years.
The routes will start by using existing Euro VI diesel and hybrid vehicles, with route 111 seeing new Routemaster buses transferring from other Abellio London garages and another operator.
A fleet of 30 Wrightbus Electroliner electric buses will enter service during 2022 on route 111. These will be the first Electroliner vehicles to enter service in London.
On route 322, a fleet of 11 electric Switch Mobility MetroCitys will enter service in the next few weeks. These will be the first Switch Mobility vehicles to enter service in London. The 8.7m-long single-deckers are being brought in specifically to safely navigate the tight roads on the route.
“We’ve been steadily increasing the size of our zero-emission fleet, and the launch of further state-of-the-art electric buses on routes 111 and 322 in the coming months will see us cement our reputation for operating one of the cleanest bus fleets in the country” – Jon Eardley, Managing Director, Abellio London Bus
Jon Eardley, Managing Director, Abellio London Bus, said: “The commencement of these routes is an exciting moment for everyone at Abellio London, and reflects our ambition and growing reputation as an operator of choice. Once again we are showing our expertise in effective mobilisation of quality bus services, ensuring a smooth transition and a safe experience for customers.
“We’ve been steadily increasing the size of our zero-emission fleet, and the launch of further state-of-the-art electric buses on routes 111 and 322 in the coming months will see us cement our reputation for operating one of the cleanest bus fleets in the country.
“We’re committed to working long-term with innovative manufacturers and TfL to help realise the Mayor of London’s ambition to have a zero-emissions bus system in the capital by 2030.”
Five out of Abellio London’s six depots will be upgraded to run zero-emissions buses by autumn 2022. By the end of the year, the operator is set to run 125 electric vehicles, with 17% of the overall fleet being zero emission.