New Routemaster fuel economy figures

Figures on the fuel savings achieved on routes converted to using only New Routemasters have been released. The results in their average miles per gallon (mpg) are in comparison to the vehicles previously used:

Route 11 – from 4.7mpg to 7.4mp (57% improvement);
Routes 24 and 390 (the same vehicles are used across the
two routes) – from 5.4mpg to 7.4mpg (37% improvement);
Route 9 – from 3.9mpg to 6.2mpg (59% improvement);
Route 148 – from 5mpg to 6.9mpg (38% improvement);
Route 10 – from 4.4mpg to 6.5mpg (48% improvement).

TfL has announced that the next routes to be served entirely by New Routemaster buses will be the 55 and the 15. Both routes will operate with the rear platform closed when the bus is moving, with large numbers of passengers able to quickly board and alight using all three sets of doors and two staircases at bus stops. The conversion of these routes will see the 400th New Routemaster enter passenger service. This marks the half way point to having 800 of the vehicles on the capital’s streets by 2016. Altogether, they are envisaged to reduce CO2 emissions in the city by around 27,500 tonnes a year.

A phased conversion of 34 vehicle route 55, which is operated by Stagecoach and carries 27,000 passengers daily, is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The route runs between Oxford Circus and Leyton via Tottenham Court Road Station, Old Street, Shoreditch High Street, Cambridge Heath, Hackney Central and Clapton. Route N55, which runs from Oxford Circus to Woodford Wells is also being converted to New Routemasters.

Route 15 with 22 vehicles and 14,500 passengers daily will begin its phased conversion at the beginning of February and is due to be complete by the end of the month. The Stagecoach operated route runs from Trafalgar Square to Blackwall DLR via Aldwych, St Paul’s, Mansion House, Cannon St, Monument, Tower Hill, Aldgate, Aldgate East and Limehouse DLR.