TfL Euro6 growth…

Over 300 Euro6 buses will be operating on London’s roads by the end of this year, according to TfL. Over two thirds of these (215) are expected to be hybrid diesel-electric double deckers. Under the ULEZ proposal, all buses driving in central London from 2020 will need to meet the Euro6 standard for NOx emissions. Buses with these engines first entered service in the capital in April this year and from January 2015 all new buses must meet this standard. The Euro6 programme is intended to complement the work the Mayor and the city’s transport authority are doing to accelerate the roll out of hybrid buses, with nearly 1,000 currently in service on London’s roads and 1,700 due to be in operation by 2016 (equivalent to around 20% of the total bus fleet).

In addition, as part of the ULEZ proposals, TfL will progressively increase the number of these buses to the point that, from 2020, all double deckers operating in central London will be hybrid. In addition, under the ULEZ proposals, all single deckers in central London will be zero emission (at point of use). This will require ‘substantial investment’ by TfL. It is expected to deliver benefits outside central London, with nearly all double deck buses operating in inner London being hybrid and many in outer London too.

…and record patronage

TfL has announced record passenger growth figures. London Underground and London Buses combined provided 76.1m passenger journeys during the week of 22 September – the highest ever level. London Buses carried 50m passenger journeys, the largest number ever for buses. Last year’s combined Tube and bus record of 75.8m journeys was set during the week of 9 December and new highs are expected to be reached this coming December.