Transport for London’s (TfL) latest fleet audit revels that, after six consecutive years in which the UK capital’s bus fleet fell in size, in the year to March 31, 2024 the number of buses increased by 133 vehicles to 8,776. The zero-emission fleet comprised 1,418 vehicles (16.2% of the total) up from 970 (11.2%) a year earlier.
Go-Ahead London remained the largest operator, with 2,270 vehicles. Arriva’s 1,528 strong fleet was in second place again. All operators saw their fleet size increased except for Sulivan Bus and RATPDev Transit London.
Despite the influx of zero-emission buses the fleet continues to age – the mean is now 8.23 years, up from 7.82 last year and only 5.7 in the year to March 31, 2019. The most youthful fleet was that of RATP (6.8 years) whilst Uno’s, which includes a number of older buses used only on school contracts, was 10.8 years.
• Stagecoach and Arriva have announced orders for new battery-electric buses following recent contract wins. Stagecoach London will take 24 Enviro100EVs and 17 Enviro400EVs from Alexander Dennis. They are the first of either type ordered by a London operator. The Enviro100EVs are expected to be used on routes B14 (Orpington-Bexleyheath) and W12 (Wa…
