London Introduces New Tram-Style Electric Buses

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that new “zero-emission” electric buses will commence service on London’s 358 route starting Wednesday. These vehicles, which bear a resemblance to trams but operate on conventional roads, utilize pantograph technology featuring an arm-like structure mounted on the bus roof for power. TfL clarified that this system allows the buses to be charged at both ends of the 15-mile (24km) route, which runs between Crystal Palace and Orpington, in as little as six minutes. This eliminates the necessity for drivers to return the buses to garages for recharging. According to the transport authority, these modifications are expected to yield financial advantages, as fewer buses will be needed for the route, enabling funds to be reinvested into other segments of the network. The new buses are equipped with advanced safety features, including speed-limiting technology, audible alerts for pedestrians and other road users, and enhanced direct and indirect driver vision through camera monitoring systems that replace traditional mirrors. TfL stated that the vehicles were designed with “a safer front-end design” as part of initiatives to help achieve “the mayor’s vision zero goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads.” The interior has been engineered to minimize passenger injuries, incorporating an improved seat design and slip-resistant flooring. Additionally, the transport body noted the inclusion of USB charging ports and palm-operated assistance buttons. Modifications have been carried out at Orpington bus station to accommodate the new layout and the charging infrastructure required for these buses. TfL previously introduced pantograph technology to London in 2022 at Bexleyheath garage, where it was tested for longer-range applications across the network. This current undertaking is a collaborative effort involving Go-Ahead London, TfL, and the Spanish supplier Irizar. Tom Joyner, managing director of Go-Ahead London, the operator of these buses, stated: “I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made this year in our journey toward a zero-emission future. This includes the exciting launch of the 358 route and the expansion of our pantograph technology, both strong testaments to our commitment to cleaner air and healthier communities.” Lorna Murphy, director of buses at TfL, commented: “Installing new rapid-charging pantograph infrastructure on one of London’s longest bus routes is an innovative step forward, helping us to run cleaner, greener services that get Londoners where they need to be.” Mete Coban, London’s deputy mayor for the environment, remarked that the electrification of bus fleets is “key to the mayor’s aims of cleaning up London’s toxic air and making London a net-zero carbon city by 2030.”