London’s new electric buses have sunroofs, charging points and phone holders
Londoners have been treated to some snazzy new buses featuring charging points, phone holders and sunroofs.
The all-electric buses, which have been introduced on the capital’s route 63, have been hailed as the way to get commuters out of their cars and onto public transport.
But the double-deckers’ official launch has come with the warning there won’t be any more unless the Government agrees a long-term funding deal with Transport for London (TfL).
The transport network has been in ongoing talks with the Government to secure funding to help it fill a financial black hole created by the pandemic. Its latest bailout will expire on Friday.
The first of the ultra-modern buses were introduced onto the north-south route 63 between King’s Cross and Honor Oak in December, and more will be added in the coming weeks.
The zero-emission buses feature USB charging points and mobile phone holders in the seats, skylights on the upper deck, larger rear windows, and wood-effect flooring which ‘adds to the cutting-edge design’.
Priority seats for passengers less able to stand are easy to spot in a contrasting colour scheme to other seats, and each bus has a larger wheelchair and buggy area than previous versions, improving accessibility.
CCTV cameras have also been upgraded to provide higher-definition footage to improve safety for travellers.
The new buses were built in Scarborough by the British bus firm Alexander Dennis, and are operated by Abellio London.
They have been hailed as ‘a sign of what the future of buses could be’ if financial help to take the capital’s ageing buses off the road is provided.
There are currently more than 650 zero-emission buses in TfL’s fleet with Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, pledging for all new buses in the city to be zero-emission by 2034.
Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport, said: ‘It’s great to see the introduction of this cleaner, safer and 100% electric bus fleet on route 63.
‘As ridership levels on the route return close to pre-pandemic levels, these new buses will play a significant role in encouraging Londoners back onto our bus network.
‘Unfortunately, we will not see more of these buses if TfL goes into managed decline due to lack of funding.
‘Investing in these new buses and the wider network is now more important than ever – to both encourage sustainable travel and to support the capital’s recovery from the pandemic.’
Chris Gall, ADL group engineering director, added: ‘TfL’s sustained investment in its bus network is hugely important as it underpins skilled jobs and apprenticeships at our factories in Yorkshire and Scotland, our aftermarket facilities across the country, as well as in our extensive domestic supply chain, supporting communities through re-investment in local economies.’
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