Arriva has won an additional two bus contracts and has announced plans to invest in 87 new electric buses in London.
The new contracts have been awarded by Transport for London (TfL) alongside the retention of Arriva’s existing seven contracts to operate services in the UK capital.
To enhance these services, Arriva plans to invest in 87 new electric buses, including 76 double-deckers and 11 single-deckers.
The operator is also currently converting its Thornton Heath garage in Croydon to be fully electrified. This will provide capacity for over 100 zero-emission electric buses at the site from early next year.
This project follows the electrification of Arriva’s Brixton Tramshed in November 2021, from which Arriva operates 35 fully electric buses.
In addition, work is underway for the Enfield depot to be equipped with electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
In total, Arriva has 14 depots across London to serve around 100 contracted routes on behalf of TfL. Arriva is accelerating its programme of electrification across its depots and fleet as part of the Mayor of London’s vision for all bus transport to be zero-emission in the capital by 2030.
Consequently, Arriva states that it was awarded the new contracts as part of TfL’s aim to make public transport in London more environmentally friendly.
“We’re incredibly proud to be part of the famous London red bus network and to have successfully operated it for many years. Growing the number of routes we operate is a growth story for London and we can’t wait to welcome the new fully electric buses, growing the size of our zero emission fleet in London to nearly 230.”
The two new routes will commence operations in August 2024.
