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Metroline is the latest London operator to win a tender from TfL to operate electric buses on a central London route and has chosen the ADL BYD partnership to supply 23 of its 10.8m single decker model.
The new buses, due for delivery in Summer 2018, will be based at Metroline’s Holloway garage in north London to operate on Route 46 from Lancaster Gate station to St Bartholomew’s Hospital. BYD will supply charging equipment at Holloway and, in association with SSE, work with Metroline on related infrastructure.
Metroline has been operating five BYD pure electric double deckers, the world’s first, on Route 98 since May 2016. The buses, built in China and unveiled during Chinese President Xi’s historic visit to Britain in 2015, are pre-production pilot models which have proved that electric technology works on double as well as single deck buses.
Metroline’s Chief Operating Officer Sean O’Shea said: “'As the operator that launched the world’s first all electric, zero emission double decker bus service in London last year, Metroline is pleased to be able to follow this with an additional 23 single deck models to serve Route 46. This is a significant step, and this investment further underscores our determination to lead the industry as well as our commitment to our customers and Transport for London to deliver the very best service possible”.
Isbrand Ho, BYD’s MD for Europe, said: “We are delighted that Metroline has joined the growing circle of TfL operators choosing British-built buses from BYD ADL. We are confident that, as elsewhere in London, this fleet will prove efficient and reliable in service”.
Robert Davey, Group Commercial & International Business Development Director at ADL, said: “Our joint ADL BYD design is attractive to operators and passengers alike – there are substantial fuel cost savings to be made and passengers enjoy the stylish and comfortable bodies and the zero emissions. It’s a win win product”.