Abellio London will continue the electrification of its fleet with two first-of-type vehicle deployments in the capital over coming months. That work is to come after the operator added a pair of services to its Transport for London (TfL) portfolio, growing its fleet by 5%.
Routes 111 between Kingston and Heathrow Airport and 322 between Clapham Common and Crystal Palace have each come under the Abellio fold on seven-year contracts. While they both currently use existing buses – including Wrightbus New Routemasters on the 111 (pictured) – each will subsequently be converted to battery-electric operation with 41 new vehicles.
On the 111, Abellio will become the debut London operator of the production Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner when 30 are delivered later this year. Meanwhile, it is currently taking delivery of the first 8.7m Switch Mobility Metrocity buses to be built for TfL contracts. 11 of those will enter service over the coming weeks.
An 8.7m Metrocity was delivered to fellow London operator Metroline in 2021, but it is used on a Hertfordshire County Council contract and not on TfL’s behalf.
By the end of 2022, Abellio London will have 125 battery-electric vehicles, representing the electrification of 17% of its fleet. From this autumn, five of its six depots will have been upgraded to run zero-emission buses, which will give the operator “one of the cleanest bus fleets in the country,” says Managing Director Jon Eardley.
Adds Mr Eardley: “The commencement of these routes is an exciting moment for everyone at Abellio London and reflects our ambition and growing reputation as an operator of choice. Once again, we are showing our expertise in effective mobilisation of quality bus services, ensuring a smooth transition and a safe experience for our customers.”
