Sightseeing tour operator Londoner Buses is switching to running its heritage Routemaster buses from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
After a trial using HVO, the Transpora Group-owned business will operate all 10 of its vehicles on the fossil-free fuel in order to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%.
Transpora, which also owns Transpora Bus and Altonian Coaches, among other brands, also hints that it is considering repowering the vintage vehicles.
Rhys Hand, Managing Director at Transpora Group, says: “Although our Routemasters are exempt by the Department for Transport from LEZ (Low Emissions Zone) and ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emission Zone) requirements due to the age of the vehicles, we made a commitment when we commenced operations in London, that we would migrate our fleet to be more environmentally friendly as part of the Heritage Route project.”
“We are looking at future repower options, but we are very proud to be leading the way in defining emission standards for regular operation of Routemasters in London, which date from an era when vehicle emissions were not the concern they are today.”
Londoner Buses runs the T15 heritage route around many of London’s most famous sites from Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill and is currently offering a Christmas lights tours of the capital. Its buses are also available for private hire.
