Tram-like buses to enter service
TfL will unveil new “tram-like buses” in phases to one of the capital’s longest bus routes, the 358 between Crystal Palace and Orpington. The new “pantograph” technology on the route will allow for “fast, high-power” charging on the new bus at each end of the 15-mile journey.
It does it through an arm-like structure takes just six minutes to attach to the roof of the bus. This, TfL says, means the driver does not need to head back to the garage to recharge, and gives the bus a tram-like feel.
As a result, fewer buses are needed on the route, meaning savings to TfL that it can invest into other parts of its network, not to mention “the benefits of cleaner, greener travel.”
As part of TfL’s commitment to the Mayor’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating all deaths and injuries on London roads, the tram-like buses are designed with a safer front-end design, and come with the latest safety technology. These include speed limiting technology, audible warnings to alert pedestrians and other traffic of the bus, and an improved direct and indirect vision for the driver through cameras replacing mirrors.
“The striking new design of the tram-style buses has an interior that is designed to reduce customer injuries including improved seat design and slip protection for flooring,” TfL says. “The buses benefit from enhanced customer features such as USB charging ports and palm-operated assistance buttons.”
TfL boasts Western Europe’s largest zero-emissions fleet with over 1,700 zero-emission buses in service.
“Zero-emission buses help to tackle the dangers of toxic air pollution and tackle the climate emergency,” it added. ”Carrying up to 80 times the number of passengers as a car, while taking up just three times as much space, they also help to cut congestion. Route 358 is the latest milestone in the Mayor’s commitment to deliver a zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.”
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