London, the bustling capital, has reached a momentous milestone as it proudly welcomes its 1,000th zero emission bus to its iconic red bus fleet. These green buses, including the one running on route 204, account for more than one in nine of the city's distinctive red buses. It's like watching a magic trick as these buses have gone green, leaving a trail of cleaner air and a greener future for all Londoners.
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| Transport for London |
Driving Towards a Greener London
Since 2021, Transport for London (TfL) has shown its commitment to environmental sustainability by ensuring that all new vehicles joining the fleet are zero emission. This move has made TfL the green heartbeat of London, setting an example for others to follow. In addition to the zero emission buses, all other buses in the TfL fleet are low emission and meet or even exceed Euro VI emission standards, making them comparable to the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
TfL has ambitious plans to transition to a fully zero emission bus fleet by 2034, but with continued Government investment, this target could be achieved even earlier, by 2030. The progress is evident, as the number of fully zero emission bus routes has soared from 5 to 54 since 2016. Another 15 routes are now serviced by a combination of zero emission and low emission buses. The growth has been spectacular, with a staggering 3,000% increase in zero emissions buses, jumping from a mere 30 to an impressive 1,000 buses on London's roads.
Decarbonising London's Transport
Beyond the sheer joy of witnessing these green buses whizzing around the city, their impact goes far deeper. Zero emission buses are vital in the quest to decarbonise London's transport network, aligning with TfL's mission to achieve net-zero carbon in the city by 2030. The move to cleaner air is projected to save an estimated 4.8 million tonnes of carbon by 2034. If Government funding continues to pour in, this number could increase to an impressive 5.5 million tonnes by 2030.
The Largest Zero Emission Bus Fleet in Western Europe
TfL's zero emission bus fleet is not only setting records in London but also across Western Europe. This colossal fleet boasts the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre when compared to other global cities like New York, Sydney, Paris, and Vancouver. These green machines are not just about their environmental impact; they are designed with enhanced customer features, providing improved flooring, seating, lighting, and customer information. Safety is paramount too, as all new buses meet the industry-leading bus safety standard.
Paving the Way for a Thriving Economy
TfL's investment in zero emission buses isn't just about sustainability; it's supporting around 3,000 jobs across the UK, from Ballymena and Falkirk to Yorkshire. By nurturing a growing zero emission bus market, this investment sets the stage for green national economic growth while lowering costs for other local authorities through economies of scale.
Tackling Toxic Air in London
Toxic air has been a persistent health threat in the capital, with around 4,000 Londoners losing their lives prematurely each year due to air pollution. This menace affects children, too, leading to stunted lung growth and causing severe health issues like lung cancer and heart disease in people across London. The move to decarbonise London's bus fleet, coupled with the London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion, is a crucial step in eradicating harmful emissions from the city's air, creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.
Quotes from London's Visionaries
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, boldly declared,"I’m committed to cleaning up London’s air and achieving net-zero carbon by 2030, and that includes delivering a zero-emission bus fleet. The decarbonisation of our bus fleet, the improvements in bus services, and the proposed Superloop will help build a better, greener London for all."
Louise Cheeseman, Director of Buses at TfL, shared her pride, stating,
"I am very proud that more than 1,000 zero emission buses are now operating on our iconic bus network. It is a significant moment in our journey to achieving net-zero by decarbonising our bus fleet and improving air quality across the capital."
Oliver Lord, Head of UK for Clean Cities Campaign, emphasized the importance of zero emission buses, saying,
"Zero emission buses are a triple win for our lungs, our climate, and the UK economy. I’m delighted London has hit this milestone, but we’ve still a long way to go to rid our lungs of diesel fumes."
Sean O’Shea, CEO of Metroline, applauded the achievement and expressed the company's commitment to cleaner air, stating,
"Metroline is proud to operate more than 100 electric vehicles, transporting tens of thousands of Londoners each day on zero-emission vehicles."
Josh Cottell, Research Manager at Centre for London, highlighted the importance of buses in sustainable travel, saying,
"London is on the road to more sustainable travel. Buses are the most commonly used form of public transport in London, and are especially important for Londoners on lower incomes."
Bold Visions and the Superloop
TfL's Bus Action Plan outlines the bold vision for buses in London, aiming to create an even more attractive alternative to car use by focusing on customer experience, safety, faster journeys, improved connections and decarbonisation.
One significant leap towards achieving this vision is the Superloop, a network of limited-stop express bus routes circling the entire capital. This game-changing network connects outer London town centres, railway stations, hospitals, and transport hubs faster, making it easier for Londoners to choose sustainable public transport over cars.
With the Superloop already making its presence felt, TfL is on the right path to a more sustainable and cleaner London. By working together with City Hall and local boroughs, central government can amplify this positive change, giving Londoners more practical and efficient options for getting around the city.
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