Transport UK London Bus has boosted its passenger fleet with the arrival of 12 new GB Kite Electroliner BEVs built by Wrightbus and financed through Asset Alliance Group.
Produced in Northern Ireland, the 10.9-metre single-deck buses have been supplied on seven-year operating leases. The buses are fitted with 454kWh batteries and can cover up to 200 miles on a single charge, with capacity for up to 60 passengers in Transport for London (TfL) spec.
Alastair Willis, Commercial Director at Transport UK London Bus, says: “We started our decarbonisation journey in 2020. All six of our London depots are now electrified with DC chargers, and approaching a third of our 900-strong bus fleet is electric.
“These latest additions, replacing diesel models, retain that momentum and allow us to continue to play our part in helping the Mayor of London deliver his clean-air pledge. This will see only zero emission buses operating in the capital from 2030.”
Newly in service on TfL’s Route R70, the Electroliners run from Hampton to Twickenham and on to Richmond, in south-west London, with a single charge typically sufficient for a working day.
On top of being smoother and quieter than conventionally powered buses, passengers using the service will enjoy wood-effect panelling and flooring, high-back seats with extra padding and USB charging points. There are also uprated high-resolution information displays inside the buses. Drivers have a fully heated/cooled seat to ensure their comfort.
“The advantage of the operating leases is that they align with TfL’s seven-year contract length. This was our first direct deal with Asset Alliance Group, and they impressed us, with Martyn Bellis and Anthony Jones listening and understanding our specific needs, proposing a flexible, competitive option at an attractive rate that doesn’t tie us in long-term,” says Willis.
Bellis, Commercial Director for Coach & Bus at Asset Alliance Group, says: “We were pleased to be able to assist Transport UK London Bus with their ongoing transformation. This latest deal underlines the key role Asset Alliance Group is playing in facilitating the uptake of electric buses in the capital on behalf of the major bus operators and TfL.”
Transport UK London Bus was created in 2023 after a management buyout of Abellio’s rail and bus interests, which was led by chief executive officer Dominic Booth. It moves 150 million customers every year across central, south and west London for TfL, as well as providing rail replacement services.
