New buses deliver multi-million pound saving for the capital 08 May 2013

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the final costs for the purchase of 600 new bus for London vehicles, along with the way that the buses are being procured, mean that millions of pounds will be saved over the life of the vehicles.

The contract, signed with UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus, involves a fixed-price deal for the vehicles – removing the risk and uncertainty of higher production and material costs, and inflation over the next four years.

Average price of a new bus over the life of the contract will be £354,500 – which includes inflation, technical upgrades and mandatory changes including the legal requirement to fit Euro 6 engines to all new vehicles from 2014.

At today's prices, the buses cost around £326,000, which is, says TfL, broadly comparable with a standard hybrid double deck bus.

TfL argues that the price differential is accounted for by the much higher specification of the new bus compared to a standard hybrid bus.

The new bus claims to be the greenest diesel-electric hybrid bus in the world. It produces around four times less of PM and NOx than the fleet average hybrid bus, and 20% less CO2.

The fleet of 600 buses is expected to reduce CO2 emissions in the capital by almost 20,000 tonnes a year.

The Euro 6 engine that will be fitted from 2014 will deliver even lower PM and NOx emissions.

"We will ensure these buses more than earn their keep over the next few years," comments Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

"By keeping them in harness in the capital for the entirety of their useful life, we will be extracting every last drop of value out of them."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
The Wright Group Ltd

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