Over 80 zero-emission buses introduced into service in Sutton by TfL

Credit: Transport for London

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it has enhanced bus services in outer London, adding one million extra bus kilometres annually. This move coincides with TfL’s ongoing efforts to expand its leading zero-emission bus fleet, with a recent development involving the introduction of over 80 zero-emission electric buses in Sutton, operating on routes 93, 154, 164, 213, 80 and 413.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, had disclosed this initiative from the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton on 23 August 2023. With the new additions, nearly 100 zero-emission buses now serve Sutton, comprising over half of the area’s bus journeys. This aligns with TfL’s goal to achieve a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2034, possibly by 2030 with UK government support, saving 4.8 million tonnes of carbon by 2034 or up to 5.5 million tonnes by 2030.

Enhancements to multiple bus routes since January 2023, including B14, 141, 485, N15, N123, N158, N486, X26 (now SL7), 95 and E5, have contributed an additional million kilometres of service per year to the outer London bus network.

The Sutton zero-emission buses boast features like spacious wheelchair areas, panoramic upper-deck roofing, USB charging ports and LED displays. Extensions to existing routes and a new service, S2, will be introduced in early 2024. The broader bus network enhancements will add 400,000 kilometres annually to Sutton’s services.

The broader context includes London’s pressing air quality issues, with thousands of premature deaths linked to air pollution annually. The deployment of electric and low-emission buses aligns with TfL’s efforts to reduce toxic air and carbon emissions. The ultimate goal is to build a better, greener and more equitable London.

TfL achieves largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe

Louise Cheeseman, Director of Buses at TfL, said: “We’re very pleased to add more than 80 new zero-emission buses to our fleet in Sutton. Buses remain the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to shift trips made by cars to public transport. Thanks to the introduction of these new vehicles, half of the bus journeys undertaken in the borough will be zero-emission, helping to improve the air quality for those who work and live in the area, or who travel to Sutton to visit its leading cancer treatment and research facilities.”

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport said: “These new zero-emission buses, improvements and service increases will not only help Londoners get around our city, but improve air quality as we continue building better, greener, fairer London for everyone.”

David Cutts, Go-Ahead London’s Managing Director said: “The Sutton area joins a growing list of services to benefit from brand new electric buses, which are popular with users and showcase sustainable public transport. Sutton Garage is 100 years old in early 2024 but we continue to look to the future, embracing zero-emission vehicles that improve local air quality.” 

Tim Dexter, Clean Air Lead, Asthma + Lung UK, said: “We welcome TfL’s launch of over 80 new zero-emission buses in Sutton, because cleaning up of Sutton’s bus fleet, and moving away from petrol and diesel cars towards cleaner forms of transport like walking, cycling and public transport is critical to cleaning up the air we breathe.”