They look like they’ve arrived from the future, but there’s no tardis, DeLorean, or any other time-bending vessel at play here – the Tram buses are a 2024 revelation, and they’re finally setting sail (across the 358 route in London).
We first caught wind of the tram-like buses in 2022 when TfL confirmed a fleet of them would be heading out, powered by a pantograph, across London on the journey between Crystal Palace and Orpington. After a series of dates being pushed back and delays, today (November 20) is the day of their arrival, and they’re looking just as swanky as we expected.
Wait, so which is it? A tram or a bus?
Both! Well, technically it’s a bus. They may look like a tram, but rest assured: they won’t face the restrictions of the tracks and they’ll be able to smoothly take on the 358 route as the 20-strong group of buses start to be introduced in phases. They’re ‘zero-emission’, and are powered by pantograph technology, using an ‘arm-like structure’ attached to the roof of the bus as it takes on the 15-mile route – one of the longest in London.
Buses will be charged at the end of each journey in as little as six minutes, meaning there’s no need to return them to garages before heading back out on the road. This, according to the transport authority, means that money will be saved due to fewer buses needed on the route owed to the speed of changing each vehicle.
Why the tram-like design on the new buses? This is to implement a new bus model with features to ensure a ‘safer front-end design’ and speed limiting technology, audible warnings for pedestrians – all as a means to reduce deaths and injuries on London roads. The interiors are also designed to reduce injuries on the bus with enhanced seats and the slip protection of wooden-effect flooring. They’ve even got ‘lighting to reflect desired atmosphere’ – and on these cold winter nights? I’ll be choosing an atmosphere, please. The future is now.
The buses, which were designed by Spanish company Irizar, make up part of the 1,700 zero-emission vehicles which moves towards the target for London’s bus network to be totally emissions-free by 2030.
Speaking on the news, Lorna Murphy, Director of Buses at TfL, said: “Installing new rapid-charging pantograph infrastructure on one of London’s longest bus routes is an innovative step forward, helping us to run cleaner, greener services that get Londoners where they need to be.
“Working with partners across a range of different sectors on this project, we are showcasing how the broader shift to net zero can be achieved. The move to increase the number of zero-emission buses on the capital’s streets is a key part of the Mayor’s goal to make London a zero carbon city.”
The Tram-like buses are hitting the 358 route between Crystal Palace and Orpington in phases from today (November 20).