Great scott! A fleet of very futuristic-looking ‘tram buses’ are about to arrive on the streets of London later this summer. They’ve been on the cards for a while, and you needn’t fear that Doc’s time machine has whisked you away if you spot one – this is what 2024 looks like, baby!
Ever since the first mock-up images of these beasts first arrived in October 2022, people have been rightfully curious about them. Is it a bus or a tram? The conclusion is both, and we’ll be coming face-to-face with them in a matter of weeks, according to London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Arriving to serve the 358 route between Crystal Palace and Orpington, the swanky concoctions are the creations of Spanish firm Irizar, resembling a tram but having the unrestricted agility of a bus to tackle the roads. Why the tram-style design when it really is just a bus? It makes for larger windows, and the covered wheels mean a reduced risk of cyclists and pedestrians being caught underneath them.
They will also run on electric power and a pantograph at the end of each route, which will allow for speedy recharging and small batteries, reducing the weight of each unit. London’s current trusty army of electric buses largely charge back at garages which is more time-consuming, but the Pantograph method will see the tram buses charged and ready to drive in as little as 10 minutes when the 358 fleet are on the roads
Initially, the tram buses were due to launch at the start of 2023, but this has shifted back several times until the Mayor confirmed they would be with us in the summer.
Answering a question from Thomas Turrell, the Conservative assembly member for Bexley and Bromley, Sadiq Khan said: “The all-electric Route 358 ieTram buses are expected to start operating in summer 2024. They will be Transport for London’s (TfL) first end to end ‘Opportunity Charging’ trial, and it is important to get the hardware installed properly before the buses are introduced.
“The electric buses will use pantograph technology for a quick boost charge at either end of the route, allowing the buses to stay out for the full day. The new buses, which resemble a tram, will have enhanced customer features and the latest bus safety specifications.”