• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Lib Dems attack Boris’s “obsession” with New Routemaster bus

January 21, 2016 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

new_routemaster_night_720A decision to order 30 more New Routemaster buses has been criticised by Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly.

The buses are being bought by Transport for London in order to allow manufacturers Wrightbus to keep open production lines ahead of a decision on whether to buy a more substantial number of the vehicles.“The New Routemasters are incredibly expensive to both purchase and run and they fall far short of the environmental standards of 100% electric buses.”

Papers being discussed by TfL’s Finance and Policy Committee on Thursday say: “Placing an order now will enable Wrightbus to maintain the operation of one of the two current production lines, which keeps open a more cost effective option for purchasing additional vehicles, if TfL chooses to do so.

“If both production lines were to close, it would increase the cost of any subsequent order due to the need to remobilise production.”

Any decision to increase orders beyond the 30 proposed in the papers is likely to be taken by Mayor Boris Johnson’s successor who will be elected in May.

When the New Routemaster was first unveiled Mr Johnson and TfL suggested there would be strong interest from both domestic and international bus operators for the vehicles.

Despite this initial optimism no orders have been placed by customers other than TfL.

The Mayor’s critics have blamed the vehicles’ £350,000 price tag for the lack of interest, saying that cheaper alternatives are already available.

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly, said the need for TfL to underwrite Wrightbus’ operating costs “is clear evidence that no one is interested in buying these buses”.

She added: “The New Routemasters are incredibly expensive to both purchase and run and they fall far short of the environmental standards of 100% electric buses.
 
“London is falling behind other cities in the adoption of electric buses due to the Mayor’s obsession with the expensive New Routemaster bus.” 

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards

New road layout comes into effect at Old Street roundabout

TfL funding enables creation of 2,000 new cycle parking spaces




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.