Transports for London have been awarded two new routes for the fully electric single-decker buses.

The two new routes awarded are the 507 and 521 which will be fully operated by the electric buses starting in August next year. A 5 year contract to operate the routes has been given to Go Ahead following a competitive tender process. This will mean that 51 electric buses will operate across the two routes that will become the second and third completely electric bus routes in London. By 2020 all 300 single-decker buses operating in central London will be zero emissions and all 3,000 double-decker buses will be hybrid.

When the electric buses have been fully converted, on routes 507 and 521 there will be a reduction of 408 tonnes of CO2 and 10 tonnes of NOx per year, when compared to single-decker diesel buses. They are emission-free at tailpipe and will provide passengers with an improved experience with lower noise and vibrations.

A further six electric single-decker buses, manufactured in the UK by Optare, are already in the Transport for London fleet. Four of them operate on route H98 in west London and two serve route 312 in south London which later this year will become the Capital’s first all-electric bus route.

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Cash is now no longer accepted on London buses which will see a £24 million profit maximisation.

The change comes due to less and less passengers paying with cash on London buses.

Transport for London research showed that 99% of their customers were using cashless payment methods such as Oyster cards, prepaid tickets, contact-less payment cards and concessionary tickets.

This means that any passengers travelling on London’s buses will need to use one of these payment options otherwise they will not be able to travel. However last month the ‘one more journey’ feature for Oyster users was introduced which allows passengers to make one more journey if they have insufficient funds on their Oyster card.

Mike Weston, Director of Buses at Transport for London said: “The way our customers pay for goods and services is evolving, so we need to ensure our ticketing process evolves too”.

He then went on to say “Removing cash from our bus network not only offers customers a more efficient bus service but it enables us to make savings of £24 million a year which will be re-invested to further improve London’s transport network”.

Although there are question marks surrounding the new change. Green Party London Assembly member Darren Johnson highlights what would happen to passengers who have lost or had their Oyster cards stolen and if they would be allowed to travel or not. This comes after more than 2,100 Oyster cards were lost, stolen or had stopped working on the average day last year.

Darren Johnson said: “I am very concerned that Transport for London are only planning 19 new Oyster ticket stops in preparation for the cashless switch-over. This seems highly inadequate, especially when every ticket office across the tube network is going to be closed. I have serious concerns about the impact of which this sweeping change would have on vulnerable passengers”.

Due to this drivers have been issued refreshed guidance on how to deal with vulnerable passengers.

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Busandcoachinsurance.net  can reveal  that bus passengers in London are now able pay for travel using a contactless credit, debit or charge cards-as well as their cash and oyster cards!

Providing it was issued in the UK, commuters who have ‘contactless’ symbol displayed on their card (pictured right) can now purchase a single ticket without the need to enter it into machine.

The new process has proved to be extremely efficient and more convenient for passengers and bus drivers alike. Customers are simply required to touch their card flat on the yellow reader as they board the bus-exactly the same as with an Oyster card. This has obviously eliminated the need for drawing out cash, counting change and entering pin numbers etc.

The only problems that have occurred so far includes customers putting their entire wallet or purse before the scanner. If they have two cards with this facility available then either both get rejected or it is possible they could even be charged twice!

Some cards that have been updated with the contactless payment ability also may not have the symbol. However, card providers normally inform their customers on issue and upgrading is usually possible.

Our bus and coach insurance team are always pleased to hear about things that make the life of our policy holders a little easier! We also aim to keep you updated with the latest news relevant to the industry.

For advice regarding your minibus, bus or coach insurance freephone 0800 980 3425. We are always happy to help!