Irish firm to build 'green' London buses

A Irish company today won the contract to build the ’greener’ red London bus.

Ballymena-based firm Wrightbus has been awarded the tender to manufacture the eco-friendly version of the iconic Routemaster double decker.

The new bus will incorporate the famous open platform at the back, which will see a return of the traditional hop-on-hop-off service.

It will also provide 40% better fuel consumption than conventional diesel buses, and 15% better than the current hybrid buses.

Announcing the decision, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he was confident Wrightbus could deliver the buses on schedule for 2011, ahead of the 2012 Olympic games in the city.

“Londoners have waited with stoic patience as work has continued behind the scenes to select the manufacturer to make the 21st century Routemaster a reality,” he said.

“The decision has now been made and we can look forward to a new icon of London that not only returns to the capital the joy of the open platform, but also utilises the latest state-of-the art green technology, slashing pollution and fuel consumption.

“The countdown is now well and truly on as Wrightbus work 19 to the dozen to deliver Londoners their new bus in 2011, ahead of the world descending on the city for the 2012 Games.”

While Wrightbus has been selected as the preferred manufacturer, a mandatory 10-day ’standstill’ period has to elapse before the contract is signed and rubber stamped.

Mark Nodder, Managing Director of Wright Group, said: “Wrightbus are delighted to have been chosen by TfL (Transport for London) to be the preferred bidder on the New Bus for London project.

“The New Bus for London project marks the start of an exciting new chapter in passenger transport in one of the world’s great cities and Wrightbus is proud to be chosen as a partner to develop a new transport icon for London.

“This is indeed a privilege and a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the Wright Group, to design and build a vehicle that will doubtless become recognisable the world over.

“The Wright Group has a long and proud history of innovation and has recently worked closely with TfL on a number of other projects, notably as the first manufacturer to introduce hybrid buses into fare-paying service in the capital, as well as the introduction of fuel cell buses due in 2010.”

David Brown, Managing Director of Surface Transport, Transport for London, said: “We have reached the end of a very competitive tendering process and are delighted to select Wrightbus as the preferred manufacturer to take this project forward. We’re well on track to see the New Bus for London on the road in 2011.

“The latest engine technology will make the new bus even more environmentally friendly than hybrid buses currently operating in London.”

Wrightbus will now work on finalising the design with initial outlines expected in the New Year.