Member Article

Investigation shows Boris buses more harmful than original vehicles

Several of Boris Johnson’s hybrid buses have been running on diesel after suffering from battery malfunctions in the last few weeks.

The Routemaster bus, of which there are about 800 in the City, is expected to be the most environmentally friendly in city. Instead, the vehicle is emitting more ultra-fine particles into the air than a normal bus when not being supported by its electric battery.

About 80 of the buses, piloted by the Mayor of London, have been running on diesel alone after suffering battery malfunctions.

An investigation by LBC radio compared the most harmful of the toxic particulates from a faulty new Routemaster to an older bus model, the Alexander ALX400.

Last week, research showed that airport pollution in London is responsible for up to 10,000 deaths a year.

Ken Davidson, TfL’s head of bus operations, told the Standard: “It is simply not credible to try to test the emissions of buses in this way. This experiment is flawed. Overall, the new Routemaster fleet is delivering significant reductions in emissions compared to the buses they replaced.”

Labour mayoral candidate Christian Wolmar said: “This is further evidence that this project was misconceived from the start. I have been told that drivers have been complaining about the failed batteries since August last year and yet nothing has been done.

“It is no surprise the emissions are higher than those on conventional buses as the New Bus for London is not operating as designed. It is supposed to be powered by an electric motor, but instead is using its inefficient diesel engine that should, in normal conditions, be running at constant speed.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .