London's Red Buses Go Green

London’s iconic red buses are set to get an eco-boost, with the first pure electric double deckers due to hit the road in October.

The new ‘green’ buses have been purpose-built and will travel between Norwood and South Croydon as part of an open-ended trial scheme to lower the emissions generated by public transport.

London mayor Boris Johnson, who announced the new vehicles and route at a Clean Bus Summit at London's City Hall, said: "The iconic red double decker bus is about to become greener than ever."

Mr. Johnson also announced that the single decker route between Norwood and South Croydon would become the capital’s first completely electric route later this year.

London's transport commissioner Sir Peter Hendy said: "The introduction of new electric buses and further developments like induction charging at termini for hybrid bus batteries will significantly improve air quality and provide our passengers with quieter and smoother journeys later this year."

London is one of 24 cities that have pledged to roll out over 40,000 ultra-low emission buses by 2020.

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