Buses powered by BAE Systems' HybriDrive Series hybrid electric propulsion system and operated by London United, a leading London operator, have recently clocked up their 1 millionth mile of clean, reliable revenue service. London United, owned by international public transport operator RATP Group, operate a fleet of 27 hybrid buses built by Britain's largest bus builder Alexander Dennis (ADL), comprising five single and 22 double deck vehicles.
London United is the first operator in the capital to reach this significant milestone. Since the first of these vehicles entered service in late 2008, the environmentally friendly propulsion provided by BAE Systems has saved the operator well over 44,000 gallons of diesel and prevented the release of more than 450 tonnes of CO2. As an early UK adopter of this proven technology, London United placed an order for an additional 20 vehicles in 2010 following their participation in the hybrid bus trial run by Transport for London (TfL). These buses, powered by BAE Systems HybriDrive Series green propulsion system, are now in service in London.
London United engineering director Les Birchley commented, "London United is proud to be the first operator in London to achieve the milestone of 1 million hybrid miles. Our fleet of BAE Systems HybriDrive Series-powered ADL hybrid buses continue to perform well, and have proved their worth in terms of achieving both superior fuel savings and optimum reliability. Our passengers and drivers love them!"
"We firmly believe that hybrid is the right technology for UK transit bus, and with HybriDrive Series, the world's most successful series hybrid electric propulsion system, we have a proven, robust system that delivers both class-leading fuel economy and reliability. Seeing London United place a repeat order for HybriDrive Series-powered vehicles and then reach a million miles of service with them is a fantastic achievement," commented Rob Lindsay, BAE Systems, director of transport systems (UK and Europe).
