The 9 London bus routes through Croydon which are about to get a big change

Joshua Alderdice FROM ukpn is pictured with Neil OLeary ZEV Development Manager Arriva UK Bus putting a charger in one of the new electric buses
-Credit: (Image: Nigel Bowles)


Arriva is set to run 109 new electric buses across 9 Croydon routes from its Thornton Heath depot. This development comes following a £4million investment in new electricity infrastructure by power distributor UK Power Networks.

5km of new high-voltage underground cabling has been installed to provide Whitehall Road Bus Garage, situated in Thornton Heath, with essential electricity infrastructure. As a result of this 4.5-megawatt power connection, Arriva will now be able to operate 109 new electric buses across nine routes – 64, 612, 50, 194, 250, 255, 289, 689, 663 – as well as related night routes.

UK Power Networks, a subsidiary of Hong-Kong based conglomerate CK Group, manages the electricity distribution networks for London, South East England, and the East of England. Across these regions, the company delivers power to over 19 million people.

READ MORE: Croydon chicken shop slammed for defrosting chicken near the sink

The company has previously invested in electricity infrastructure serving the London Underground, the DLR, and Heathrow Airport. Adam Lakey, who leads Green Recovery projects for UK Power Networks, said: “This investment is a watershed for Thornton Heath bus garage, which can now electrify its bus fleet and usher in a new age of cleaner, greener electric public transport.”

Joshua Alderdice FROM ukpn is pictured with Neil OLeary ZEV Development Manager Arriva UK Bus
Arriva is adding 109 electric buses to its current stock of 30 -Credit:Nigel Bowles

Arriva London, which operates 18% of London’s bus services across more than 100 routes under a franchise agreement with Transport for London (TfL), has a fleet of 1,600 vehicles. As a result of this investment, it is set to add 109 electric buses to its current stock of 30 electric buses.

Marcos Hart, managing director for London at Arriva UK Bus said: “The electrification of our Thornton Heath site builds on the millions of pounds we have already invested in creating the clean, electrified and efficient public transport networks that communities in the capital deserve."

Nick Owen, director of buses at Tfl, added: “London’s red buses are iconic and the fleet is one of the greenest in the world. With more than 1,500 zero emission vehicles on London’s roads, our programme of decarbonising the capital’s buses is playing a crucial role in the journey to Net Zero.”

Read the full list of day routes set to go electric here:

  • 64: Thornton Heath Pond - New Addington

  • 612: South Croydon - Wallington Schools

  • 50: Stockwell Station - Fairfield Halls

  • 194: Bell Green - West Croydon

  • 250: Croydon - Brixton

  • 255: Pollards Hill - Balham

  • 289: Purley - Elmers End

  • 689: West Croydon - Monks Orchard Schools

  • 663: Thornton Heath Station - Regina Coeli School

Get the latest travel news from London's roads, trains and buses with our new London Traffic and Travel newsletter. You can sign up HERE.