We are continuing to keep our employees and customers safe with extensive cleaning on our buses. Watch the video below to see how we are working closely with our cleaning partners at Sasse Group and Cordant Group PLC to ensure our buses are fully sanitised every day for service.
Whilst on duty on Thursday 6th August, a customer took ill on Route 190 Driver Ayisha’s bus. Ayisha’s quick response saved a life and has made all at Metroline proud.
Watch her story below:
Metroline is proud to have gifted £100,000 of its unused apprenticeship levy towards apprenticeships and training within the Automotive and Electrical sector, to be delivered by Total People.
Gifting surplus levy allows large employers like Metroline to sponsor an apprenticeship in their chosen sector or industry, while at the same time supporting employment and skills development in SME businesses who benefit from fully funded apprenticeship training.
Leanne Shackleton, Levy Gifting Manager, Total People said: “This is a fantastic example of levy gifting from Metroline and one that is truly appreciated. Gifting unused levy really will change the lives of multiple apprentices in the sector by enabling them to upskill and take the next step in their career.”
Total People have worked with Metroline previously, providing additional training and support for Metroline’s award winning Engineering Apprenticeship programme, which last year saw a record number of young apprentices selected to join.
Stephen Harris, Managing Director, Metroline said: “Since Brunel and the Victorians the UK has always been at the forefront in delivering engineering expertise and innovation. Metroline has a proud tradition of providing award-winning and industry-leading apprenticeships and we are pleased we can assist in this way. Resources for this area of training are desperately needed in this country. Diverting our unused levy funding benefits similar businesses that understand the value of delivering apprenticeships.”
Leading London Bus operator Metroline is to pilot an innovative new lighting system designed to make the capital’s roads safer. The Vehicle Avoidance Lateral Lights (VALLs) system illuminates the area on the sides of buses to help show road users that they are in close proximity to a bus which is especially important for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and people with hearing impairments.
The VALLs system is the first of its kind and has been developed in partnership with Jimmy Beam Downlights Limited (JBDL) using JBDL’s lighting system. Each VALL unit features a downlight with 4 LEDs, acting as a passive system with three functions that aims to prevent a collision between a bus and other road users by creating an illuminated ‘footprint’ which clearly identifies the lateral clearance area around the vehicle. This will provide cyclists and people with hearing impairments a more visual warning of a buses’ proximity and movements.
Metroline’s pilot of the system will begin in February using 24 buses, including night services in operation on route 6 from Willesden garage. Speaking about the initiative, Sinead Maguire, Head of Transport Safety for Metroline, said: “We are very excited to be leading this innovative pilot which marks an important step for the project and reinforces our commitment to Vision Zero and making London’s roads safer for all.”
The VALLs System features include:
Metroline and JBDL are both contributing to the funding of the project and were successful in their joint application to the Transport for London Bus Safety Innovation Challenge for support. The TfL Bus Safety Innovation Challenge was established to identify new, innovative products and solutions which will improve the safety of the London bus network and work towards Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network.
The VALLs system will be piloted on Metroline’s buses from next month.
This week saw Holloway Garage host a special delegation from the Government of India’s Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, facilitated by Transport for London. The delegates alongside some representatives of TfL were given a presentation on Metroline’s operations in London, highlighting the successes and challenges of operating in the city. The delegation also received a tour around the century-old garage, and were deeply interested in the efficiency of Metroline’s electric bus operation.
Managing Director Stephen Harris said “It was a pleasure to receive the delegation from India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. We were pleased to be able to share our insight and expertise as a London Bus Operator, highlighting our partnership with Transport for London and our trailblazing work with electric buses in the capital. As one of the world’s fastest growing economies, we hope that the visit to Metroline has helped to provide inspiration for the continuing development of their own rapidly evolving and highly modern transport networks.”
A new “Wellbeing Bus” was launched this week which is designed to help improve the health of bus drivers. The Wellbeing Bus is a collaborative project between Transport for London, Unite the Union, and London’s Bus operators and is being delivered by occupational health service provider Medigold Health as part of a London-wide initiative.
Launched at West Perivale on Monday 4th November, the Wellbeing Bus has been developed to provide advice and professional health screenings to help identify possible issues or risk factors that could contribute to poor health. The bus has already received a positive reception from drivers and will make its way across all 15 Metroline garages over the next few months.
The Wellbeing Bus will provide rapid health diagnosis in an easily understood format that drivers can even access whilst on their break. The bus will be staffed by Medigold Health’s Occupational Health Technicians and features two electronic health assessment kiosks. Completely free of charge, drivers and other employees will be able to receive a full professional wellbeing screening on the bus, through the health assessment kiosk which will measure height, weight, body mass index, body fat %, blood pressure, heart rate and hydration level.
The screening also features the Boomerang Life Balance, which looks at various factors of an employee’s lifestyle including sleep, smoking, relaxation, home life, work life, stress, diet, alcohol and exercise. Following their screening, the Occupational Health Technicians will be on hand to provide each employee with guidance and lifestyle advice. Information leaflets featuring health tips and advice for various fatigue related conditions including sleep apnoea will also be provided on the bus.
Medigold Health’s Deputy CEO, Scot Smith, was at the launch and commented; “At Medigold Health we are passionate about employee health and wellbeing and we know, first-hand, that a healthy workforce makes for a safer, happier workforce. We are delighted to be working with TfL, Unite and a number of leading London Bus Operators to deliver a proactive, efficient and accessible wellbeing solution for bus drivers and employees across London.”
Speaking at the launch, Metroline’s Managing Director Steve Harris said, “We are delighted to launch the Wellbeing bus across our garages. This is a really good step forwards and represents a positive collaboration between TfL, Unite, London’s Bus Operators and Medigold Health. The bus looks great and I would like to thank our engineers and everyone connected in the launch for their outstanding work, with this new initiative, drivers will be able to get further assistance, information and support to remain in the best of health.”
The Wellbeing Bus will be at Metroline garages between 4th November 2019, and 20th January 2020
London bus operator Metroline has been shortlisted in five categories in the finals of the prestigious UK Bus Awards. Metroline’s initiatives, garages, drivers and engineers have all been recognised by the awards, which showcase the achievements of the UK bus industry and encourage and reward best practice and outstanding standards of customer services. The all-important finals take place at a glittering ceremony in London at the Troxy on the 19th November 2019.
Metroline’s School Library Bus has been nominated in the Bus & the Community category. The award recognises bus projects or initiatives which make life better and make big improvements for local people in the community. Metroline engineers worked tirelessly to convert a double deck bus into a special library bus to be made a permanent part of the playground at a local primary school.
Willesden-based Bus Driver Agnieszka Narbut was shortlisted in the Top London Bus Driver category. The award sponsored by Transport for London (TfL) and Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust, celebrates bus drivers who deliver outstanding customer service and those that go out of their way to do whatever’s necessary to help passengers have the very best journey.
Metroline’s Holloway Bus Garage has been recognised for its environmental initiatives and operation of electric buses, as one of the finalist in the Environment category. The award not only recognises the efforts made to improve the green credentials of bus services, but also improvements made to the overall environment in the communities where they operate.
Talented young Metroline engineer Mitesh Patel has been shortlisted for the Unsung Hero award. The award recognises employees who are committed, devoted to duty, and truly go above and beyond making sure customers get where they need to be and have the very best journey.
Finally, Alperton Bus Garage has been shortlisted for the Top London Bus Garage award. The award celebrates bus depots that are truly committed to their customers and employees, and to delivering outstanding performance and customer service.
Mark Yexley, Chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “Reaching the finals is a huge achievement in itself, and for Metroline to be nominated in five categories is outstanding. It’s great to be able to celebrate all the individual talent in our industry, and great to see shortlists in the Top London Driver and Unsung Hero categories. Everyone at the Alperton garage should be very proud too, congratulations! We would like to wish Agnieszka and Mitesh the very best of luck, as well as all the teams involved in delivering such remarkable projects.”
Sean O’Shea, CEO of Metroline, said: “We are delighted to have been named as a finalist in 5 categories at the UK Bus Awards. It is tremendous news and a testament to the hard working members across the company. These nominations are well deserved and we all wish the very best of luck to all of our Metroline finalists.”
The winners of the UK Bus Awards will be announced in London on the 19th November.
It was a pleasure to welcome the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Shirley Rodrigues, TfL’s Managing Director for Surface Transport Gareth Powell and TfL’s Director of Bus Operations Claire Mann on board an electric route 43 bus this morning. Routes 43 and 134, both operated by Metroline, will become London’s first exclusively electric double deck routes.
The new zero-emission buses on routes 43 and 134 are not only helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve the air for all Londoners but are also improving the customer experience on buses. A journey in an electric bus is smoother and quieter than one with a traditional engine, and customers will have access to free-to-use USB charging points.
Commenting on this, Metroline’s CEO Sean O’Shea said “This is an important milestone for Metroline, and London, as we continue to deliver greener and cleaner transport for our customers. Metroline have made a substantial investment and commitment to electric buses, making the UK’s largest single order. With the launch of London’s first exclusively-electric double deck routes, which will carry around 18.5 million people across the capital a year, we will continue making real progress in improving air quality in the capital.”
(Image: TfL)
Metroline’s latest zero-emission, electric double deck buses hit the streets of London today. Route 134 operating from Potters Bar Garage adds to Metroline’s growing fleet of almost 100 zero-emission, electric buses by the end of this year. Together with Route 43, also operated by Metroline, the two routes will be London’s first, end-to-end fully electric double deck bus routes by the end of the summer. The conversion of the two routes, which carry around 18.5 million people* across the City annually, to zero emission vehicles will further assist in improving air quality in London.
The first 134 buses entered into service at 6.59am, departing from Potters Bar and made its way to North Finchley where it picked up its first passengers. Chosen to drive the new bus on its inaugural journey was driver Kevin O’Sullivan. Speaking about the new electric 134, he said: “I think it will make a real difference in making the air cleaner…Electric buses will become popular everywhere in London, and the more there are, it might help more buses outside of the city become electric too.”
The new buses were delivered by Optare, an award-winning British manufacturer known for their lightweight Metrodecker series of double deck buses, based in Yorkshire. The vehicles on the 134 route are the electric Metrodecker EV series and represent the latest in engineering. The bus is able to carry over 90 people to their destinations and has a range of over 150 plus miles on a single charge. Each bus is charged by purpose built power supplies that have been installed at Potters Bar garage, and like the route 43 buses in Holloway are charged during the night and periods of low local demand in order to mitigate the garage’s energy demand. As the UK’s reliance on renewable sources, already at 33%, increases, the environmentally friendly credentials and sustainable benefits of these buses will continue to increase.
Commenting on the launch, Sean O’Shea, CEO of Metroline said: “Metroline have made a significant investment and commitment to electric buses and with the launch of electric buses on our 134 service today, we continue to lead the way by delivering London’s first completely zero-emissions, all-electric routes. Combined with our electric buses operating on route 43, today’s launch marks a significant step forward for Metroline, and London, as we continue to deliver greener and environmentally cleaner solutions for our customers on the London Bus network.”
Graham Belgum, Optare’s CEO commented “Optare is thrilled to partner with Metroline in delivering one of TfL’s first zero emission double deck routes. The launch of the Metrodecker EV into service on route 134 represents the culmination of 4 years work for the company and a major milestone in the our zero emission journey. We look forward to a successful partnership with Metroline and a growing presence in the Capital”
Holloway Garage won the Environmental Campaign Champion award at last night’s London Bus Awards.
The London Bus Awards are a celebration of the commitment of drivers and teams from across the capital’s bus industry, recognising those who have gone the extra mile to deliver an excellent service to customers. Taking place in London’s Living Room on the top level of London’s iconic City Hall, the awards were hosted by Claire Mann, Director of Bus Operations at Transport for London, who praised the industry’s work in delivering an improving service and strong implementation of Destination Zero training. The award’s 8 categories were highly contested between nominees from a range for different London Bus Operators, which also included Metroline’s Willesden Garage who were shortlisted for the Best Vehicle Care Award.
The Environmental Campaign Champion award recognised the efforts of an operator or individual who have made substantial efforts to contribute towards cleaner air for London, and have demonstrated innovation, leadership and commitment towards achieving this. Metroline’s Holloway garage was commended for their community focused initiatives, including their aim to improve air quality though the ‘Cleaner Air for Bus Drivers’ initiative, and the implementation of a fully electric bus route (43) operating from the garage.
The judges were greatly impressed by the multiple initiatives Holloway Garage had put in place to help improve its surrounding environment. In operation since 1907, Holloway’s garage has seen a number of significant transport developments, moving from the age of horses to trams, trolleybuses to routemasters, and now to more environmentally friendly and sustainable vehicles. The ‘Cleaner Air for Bus Drivers’ initiative saw the garage work with partners, CWC Environmental, Archway ZEN and the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, and its drivers to limit the amount of time spent idling with their engines running. Encouraging drivers to switch off when stopped has helped to improve air quality for both drivers and local residents, and helped to reduce noise levels around bus stops. In addition, Holloway Garage’s investment and commitment to electric buses saw significant development to enable electric buses to charge and operate from Holloway with ease as well as a number of measures that will improve the environment along each round and around the bus garage.
Speaking about the award win, Fola Olawo-Jerome, Metroline’s Garage Manager at Holloway, said: “We are delighted to have won the Environmental Campaign Champion award. We have been working very hard at our garage to deliver London’s first electric bus route and improve air quality for the local community. This award is a great honour and it will motivate everyone in the garage to keep up the good work.”
Sean O’Shea, Chief Executive Officer of Metroline said, “This is a great recognition of all of the hard work that has been put in locally to get our electric buses into service. Congratulations to the whole team at Holloway Garage.”
London bus operator Metroline launched its new all-electric, zero emissions buses on London’s streets today, the first day of the inaugural London Climate Action Week.
By the end of summer, along with route 134 which is also operated by Metroline, these 2 routes will become London’s first fully electric, zero-emission double deck services. The conversion of these routes, which carry around 18.5 million people* across the City annually, to zero emission vehicles will further assist in improving the air quality in London.
The first service took to roads this morning at 7.36am, departing Holloway Garage and making its way to Friern Barnet, where it served its first passengers at just past 8am this morning. Customers were impressed by the environmental credentials of the bus and commented on the smooth and comfortable journey the service provided.
The bus’ maiden journey was driven by Afzol Hussain. A driver at Holloway since 2012, and a Mentor at the garage who has been training staff on the new buses, Hussain shared his excitement, saying, “”It feels good. Out of all the years driving on route 43, starting from driving buses like the VPL, TP…this electric bus is far better.” He added, “This bus doesn’t make any noise. The passenger doesn’t feel like they are sitting in a bus it is so comfortable.” “It will have a big impact on the environment…I think that in the next decade, every bus in London will be electric.” Afzol said.”
The new buses are the result of a collaboration by Chinese automotive company BYD and British Bus builders Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), and will operate from Holloway garage. The new vehicles will be completely electric, utilising both BYD’s proven electric chassis and ADL’s expertly designed E400 MMC body, and will contribute to cleaner air in London through zero emissions.
Metroline’s launch coincides with the first ever London Climate Action Week. A new initiative launched by the Mayor of London that aims to encourage low emission transport and clean energy, in addition to inspiring community action and business leadership on climate issues. Furthermore, following the launch of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), Metroline has committed to ensuring its fleet meets all low-emissions standards, and the implementation of an all-electric route 43 represents a significant step forward for both the Company and London.
The new buses are powered by power supplies housed in Holloway garage. With a daily mileage range in excess of 200 miles, the buses are only recharged at night when local demand for electricity is at its lowest. With the UK drawing 33% of its power from renewable sources, the buses’ already impressive environmentally friendly credentials will only continue to become more sustainable with each passing year.
The conversion of route 43 route is the latest development in Metroline’s advocacy for electric transport vehicles, which will continue with the introduction of electric buses on route 134 later this year. Metroline has consistently led the way for the adoption of industry leading technologies including electric buses in the capital, having been chosen to pilot 5 prototype BYD electric buses on London streets and subsequently investing in the UK’s largest order of electric buses from BYD. Metroline’s experience with BYD buses meant that they were perfectly placed to assist in the development of the new bus. Discussing the new electric buses, Adrian Jones, Engineering Director, Metroline said:
“The launch of the new electric buses on route 43 is a triumph for both Metroline and for London. Providing a new challenge for Metroline’s engineering teams, we worked closely with engineers at BYD to develop these new buses, using what we learnt from our trials with their prototypes. As a result, they are perfectly designed to deliver Londoners to their destinations, whilst helping to keep London’s air cleaner with zero-emissions.”
Commenting on the introduction of electric buses onto the No.43 route, Sean O’Shea, CEO, Metroline, said:
“It is fitting that the launch of London’s first all-electric route coincides with the start of London Climate Action Week. This is a significant step, route 43 serves thousands of Londoners each day from the heart of the City at London Bridge and Bank, to Islington and Holloway, as well as the suburbs in North London. It has been a great team effort to be ready for this moment, and it demonstrates our continued investment and commitment to leading the way for our customers and helping provide cleaner air for Londoners with our ever growing fleet of all-electric, zero emissions buses.”
Potters Bus Garage Open Day: Saturday 20th July 2019, 10.30am – 4pm.
On Saturday 20th July 2019, Metroline will again open the doors of its bus garage in Potters Bar High Street to local people and transport enthusiasts alike from where up to 200 buses operate from.
The aim as in past years is to raise funds for charities such as Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. Admission is by programme, priced at £2.50, available at the garage entrance. This year, we again hope to raise over £1,000 for charities similar to last year.
Atrractions include a display of buses, some dating back to the 1950’s and 1960’s through to the present day, including brand new all electric double deckers. A number of stalls will also be present selling transport memorabilia.
Again we shall be running our popular free bus rides to local destinations with a variety of different vehicles.
Metroline Buses 84, 242 and PB1 stop at the garage entrance.
We look forward to seeing you there!
we deliver safe, reliable and sustainable transport to our communities
