Fri. Dec 6th, 2024

New interactive electric bus parks up at London Transport Museum in time for Christmas

Families visiting the award-winning London Transport Museum in Covent Garden can climb aboard and ‘drive’ a fantastic new interactive electric bus display to discover the story of eco-friendly travel in the capital.

The Wrightbus Electroliner display – provided by Transport UK London Bus – is based on an electric vehicle bus type which has been part of the fleet of buses operating on the capital’s bus routes since 2023. The new display shows the front of this bus type and includes an interactive driver cab and passenger space.

Museum visitors will be in for a treat as they board an example of Britain’s public transport electric vehicle (EV) technology. They will be able to explore the front section of a Wrightbus Electroliner, discover what it is like to drive a modern EV London bus and experience the latest innovations that make travelling on an EV bus more comfortable, convenient and safe.

  • Visitors can experience the view from the driver’s cab in an all-electric vehicle! This state-of-the-art bus front is full of innovative technology, and video screens make checking the mirrors easy.
  • The latest high-resolution digital screens from Navaho share route information in colour to visitors.
  • The all-digital bus blind supplied by Hanover Displays makes it easy to read the destination.
  • Visitors can ’turn on’ the Zenob? electric charger to ensure the batteries are fully charged.

Iconic Routemaster bus

RGI Bus and Coach Refurbishment provided specialist support in developing the vehicle. The team have transformed it for visitors, fitting out the panels, flooring, and finally, painting the vehicle in its iconic London red, ready for its future life in the Museum.

The bus display will join the group of vehicles that families can explore at the Museum and which make up its extensive transport history displays – from the iconic Routemaster bus, to a steam locomotive from the early years of the world’s first Underground railway.

The Wrightbus Electroliner is a zero-emission double-deck bus manufactured in Britain, with a range of up to 200 miles and fast charging capability. Transport UK London Bus (TUKLB) has mobilised over 100 Wrightbus Electroliners onto London bus routes since 2023. Each bus has been designed with customer comfort in mind, with comfortable interiors and skylights on the top deck. More importantly, these zero-emission buses are making London’s streets cleaner and greener, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.

Transport UK London Bus operates over 60 routes on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), employing over 3000 people. Over 30% of the TUKLB fleet is fully EV.

Electric vehicles are changing the face of bus travel in London and actively supporting the Mayor of London’s vision for a zero-emission future. Transport UK London Bus is excited to share this vital message with the thousands of visitors to London Transport Museum.

During a visit to London Transport Museum families can also:

  • See historic Underground trains – including a steam locomotive that ran on the world’s first underground railway – as well as original designs of the now iconic Tube map and London Underground logo.
  • Play train driver on an Elizabeth line simulator.
  • Explore the All Aboard family play zone where young visitors can play conductor on a bus, repair a mini Tube train with toy spanners, and work in the ‘Lost Property Office’.
  • Grab a bite to eat at the Museum’s café bar, while enjoying views over Covent Garden Piazza.

Ticket information
Kids go free! Adult tickets include free return entry for a whole year. Book online

Christmas at the Museum

The interactive display has been installed in time for the festive period, where the Museum will be running a special programme of family activities as well as the chance to meet Santa Claus. More details online

If you're thinking of buying something recommended by us, please go via the links on our pages. When you do this we may earn a fee which supports our editorially independent, family business.

By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

Read next