More than 50% of TfL bus shelters are now LED lit

More than half of lighting in London’s bus shelters is now LED as part of Transport for London’s journey to net zero.

The new lighting is not only brighter but also cheaper to run, which will lead to TfL saving at least £1.5m and reducing carbon by more than 1,000 tonnes of associated CO2 annually.

Across London, there are around 12,100 bus shelters that have long relied on traditional lighting to keep them illuminated but now technology advancements mean TfL can roll out greener LED lighting.

Lighting upgrades are also being made at Tube stations, depots and across the road network to support the mayor’s ambition of London being net zero carbon by 2030.

TfL’s tests have shown that the new lighting uses around 57% less energy, but provides 10% brighter lighting.

All lighting in bus shelters, including those used in advertising panels, is expected to be converted to LED lighting by the end of March 2024.

Lilli Matson, chief safety, health and environment officer at TfL, said: “Reducing carbon is a critical part of our work to reduce the impact of public transport on climate change.

“Not only does LED lighting provide a brighter, more welcoming environment at our bus stops and stations, it helps us reduce maintenance costs, and helps make London a greener and more sustainable city for us all.”

As part of TfL’s net zero aims, there are now 950 zero-emission buses across London and TfL is aiming to convert the whole fleet by 2034.

In March 2023, TfL published its Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which shows how TfL, along with its partners, will prepare London’s transport network for future extreme weather events such as those seen in 2021 and 2022 where localised flooding closed stations and cancelled services.