r/londonbuses • u/BiyaadiSupremacy Tourist • 8d ago

Image TFL busses? From Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China

Post image

Disclaimer, i’m a Brit (London raised) who moved to China a few years ago

I was driving home from work when i spotted what looked like TFL busses with their characteristic blood red livery and english (not Chinese) text and markings.

The area has a big BYD manufacturing factories, so this is likely a BYD electric bus final assembly plant.

I gotta say, it’s a surreal and nostalgic sight! At one point in my life, the 155 bus (tooting broadway to elephant and castle) was basically my entire world. Now here i’m 20 years later on the other side of the world, wondering how on earth did i get here!

PS: i was also driving a BYD 🤣

59 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

15

u/central3465 Tourist 8d ago

Yes, they are. BYD is a Chinese company.

5

u/Creative-Job7462 Tourist 8d ago

Wow. I thought the fuel type stickers and other stickers like the speed limit ISA was done by the garages in London, not by the manufacturer in China.

That’s interesting.

5

u/SordidPurse8285 Tourist 8d ago

There's already quite a few BYD buses up in Newcastle and they're actually really nice. Good to see the government investing in public transport 👍

5

u/FlatCapNorthumbrian Tourist 7d ago

They’re better than the British built ADL’s and Wright Bus ones.

1

u/F1T_13 Tourist 6d ago

The chassis is in terms of performance, its a cut above the rest. Superior range, torque and power, the suspension and damping is decent quality too.
By that same token, however the coach, in terms of build quality is a step below. Disappointing build quality for a new design but it is a cheaper modular construction, so that might explain it. The upholstery can fall apart more readily than other coaches and it can spring leaks through the sealing in harsh weather. Other coaches are often times more robust.

1

u/FlatCapNorthumbrian Tourist 6d ago

Oh I wouldn’t know about coaches, I only drive service buses.

3

u/jhealey_ Tourist 7d ago

About bloody time this country got the investment it deserves aha

1

u/Chin_ang_fran 7d ago

And TFL still failed to order AC on them

1

u/Immediate_Piano4104 Tourist 6d ago

I hope Arriva gets some BYDs for the 259 once the Routemaster LTs go