London buses could be used to transport goods and parcels after the capital’s largest bus operator confirmed it was discussing the idea with logistics firms.

Go-Ahead, which has been running buses in London for more than 20 years and provides almost a quarter of all services on behalf of TfL, said its plan could tackle congestion in the face of falling passenger numbers.

A spokeswoman for the bus group said: “Go-Ahead is always looking at ways to maximise its assets and build new partnerships, including with logistics providers. Using our vehicles and depots to reduce congestion helps both our passengers and other road users.”

FTA head of policy for London, Natalie Chapman, said there was no single solution to improving efficiency in last-mile logistics: “We would always welcome innovative new ways to move goods around the capital as efficiently as possible,” she said.

“What we need to understand is if the business case stacks up and if there’s any commercial viability in it. It might be that it would work, but it might be a fairly niche area, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be tried out.”

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