Amphibious bus tours to return to the Thames with new electric vehicles

"The original yellow London Duck Tours had to stop in 2015 after the slipway next to the MI6 building in Vauxhall was closed by Thames Water to allow construction of the Super Sewer. Now that the slipway has reopened, the landlord, who happens to be HRH Prince William - via the Duchy of Cornwall, has issued a new license to use it for bus tours again."

"The contract has gone to Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles, which also makes all-electric amphibious vehicles in Slough and Southampton, and they have recruited Big Bus Tours, the same firm that already runs tours around London, to run the service in London. The new buses are designed to carry 36 passengers and will be powered by a fully electric propulsion system. This vessel features a brand-new hydrodynamic hull design, developed to optimise on-water efficiency, reduce drag, and enhance stability during transition between land and marine operations."

"We are immensely proud to have secured a long-term lease at this prestigious site for which we thank the Duchy of Cornwall. We have been passionate about expanding the duck tour concept for many years, and today's announcement underscores Seahorse's continued evolution as a global leader. This marks a significant step in Seahorse's strategy to establish a production line capable of delivering up to 24 APVs per year from our UK headquarters in Slough within the next twelve months"

Amphibious bus tours will resume on the River Thames after the Vauxhall slipway reopened following closure for Super Sewer construction in 2015. The Duchy of Cornwall, represented by HRH Prince William, granted a licence to operate tours from the site. Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles won the contract and partnered with Big Bus Tours to run the service. New 36-passenger vehicles will use fully electric propulsion and a hydrodynamic hull to improve on-water efficiency, reduce drag, and enhance stability during land-to-water transitions. Seahorse, founded by Graham and Ed Lumley in 2015, plans production of up to 24 APVs per year from Slough.

Read at ianVisits