Tuesday 18th May 2010

Official Images: The Routemaster Is Back

TfL reveals its reimagining of a British icon - and it's due on the streets in 2012

---

These are the first official images of the 'new Routemaster' bus - an all-new double-decker that Transport for London hopes to have in service by 2012.

The spiritual successor to the original and iconic Routemaster - which was retired from service in 2005 - will be built in Northern Ireland by Wrightbus and should succeed the unpopular junction-clogging bendy buses on London's streets.

Much like the original Routemaster, the new bus will have an open rear, allowing the hop-on, hop-off flexibility that made the old one such a hit.

What the new bus won't repeat, however, is the particulate-heavy diesel nastiness - TfL says the new hybrid powertrain will make the bus 15 per cent more efficient than the existing hybrid bus fleet, and 40 per cent more frugal than non-hybrid diesel double-deckers

Visually, the new bus makes a nod to the original Routemaster with its curving rear roofline and rounded 'forehead', but its most striking design features are the two glass 'swoops' that mark the location of the two staircases.

"This iconic new part of our transport system is not only beautiful, but also has a green heart beating beneath its stylish, swooshing exterior," said London Mayor Boris Johnson.

"I expect to eventually have hundreds of these on London's roads, and for cities around the globe to be beside themselves with envy for our stunning red emblem of 21st Century London."

[nsmith1180]

Oh, I like that. A modernised classic as opposed to throwing out the rule book and doing what the hell they like.

[type.ra]

I'm also a fan - mod retro is defo the way to go!

[teen_cerbera]

Agreed with all previous statements. The window going up the stair case is also very cool, takes away the boxed in effect usually found...

[Schmeeky]

Yep, I like that too. Still recognizably a routemaster, but looking modern and quite funky. Makes so much more sense for London's road system - which raving lunatic thought bendy buses would be a good idea??

Good work BJ for setting this project going!

[va1o]

Looks good, nice modern take on a classic design

[BUG4LIFE]

I don't live in London or nowt but that's quite an exciting bus

[[AJ]]

The prospect of spending time on public transport never excites me, however I have to say that this is a nice contemporary paragon of a British icon and a far better prospect than the awful bendy bus.

[nsmith1180]

I dont understand the Universal hatered of the bendy bus? I know they are not ideal for london, but they do have their uses and are a reasonable solution to a big problem.

Whats the beef?

[UH-Matt]

People don't think bendy buses in general are a bad idea, they do have uses, but NOT in LONDON!

Love this new design, as perfect as a bus can be.

[Baked_bean]

I really like that, i'm not a Londoner and i don't really use buses when im in London but i think its a striking thing.

[SirRalph]

I was looking forward to a modern retro version of the original but other than the rear door I can see no connection between the two. A completely wasted opportunity.

[ess]

nsmith1180 said:

I dont understand the Universal hatered of the bendy bus? I know they are not ideal for london, but they do have their uses and are a reasonable solution to a big problem.

Whats the beef?

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23399737-bendy-buses---the-fatal-facts.do

Love the new design, especially the reinstated 'hop on/hop off'.
A middle finger to the 'nanny state' approach we usually have to endure....

[Zaim]

Looks very similar to the one Autocar designed a couple of years ago......

[GingerWizard]

Got to love boris,you almost get the sense that he's playing Tycoon and someone has forgotten to tell him its a real city!

I am happy about the hop on hop off functionality.

[team will]

First time excited by a bus!

Can't wait to see the Brabus version!

[jcpgasoline]

Excellent! Good riddance to the bendy buses and their huge footprints!

[clarkeyboy]

Never thoughts I would say a bus is good looking, but the new Routemasters do look rather spiffing!It has managed to keep all of the quirkness of the old ones,but add a modern twist.Like lots

[Greenwich Ross]

nsmith1180 said:

I dont understand the Universal hatered of the bendy bus? I know they are not ideal for london, but they do have their uses and are a reasonable solution to a big problem.

Whats the beef?

They don't fit.

[s6boy]

Could someone point out where the engine and drive train are going to be without intruding into the passenger space too much. Cooling vents and intake at the rear off-side but no room for a large engine with those rear stairs and no space next to driver as per the original. Maybe it's going to be really green and be pulled by a horse.

[Greenwich Ross]

s6boy said:

Could someone point out where the engine and drive train are going to be without intruding into the passenger space too much. Cooling vents and intake at the rear off-side but no room for a large engine with those rear stairs and no space next to driver as per the original. Maybe it's going to be really green and be pulled by a horse.

According to Boris, they're going to be pulled by 'the poor'.