End of the London Routemaster

The last ever Routemaster runs today on the London bus route that goes right past my house. The Routemaster is loved by us Londoners for two reasons: a) you can jump on and off between stops, defying the bureaucrats who forbid the drivers to open doors between stops, as there is no door; b) no matter how bad the driver is, he cannot throw you off your feet by braking as there are no brakes. We will never see the like of this vehicle on a truly human scale again. And yes Iknow they are not wheelchair friendly. Why did they not simply redesign them instead of scrapping them. Retro cars are in. Why not retro buses? I am too traumatised tk go on... >>Filed from my P910i

Comments

[Ben Elton]

So sad to see it go; truly bureaucracy gone mad.

[patrick]

the routemaster was probably not compatible with exhaust/contamination new rules in urban London...
Here i keep older v8 big machines, as i consider plastics used extensively in new ultralight car models are contaminating in some way , and such vehicles can´t be used for a long period (as Routemasters were, too) and after a well balanced (if any possible) consideration of pros and cons, old steel cars, even using more fuel, are less polluting if we consider long term study of new models and their plastics stored in dumping sites.

and smaller models are less secure in transit...

New busses in London are truck quality products, generally made to work for 15 / 20 years, compared to a small Chevy passenger car, so the efficiency of engines is a good reason to a change to control gas emissions in the future, but new bus models compared to older vehicles will certainly lack the fresh (summertime) or too cold (winter or fogg days) open air blowing from the back and the easy access for the majority of users, which i consider certainly not discapacitated, and on such point to submit a general public to the rules of a infirm minority is a blessing in general society, but a ridiculous one (considering just costs...) when forcing such for the benefit of a (relative) minority in transportation problems solving
.
anyways, an older woman with difficulty to walk would certainly have a better access to a low back, no doors, Route master bus than to a two stairs new bus ( but someone will propose a lift from the ground, for weelchairs... just imagine the delays for using such elevators in Marylebone or Oxford circus traffic...)

But Içm not English and have no right to vote here.. just some toughts...

[Merv. Van Arkadie]

Never knew they were called routemaster. Spent all of my working life in London (emigrated 1956) hopping on and off the bus between Highbury and Moorgate. Great means of public transp-ortation. Shame, but that's progress I guess!!!!!

[Dennis H Williams]

Hello I enjoyed your blog on the Routemaster.

The Park Royal body on these buses was built like a gothic cathedral under that body skin. No wonder they last so well. The "rugged chassis" version was the Regent and saw service in many parts of the world including Baghdad.
When I worked for Leyland Truck & Bus(BL bought AEC in the 70's)they subsequently dismantled this great company that produced some of the finest forms of commercial transportation for worldwide consumption.

Today there is no reason why "Retro" cannot be brought back and I am compelled to bring to everyone's attention that Cleveland Ohio sold it street tram car fleet to the City of Toronto. They then turned around and refurbished them and got yet another 30 years from these vehicles.Cleveland then wanted them back since street cars are now back in fashion!
I see no reason why this cannot be done with this London icon.
I did something like this in Caracas twenty years ago with CA Metro de Caracas and the leyland National MK1; Today even Cutsca in Montevideo is considering a refurb policy for its old fleet of Leyland buses. I think it's short sighted for LT (Arriva) to phase out this familiar sight in London's streets.
Its sorry to see it go.
Dennis Williams,
Linden Engineering Inc,
Denver, Colorado.
USA

[ismet eren]

End of Routemaster?!? :-(
End of another aspect of Londonly Romantism??
It is a huge sorrow for all Londoners, I reckon!