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London's Routemaster
Heritage Bus Routes
New Routemaster Tourist Routes in London! -
Download a brochure
here
 (right
click and 'save as' to download)
What is the London Routemaster Bus?
The London bus has become a world famous symbol of the city.
Sadly, in November 2005 the last traditional London bus was
withdrawn from scheduled
service; however, something that has become so famous for London
could not possibly disappear entirely: two 'heritage routes' have
been introduced to the current London bus system. You can download
an information leaflet on these services here or at the top of this
page.
While London has long had red buses, and in fact all buses continue
to be red, it is actually the AEC Routemaster (RM) that has become
synonymous with the city. Routemaster was the last bus to be
designed exclusively for London Transport and was introduced from
1954 onwards. Its familiar half cab and open platform at the rear
are now so famous it is easy to forget that this was standard design
for all double deck buses.
However, the Routemaster was anything but standard at its
conception. London Transport desired a bus that would take bus
design into the future, and AEC Routemaster did just that, outliving
its original 17-year life expectancy to remain in daily service some
50 years later. The initial Routemaster was a 64-seat vehicle that
met the legislative requirements of the day. In 1965 they were
produced as a 72-seat bus and these were known as the RML. It is
mostly this larger version that remained in London Transport service
until 2005. Its quality build was supplemented by the very latest in
design features: high power heating, wind down windows, a cubical
that allowed the conductor to stand clear of boarding passengers,
and a host of other novel amenities. In addition, instead of having
a traditional body and chassis, the Routemaster had a strengthened
body which did not require a chassis to take the stress, and the
mechanical units were mounted on front and rear sub-frames rather
than a heavy fixed chassis. Other novel features for a bus of the
1950's but fitted as standard to the Routemaster included
independent front suspension, power steering, a fully automatic
gearbox, and power-hydraulic braking. So superior was the design
that it would far outlast any other bus of its time. In 1985 when
London Transport gave up operation of a large number of them, the
buses were found in towns and cities across Britain with new
operators who dashed to take advantage of the vehicle. Even at 30
years old it was still sought after!
After the Routemaster was produced the laws governing bus operation
changed so that single operation buses were legal, which meant that
conductors would no longer be necessary. Because of this change, new
front entrance buses were developed, and operators who were keen to
make wage savings abandoned the rear entrance bus, yet London kept
the Routemaster. Its future seemed bright, but unfortunately the bus
fell short of Disability Access laws and was replaced in the Capital
by modern double deckers and 'bendi' buses.
New Tourist Routes
Thankfully two heritage routes have been introduced. Route 9 and 15
take in most of the famous London landmarks and can be used by
tourists and locals for journeys. Unlike many tourist services
however, they are open to anyone with a valid London bus ticket,
including the Travelcard which can also be used for the Underground
network.
Route 9 starts at the Royal Albert Hall, although you ca n get on and
off at any point all day long. This route passes Hyde Park and then
travels to Knightsbridge, the home of Harrods. Routes 9 and 15 join
at Trafalgar Square, which is close to the Houses of Parliament,
Buckingham Palace and has attractions in its own right including the
National Gallery. From here the two routes parallel each other
through Charing Cross and the Strand. Located near the River Thames,
the Strand is a famous street which includes the neo-classical
Somerset House, the capital's first purpose-built office block, and
elegant King's College, part of the University of London, which was
built by Robert Smirk in 1829. The Victorian Prime Minister,
Disraeli, considered the Strand it to be one of the finest streets
in Europe, and the street's reputation was enhanced by the
construction of the grand Savoy Hotel in 1884. Route 9 ends at Aldwych in the famous West End Theatre district.
Route 15 continues from the Strand to Fleet Street, Britain's
newspaper home and then on to St Paul’s Cathedral. It also stops at
Monument (the tribute to the Great Fire of London) in the home of
the City - London's financial heart. Its final destination is Tower
Hill for the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. You can also
visit HMS Belfast, the WWII Royal Navy ship which is located
opposite the Tower and take a walk along the popular South Bank with
it's fine shops, pubs and restaurants.
These fantastic new services are ideal for the London visitor and
complement the Underground network. Be sure to enjoy them on your
next stay, and in doing so, not only see more of the capital’s
historical attractions, but ride part of its history too!
Normal fares, travelcards and Oyster cards are
valid on the Routemaster services so it doesn't even cost extra!
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