The AEC Routemaster London Bus
The original London Routemaster bus, designed in the 1950s especially for the capital, is a style icon, with its simple, classic lines, its famed hop-on-hop-off platform encapsulating London’s rakish sense of spontaneity, urbanity and rebellious lack of respect for queues.
The AEC Routemaster is a front-engined double-decker bus designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The first prototype was completed in September 1954 and the last one was delivered in 1968. The layout of the vehicle was traditional for the time, with a half-cab, front-mounted engine and open rear platform, although the coach version was fitted with rear platform doors. Forward entrance vehicles with platform doors were also produced as was a unique front-entrance prototype with the engine mounted transversely at the rear.
The first Routemasters entered service with London Transport in February 1956 and the last were withdrawn from regular service in December 2005, although two heritage routes are still operated by Routemasters in central London. Most Routemasters were built for London Transport, although small numbers were built for British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company. A total of 2,876 Routemasters were built, of which 1,280 are still in existence.
A pioneering design, the Routemaster outlasted several of its replacement types in London, survived the privatisation of the former London Transport bus operators and was used by other operators around the UK. In modern UK public transport bus operation, the old-fashioned features of the standard Routemaster were both praised and criticised. The open platform, while exposed to the elements, allowed boarding and alighting in places other than official stops; and the presence of a conductor allowed minimal boarding time and optimal security, but with greater labour costs.
Despite the retirement of the original version, the Routemaster has retained iconic status, and is considered a British cultural icon. In 2006, the Routemaster was voted one of Britain’s top 10 design icons which included Concorde, Mini, Supermarine Spitfire, London tube map, World Wide Web and the K2 telephone box. In the late 2000s work began on a New Routemaster bus inspired by the Routemaster’s traditional design. It entered service in February 2012.
Routemaster London Bus Tours
For many passengers, riding a Routemaster today has little to do with the destinations – despite passing a string of tourist hotspots, and that hotchpotch of roadworks and chain stores, monuments and traffic jams that can be seen from any London bus. For those who grew up in London, the tour is about remembering when, as a child, they would go down to the local shopping area and watch in awe as these giants of the road pulled up before them. They would climb aboard, and Mum would had over a few pennies to the clippie (conductor) whose clickety, hand-cranked machine spat out the tickets. It was then a race up the stairs to the top and sit at the front, grab the railing and watch as the bus seemed to steer itself through the narrow streets. They’d hear the interplay between clippie and driver, or the clippie’s familiar “Only five standing inside, please!”. As their destination neared, they’d climb up onto the seat and tug on the wire bell strung from the ceiling, hear the “ding-ding”, race downstairs, make a bold leap from the open deck, and think, “When I grow up I want to be a bus driver.” It’s an experience Londoners say they miss more than anything they know, and a pleasure many who grew up elsewhere never experienced as children.
There are a number of opportunities to ride an original Routemaster bus around London.
Roadtrips by Routemaster
The National Trust operates ‘Roadtrips by Routemaster’, which are part of a series of events they organise that explore London’s places, their heritage, architecture, and future development. Partnering with some of London’s most interesting people, places and arts institutions, their tours focus on history, architecture, and culture – offering original insight into what makes our capital city so distinctive. Their carefully selected guides boast diverse interests and expertise, meaning you’ll be sure to encounter London in a new and unexpected way.
They use restored Routemaster buses that have been returned to their original green livery. A typical tour takes three to six hours, and I say that because each tour is unique and won’t always follow the format or route. You’ll need to check individual listings when they become available for information relating to each tour. Every excusion is led by at least one expert guide. Passengers are provided with an information pack about the subject of the tour. All the way are offers of entry to sites of interest not normally accessible to the public.
Included is the use of individual audio equipment, so you hear your guide perfectly. All tours include a refreshment break.
London Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Combine a love of tea and cakes with the adoration of the old London Routemaster bus and you have the London Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. The tour is operated by BB Bakery, who have a bakery in Covent Garden. The seating plan is available on their website and there are 11 tables in total for 2 or 4 guests. Larger parties can sit opposite each other as a group of 8 did when I was on-board. Do note that means some guests are facing backwards.
There is space between the backs of the seats so you won’t be leaning against other guests. And there is background music although this was drowned out by the happy chatter of the guests. As there is table allocation at booking, the tables are prepared with your order before you sit down. You can order gluten-free and vegetarian options in advance. Children are welcome and get a slightly reduced rate.
Vintage Red London Bus Tours
The Vintage Red London Bus Tour is not a rigid format tour, nor is it a hop on, hop off type service on one off London’s famous red buses. The core tour gets you off to great start to the day orientating you to London. After picking you up from your London hotel or a hotel close by, a beautifully restored double-decker bus will take you on a tour of London’s highlights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, all brought to life by an expert guide on-board.
After this orientation you are taken on a river cruise to see London from a different perspective. Off the boat and its back on board the bus to head for Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard. What happens after changing of the Guard is up to you. You can just call it a day and continue sightseeing independently or you can select your own afternoon tour to add on.
There are two tours every day – morning and afternoon. A hotel pick up service is offered in the morning from 16 major hotels in Central London. The actual tour itself starts at Victoria Coach Station around 7.4 am if you wish to join there. For afternoon tours there is a photo stop at Buckingham Palace.
Routemaster Heritage Bus Routes
Looking for cheap London days out for the family? Why not take a tour of the City on an old Routemaster bus along one of two designated Heritage routes? The iconic Routemaster double-decker bus was introduced in London in 1956 and remained in general service until 2005. However, owing to Government legislation requiring full accessibility to public transport for wheelchair users by 2017, only two Heritage routes, the no. 9 and no. 15, still use original Routemasters. However, London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, championed the reintroduction of new Routemaster buses to the capital in 2012.
This tour, on board the no. 15 from the Tower of London to Trafalgar Square, via St Paul’s Cathedral, is a good option for families with young children, who’ll love sitting upstairs in the old-fashioned Routemaster. Adults should find the whistlestop tour of the City equally rewarding. The no. 15 bus is scheduled to take 25 minutes to complete its route but can take longer in rush hour, running daily every 15 minutes 9.30am – 6.30pm in both directions. Note that not every no. 15 is a Routemaster, so wait until one arrives for this tour. The other Heritage route, the no. 9, continues from Trafalgar Square to the Albert Hall, via Pall Mall, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge. Conductors accept Travelcards, Oystercards or cash fares.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tours of London
There are a number of tour operators who run Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. Most London Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours include a river cruise and a walking tour. but there is also a fantastic low priced option for those who just want to explore by bus. Some tours use Routemaster buses, but most use more recent buses with an open top deck. It’s not quite the same as the original Routemaster, but most people who take these tours are more interested in seeing the sights than getting all nostalgic about their means of transport around London.
Design by W3layouts
