On the Buses

The red global double-decker bus is as iconic as Big Ben and the red telephone boxes. You’ll often see it in postcards and tourist photos, celebrating the city’s old historic past with modern-day innovation. My last Route Master bus trip was number 15, which was nostalgic. It was only taken out of service in 2005. Even today, the upper deck front seats provide great views.

As kids, we loved watching people ‘running for the bus ‘ and jumping on or off a slow-moving bus. It was never encouraged, though. Looking back, I can see how accidents may have happened. I know people who’ve been badly injured and hurt as they missed the bus and hurt themselves. This would never be allowed today, especially with strict regulations and guidelines for passenger safety.

The old Route Master has a fascinating history, too. Introduced in the 1950s by London Transport, it had a conductor and an open rear platform. The bus interior featured moquette fabric seats in distinctive patterns.

The Conductor

The conductor’s job was to manage passengers and call out the stops. The conductor was always lovely to the kids, especially on the school route. I still remember the manual ticket machine that produced paper tickets for the journey. The Gibson ticket machine was usually worn on a strap.

Smoking On The Upper Deck

It wasn’t all rosy cosy. My parents said people used to smoke on the upper deck, and children were told not to go upstairs, but children, being children, still went on the upper deck. Hopefully, they kept the windows open.

Cultural Impact

Did you know there were public protests when the old Routemaster was taken out of service? It’s understandable why the public was fond of the cultural icon. The old route master buses have appeared in countless films, TV shows and photographs of London. They even inspired merchandise from toys to tourist souvenirs. I’ve even found a toy version of my local bus number in a market in Malaysia. It brought back lovely memories.

Post Withdrawal of Service

Its design featured both modern elements and traditional aesthetics, including a front-engine layout and a separate chassis. The Routemaster’s design and longevity were great; some models stayed in service for over 50 years before retiring from regular routes in 2005 due to modernisation and accessibility requirements.

However, a few heritage routes retained the classic model for nostalgia and tourist appeal, although these have also mostly been phased out in recent years. You will still see some route masters, but they’re used for special events, weddings, and tours. There’s a permanent rebranded pink one called SNOG 💋

The Bendy Bus

I wouldn't say I liked the bendy bus because the roads in London are much narrower than in other cities and navigating these big buses became a nightmare. Thankfully, they were removed from service and replaced by the ‘Boris Bus’. Its design is similar to the old route master. Thankfully, the spiral staircase on the new Route Master isn’t as steep as the old one. However, it was still challenging to navigate when the bus was moving. Being patient when clicking up and down the staircase is worth it, especially when the bus moves.

Electric Buses

I was recently on the 133, which was fully electric, from Brixton in South London to London Bridge. It was enjoyable, too, especially as we approached London Bridge via Camberwell and Elephant & Castle.

The New Routemaster

The Routemaster’s design had a lasting legacy, inspiring the New Routemaster, sometimes called the "Boris Bus" after former Mayor Boris Johnson, who championed its reintroduction in 2012. It cost £11.4 million to develop. Designer Thomas Heatherwick's new design aimed to create a modern version of the old Routemaster with three doorways and two staircases, while the old Routemaster only had one staircase.

The new route master has air conditioning, which isn’t always practical on a hot day. They also operate a Hybrid engine system with a Hop-on, hop-off platform (though often closed for one-person operation, which is most of them. I’ve never seen it—a conductor on the new buses. One thousand units were ordered and delivered between 2012 and 2017.

Famous Routes

❇️Route 15: Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill (now operates as heritage route 15H)

❇️Route 11: Liverpool Street to Fulham Broadway (one of the longest-running)

❇️Route 9: Aldwych to Hammersmith (popular with tourists)

❇️Route 73: Oxford Circus to Stoke Newington

❇️Route 390: Archway to Victoria

❇️Route 159: Was the last regular route to operate original Routemasters, ending in 2005

Where Can You See One Today

❇️London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has several well-preserved examples

❇️Heritage Route 15H (when operating) runs between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square

❇️The London Bus Museum at Brooklands has a significant collection

❇️Many are privately owned and used for events and tours

❇️Several operate as tourist buses in other cities worldwide

❇️Some have been converted into cafes or unique accommodation

❇️Ensign Bus Company in Essex maintains a working fleet

❇️Several examples are preserved at the London Transport Museum's Acton depot, which opens occasionally for special events

Parting Comments

Did you know the phrase ‘On the buses’ was entered into English?

The Routemasters that survive today are now considered historic vehicles, and enthusiasts lovingly maintain many. Some companies specialise in restoring them, and there's a thriving community of Routemaster owners and fans who help keep these iconic vehicles running. It’s such an icon that it’s been celebrated, copied and developed in some countries worldwide.

I hope you have lovely memories of the Routemaster and making new ones with the new buses.