So farewell, then, Routemaster bus

**Kanamori** · 12-09-2005, 18:24

Dag, I wanted to ride one

**Templar Knight** · 12-09-2005, 18:32

Ironically, although they are said to have been phased out because they are not disabled-friendly, surveys show they are actually more popular with disabled travellers than they are with non disabled (something like an 83% satisfaction rating).

Again some fools claiming to know whats best

**Reverend Joe** · 12-09-2005, 18:35

I went to London once... I didn't ride any of them.

**English assassin** · 12-09-2005, 18:36

Dag, I wanted to ride one

Dude, you can BUY one now...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4075085.stm

**Reverend Joe** · 12-09-2005, 18:38

Originally Posted by English assassin

Dude, you can BUY one now...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4075085.stm

**ichi** · 12-09-2005, 19:30

Gah!

Apparently someone at the British Bus Company doesn't get it.

Gah!

**Mikeus Caesar** · 12-09-2005, 19:41

Originally Posted by ichi

Gah!

Apparently someone at the British Bus Company doesn't get it.

Gah!

I think you mean London Transport Council. I think.

Anyway, it's a sad day. The routemaster is a much more reliable bus than those bendy monstrosities, and it could hold more people. Looked nicer too.

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Here we call them 'doubledeckers'.

Everyone in Britain (nearly everyone anyway) calls them double deckers, just that 'Routemaster' (the London bus that is finally phased out) is the official name.

**Geoffrey S** · 12-09-2005, 20:28

Just to check, does this mean no more distinctive red doubledecker busses in London, or none of this particular make? I can't imagine London without the trademark busses.

**Marcellus** · 12-09-2005, 21:21

Originally Posted by Kanamori

Dag, I wanted to ride one

You can - they're leaving two 'Heritage routes' for the Routemasters to run on.

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Just to check, does this mean no more distinctive red doubledecker busses in London, or none of this particular make? I can't imagine London without the trademark busses.

Not at all -there are vast numbers of double deckers on the road - just much more modern designs than the half-century old Routemaster.

As iconic as the Routemasters are, we do have to move on. The fact is that they are close to half a century old, and modern buses are faster, easier to drive, more fuel efficient, have a higher passenger capacity, are more accessible and I would imagine a bit cleaner. And whilst being able to jump on and off becuase of the open back door and the conductor is useful, it must greatly increase operating costs (having two staff members per bus, not one).

**Reverend Joe** · 12-10-2005, 01:16

Originally Posted by Marcellus

As iconic as the Routemasters are, we do have to move on. The fact is that they are close to half a century old, and modern buses are faster, easier to drive, more fuel efficient, have a higher passenger capacity, are more accessible and I would imagine a bit cleaner. And whilst being able to jump on and off becuase of the open back door and the conductor is useful, it must greatly increase operating costs (having two staff members per bus, not one).

I can understand the makpower costs, but the fuel efficiency and ease of driving is something I don't understand. Why can't auto designers get it through their thick heads that you can reuse or recreate a car chassis, but put in new engines and guts? If they would do that, we could have truly retro cars!

I HATE THE NEW BEETLES! THEY LOOK LIKE ****!!! And don't even get me started on the new Mini Coopers...

Sorry. That has been building up for a few years.