Photo by Ben Stansall/Stringer/Getty Images
After a brief flirtation with extinction, London’s iconic double-decker bus is staging a comeback. A bright red prototype of the next-generation model is now circulating the English capital, where it will soon be put into regular service. London Mayor Boris Johnson made bringing back updated versions of these classic buses a key issue during his election in 2008.
His predecessor, Ken Livingstone, had eliminated the charming but mechanically outdated Routemaster buses from all but a few key “heritage” routes in the city. Many are now more than 50 years old, making maintenance and fuel costs prohibitive. The new and improved double-decker should help address many of these problems when they begin service later this year.
Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Staff/Getty Images
For starters, a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain will dramatically reduce emissions and improve fuel mileage. The new double-decker, penned by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, also includes an open rear platform to make quick hop-on-and-off trips easier. Some critics had deemed the feature unsafe on the old buses. There are also three doors and two staircases to facilitate the loading and unloading of passengers.
An asymmetrical front window gives the new bus a modern face. Apparently, it’s much more than a design flourish. The wild front glass supposedly makes it easier for bus drivers to see the curb.
Photo by Ben Stansall/Stringer/Getty Images
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