The double-decker bus is an iconic symbol of Britain, with the most famous example being the red London bus, the AEC Routemaster. The Routemaster was designed in the late 1940s and built between 1954 and 1968. It was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The Routemaster was initially created to replace London's trolleybuses, which had replaced the city's trams.
The Routemaster is characterised by its half-cab, front-mounted engine, and open rear platform. The open platform was eventually removed due to safety concerns, as people could board and alight while the bus was moving. The Routemaster was also designed with an open top, which was preferred for unobstructed views of the city, although this exposed passengers to inclement weather.
The Routemaster was withdrawn from regular service in 2005, with the last buses running on route 159. However, Routemasters are still used on heritage routes in London, and they can also be hired for private tours.
What You'll Learn
- The AEC Routemaster: The iconic Routemaster was designed in the late 1940s and was in production until 1968
- The Original: The first double-decker was a horse-drawn carriage in Paris in the 1820s
- Open-Top: The open-top double-decker is used for tourist sightseeing
- Red Buses: The London General Omnibus Company painted their buses red to stand out from competitors
- Heritage Routes: Stagecoach London ran two heritage routes using Routemasters until 2021
The AEC Routemaster: The iconic Routemaster was designed in the late 1940s and was in production until 1968
The AEC Routemaster is an iconic front-engined double-decker bus. It was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The Routemaster was designed in the late 1940s and was in production from 1954 or 1958 until 1968.
The Routemaster was developed to be lighter, easier to operate, and more fuel-efficient than its predecessors. It was also designed to be maintained using existing maintenance practices at the recently opened Aldenham Works. The Routemaster was one of the first "integral" buses, with a combination of a steel sub-frame and an aluminium body.
The first prototype was completed in September 1954, and the first Routemasters entered service with London Transport in February 1956. The Routemaster was designed to replace London's trolleybuses and older types of diesel bus. The last Routemaster was delivered in 1968, and the buses remained in continuous service in London until 2005.
The Routemaster was a pioneering design, outlasting several of its replacement types. It was used by other operators around the UK, even after the privatisation of London Transport bus operators. The Routemaster was known for its open rear platform, which allowed boarding and alighting away from official stops. However, this feature was also dangerous, as people could fall and injure themselves. The presence of a conductor on the Routemaster allowed for minimal boarding time and optimal security but incurred greater labour costs.
The Routemaster's high floor design was also criticised for being inaccessible to disabled individuals and challenging for those with heavy luggage or pushchairs. Despite these drawbacks, the Routemaster remained popular for its viewing capacity and open tops. Today, the red double-decker Routemaster bus is an emblem of London.
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The Original: The first double-decker was a horse-drawn carriage in Paris in the 1820s
The double-decker has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the early 19th century. The very first double-decker was a horse-drawn carriage, which emerged in the vibrant streets of Paris in the 1820s. This innovative vehicle set the stage for the iconic double-decker buses that we know today.
The horse-drawn omnibus, as it was called, revolutionized transportation in Paris and beyond. With two levels of seating, it could carry more passengers than traditional carriages. The upper deck was uncovered, providing an open-air experience for riders. This precursor to the modern double-decker was a common sight in Paris and played a pivotal role in shaping urban transportation.
One of the pioneers of the horse-drawn omnibus was Stanislas Baudry, a businessman who introduced this concept to Paris in 1828. His vehicles accommodated up to 16 passengers and operated between La Madeleine and la Bastille, with a fare of twenty-five centimes. The omnibus service was an instant success, carrying over two and a half million passengers in its first six months.
Following in Baudry's footsteps, an English gentleman named George Shillibeer brought the 'omnibus' to London. Shillibeer's bus could hold up to 22 passengers, and the original fare was 1 shilling. The introduction of the omnibus in London sparked competition among transport companies, leading to the emergence of about 20 different companies operating across the city by the mid-1920s.
The evolution of the double-decker continued with the introduction of engine-powered versions in the 1920s. As cities grew, the demand for more buses increased, and the double-decker became an integral part of urban transportation. The most famous example of the double-decker is, without a doubt, the red London bus, specifically the AEC Routemaster.
The AEC Routemaster, designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles, made its debut in February 1956. It featured a front-mounted engine and an open rear platform, seating 64 passengers. The Routemaster became a symbol of London, renowned for its speed of boarding and distinctive appearance.
Today, double-decker buses are used worldwide, but they remain most commonly used as mass transport in cities like London, Hong Kong, Berlin, and Singapore. The legacy of the first horse-drawn double-decker carriage in Paris continues to shape urban transportation, providing a unique perspective on city sights and accommodating a large number of passengers.
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Open-Top: The open-top double-decker is used for tourist sightseeing
Open-top double-decker buses are used for tourist sightseeing. These buses are usually double-decker buses that have been modified or built to operate without a roof. They are used for sightseeing in cities, or around rural monuments or areas of interest. They often feature specialist information equipment and colourful illustrations of the route on the bus exterior.
Open-top double-decker buses are popular for sightseeing as they offer excellent visibility and lots of fresh air. They are also reminiscent of the early double-decker buses, which were constructed without roofs.
These buses are used for hop-on, hop-off tours, where passengers can board and disembark at multiple stops along a route. Such tours are available in cities like London, Toronto, and Vancouver.
The AEC Routemaster, designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company, is an iconic front-engined double-decker bus used for sightseeing. It features an open rear platform, although some versions have rear platform doors.
The Routemaster was in service from 1956 to 2005 and was voted one of Britain's top 10 design icons. Its longevity is due to its innovative design, which includes independent front suspension, power steering, and a fully automatic gearbox.
The Routemaster has become a symbol of London, with its bright red colour and unique design. It has even been featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony.
Today, modern open-top double-decker buses continue to offer sightseeing tours in various cities, providing tourists with a unique perspective of their destinations.
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Red Buses: The London General Omnibus Company painted their buses red to stand out from competitors
The red double-decker bus is an icon of London and Britain. The "London bus" is famously red, and this tradition goes back to the early 1900s when transport in the city was run by rival firms. The London General Omnibus Company (LGOC), which owned most of the buses, repainted its entire fleet red in 1907 to stand out from the competition.
At the time, transport in London was chaotic and unregulated, with operators fiercely competing for the best routes. The LGOC soon became the largest bus company in London, and its red livery came to dominate the streets. When London Transport was formed in 1933, it adopted the colour red for its buses, and the city has never looked back.
The red double-decker bus has become a national symbol of England and one of the most iconic symbols of London, along with Big Ben and Tower Bridge. The buses are so famous that they have even been featured in movies such as *Live and Let Die* and the *Harry Potter* series.
The AEC Routemaster, a front-engined double-decker bus designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company, is particularly iconic. The first prototype was completed in 1954, and the last one was delivered in 1968. The Routemaster was a pioneering design, outlasting several of its replacement types and surviving the privatisation of London Transport. It was praised for its lightweight and nimble chassis, as well as its quick boarding and optimal security, thanks to the presence of a conductor.
However, the Routemaster was also criticised for its high floor design, which made boarding challenging for those with heavy luggage or pushchairs, and inaccessible for disabled individuals. The open platform was also dangerous, as passengers could board and alight at any time, even when the bus was moving. Despite these issues, the Routemaster remained in service in London until 2005, with the last ones being withdrawn from regular service in December of that year.
Today, London's buses are mostly not entirely red, as the roofs are usually white to reflect sunlight and reduce heating in the summer. Additionally, the typical vehicle is only 30-40% red due to windows and advertisements. Nevertheless, the red double-decker bus remains a beloved symbol of London and Britain, with its colour recognised worldwide.
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Heritage Routes: Stagecoach London ran two heritage routes using Routemasters until 2021
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. Routemasters were used in London from 1956 until 2005, when they were withdrawn from regular service. However, Routemasters continued to be used on two heritage routes, 9H and 15H, until 2021.
Stagecoach London operated the heritage routes 9H and 15H, which were short workings of the standard routes 9 and 15, respectively. These routes were introduced in 2005 to comply with Government legislation requiring buses to be fully wheelchair-accessible by 22 October 2014. The heritage routes were exempt from this requirement, as they were operated by preserved AEC Routemasters, which are not wheelchair-accessible.
Route 9H was withdrawn in 2014, leaving route 15H as the last remaining route in London to operate AEC Routemasters. In 2019, the heritage service was reduced to operate only on weekends and bank holidays from late March to late September. The route did not operate during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its contract was not renewed, ending scheduled service on the route.
In October 2022, a new privately operated tourist heritage route, Route A, was introduced by operator Londoner Buses. This route, which was replaced by route T15 in October 2023, is not connected to Transport for London.
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Frequently asked questions
A British double-decker tour bus is called a Routemaster.
The Routemaster was designed in the late 1940s and was manufactured until 1968. It has a half-cab engine and an open rear platform.
The Routemaster was 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 first Routemasters entered service in February 1956, and the last were withdrawn from regular service in December 2005.
The Routemaster was voted one of Britain's top 10 design icons, which included Concorde, Mini, and the Supermarine Spitfire. It has also appeared in popular culture, such as in the James Bond movie "Live and Let Die."
While the Routemaster has been withdrawn from regular service, you can still find them on private tours in London. Additionally, some Routemasters have been sold to private companies and are available for hire.