The Routemaster Bus - Part 2

The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company (AEC) in 1954 (in production from 1958) and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open-platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances. Introduced by London Transport in 1956, the Routemaster saw continuous service in London until 2005, and currently remains on two heritage routes in central London.

[@MikeGMcDermott]

Ironic observations from Peter Newman of Ensignbus - he thought the Routemaster was out of date for London in the 1990s yet he bought a few himself when the Routemasters were being withdrawn from service in London between 2003 and 2005.

[@100SteveB]

Getting rid of them was not progress, it was a big step backwards. The RM and RT were designed to be a fast and efficient form of transport for London, quick loading and unloading, which in turn meant a better service for the public. Single man operation is far slower. I have not been on a bus in London for decades, but i spent most of my youth travelling around London by bus, back then you could hop on, no messing with change whilst the bus waited, none of this having to have the correct change or a certain travel card, get on, then sort it out with the conductor whilst the bus was moving, not whilst the bus was idling at the stop. Just progress for the sake of progress, not good for the public, and not good for the conductors that lost their jobs.

[@jonathane1976]

Best bus I ever drove.

[@barbaraannecortina7899]

this should be titled 'In Perpetual Motion - The Routemaster Bus', originally shown on 23 January 1992

[@kennedysingh3916]

Some were brought to Jamaica too and did service in Montego Bay in the late 70's.

[@johnbones6257]

I was reading a magazine article written by one of the green lobby. These buses are greener than the one-man buses that "replaced" them. They use less fuel because are lighter and they don't spend half their time idling at the bus stop while the driver collects the fares.

[@juliesmith5567]

With the older busses you could jump on or off in between stops if you missed it and get of at lights but now once the doors are closed that's it you have missed

[@procta2343]

It was sad that they retired these from service, Also i am surprised that parts for these are tricky to get hold of now, I would have thought you could get every single part to restore one of these off the shelf. But from some of the videos i have seen, some of the bits are very hard to get hold of.

[@RobsonField]

He was from Ensignbus, still going today, but yes, I agree that he was a total idiot. These video's have made me appreciate the Routemaster as I'm quite fond on the MCW Metrobus.

[@Peoplebob]

thanks bud

[@DavidJones-wx4im]

I doubt PVS cut up 1500 to 2000 Routemasters?!!!!

[@TESCOSGRESHAM]

KING GEORGES TO GRANGE HILL FOR THE 362 : THE BEST BUS ROUTE

[@victorfuray6821]

In an ideal world, crewed operation, was maximally effective..........one manned operation, reduced costs, and strangely, RMs were a cost effective bus.

[@Hotrodngaz]

Thanks, shame the sound wasn't better :(

[@loquayrocks]

Lilly was here, Dave Stewart (of eurythmics)

[@AaronOxfordExmouth1989]

What is the music at 2:24?

[@Peoplebob]

music at the end?

[@joeking1019]

Alan Parsons

[@lesreed9269]

What an irritating man, that Peter Newman, is!

[@johnrafferty8087]

Ensign made a good quid or 2 out of selling Roitemasters