New Routemaster
| New Routemaster | |
|---|---|
,_route_9,_27_October_2013.jpg) London United New Routemaster at Hammersmith in October 2013 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Wrightbus |
| Production | 2011–2017 1,000 units produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | 3 doors |
| Floor type | Low-floor |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Cummins ISBe 4.5 (euro spec) 4-cylinder, 4.5 L (270 cu in), 185 hp (138 kW) Euro V compliant |
| Capacity | 80 (87 without wheelchair) (lower: 22 seats, 1 wheelchair space, 18 standing (25 standing without wheelchair); upper deck: 40 seats) |
| Transmission | Diesel in series 18 kWh Microvast Lithium Titanate battery, Microvast LpTO, Siemens ELFA2 electric traction motor |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 11.23 m (36 ft 10+1⁄8 in) |
| Width | 2.52 m (8 ft 3+1⁄4 in) |
| Height | 4.39 m (14 ft 4+7⁄8 in) |
| Curb weight | 12.65 t (12.45 long tons; 13.94 short tons) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | AEC Routemaster (spiritual) |
| Successor | Wright SRM |
The New Routemaster, (known as the New Bus for London, the Borismaster and the Boris Bus), is a hybrid diesel–electric double-decker bus. It has a low-floor. It was made from 2011 to 2017 by Wrightbus. It was made for services in London, England.
It is known for having a "hop-on hop-off" rear open platform similar to the AEC Routemaster but it was made to meet rules for modern buses and to meet accessibility rules.
History
,_Trafalgar_Square,_heritage_route_9,_13_June_2011_(3).jpg)
,_Showbus_2012_rally_(2).jpg)
The AEC Routemaster bus was used in London from 1968 to 2005, it had a rear open platform and was monitored by the bus driver or the conductor. In 2005, it was withdrawn and replaced with buses that didn't have a rear open platform.
In the 2008 London mayoral elections, many people complained about the withdrawal of the Routemasters, Boris Johnson made a campaign pledge to make a new Routemaster bus.
In 2009, Wrightbus was awarded the contract to make the new Routemaster bus, the final design was announced in May 2010.
The new Routemaster first entered service in February 2012 with Arriva London on route 38.
The new Routemaster has three doors; the doors are at the front, in the middle and at the rear, the rear doors can be closed by the driver. It has two staircases; one in the middle and one at the rear that goes down to the rear platform.
Operation
As of March 2021,[update] 1,000 New Routemasters are in TfL operation.
Current routes
New Routemasters currently run on the following routes:
| Route | Operator | Peak vehicle requirement | Introduction date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Transport UK London Bus | 22 | 8 February 2016 |
| 5 | Blue Triangle | 30 | 28 June 2022 |
| 8 | Stagecoach London | 30 | 28 June 2014 |
| 9 | Metroline | 22 | 26 October 2013 |
| 11 | London General | 25 | 21 September 2013 |
| 12 | London Central | 36 | 28 March 2015 |
| 15 | Blue Triangle | 24 | 28 February 2015 |
| 16 | Metroline | 15 | 26 September 2015 |
| 19 | Arriva London | 28 | 5 October 2019 |
| 21 | London Central | 27 | 5 December 2016 |
| 24 | Transport UK London Bus | 27 | 22 June 2013 |
| 27 | 22 | 24 November 2018 | |
| 32 | Metroline | 18 | 29 April 2023 |
| 38 | Arriva London | 59 | 10 May 2014 |
| 55 | Stagecoach London | 35 | 28 February 2015 |
| 59 | Arriva London | 26 | 22 March 2016 |
| 67 | London General | 12 | 15 June 2019 |
| 68 | Transport UK London Bus | 24 | 6 February 2016 |
| 73 | Arriva London | 53 | 14 May 2015 |
| 76 | 25 | 25 March 2017 | |
| 87 | London General | 22 | 30 March 2019 |
| 137 | Arriva London | 31 | 2 December 2014 |
| 148 | London United | 25 | 15 February 2014 |
| 149 | Arriva London | 38 | 13 October 2015 |
| 159 | Transport UK London Bus | 34 | 12 December 2015 |
| 168 | Metroline | 22 | 10 December 2015 |
| 176 | London Central | 22 | 7 November 2021[source?] |
| 189 | Metroline | 20 | 30 August 2016 |
| 211 | London United | 20 | 4 June 2016 |
| 215 | Stagecoach London | 5 | 1 February 2024 |
| 248 | Arriva London | 15 | 24 September 2022 |
| 253 | 32 | 20 October 2016 | |
| 254 | 33 | 3 June 2017 | |
| 267 | Transport UK London Bus | 17 | 7 November 2017 |
| 313 | Arriva London | 8 | 4 October 2020 |
| 390 | Metroline | 22 | 7 December 2013 |
| 415 | Transport UK London Bus | 10 | 30 July 2018 |
| 453 | London Central | 35 | 18 October 2014 |
| EL1 | Blue Triangle | 17 | 18 February 2017 |
| EL2 | 15 | ||
| EL3 | 14 | ||
| H32 | London United | 8 | 28 August 2021 |
| N3 | Transport UK London Bus | 13 | 8 February 2016 |
| N8 | Stagecoach London | 21 | 28 June 2014 |
| N9 | Metroline | 18 | 26 January 2019 |
| N11 | London General | 7 | 31 October 2015 |
| N15 | Blue Triangle | 23 | 26 August 2017 |
| N19 | Arriva London | 8 | 5 October 2019 |
| N32 | Metroline | 6 | 29 April 2023 |
| N38 | Arriva London | 26 | 10 May 2014 |
| N55 | Stagecoach London | 12 | 28 February 2015 |
| N73 | Arriva London | 13 | 14 May 2015 |
| N87 | London General | 13 | 30 March 2019 |
| N253 | Arriva London | 13 | 20 October 2016 |
| SL3 | Stagecoach London | 15 | 24 February 2024 |
Former routes
New Routemasters previously operated on the following routes.
| Route | Last operator | Peak vehicle requirement | NRMs introduced | NRMs withdrawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | London United | 23 | 26 April 2014 | 23 November 2018 |
| 48 | Arriva London | 22 | 25 February 2017 | 12 October 2019 |
| 88 | London General | 23 | 24 August 2015 | 29 March 2019 |
| 91 | Metroline | 21 | 9 May 2016 | November 2021 |
| 111 | Transport UK London Bus | 24 | 28 August 2021 | 2023 |
| N16 | Metroline | 6 | April 2023 |
In November 2018, route 10 was withdrawn and its New Routemaster buses were transferred to route 27. In March 2019, route 88 was restructured and its New Routemaster buses were transferred to route 87. On 11 October 2019, route 48 was withdrawn. Route 91's New Routemaster buses were transferred to Routes 17 and 332.
Accidents and incidents
The New Routemaster has been involved in several accidents and incidents:
- In September 2013, three people were seriously injured when a New Routemaster on route 11 crashed into three other buses and some parked cars on Chelsea Bridge Road.
- In June 2014, the driver of a car going at 100 mph was killed, one person was critically injured and 12 were hurt when the car hit a New Routemaster on route N38.
- In April 2015, a car was wedged in between two New Routemasters on Goodge Street. The occupants of the car were treated at the scene.
- In January 2016, 13 people were injured when two New Routemasters on routes 11 and 148 collided with each other and hit a van in Parliament Square.
- On 27 December 2019, a New Routemaster caught fire in Kennington, while working route 59 to Euston.
- On 5 March 2024, two people were injured after a New Routemaster on route 8 lost control and crashed into a shopfront on New Oxford Street in Westminster.
- On 19 May 2024, a new-style Routemaster on the 5 route between Canning Town and Romford crashed into the side of a house in Claughton Road, East Ham.
References
- ↑ Borismaster or Saunamaster? Archived 20 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine Transport Engineer 2 July 2014
- ↑ Wrights Hybrid Archived 26 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine Wrightbus
- ↑ Your New Routemaster questions answered CNET
- ↑ "Cell – Products". microvast.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- 1 2 "Spec sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ↑ Siemens ELFA Drive System for Hybrid Electric Vehicles, 2011. Archived 23 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Booth, Hannah (8 April 2005). "The red brigade". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ "Routemaster cull on three routes". 3 September 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ "Johnson aims to scrap bendy buses". 3 March 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ Taylor, Matthew (17 May 2010). "Boris Johnson unveils London Routemaster bus design". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ "News". Wrightbus. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010.
17.05.2010 Mayor unveils iconic final design for London's new bus
- ↑ McGuirk, Justin (23 February 2012). "The Routemaster's triumphant return to London". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ Atkinson, Neil (6 August 2014). "Three-door London buses could hit Huddersfield streets". huddersfieldexaminer. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
The buses have doors at the front, centre and rear.
- ↑ "Bus Fleet Audit" (PDF). tfl.gov.uk. Transport for London. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "New Routemaster". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Route 8 and 38 now served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 2 July 2014
- ↑ Route 9 to be served by iconic New Bus for London from Saturday Transport for London 21 October 2013
- ↑ Second Borismaster route named Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 4 June 2013
- ↑ Route 12 to be served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 8 April 2015
- 1 2 3 Route 55 and 15 to be served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 26 January 2015
- 1 2 Short Hops Buses issue 76 November 2019 page 22
- ↑ Mayor announces first bus route to be fully served by iconic new bus for London fleet Transport for London 25 January 2013
- 1 2 3 Route 10 to go as TfL engages all-engines reverse Buses issue 764 November 2018 page 24
- ↑ Route 59 converts to New Routemasters Arriva London 23 March 2016
- ↑ LSBL confirms latest London bus routes to change hands Coach & Bus Week issue 1400 2 July 2019 page 7
- ↑ Route 68 now served by new Routemaster bus Transport for London 5 February 2016
- 1 2 Route 73 to be served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 15 May 2015
- 1 2 "Blue Triangle and Arriva London North win new London tenders" Coach & Bus Week issue 1251 2 August 2016 page 7
- 1 2 3 4 Success for Go-Ahead Buses issue 752 November 2017 page 22
- ↑ Route 137 to be served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 1 December 2014
- ↑ Routemasters running on route 148 Archived 18 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine Transport for London 19 February 2014
- ↑ Route 149 now served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 26 October 2015
- ↑ Route 159 now served by New Routemaster buses Transport for London 11 December 2015
- ↑ "Bus tender results – Transport for London". tfl.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- 1 2 "Arriva London's Route 253 converts to New Routemasters". Arriva London. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ↑ Bus Service Changes 5 May to 16 June 2017 Transport for London 19 May 2017
- ↑ Last New Routemasters for route 267 Buses January 2018 page 24
- ↑ "New Routemasters reach Potters Bar". BusandTrainuser, October 2020. 9 October 2020.
- ↑ Route 390 to be served by New Routemasters from Saturday Transport for London 5 December 2013
- ↑ Short Hops Buses issue 763 October 2018 page 24
- ↑ New Routemaster buses on route 453 Transport for London 2 October 2014
- ↑ RATP shuffles fleet Buses issue 800 November 2021 page 22
- ↑ Short Hops Buses issue 768 March 2019 page 26
- ↑ Revised rear door arrangement on latest LTs Buses issue 725 August 2015 page 25
- ↑ "New SL3 Superloop route launches in south-east London". BBC News. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ↑ Transport for London 24 April 2014
- ↑ Arriva London starts running TfL bus route 48 service this Saturday Arriva London 23 February 2017
- 1 2 Permanent Bus Changes Transport for London
- ↑ "Metroline" Buses issue 736 July 2016 page 73
- 1 2 "FOI request detail".
- ↑ "New Bus for London crash: Three people seriously hurt". BBC News. 23 September 2013.
- ↑ "London bus crash: 100mph 'street racer' dead, one man critically injured and 12 others hurt after collision with car". Evening Standard. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ↑ "Mercedes wedged between two 'Boris' buses". 20 April 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ↑ "Bus crash in London's Parliament Square injures 12". BBC News. 11 January 2016.
- ↑ "Dramatic pictures show London bus ravaged by flames in Kennington". 27 December 2019.
- ↑ "London bus crash leaves two injured after number 8 smashed through building next to Costa". 5 March 2024.
- ↑ "TfL bus rams into home on Claughton Road, East Ham". 19 May 2024.
Other websites
Media related to New Routemaster at Wikimedia Commons
Official links
- A New Bus for London Greater London Authority May 2010
- New Routemaster on Wrightbus website
- Product range of the Routemaster on Wrightbus International Website
- A New Routemaster Transport for London, 15 May 2010
Winning design
- Exclusive preview of new £8m London bus BBC News video preview of new bus with mock-up, 16 September 2010
Design competition
- New Routemaster winners announced, BBC News, 7 May 2008
- New look for Routemaster bus BBC News video featuring three proposals, 3 November 2008
- Entry for design competition[permanent dead link] Capoco Design Limited
- Entry for design competition Foster + Partners and Aston Martin, 19 December 2008
Wikimedia Commons has media related to New Routemaster.