Forum Topic

New Routemasters for the 267

More on the Transport front.This week should see the introduction of New Routemasters which will be placed on the 267 Route.Two have been running for a few weeks to induct drivers and passengers to the buses three door layout.These UK designed and built buses paved the way for Hybrid buses and introduced new technology which has been adopted mainly by overseas bus builders. TfL underwrote development costs that simply were not coming from other authorities and manufacturers.Eventually spurring competitors to produce rival vehicles and bring costs down.This will be the final batch of these buses which due to the tag 'Boris Bus' are disliked by the current poorly advised Mayor and cancelled in preference to Chinese and european models.Sadly this costs jobs in Northern Ireland and has in effect handed future orders on a plate to China.Politicians keen to score points on branding it a Vanity project display huge ignorance at what was being achieved and seem rather happy that a British project is scuppered handing jobs and business to overseas companies. Again. Ironically, the 'Boris Bus' concept was conceived but shelved by Boris's predecessor Ken who opted for Bendy Buses. Partly because the Hybrid technology was too late for the next election.Very iconic and a distinctive bus for London, but not a patch on the original Routemaster, still missed.

Raymond Havelock ● 2820d4 Comments

The failed parts of the NRM are components that were subbed out to other manufacturers as a cost cutting exercise.The batteries in question were eventually found to be Chinese although passed as EU.Alexander - Dennis are a body building partner with BYD but the profits go to China, BYD capitalised on the groundwork by Wrights and TfL - and do not recognise patents.Wrights do make Hybrids and have created a very good vehicle again on the back of TfLs funding for the NRM. But the loss of a line has cost UK jobs.The loss of autonomy by Dennis has also yielded jobs and profit overseas.We dropped the baton and the chinese and others have picked it up.How many times has that happened in this country?Not helped by political posturing belating on about vanity projects.It is a purpose built bus for London and it works.  Not as well as it should but again that's interference from ignorance and ignoring those who do know their onions, who as ever get elbowed out by politics and egos.It has to be remembered that the New Routemaster was developed as a radically new double decker - Not radical enough, in my opinion, but at least with future proofed design incorporated into it. The next phase was to be an all electric version.From Prototype to production was way too hasty.  The original RM was first developed in the early 1950s and the first prototypes not until 1954 -56.After huge testing the first production models did not enter service until 1959 and then had a raft of teething issues.However, that R&D led to a double decker bus that still remains one of the most fuel efficient and reliable diesel buses to this day.New Routemasters do have opening windows and do suffer from some of the pitfalls of being a first. However, when it comes to problems, the finger is pointed at these buses primarily because of the association with Boris Johnson.In actuality all the Hybrid, Hydrogen and electric buses along with most new Euro 6 vehicles are suffering a raft of issues, some so serious that certain types have been stored off the road for extended periods.But none of that gets a mention. Nor the huge costs of other types.

Raymond Havelock ● 2819d

These new buses are great. However I hope we don't go back to the old days, where people get on in the back, and don't pay. Otherwise these buses will get so busy, when people realise "Free Buses are back".

Raki Smith ● 2819d

When the AEC at Sothall was closed by Leyland we lost a terriffic facility together with expertise. The RT and RF for example taylor made for London Transport. Deliveries to Kingston garage of the RF were at a phenomenal rate in the hundreds. The RT was similar both were to be seen in Green on country routes. With ageing trolley buses a new bus was needed.  The design team was directed by A A M DURRANT and COLIN CURTIS. The first bus was actually built at Chiswicks (now closed). All units were supplied by the AEC. Unique designs for the times such as front and rear sub frames as in the mini. Anyway on the 31/1/56 RM1 did a tour of the West End for Londoners to see it. On 16/10/61 the 1000th Routemaster was handed over at AEC Southall. These buses evolved from a proud workforce. Sucessive governments put down engineering in this country so that is why we must have Chinese, German, French, and Swedish. A long time ago I saw gas and electric buses in France. Here? Well I have just read the number of apprenticeships has gone down. I also read that we cannot even pick our own Brussel sprouts for Xmas and the farmers are complaining. We are however good at SATELITES however orders for them are in danger because of Brexit. So don't hold your breath.

Nicholas Beard ● 2819d

There might be some inaccuracies in this account. I think alternative non-Boris hybrid London buses are still produced by Wrightbus in Belfast and Alexander Dennis in Scotland or Guildford. Various forms of hybrid double decker bus were in service in London and elsewhere well before Boris embarked on his expensive vanity project.  BYD, the company behind the latest all electric double decker is Chinese but I think the buses are being manufactured in Scotland. For all its innovative design features, the Boris bus has been plagued by problems, such as failing batteries, overheating, non-opening windows, and fires, as well as the ultimately redundant 'open' rear platform. I'm sure there must be plenty of better informed transport geeks out there who can fill in the details!

Peter Evans ● 2820d