Failed Route tests for New Routemaster conversion

Route 23 is the one affected

Computer generated image of New Routemaster, copyright belongs to TFL.

I recently found a Freedom of Information request referring to the London Bus routes which the New Routemaster failed their route test on. Eddie Cole submitted a request via the 'What Do They Know' website where you can see users submitting information requests to government bodies for information.

The 'What Do They Know' website user sent a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London on 11^th September 2014.

Dear Transport for London,

New Routemaster conversion for Route 453 is delayed again!

"London General bus MAL117 (BP57 UJY) 2008 Mercedes-Benz Citaro, route 453, 10 June 2011" by Darren Hall Uploaded by Ultra7. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

LOTS (London Omnibus Traction Society) have reported that route 453 has missed two target dates, so the route conversion to New Routemasters will now commence on the 18^th  of October 2014.

This is not the first time the route has experienced delays converting to a specific bus type. 

The first delay occurred on the 15th of February back in 2003

Open boarding returns on Route 453 in form of New Routemasters

Creative Commons image by Ultra7

Route 453, which is an 11 year old London Bus Route will have an open boarding service for the first time in 3 years. The New Routemaster buses are due to have 3 doors and 2 staircases. The route runs from Deptford bridge DLR station in South London to Marylebone station via Westminster Bridge and Oxford Circus.

Hong Kong bus operators to use ADL Enviro500 (Tri-Axle) Hybrid

Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Tri-Axle Hybrid

Image from KMB's press release

Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), Citybus and New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) are to use the Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (Tri-Axle) hybrids in Hong Kong for a comprehensive service trial. The buses are funded by the Environmental Protection Department in order to cut harmful emissions in the congested streets of Hong Kong.

Statement from KMB

“KMB is pleased to announce that Hong Kong’s first environment-friendly Euro VI engine hybrid double-deck bus “hBus” will arrive KMB in early September, and enter service in the fourth quarter this year. Funded by the Environmental Protection Department, the hBus is a 12-metre 3-axle air-conditioned double-deck with a diesel-electric “Hybrid Series” propulsion system,

Video: New Routemaster on Route 8

Yesterday I hopped on board the New Routemaster by Holborn, its running on Route 8 operated by Stagecoach London. This is one of the couple routes that operates fully in One Person Operation where the rear door operates as a normal door and stays shut between stops.

Video: Buses at Theobalds Road, Holborn

I captured buses at Theobalds Road where buses of many types passes by. Routes 8 and 38 uses New Routemasters which can be seen on the video.

Video: Buses at Romford 17-09-14

Today I filmed some buses at Romford today, walking through the station and past The Liberty car park. You can see I filmed various double deckers including route 66 which uses the DW's from Clapton Garage.

Contactless Bank card for Tube, DLR, Tram and rail begins on the 16th September

On the 16th September 2014, you will be able to use your contactless bank card to travel on the London Underground, Overground, Docklands Light Rail, Trams and National Rail services in London.

Contactless bank cards was first introduced on London buses from the 13th December 2012. Price caps for London Buses were introduced last month which allows passengers to ride for more then four buses at the cost of £4.40. Also passengers would benefit for a weekly cap which is equivalent to a weekly bus pass.

Since its going to be expanded on other TFL services it will cost the contactless bank card users no more then a daily Travelcard. If they use the system for a week then they will get a weekly price cap which is equivalent to a weekly Travelcard.

RATP Dev acquires Arriva's The Original Tour London Sightseeing

RATP Dev just acquired one of Arriva's bus operations which is The Original Tour London Sightseeing.

The Original Tour Sightseeing London is one of the tour operators in Central London which operates 6 routes with local (cash) fares included in their services. All Tour bus services in Central London operates on a London Service Permit, therefore the services are not contracted by Transport for London.

The Original Tour was founded in by June 1951 by the London Transport Executive at the time of The Festival of Britain. In 1986 it was privatised, being sold to London Coaches / Blue Triangle. In December 1997 it was sold to Arriva. After 17 years, RATP Dev purchased The Original Tour.

RATP Dev Issued the statement from their website.

RATP Dev announces the acquisition of “The Original London Sightseeing Tour”, a pioneer and major operator in the sightseeing sector in London, thereby confirming expansion in this field and in the United Kingdom.

Comparing the New Double deck bus types

Below is a table that I have produced to compare the different bus types that the manufacturers provide.  The buses listed on the table are conventional buses except for the New Routemaster because it’s specifically designed.

Video of London Buses route 66 in Double Deck operation.

You may be interested that I have captured video of route 66 in action. It uses Wright Gemini 2 VDL DB300 where it was based from Clapton garage (CT). The bus is now currently in Grays (GY) for route 66 and briefly on route 370.

Cost of converting a route to the New Routemaster operation

In this article I will be concentrating on the cost of the New Routemaster which includes the cost of converting routes to the full New Routemaster operation.

You may already know that the New Routemaster was originally called 'New Bus for London', also abbreviated as NBfL/NB4L and colloquially as the 'Borisbus' or 'Borismaster', a portmanteau of the name of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.