Latest News for New Routemaster

Stagecoach has issued a press release regarding the operation of the TFL purchased New Routemaster buses on their Tayway 73 route in Scotland.

Stagecoach is to test alternative bus technology as two hybrid vehicles from London go into service in Dundee.

The new Routemaster double deck vehicles went into service today (Monday 3 November) on the Tayway 73 route which operates between Dundee and Arbroath.

Quick Report: First day of New Routemaster service on Route 453

The first New Routemaster bus, the 'LT274' has finally begun operating on route 453. It first entered service around 8am this morning on the Deptford Bridge to Marylebone route.

This is the first route to be converted to full 'Euro VI New Routemaster buses', whilst a small number are scattered around various routes served by different bus operating companies. The conversion for Route 453 will be 'phased in' in batches instead of a complete overnight conversion. The route will be 'one man operation' so the rear door will be used as a normal door and no second crew member will be present.

Route 453 conversion to New Routemaster finally announced by TFL

"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.

London Bus route 453 has been experiencing delays in converting the route to New Routemaster operation. TFL released a press statement (on 2^nd October 2014) regarding the fuel consumption, which I have previously published.

Transport for London (TfL) has today announced that the next bus route to be served entirely by New Routemaster buses will be the 453.

From 18 October there will be phased conversion of the route, which is operated by London General, and runs 24-hours a day between Deptford Broadway and Marylebone station, via Baker Street, Oxford Circus, Trafalgar Square (Charing Cross), Westminster, Lambeth North, Elephant & Castle and New Cross Gate. The route will be running entirely with New Routemaster buses by mid November.

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.