New Routemaster#FRM and XRM

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File:Arriva London bus LT6 (LT12 FHT), route 38, 16 April 2013 (2).jpg]]

The final design has doors at the front, centre and rear.{{Cite news|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/three-door-london-buses-could-hit-7571282|title=Three-door London buses could hit Huddersfield streets|last=Atkinson|first=Neil|date=6 August 2014|newspaper=huddersfieldexaminer|quote=The buses have doors at the front, centre and rear.|access-date=8 January 2017}} The front and rear doors lead to staircases to the upper deck. The rear entrance initially had a platform and pole similar to the original Routemaster, with a door kept open for hop-on, hop-off operation when a conductor was on board. Readers for the contactless Oyster card used for payment for transport in London are provided at each of the three boarding points. Other types of tickets must be presented to the driver. This applied even when a conductor was on board, as the conductors did not take fares or check tickets.

There is a new pattern of moquette for the seating, manufactured by Camira Fabrics.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/10085151/All-aboard-the-new-Routemaster-its-big-red-and-made-in-Britain.html|title=All aboard the new Routemaster – it's big, red and made in Britain|newspaper=Telegraph.co.uk|quote=Camira Fabrics, a textile manufacturer in West Yorkshire which employs around 600 people, has provided a durable red fabric referred to as “moquette” in the industry (French for carpet) for the Routemaster’s seats.|access-date=8 January 2017}} The internal lighting is provided by LED clusters, and there is a climate-controlled ventilation system. There is a system to display text and provide audio announcements via loudspeakers, and T-loop for users of hearing aids;{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/new-routemaster|title=New Routemaster|last=Transport for London|website=Transport for London|access-date=8 January 2017|quote=There's also a T-Loop system which transmits announcements for passengers with hearing aids.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025032035/https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/new-routemaster|archive-date=25 October 2016}} the information typically includes the route number, destination, name of the next stop and that the bus is stopping.

The bus is a hybrid diesel–electric driven by a battery-powered electric motor, charged by a diesel fuelled generator and recovering energy during braking by regenerative braking.{{Cite news|url=http://arstechnica.co.uk/cars/2015/07/londons-new-hybrid-routemaster-buses-have-major-battery-issues/|title=London's new hybrid Routemaster buses have major battery issues|newspaper=Ars Technica UK|access-date=8 January 2017}}

In 2020, Transport for London announced that the New Routemasters would be converted so passengers only enter by the front door, with the middle and rear doors becoming exit-only. This was done to reduce fare evasion, which had been double that of other London buses.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/10/fare-dodging-forces-closure-of-rear-doors-on-new-routemaster-bus |title=Fare-dodging forces closure of rear doors on New Routemaster bus |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 January 2020 |access-date=11 January 2020}}

{{Main|AEC Routemaster}}

File:Boris Johnson -holding a red model bus -2007.jpg with a model of an original AEC Routemaster bearing a political slogan during his 2008 London mayoral campaign]]

Designed for and largely operated in London, over 2,800 AEC Routemasters were built between 1956 and 1968, with a design so robust that the Routemaster outlasted newer buses intended to replace it, remaining in use until 2005, well into the deregulated era.

From 31 December 2000, it became mandatory for all new buses delivered in the UK to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, leading to the development of the wheelchair-accessible low-floor bus. Older buses were allowed to continue operating in London until 23 October 2009, and in the rest of the United Kingdom until 22 October 2014.{{Citation needed|reason=no source given for these specific dates|date=December 2014}} Through the TfL contract renewal process, after 2000, the Routemaster began to be identified as the most common example of a non-wheelchair-accessible bus type used on TfL routes.

The first Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, supported the Routemaster during his first (2000–2004) term, indicating the type would be retained in a limited capacity on contract renewals as before. He also promised to convert the whole London bus fleet to low-floor with an original targeted timeline of 23 October 2009, which then was pushed earlier to 1 January 2006, requiring the withdrawal of the Routemaster from London. Contributory factors to the withdrawal were said to be the risk of litigation over accidents arising from using the rear platform, the cost savings of one-person operation and the fact that passengers preferred the comfort levels of modern buses to the vintage Routemaster. Livingstone said that the Routemasters were too dangerous, with approximately twelve people per year dying after falling from them during his mayoralty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2013-10-05/ken-livingstone-too-many-people-died-on-routemasters/|title=Ken Livingstone: too many people died on Routemasters|website=ITV News}} The last examples were withdrawn from regular London passenger service in December 2005.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4510410.stm |title=Routemaster makes final journey |work=BBC News |date=9 December 2005}}

The Routemaster continued in operation on heritage routes 9 and 15, with the former discontinued in July 2014. The heritage routes, shorter than the full 9 and 15 routes, were awarded as tendered routes by TfL and did not contravene the TfL accessible public transport policy requirement, as frequent wheelchair-accessible buses also operate on these routes. The provision of Routemaster buses was drastically curtailed on 2 March 2019 to availability on weekends only for 60 days a year.{{cite web |url=https://londonist.com/london/transport/no-more-heritage-routemasters-on-weekdays |title=Routemaster Buses Will Not Run On Weekdays |newspaper=Londonist |date=28 January 2019 |access-date= 1 July 2019}} As of 2021, the heritage routes with Routemaster are withdrawn.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/tfl-confirms-heritage-routemasters-wont-return|title = TFL confirms heritage Routemasters won't return |magazine=Buses Magazine |first=Mark |last=Lyons |date=9 April 2021 |access-date=4 January 2024}}

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An attempt to design a rear-engined front-entrance version of the Routemaster in 1964/65 led to the construction of the FRM1 (front-entrance Routemaster) in 1966. The prototype shared approximately 60% of its components with a standard Routemaster and was the first integrally-constructed rear-engined double-decker built in Britain.{{cite book |last=Bowles |first=Lawrie |title=London Transport Buses |edition=8th |year=1984 |orig-year=1977 |publisher=Capital Transport |location=Harrow Weald, Middlesex |isbn=0-904711-54-4 |pages=34–35}} Because of its single door (a serious drawback for a bus of this capacity) and continued mechanical problems associated with its unique design, the FRM was considered a dead end although it provided proof of concept.{{cite book|last=Blacker|first=Ken |title=Routemaster: 1954–1969|edition=2nd|volume=1|year=1995|orig-year=1991|publisher=Capital Transport|location=Harrow Weald, Middlesex |isbn=1-85414-178-3 |pages=134–139}}{{cite book|last=Blacker|first=Ken|title=Routemaster: 1970–2005|edition=2nd|volume=2|year=2007|publisher=Capital Transport|location=Harrow Weald, Middlesex|isbn=978-1-85414-303-7|pages=42–43, 102–111}}

In 1968, London Transport went back to the drawing board for another replacement of the Routemaster, with an anticipated introduction date of 1985. The initial result was a four-axle low-floor design that would have been suitable for automatic fare collection. By 1975, the project was well in hand and had been named XRM (Experimental Route Master). Features of the new design included a side-mounted engine for maximum flexibility in door and seating layout and hydraulic drive to four small-wheeled axles for the lowest possible floor. Experiments in the mid-1970s yielded disappointing results, and in 1978, the XRM morphed into a more conventional-looking vehicle but with the rear door behind the rear axle. Other proposed features were LPG fuel and hydraulic suspension to lower the floor at stops. XRM design work was cancelled in September 1980, as it was calculated that it would cost £153{{spaces}}million to build 2,500 new XRMs but only £13.5{{spaces}}million to overhaul 2,700 Routemasters.{{cite magazine |url=http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/14th-february-1981/25/xrm-is-ditched |title=XRM is ditched |magazine=Commercial Motor |date=14 February 1981}} London Transport had, by then, committed heavily to the Leyland Titan, to which they had significant design input and it was regarded as a more viable option.

A decade later, London Transport once again looked for a replacement. In 1989, designs were solicited from Dennis Bus, Alexander and Northern Counties. The style specified was a rear-entrance half-cab layout identical to the original Routemaster, but by now, it was considered obsolete elsewhere in Britain.

In 1999, London Transport received an unsolicited design from its former vehicle engineering manager, Colin Curtis, who had overseen the design of the Routemaster. Dubbed the Q Master, it found little favour within London Transport and by manufacturers that Curtis approached. Transport for London announced that it would look at developing a Routemaster replacement, but the project was confirmed as dead in June 2003.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/2255689.stm |title=Routemaster: Transport of delight? |work=BBC News |date=13 September 2002}}

On 3 September 2007 the Conservative mayoral candidate for London, Boris Johnson, announced that he was contemplating introducing a modern-day Routemaster. In December 2007, the UK automotive magazine Autocar commissioned the bus designer Capoco, designer of the innovative Optare Solo, to come up with detailed proposals for a new-generation Routemaster.[http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/229691/ Autocar re-invents the Routemaster] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212234026/http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/229691/ |date=12 February 2012 }} Autocar 19 December 2007 Their design, dubbed the RMXL, was a hybrid technology low-floor bus with a lightweight aluminium space frame, with four more seats and twice the standing capacity of the old Routemaster, and operated solely by a driver.

The design incorporated disabled access through a closing front door behind the front wheels while retaining open platform rear access, with the staircase still at the rear. The hybrid drivetrain had a front-mounted continuous-revving hydrogenised petrol engine; this charged front-mounted batteries, which powered the rear wheels through rear-mounted electric motors. This arrangement, through not requiring a mechanical transmission, allowed for a low floor and a step-free entrance into the lower deck from the rear platform.

Hydrogen storage tanks would be located under the rear staircase. The design was covered by the national press but attracted criticism from Livingstone as being too costly to justify and still not safe, despite proposals to monitor the rear platform with cameras.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7149722.stm "Green" Routemaster plan outlined] BBC News 19 December 2007

Johnson backed the Autocar / Capoco design in principle and suggested that he would hold a formal design competition to develop a new Routemaster if he was elected London mayor in May 2008. After winning, on 4 July 2008 Johnson announced the New Bus for London competition.

An initiative of Transport for London, the competition invited anybody, both companies and members of the public, to submit ideas for consideration. The competition had two categories, an Imagine category for general ideas and concepts, and a Design category, for more detailed proposals. In both categories, entries could be either "whole bus" submissions, or proposals for parts of the bus.

The Imagine category called for the submission of imaginative ideas for a red double-decker bus with a rear open platform, and one other entrance/exit with doors.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/IMAGINE_RULES.pdf |title=Competition rules – A new bus for London, Imagine category |date=n.d. |access-date=20 December 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908061640/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/IMAGINE_RULES.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2008 }} The Design category called for detailed designs of a low-floor, red double-decker bus with at least one internal staircase, a rear open platform, and one other entrance/exit with doors, to be crewed by a driver and conductor, and suitable for carrying 72 passengers seated and standing. The designs were required to satisfy a table of mandatory and suggested design specifications, and "be practical and economic and capable of being put into mass production".{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/DESIGN_RULES.pdf |title=Competition rules – A new bus for London, Design category |date=n.d. |access-date=20 December 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327021407/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/DESIGN_RULES.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/VEHICLE_GUIDELINES.pdf |title=Competition rules – A new bus for London, Vehicle Specification Guidelines |date=n.d. |access-date=20 December 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327021408/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/VEHICLE_GUIDELINES.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }} The competition offered cash prizes for entrants, with £25,000 for the winner, and smaller awards for good ideas.

One initial set of proposals gained media attention after being unveiled during October 2008, for a "smiley bus" known as the H4 (designed by the H4 Group).{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23571827-details/The+Routemaster+with+a+smile/article.do|title=The Routemaster with a smile|author=Amar Singh|date=13 October 2008|publisher=London Evening Standard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016050554/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23571827-details/The+Routemaster+with+a+smile/article.do|archive-date=16 October 2008}} Future Systems offered a "space age" alternative powered by hydrogen.{{cite web|url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3130978|title=Future Systems' London Routemaster bus|date=8 January 2008|publisher=Building Design Online, The Architect's Website|author=Staff Writer|access-date=19 September 2009}} Foster and Partners submitted a glass-roofed design.[http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1761/Default.aspx Routemaster London] Fosters + Partners

The winners were announced on 19 December 2008. There were 225 entries in the Design category, and 475 entries in the Imagine category{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/a-new-bus-for-london-the-winners.pdf |title=A new bus for London, The Winners |date=n.d. |access-date=20 December 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126214533/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/pdf/a-new-bus-for-london-the-winners.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2009 }}

The £25,000 prize for winning the whole bus Design category was shared between two entries, one from Capoco Design, a bus, coach and truck design firm, and one from a joint submission made by architects Foster + Partners and automotive company Aston Martin.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7790082.stm|title=Aston Martin designs Routemaster|date=19 December 2008|publisher=BBC News}}

File:New Bus For London rear staircase.jpg

The winning and other merited entrants in both the Imagine and Design categories for both 'whole bus' submission and part submissions were passed by TfL to bus manufacturers, for them to draw up detailed final designs meeting all relevant legislation, and later presented to TfL for consideration on a competitive-tender basis.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/next-steps.aspx|title=A New Bus for London – Next steps|date=n.d.|access-date=20 December 2008|publisher=Transport for London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224021836/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/technologyandequipment/anewbusforlondon/next-steps.aspx|archive-date=24 December 2008}} By April 2009, a formal invitation to express interest in the project was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.Buses issue 649 April 2008

In May 2009, six manufacturers were invited to negotiate the contract to design and build the new bus.{{cite press release|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/13903.aspx|title=Wrightbus to design and build New Bus for London|publisher=Transport for London|date=23 December 2009|access-date=17 May 2010}} They were Alexander Dennis, EvoBus (which includes Mercedes-Benz), Hispano Carrocera, Optare, Scania and Wrightbus, having all met TfL's criteria for pre-qualification for tendering, which included demonstrating they had a manufacturing capacity of building 600 buses over three years. Volvo Buses declined to enter the bidding process. Transport for London set a deadline of 14 August for the submission of detailed tenders; Scania and Evobus pulled out before this deadline. Scania did not believe they could produce the first prototype in the time stipulated, and Evobus had concerns as they were not at the time manufacturing any double-decker.Buses issue 654 September 2009

On 23 December 2009, Northern Ireland-based vehicle manufacturer Wrightbus was awarded the contract to build the Future Routemaster.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8428377.stm|title=New Routemaster maker announced|publisher=BBC News|date=23 December 2009|access-date=17 May 2010}} The contract called for a bus with a capacity for at least 87 passengers, two staircases, three doors, and a rear platform which could be left open, or closed with a door when there was no conductor on board. The bus would be a hybrid, utilising technology to make it 40% more fuel-efficient than conventional diesel buses, and 15% more than London hybrid buses already in operation, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 40% and particulate matter by 33% compared with diesel buses.

On 17 May 2010, the final design was unveiled by Wrightbus, with asymmetric glass swoops as its signature "futuristic" styling feature.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8685486.stm|title=London's 'new Routemaster' bus design unveiled|publisher=BBC News|date=17 May 2010|access-date=17 May 2010}} Transport for London and Wrightbus worked with Heatherwick Studio to produce the styling for Wrightbus' final design. TfL has applied to the Intellectual Property Office for Registered Design Protection for the exterior design.{{cite press release|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-unveils-iconic-final-design-london’s-new-bus|title=Mayor unveils iconic final design for London's new bus|publisher=Greater London Authority|date=17 May 2010|access-date=17 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520030631/http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-unveils-iconic-final-design-london%E2%80%99s-new-bus|archive-date=20 May 2010}}

The body has two diagonal glass windows from top to bottom decks, one curving around the rear, the other on the right-hand side towards the front, which provides natural light to the interiors of both staircases. The rear staircase is in the same position as in the original Routemaster, curving around the rear section, while the front staircase is straight, ascending on the right-hand side of the chassis over the driver's cab, opening out in the front of the upper deck.

The bus is certified to EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval and ECE Regulation 107, according to the manufacturers.

The use of three doors and two staircases is not new to London: London Transport evaluated a prototype bus in the 1980s as part of the Alternative Vehicle Evaluation programme: a specially modified Volvo Ailsa B55 with two staircases. These trials were curtailed due to the running-down and eventual closure of London Transport's bus Engineering Research department.

File:Lt150 (14866217799).jpg New Routemaster painted in red and silver livery to promote the "Year of the Bus" on former route 10 in July 2014]]

A static mockup was unveiled at Acton depot on 11 November 2010:{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11734064|title=Model of new Routemaster London bus unveiled|date=11 November 2010|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 November 2010}} the first engineering prototype was driven by Boris Johnson at a public demonstration on 27 May 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/27/boris-johnson-and-the-routemaster |title=Boris Johnson and the Routemaster: soft edges and cheerful demeanour |work=The Guardian |date=27 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/itnnews#p/u/13/Fgosi72kpZ4 |title=Boris Johnson drives London's new bus |publisher=ITN |format=Video |date=27 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011}} The first working prototype was unveiled in December 2011 and driven from City Hall to Trafalgar Square. Within days of its unveiling, the first prototype was reported to have broken down on the M1 motorway north of London,{{cite news|url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/new-routemaster-breaks-down-already-photo-48777|title=New Routemaster Breaks Down Already! Photo|date=19 December 2011|publisher=LBC|access-date=19 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105134533/http://www.lbc.co.uk/new-routemaster-breaks-down-already-photo-48777|archive-date=5 January 2012}} but this was due to human error; it had run out of fuel. The first new bus (fleet number LT 2) entered service with Arriva London on 27 February 2012, on route 38.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17173625|title=New Routemaster bus starts running on London roads|date=27 February 2012|publisher=BBC News Online|access-date=28 February 2012}}

During the 2012 London mayoral election, former mayor of London and Labour candidate Ken Livingstone said that, if elected, he would buy no more New Buses for London because of the price.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/18/ken-livingstone-rollout-routemaster-buses|title=Ken Livingstone vows to halt rollout of new Routemaster buses|date=18 April 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=18 April 2012}} However, Boris Johnson won the election and in September 2012 approved the order for 600 of the new buses, with public funding required estimated at £160 million.{{cite web|author=metrowebukmetro |url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/09/20/london-to-get-600-new-boris-buses-but-taxpayers-will-foot-the-160m-bill-581081/ |title=London to get 600 new 'Boris buses' – but taxpayers will foot the £160m bill |publisher=Metro News |date=20 September 2012 |access-date=13 November 2013}}[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/Part-1-Item08-New-Bus-for-London-Rollout.pdf New Bus for London Rollout] Transport for London 20 September 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/25832.aspx |title=600 new buses by 2016 |publisher=Transport for London |date=18 September 2012 |access-date=13 November 2013}} The prototypes remain in service on route 38. The eight prototypes were registered on GB registration plates. A block series of Northern Ireland plates in the LTZ 1xxx series was reserved for the production examples with the xxx correlating with the fleet number. The prototypes were reregistered.{{cite book|last1=Curtis|first1=Martin|title=New Bus for London: The Inside Story|date=2014|publisher=Nostalgia Road Publications|location=Kendal|isbn=978-1-908347-30-5|page=80}}

File:London United bus LT86 (LTZ 1086), route 9, 26 October 2013 (1).jpg in October 2013]]

The first 272 were delivered with Euro 5 engines except for six, which were fitted with trial Euro 6 engines.First Production Euro 6 New Routemasters Coach & Bus Week issue 1160 31 October 2014 page 9 The remaining deliveries received Euro 6 engines.{{cite book|last1=Carr|first1=Ken|title=The London Bus Guide|date=September 2014|publisher=Visions International Entertainment|location=Boreham|isbn=978-0-9570058-6-0|pages=108–109|edition=4}} In 2014, a further 200 were ordered taking the total to 808.[https://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?ID=39640 TfL set to order 200 New Routemasters despite poor BCR] Transport Xtra 31 October 2014 This was later cut back to 805. In January 2016, an additional order was placed, bringing the total to 1,000.[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-35474342 London Routemaster Buses: Wrightbus set to get order worth £60m] BBC News 3 February 2016

In June 2015, The Guardian reported that the rear door design had been changed, so the door could not be opened between stops, and the platform pole removed, abandoning the original "hop-on, hop-off" open platform design objective.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2015/jun/23/boriss-bus-a-political-journey-part-43-no-more-hop-on-hop-off |title=Boris's Bus (A Political Journey) Part 43: No More 'Hop On, Hop Off'? |author=Dave Hill |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 June 2015 |access-date=10 December 2016}} One (ST812) was built to a shorter wheelbase, with eight fewer seats and a length of 10.1{{spaces}}metres instead of the normal 11.3{{spaces}}metres, entering service in 2016 with Metroline on route 91."Metroline" Buses issue 736 July 2016 page 73

At the end of 2016, it was announced that London Mayor Sadiq Khan had discontinued procurement of the vehicles to save money and help pay for a promised four-year public transport fares freeze.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/31/boris-bus-london-transport-sadiq-khan-end|title=London's 'Boris bus' reaches end of road as Sadiq Khan halts purchases|last=Boffey|first=Daniel|date=31 December 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=1 January 2017}} No new Routemaster buses will be purchased for London, the funds instead going towards upgrading the city's existing fleet with the latest sustainable technologies.{{cite web|author=Amy Frearson |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2017/01/03/thomas-heatherwick-routemaster-bus-london-mayor-stops-orders-sadiq-khan |title=London mayor stops orders for Thomas Heatherwick's Routemaster bus |publisher=Dezeen.com |date=3 January 2017 |access-date=9 July 2017}}

File:NB4LWorldTour-Singapore.JPG in February 2014]]

In May 2013, LT1 and LT2 were loaned to the UK government to take part in a global trade mission covering 16 countries in four continents over 12 months.[https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/prince-harry-and-prime-minister-david-cameron-launch-great-global-bus-tour Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron launch GREAT Global Bus Tour] Foreign & Commonwealth Office 14 May 2013 In October 2013, LT3 was sent on a demonstration tour to Hong Kong and then to Singapore in February 2014.[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8123&categoryid=1 KMB views Borismaster] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110124441/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8123&categoryid=1 |date=10 November 2013 }} Bus & Coach Professional 4 November 2013 As at August 2014, LT1 was stored in Abu Dhabi pending a decision on the future of the programme while the other two had returned to England."Pause in Great campaign bus tours" Buses issue 714 September 2014 page 7

In August 2014, LT2 commenced a six-month trial with First West Yorkshire. It was repainted green, branded as the New Bus for West Yorkshire."First steps up WYork campaign" Buses issue 714 September 2014 pages 6/7 The bus was displayed at numerous industry and bus enthusiasts' events, but it ultimately never saw public service in West Yorkshire and was returned in London in 2015; the green livery was later modified to form the basis of a London Country Bus Services retro livery, one of several heritage schemes carried by New Routemasters since their introduction.

In November 2014, Stagecoach Strathtay commenced a three-month trial of a pair of New Routemasters in Dundee. Buses LT312 and LT313 were used daily on the conductor-operated route 'Tayway 73' from Arbroath to Ninewells Hospital."New Routemaster trial for Dundee?" Buses issue 714 September 2014 page 7{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/all-aboard-stagecoach-s-new-routemaster-buses-take-to-the-road-between-dundee-and-arbroath-1.663688 |title=All aboard! — Stagecoach's new Routemaster buses take to the road between Dundee and Arbroath |publisher=The Courier (Dundee) |date=4 November 2014 |access-date=4 November 2014}} The Stagecoach Strathtay trial ended early in mid-December 2014, after the two vehicles proved incapable of running to the timetable and suffered a series of high-profile breakdowns in service.{{cite news | last = Wilson | first = Alan | title = Stagecoach's Routemaster bus trial runs into some trouble | newspaper = The Courier | date = 21 November 2014 | url = https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/140351/stagecoachs-routemaster-bus-trial-runs-into-some-trouble/ | access-date = 7 July 2016}}

{{As of|2021|03|post=,}} 1,000 New Routemasters are in TfL operation, representing more than one-ninth of the total fleet.{{cite web |title=Bus Fleet Audit |url= https://content.tfl.gov.uk/fleet-annual-audit-report-31-march-2024.pdf |website=tfl.gov.uk |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=21 November 2024}}

New Routemasters currently run on the following routes:{{cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/new-routemaster |title=New Routemaster |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=7 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701043523/https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/new-routemaster |archive-date=1 July 2016 }}

{{anchor|New Routemaster routes}}

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New Routemasters previously operated on the following routes.

{{anchor|Former New Routemaster routes}}

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.

When in one-person operation, the driver operates all three doors. When in two-person operation, a conductor stood on the rear platform and that door stayed open even while the bus was moving. At stops, the conductor pressed a button to inform the driver that the platform was clear; the driver operated the other two doors as was done for one-person operation."Revised rear door arrangement on latest LTs". Buses 725 (August 2015), p. 25

File:NBfL-LT117-Opening-Windows-P1370966.jpg

Only routes 9, 10, 11, 24, 38 and 390 initially operated with an open rear platform and a conductor on board. The other routes did not operate with conductors from the start, and the rear platform remained closed while the bus was moving. In 2014, the TfL board was told that new routes would have no conductors and would operate with the rear door closed while moving.{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/board-20141105-part-1-item08-new-routemasters.pdf |title=New Routemaster |publisher=Transport for London |date=5 November 2014 |access-date=4 June 2015}}

The annual cost of employing conductors from 06:00 to 19:00 on weekdays was about £62,000 per bus per year. In July 2016, it was announced by TFL that the conductor would be phased out on all six previously crewed routes in September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36764417|title=London's New Routemaster buses cut 300 conductors|website=BBC News|date=11 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016}}

In August 2019, the middle and rear doors on New Routemasters on routes 8/N8 became exit-only with passengers now only able to board through the front door like on conventional double-decker buses.[https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/permanent-bus-changes "Routes 8 and N8 – Changes to boarding"]. Transport for London. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813110814/https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/permanent-bus-changes|date=2019-08-13}}{{fcn|date=January 2024}} In 2020, it was announced that conversion so passengers only enter by the front door would be made permanent on the entire fleet, to reduce fare evasion which had been double that on other buses.

To address issues caused by air-conditioning failures, in September 2015, it was announced a programme would commence to retrofit opening windows.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/new-routemasters-to-get-opening-windows-following-heat-complaints-tfl-announce-a2950441.html |title=New Routemasters to be fitted with windows that open |work=Evening Standard |date=18 September 2015 |first1=Sebastian |last1=Mann |first2=Joseph |last2=Watts |access-date=4 January 2024}}

File:Equipmake electrified New Routemaster.jpg

Entering the early 2020s, as the oldest New Routemasters began to approach ten years old and London bus operators began to commit more heavily to purchasing only electric buses, there were considerations regarding what should be done with the New Routemaster fleet. A number of older New Routemasters underwent an internal refresh during this time, being fitted with new seats and refreshed seat moquette. Besides, the traditional side mirrors of some New Routemasters were replaced by digital side-view cameras.

At the Euro Bus Expo in November 2022, Norfolk-based electric vehicle manufacturer Equipmake unveiled the first electric vehicle conversion for the New Routemaster, with Metroline-operated vehicle LT11 on display at the event with its hybrid propulsion system having been removed and replaced by Equipmake fully-electric motors and a 400{{nbsp}}kWh battery.{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.route-one.net/news/new-routemaster-battery-electric-repower-makes-debut/ |title=New Routemaster battery-electric repower makes debut |work=routeone |date=2 November 2022 |access-date=2 November 2022}} The Equipmake New Routemaster electrification programme may allow the New Routemaster fleet to have a longer service life in London, as conversion of these vehicles to fully-electric will provide a cheaper alternative to purchasing replacement brand new electric buses.{{Cite web |last=Brodie |first=James |date=1 November 2022 |title=London's New Routemaster bus goes all-electric with 'repowered' retrofit |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/359125/londons-new-routemaster-bus-goes-all-electric-repowered-retrofit |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=Auto Express |language=en}}

Under the bus contract tendering system for London, routes are often updated with new buses every five to seven years, with new buses owned or leased by the operator, whether the route operator changes or not. Older buses often go on to further use outside London, either cascaded within the fleets of the large national operators who own several of the London operating companies or sold to other regional companies. An exception is the New Routemaster. New Routemaster is only exclusive for London usage, so when the bus operator changes (such as the cases of routes 15, 24, 27, 68, 76, 211 and 267) the New Routemaster will continue to remain on the same route but different operator, but it will stay throughout the physical lifespan of New Routemaster.{{cite web|date=16 July 2009|title=Independent strategic review of the provision of bus services in London|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/Item05-Independent-Bus-Review-July09.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425171226/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/Item05-Independent-Bus-Review-July09.pdf|archive-date=25 April 2012|access-date=16 May 2010|publisher=London Bus Services Limited|page=46}}

London transport commissioner Peter Hendy acknowledged in 2008 that there were economic challenges in requiring current private London bus operators to tender for routes if they required the outright purchase of the New Routemaster. He acknowledged it could lead to higher bids overall because a rear platform bus was unlikely to appeal to operators outside London and with the questionable applicability of hybrid technology to more rural operations.Buses issue 641 August 2008

File:Paddington Trail - The Bear Of London.jpg statue, featuring a New Routemaster Bus design as his suitcase]]

The launch of the design for the New Bus for London led to BBC One's The One Show airing a segment on 18 May 2010 reviewing the 100-year history of the London standard double-decker, with John Sergeant reviewing the history of, and riding preserved examples of, the 1910 LGOC B-type, the RT and the original AEC Routemaster.

Because of the close connection between British car magazine Autocar and New Routemaster, it was the subject of a road test in December 2011. The magazine said it was "the best in public transport", referring to the vehicle's hybrid drivetrain as "brilliant economy and an interior to die for".{{Cite web|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-bus-london-driven|title=New Bus for London driven|website=www.autocar.co.uk}}

The New Routemaster was also road-tested by Top Gear's James May in an episode where it left London and drove to attractions such as Cheddar Gorge before returning to the capital to take part in a 'Best of British' vehicle celebration.[http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/10533580.Top_Gear_s_James_May_causes_havoc_on_a_London_bus_in_Lacock/ Top Gear's James May causes havoc in a London bus] Wiltshire Gazette & Herald 8 July 2013

The New Routemaster has been criticised for the ineffectiveness of its air conditioning on hot days; the Mayor responded that the system was working as intended.{{cite web |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2014/3082 |title=Complaints regarding heat on New Routemaster buses (1) |website=Mayor of London|date=17 September 2014 |access-date= 1 July 2019}}[http://www.boriswatch.co.uk/2013/07/07/the-new-bus-for-london-now-officially-a-health-hazard/ "The New Bus for London Officially a Health Hazard"]. Boris Watch. 7 July 2013.

The upper-deck windows have been criticised for being small, not giving comparable views to other bus models, and not letting in much light to the upper deck, making it "gloomy".[http://londonist.com/2012/02/in-pictures-a-ride-on-the-new-bus-for-london.php "In Pictures – A Ride on the New Bus for London"]. Londonist. 27 February 2012.

Although London Buses' Director of Operations promised that all New Routemasters would be staffed by conductors and the rear platform would be open 12 hours a day,[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewgilligan/100071275/boris-johnsons-new-routemaster-will-have-conductors-all-day/ "Boris Johnson's New Routemasters Will Have Conductors All Day"]. The Daily Telegraph. 11 January 2011. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118054105/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewgilligan/100071275/boris-johnsons-new-routemaster-will-have-conductors-all-day/|date=2011-01-18}} when the buses were introduced on route 148, there was no second crew member and the rear platform was opened by the driver at bus stops only.[http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7403 "No open platform when 'New Routemaster' buses come south of river"]. London SE1. 12 February 2014.

In July 2015, the BBC reported a high level of battery failure, with 80 New Routemasters operating in diesel-only mode. 200 New Routemasters had at least some failing batteries, which would be replaced under warranty. An improved battery design was introduced.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/aug/03/new-routemaster-old-london-bus-boris-johnson |title=How the New Routemaster came full circle: back to a regular old London bus |first=Dave |last=Hill |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 August 2015 |access-date=10 December 2016}} The unavailability of the battery leaves the bus slow and with poor acceleration, in addition to producing pollution.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33569460 |title=New Routemaster's battery problems mean many run on just diesel |first=Tom |last=Edwards |work=BBC News |date=20 July 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015}}{{update inline|date=December 2018}}

Prior to 2017, some New Routemaster buses with faulty batteries emitted more harmful particles than the buses they replaced.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/faulty-new-routemasters-emit-74-more-harmful-particles-than-old-buses-10412858.html |title=Faulty new Routemasters 'emit 74% more harmful particles than old buses' |work=Evening Standard |first=Pippa |last=Crerar |access-date=8 February 2017}} London mayoral candidate and transport writer Christian Wolmar, who first revealed problems with the New Routemasters, said in July 2015: "This is further evidence that this project was misconceived from the start ... It is no surprise the emissions are higher than those on conventional buses as the New Bus for London is not operating as designed. It is supposed to be powered by an electric motor, but instead is using its inefficient diesel engine that should, in normal conditions, be running at constant speed".

In one-person operation, as is the case on all units at all times after an early period with a conductor, the hop-on/hop-off advantage of the platform is negated by the closed door. Additionally, as passengers can board by any door and touch their Oyster cards to the reader, there is significant fare evasion; the driver cannot check passenger compliance as with a single entry door. This reduces revenue, but an additional issue was identified by a bus driver in a letter to a newspaper: passenger numbers are measured by the number of fares paid, so they are much underestimated. Bus provision is curtailed or cut due to this perceived drop in passenger numbers; the writer identifies routes 10 and 48 as among those cut. It has been suggested that the back door and staircase will be sealed and the Oyster card readers removed at the back and centre, removing all the remaining "Routemaster" features of the bus.{{cite web |url=http://camdennewjournal.com/article/johnsons-new-buses-have-left-a-legacy |title=The Boris buses have left a lasting legacy |newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=28 June 2019 |first=Philip |last=Webster|page=16 |access-date= 1 July 2019}} Conversion so passengers only enter by the front door was announced in 2020.

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24203958 |title=New Bus for London crash: Three people seriously hurt |work=BBC News |date=23 September 2013}}
• 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/east-london-bus-crash-one-dead-and-13-others-injured-in-clapton-smash-with-car-9481901.html | title=London bus crash: 100mph 'street racer' dead, one man critically injured and 12 others hurt after collision with car | date=5 June 2014 | publisher=Evening Standard | access-date=11 January 2016}}
• 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/11549053/Mercedes-wedged-between-two-Boris-buses.html | title=Mercedes wedged between two 'Boris' buses | date=20 April 2015 | access-date=11 January 2016}}
• 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-35283023 |title=Bus crash in London's Parliament Square injures 12 |work=BBC News |date=11 January 2016}}
• On 27 December 2019, a New Routemaster caught fire in Kennington, while working route 59 to Euston.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/gallery/dramatic-pictures-show-london-bus-17478805|title=Dramatic pictures show London bus ravaged by flames in Kennington|date=27 December 2019}}
• 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/live-london-bus-crash-leaves-28756262 |title=London bus crash leaves two injured after number 8 smashed through building next to Costa |date=5 March 2024}}
• 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/24330531.tfl-bus-rams-home-claughton-road-east-ham/ |title=TfL bus rams into home on Claughton Road, East Ham| date=19 May 2024}}

• Buses in London
• List of bus types used in London
• Wright SRM – a New Routemaster-derived variant with two doors
• Yutong City Master – a Routemaster-styled bus for Skopje, North Macedonia, produced in China

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category-inline}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100520030615/http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/transport/new-bus-london A New Bus for London] Greater London Authority May 2010
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20201028004204/http://www.wrightsgroup.com/Products/New-Routemaster New Routemaster on Wrightbus website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140411001444/http://www.wrightbusinternational.com/product-range/Routemaster Product range of the Routemaster on Wrightbus International Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120303174720/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/15493.aspx A New Routemaster] Transport for London, 15 May 2010

• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11336395 Exclusive preview of new £8m London bus] BBC News video preview of new bus with mock-up, 16 September 2010

• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/05/06/boris_routemaster_feature.shtml New Routemaster winners announced], BBC News, 7 May 2008
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7706547.stm New look for Routemaster bus] BBC News video featuring three proposals, 3 November 2008
• [http://www.capoco.co.uk/pages/projects/routemaster.php Entry for design competition] Capoco Design Limited
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081224230138/http://www.fosterandpartners.com/News/363/Default.aspx Entry for design competition] Foster + Partners and Aston Martin, 19 December 2008

• [http://www.countrybus.org/FRM/FRM.html The Front Entrance Routemaster]
• [http://www.brindale.co.uk/ach/prv_site/external_links/routemaster_frm.htm The Front Entrance Routemaster]

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