I've lived and commuted in London for 27 years and the worst thing that's ever happened is the withdrawal of Routemaster buses. The new buses are cheap off-the-peg rubbish, too large and ungainly, and unsuitable for the narrow, traffic-congested streets of London. They're badly designed and downright dangerous for passengers. Political correctness, Livingstone and the EU destroyed the last decent bus service in the UK.
I've lived and commuted in London for 27 years and the worst thing that's ever happened is the withdrawal of Routemaster buses. The new buses are cheap off-the-peg rubbish, too large and ungainly, and unsuitable for the narrow, traffic-congested streets of London. They're badly designed and downright dangerous for passengers. Political correctness, Livingstone and the EU destroyed the last decent bus service in the UK.
They only lasted so well because London Buses spent a fortune rebuilding them (and the RT & RF classes) at Aldenham every few years. If you rebuild any bus every 3 years, of course it is going to last forever! When London Buses stopped overhauling RM's, they got to look really shabby and tired and had to have two major rebuild phases in the 1990's to bring them up to scratch again.
if you want to see a film about aldenham works click on my name go through my video list and you will find a 2 part film called overhaul . it shows how much hard work and care was put into looking after the LT fleet . the buses featured in the film are AEC Regents not routemasters .
Well said, Boris is going to waste £38 million removing buses which are perfectly ok from service. This will hurt TfL and will conviently allow Boris to cut back loads of bus services in London. Blue politicians don't like buses, never have and never will! All he will do is butcher the buses and drive passengers away. London is not a museum, if we always halt progress we'd still be using Shillibeers horse drawn buses. Move with the times. To overseas tourists, a red bus is a red bus.
I have never actually rode on Routemasters in London. However, I have rode on them lots of times when other operators had them including Blackpool. Their ride quality put more modern buses to shame. Many current models give a very bumpy ride. I have read previously that the suspension cannot be as good on a low floor bus.
No, you're wrong. Horse drawn buses never became any kind of icons. To tourists like me - I live in Switzerland, bloody Citaro bendy-buses or even modern double-deckers (some of them are quite nice, though) are much too common to be really attractive. Tourists need landmarks, you should be aware of it, and Londoners need a new bus that will be efficient, reliable, environment-friendly and easy to operate (drivers would I agree-I hope). A bus we all would be proud of : a New Routemaster.
We've still got a handfull of RM's in "tourist" service for which they do fine.
London doesn't need a new Routemaster when existing buses are available at affordable costs. Developing a new bus will cost millions, employing two members of crew will cost a fortune and is a waste of staff resources.
Ken stemmed a tide of historic passenger losses dating from before this video was made. Boris wont bring a new RM, he will butcher buses leaving London with a service that nobody is proud of.
@stepharlt ok we need a new bus but the borismaster is not the answer and won't last in service 5 minutes before some smart arse tries to break the glass
What is the name of the theme song. Love the old busses
hollybenz 10 months ago
@hollybenz No idea, I think the song was written specifically for the film
BristolRE 10 months ago
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I've lived and commuted in London for 27 years and the worst thing that's ever happened is the withdrawal of Routemaster buses. The new buses are cheap off-the-peg rubbish, too large and ungainly, and unsuitable for the narrow, traffic-congested streets of London. They're badly designed and downright dangerous for passengers. Political correctness, Livingstone and the EU destroyed the last decent bus service in the UK.
rubbrhog 10 months ago
I've lived and commuted in London for 27 years and the worst thing that's ever happened is the withdrawal of Routemaster buses. The new buses are cheap off-the-peg rubbish, too large and ungainly, and unsuitable for the narrow, traffic-congested streets of London. They're badly designed and downright dangerous for passengers. Political correctness, Livingstone and the EU destroyed the last decent bus service in the UK.
rubbrhog 10 months ago
Help me!
I don't know how to download this video. If it's possible send me a hyperlink.
FadChoice 11 months ago
@BristolRE tell me about it as usual politicians mucking around with things they know nothing about
fatcontroller70 1 year ago
@fatcontroller70 that's something that will never change. It's still the same today.
BristolRE 1 year ago
the routemaster a true London icon having seen a mock up of the borismaster god only knows how it will survive in service
fatcontroller70 1 year ago
@fatcontroller70 I'm surprised they're still going ahead with the borismaster, an obscene waste of public money.
BristolRE 1 year ago
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I SPUNK OVER THIS TUNE
DucksandDynamite 1 year ago
the tune at the beggining song is the baddest manz bang dem track i iz ever hard in ma hall lifez nar whot i man
Notterrancehill 2 years ago
Fascinating film.
I drove trains past the old Mortlake Garage. When it closed we had two conductors and one driver join the railway.
Funny thing was that the conductors became train drivers and the old bus driver became a guard. A bit of role reversal.
TheDepotCat 2 years ago
Great film .
vidpop 3 years ago
Comment removed
MCCLELLANDFILMS 3 years ago
They only lasted so well because London Buses spent a fortune rebuilding them (and the RT & RF classes) at Aldenham every few years. If you rebuild any bus every 3 years, of course it is going to last forever! When London Buses stopped overhauling RM's, they got to look really shabby and tired and had to have two major rebuild phases in the 1990's to bring them up to scratch again.
mondyboy81 3 years ago
if you want to see a film about aldenham works click on my name go through my video list and you will find a 2 part film called overhaul . it shows how much hard work and care was put into looking after the LT fleet . the buses featured in the film are AEC Regents not routemasters .
irishmanufan 3 years ago
Great Video....Just why did we get rid of a great british icon.......Lets hope Boris Johnston brings a new verion soon...
nelsontaylor1971 3 years ago
Johnson was never serious about bringing back the RM, the great British public being gullible, believed it and swallowed it.
Bachsoboe 3 years ago 2
Well said, Boris is going to waste £38 million removing buses which are perfectly ok from service. This will hurt TfL and will conviently allow Boris to cut back loads of bus services in London. Blue politicians don't like buses, never have and never will! All he will do is butcher the buses and drive passengers away. London is not a museum, if we always halt progress we'd still be using Shillibeers horse drawn buses. Move with the times. To overseas tourists, a red bus is a red bus.
mondyboy81 3 years ago 2
I have never actually rode on Routemasters in London. However, I have rode on them lots of times when other operators had them including Blackpool. Their ride quality put more modern buses to shame. Many current models give a very bumpy ride. I have read previously that the suspension cannot be as good on a low floor bus.
HORNEBEEDUBLO 3 years ago
No, you're wrong. Horse drawn buses never became any kind of icons. To tourists like me - I live in Switzerland, bloody Citaro bendy-buses or even modern double-deckers (some of them are quite nice, though) are much too common to be really attractive. Tourists need landmarks, you should be aware of it, and Londoners need a new bus that will be efficient, reliable, environment-friendly and easy to operate (drivers would I agree-I hope). A bus we all would be proud of : a New Routemaster.
stepharlt 3 years ago 3
We've still got a handfull of RM's in "tourist" service for which they do fine.
London doesn't need a new Routemaster when existing buses are available at affordable costs. Developing a new bus will cost millions, employing two members of crew will cost a fortune and is a waste of staff resources.
Ken stemmed a tide of historic passenger losses dating from before this video was made. Boris wont bring a new RM, he will butcher buses leaving London with a service that nobody is proud of.
mondyboy81 2 years ago
@stepharlt ok we need a new bus but the borismaster is not the answer and won't last in service 5 minutes before some smart arse tries to break the glass
fatcontroller70 1 year ago
excellent video, routemasters are good buses
railwayperson 3 years ago