(R)Evolution

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A New Bus for London

In the summer of 2008, the recently elect London Mayor, Boris Johnson, launched a worldwide competition to create a replacement for the classic Routemaster bus, which is regarded as one of the key recognisable icons of the city. Introduced by London Transport in 1956, the Routemaster – built by Associated Equipment Company (AEC) in 1954 and produced until 1968 – rendered continuous service until 2005 and currently remains on two heritage routes.

In December 2008 the designs submitted by the leading bus designer, Capoco, and by the British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, Aston Martin, were announced as the contest winners; it was decided that the finished bus would be an amalgamation of both projects. Well then, in May 2010 the Mayor and London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, unveiled the result of this fusion.

Making use of lightweight materials, with glass highlighting key features and producing a light and airy feel inside the bus, the design impress for its visual effects and asymmetric look; three doors and two staircases aid speedier and smoother boarding. Entering service in 2012 and having capacity for eighty-seven passengers, the new bus, according to Mayor Johnson, has a “green heart beating beneath its stylish”, since it “will be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than existing hybrid buses, 40 per cent more efficient than conventional diesel double decks and much quieter on the streets”.

Watch the video and send us your impressions about this quintessentially British symbol that has gained a revolutionary futuristic look.

Thanks to “Transport for London”  for the information. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

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Joint First

Aston Martin and Foster + Partners

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Capoco Design Ltd

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Runners Up

Héctor Serrano Studio, Miñarro García, Javier Esteban

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Jamie Martin

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16 votes

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