Objects of Desire
The Route Master
My first exploratory excursions into London involved getting lost much of the time, but isn't that the best way to explore a city?
I fell in love with London at an early age, with that came my affection for the 'Route Master' bus. Exploring Oxford St for example, jump On/Off when you spot something.
Running for a Route Master & making it look cool was harder than it looked though, getting off a (still moving) 'Route Master' took experience and was best practiced before alcohol, so your brain could tell your legs how fast to go when you literally "hit the ground running!"
They were perfect for London which saw the first one in 1954 with the last new one delivered in 1968. I hate numbers but they built over 2800. Of which 1200 survive. Why were they were perfect for London?
Because they were designed for London transport for London!
In December 2012... Some idiot withdrew them from service, I know you will spout reasons why, but surely they could have been retro fitted with new environment friendly power plants.
I fell in love with London at an early age, with that came my affection for the 'Route Master' bus. Exploring Oxford St for example, jump On/Off when you spot something.
Running for a Route Master & making it look cool was harder than it looked though, getting off a (still moving) 'Route Master' took experience and was best practiced before alcohol, so your brain could tell your legs how fast to go when you literally "hit the ground running!"
They were perfect for London which saw the first one in 1954 with the last new one delivered in 1968. I hate numbers but they built over 2800. Of which 1200 survive. Why were they were perfect for London?
Because they were designed for London transport for London!
In December 2012... Some idiot withdrew them from service, I know you will spout reasons why, but surely they could have been retro fitted with new environment friendly power plants.
"I love the old with the new, imagine an electric Route Master humming through London's startling new architecture!
Oh and the string bell, the shape of the narrow stairs, the conductor & his standy place, his ticket machine... and...and...." - pp
And before you start, a wheel chair/buggy service could easily have accompanied them in a more specialised vehicle. Something could have been worked out, couldn't it?
After all, the cost of designing the new bus, which is too big, (Try driving behind one!) has no ventilation, and never has the trademark back door open anyway! would I'm sure would have covered the conversion costs!
It's a poor consolation that many old buses live again. Proscecco bars, Cafes, wedding busses, but I'm reminded of my Brothers pet joy... When he sees a Range Rover doing what it should be doing. Like the one we saw the other day pulling a horse box. Well the old model Range Rovers but you get his point, 'Route Masters' should be doing the job they are perfectly designed for! At least until a better design comes along, with form AND function!
After all, the cost of designing the new bus, which is too big, (Try driving behind one!) has no ventilation, and never has the trademark back door open anyway! would I'm sure would have covered the conversion costs!
It's a poor consolation that many old buses live again. Proscecco bars, Cafes, wedding busses, but I'm reminded of my Brothers pet joy... When he sees a Range Rover doing what it should be doing. Like the one we saw the other day pulling a horse box. Well the old model Range Rovers but you get his point, 'Route Masters' should be doing the job they are perfectly designed for! At least until a better design comes along, with form AND function!
pauliepaul
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