New Routemaster
 

The new Routemaster bus commissioned by Boris Johnson may run on biofuel made from recycled cooking oil from restaurants and canteens.

However,
Reintroducing the Routemaster to London's bus lanes could add to the "significant" financial challenges facing the capital, an independent report has warned, raising further doubts over one of mayor Boris Johnson's main policies.

"The mayor made a manifesto commitment to deliver a new bus for London, and TfL is well on the way to delivering it. TfL's Business Plan includes funding for the design and development of the new bus for London, which will go into service from 2012."

The former head of Volvo's UK bus operation has described the policy as a "non-starter" while some estimates have priced each new bus at £250,000 – more than the much-criticised bendy buses that they are supposed to replace.

Val Shawcross, the Labour assembly member and deputy chair of the assembly transport committee, said "We all understand that the TfL budget is tight and it is a silly vanity project to be pursuing an open-backed bus."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...temaster-buses

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Routemaster

The first bendy buses were taken off the road recently.
The 507 bendy bus route, running from Waterloo station to Victoria, will be replaced with normal single-decker vehicles.

The remaining 400 bendy buses will be axed by 2011.

This idea does not represent value for money especially at a time when Transport for London is short of funds.

They’re not the prettiest vehicle on the road and will certainly never be the most popular, but they do an effective job of moving lots of people from A to B.

London's 'new Routemaster' design unveiled
 

An oppertunity here to re-introduce the name Routmaster, AEC would also be nice but I can't see that. If it works in London the concept can be sold world wide, AEC's legacy could still live on.

Andy.

That is VERY reminiscent of the old Routemaster. I look forward to one day riding on one.

The true cost of London's new bus.