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All aboard Der Routemeister
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard17.10.08
A PROPOSAL for a new electric Routemaster bus is unveiled today, complete with glass roof, optional solar panels and LCD screens showing route details.
Passengers can hop on and off the German-designed e21 a crucial feature of the old Routemasters.
But unlike the original, the e21 has a safety barrier that can be moved across the open doors in case of overcrowding.
The bus is also more accessible than the old model, with space for seven wheelchairs and a floor that lowers automatically by sensing the level of the kerb.
Passengers on the top deck will be able to enjoy panoramic views through a transparent roof, which uses hi-tech insulation glass to protect them from heat and cold. Some sections of the roof will open like a sunroof and there will be the option of exchanging some of the panes for solar panels.
To boost safety the e21 uses metal that absorbs frontal impacts and side parts made of plastics that can spring back into shape after a collision.
The proposal was drawn up by designer Michael Kerz, a graduate of St Martin's design school, for a contest launched by Mayor Boris Johnson to find a 21st century version of the Routemaster. The classic vehicle was withdrawn from service by Ken Livingstone. Mr Johnson has pledged to revive it.
Mr Kerz said: "My inspiration to enter the competition was simply my love for the traditional Routemaster, which in my view is London's ultimate symbol for everybody in the world.
"The next generation deserves a contemporary and confident design with respect for its original. My idea is to adapt it to our world today in terms of energy-efficiency, commitment to the environment, using the best technologies available."
The e21 can recharge its electric batteries in 10 minutes, with operating costs of a few pence per kilometre making the additional platform conductor even more affordable.
Mr Kerz added: "A see-through roof or panoramic cabin is the obvious solution to satisfy tourists' needs." His experience includes working on the Siemens and EON headquarters in Munich, furniture for Ecart Paris, and designs for Bang & Olufson.
The e21 is one of a series of rival designs, including the H4, which boasts U-shaped seating and TV screens. Another by Foster and Partners has a glass roof. Judges are due to meet next week with a winner announced next month.
Reader views (18)
A designer's work is always exposed to these two elements - critic and appreciation. I applaud Michael's bold move in reviving the Routemaster,taking into account the needs of passengers, apart from being energy-efficient. Good luck in your future work and All the Best! :o)
- Nur Intan Ishak, Singapore
A designer's work is always exposed to these two elements - critic and appreciation. I applaud Michael's bold move in reviving the Routemaster,taking into account the needs of passengers, apart from being energy-efficient. Good luck in your future work and All the Best! :o)
- Nur Intan Ishak, Singapore
I still can't see why there is so much mania for a bus with an exit at the front - this is the worst location as it means people have to walk the whole length of the vehicle if they're in the rear to get out.
- Peter Bradford, Ellicott City, Maryland, USA
"this is the worst location as it means people have to walk the whole length of the vehicle if they're at the front to get out."
Pretty much the same with a bus with the doors at the front. Then, you have to walk the length of the bus if you're sitting at the rear!
- George, Guildford
wow an electric bus how novel NOT! why not go back to Trolley buses- ding ding
- Jon, london
I still can't see why there is so much mania for a bus with an exit at the rear - this is the worst location as it means people have to walk the whole length of the vehicle if they're at the front to get out. As for 7 wheelchair spaces, when have you ever seen 7 wheelchairs on a bus? What a waste of space.
- Huw Morgan, London
Hello London,
I work for a large bus builders here in the U.K. and I'm sorry but this design is one of the most uglyist things I've seen.
The"Routemaster" is an icon, why can't we follow the same look but build in technology, thus keeping with the tradition which is London and the cities style.
When anybody from around the world and in the U.K. came to the city ,it was the "ROUTEMASTER BUS" that told you, you were in the Capital just like the black cabs.
We in this great country of ours can come up with the 21 century all singing all dancing "ROUTEMASTER" its our duty to do so don't you think?.
- John L., Scarborough N.Yks U.K.
The more things change the more they remain the same.....when I was a kid we had double decker trolley electric buses, fast quite and economical and no pollution.....way to go....
- Apointofview, MIAMI,USA
If they let you get on and off at will, and they have conductors, they'll be great. But not if they have doors and shouty announcements every ten seconds.
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
The see through roof will look fab for maybe the first month or so but will then get scratched, discoloured, and covered in muck that washing the bus will never quite remove.
- Claire, London
Too bad that nobody in the U.K. was up to designing a bus that will run on London streets for years to come!
- Phil Jones, London UK
This design is a step backwards.
As regular bus user I know the most vital criterion for a replacement of the bendy bus is the capacity and the embarkation speed.
They must be able to hold 130+ people who can get off as in the same time it takes to alight from a bendy bus.
Anything less will result in London’s roads becoming gridlocked with additional (mostly stationary) busses.
The only thing to satisfy these conditions is a Bendy Bus.
Opps! Well done Boris.
- James, London
looks fantastic, great bus, hope to hop on it SOON
- Anita Okukenu, London
What an ugly contraption!
- Vince London, West London
I look forward to the introduction of electric buses - 60mph down residential streets and you won't even be able to hear them coming! The current fleet of diesel vehicles may be driven by possessed drivers, but at least they give you advanced warning that they are on their way.
- Carl, London
It does not have wind-down windows at the front like the old Routemaster.
I suspect either it will waste much fuel running air-conditioning that will then break down, or it will be insufferably hot up top in summer. "Open like a sunroof" is no good. You need an opening facing FORWARDS at the FRONT so that the bus's forward motion forces air through the top deck and out down the stairs at the back. (And that overcrowding barrier will need a large air vent in it).
Is there some bizarre EU design rule that prohibits the old Routemaster wind-down front window sections? All the new designs omit this feature, which is an ecologically friendly way of keeping the top deck cool. Neither do any of the current double deckers have opening front windows, and they are all horribly hot in summer.
- Nigel, London
So it's true what they say about German designers.
- Ken, Bexleyheath
It looks like a red Bentley on steroids, get it made and get it on the roads now.....
- Gary Stride, Putrley, England
