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Evening Standard24.10.08
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Rather more than Boris's original claim of £8 million a year. Industry sources estimate - with no detailed design yet, it can only be an estimate - that an 800-vehicle production run would cost between £200,000 and £250,000 per bus, slightly more than a bendy. Amortised over the 20-year life of the buses, that is £7 million to £10 million a year. Between 2,000 and 2,500 conductors would be needed to staff the fleet, with a wage bill of a further £52 million to £60 million a year. However, there could be savings from reduced fare evasion, and lower fuel bills if the bus's "green" aspirations are realised. Estimated net cost: £55 million to £65 million a year.
CAN TFL AFFORD THAT?
Yes: its annual budget is £7.8 billion, and it has further reserves of £1 billion. TfL has already budgeted to buy new buses of some sort as part of its normal fleet renewal. However, the new RM will be more expensive to staff and TfL faces growing financial pressure over Crossrail and the Tube.
IS THIS A 'VANITY PROJECT'?
The need for a conductor has fallen since the Oyster card. But a core requirement for the new RM is that it sets new environmental standards for bus transport, a burning need for London, whose 99.9 per cent diesel fleet is among the filthiest of any developed world capital. This, along with improved security and passenger experience, is meant to be what raises the bus's benefits above vanity level. And the new RM is Boris's best-known election commitment. If it is a vanity project, it's one backed by 1.1 million voters.
WON'T THE OPEN PLATFORM BREACH REGULATIONS?
According to TfL, current regulations do not preclude an open platform. Fears that people will fall off the platform and sue are overblown. The old RMs ran until 2005, by which time the "compensation culture" was rampant but we can trace no successful case. Between 1985 and 1995, when there were thousands of Routemasters in London, only one passenger a year died from falling off, according to parliamentary answers.
WON'T IT CARRY FEWER PEOPLE THAN A BENDY BUS?
Yes. A bendy carries 120, albeit mostly standing up. For a new RM to carry much more than about 80 passengers it would probably need a very long wheelbase, making it too difficult to turn. However, most Routemaster routes were replaced not with bendies but with one-person double-deckers of about the same capacity. On the only three routes (the 12, 38 and 73) which were replaced with bendies, TfL reduced the frequency. It would be a simple matter to increase it again, as well as being beneficial to passengers.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO ARRIVE AT A BUS STOP?
The "old" Routemaster, equally radical and ambitious, took seven years from conception (1952) to prototype (1954) to entering revenue service (1959), with many hiccups on the way. Boris is promising an order for the new RM's prototype and initial vehicles by autumn 2009 and delivery by 2012. But he will need a second term and a great deal of sustained determination to realise his dream.
Reader views (3)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
My mother won compensation from falling off a bus at Victoria station in early 90's. She was boarding a bus the conductor pressed the bell but was upstairs and din't look. My mum broke her arm, in full view of a bus inspector. LT sent a cheque to my mum - following report form this inspector. Can't be sure - but at the time it was an unusual accident.
As for fare evasion; kids would jump on and off - more as a game without paying - I admit to doing this myself in my youth. Not a prob now as kids don't pay.
The seating on the old routemasters is too cramped, so given legroom to match modern double deckers would further decrease capacity.
Why not spend the money sticking windows at front of new buses as in old routemasters which are much cooler than modern buses (bendies excluded) and fitting them with greener engines.
- Bob, london, wandsworth
im quite excited. all the designs look really quite nice,much better than expected. however i doubt boris johnson has the determination to see it through.
- Sean Kirwin, London
I travelled on a routemaster - a number 15 - from Mansion House to Trafalgar Square yesterday tea-time. It was newly upholstered, clean and warm with a friendly and obliging conductress able to ding Oysters on her handheld. I had my photograph taken four times on Ludgate Hill by tourists and heads turned everywhere we passed. So if this route - and sometimes the 19 and another one i think - are able to use Routemasters why can't the remainder be bought back into service ? I suppose Ken sold them all to companies with an eye for a good deal after his lie that he would never get rid of them.
- Squiz, Islington
