Against much professional expectation, it seems that London may yet get its new 21st century Routemaster. Safety concerns, the cost of double crewing and small production runs seem not to have dented Boris Johnson’s manifesto commitment one bit.
TfL’s outline timetable for production Routemasters is as follows:
- Late October 2008—judging of competition entries and announcement of winners.
- November 2008—formal expressions of interest sought from manufacturers.
- February 2009—invitation to tender
- October 2009—contract award
- By May 2012 (end of mayoralty)—prototype and initial vehicles on street.
TfL is reported to be offering a production run of between 700-800 vehicles. Not huge in overall volume terms but nevertheless a significant order for one manufacturer. Technological advances in modular design may reduce costs.
More on the 21st Century Routemaster:
Routemaster RMXL
More on RMXL
Buses on the Agenda
Boris on Board
3 comments:
Superb - hopefully an all-British product, and Wrights have always had design flair.
Alexander Dennis have a lot to lose if they don't get a share of the London market.
And the Enviro400 is quite a bus.
Fine...but are London travellers further down the line going tobe so pleased by 14 year old vehicles? Or if central engineering works can be resurrected, 30 year old vehicles?
I admire Boris for many things, but this bit I don't think he's thought through...
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