It’s all change as that quintessential symbol of London (well one of many really), the red Routemaster double-decker bus is about to depart the bus lanes, to comply with EU disability access regulations.
Transport for London is to commence progressively withdrawing the old buses from the streets after some 50 years of service.
In particular the number 9 Aldwych to Hammersmith Routemaster is due to go within the next few weeks. For a long time the number 9 used to run to Barnes in west London, but several years ago the bus route was split in two at Hammersmith.
Old Hammersmith Bridge was beginning to show the strain of the ever increasing levels of traffic using it, so double-decker buses, amongst other vehicles, were barred from using the bridge.
A smaller “shuttle” type bus now continues over the bridge onto Barnes. This “extension” service is aptly numbered 9A.
I spent many of my London days running after a double-decker bus and, like other people, literally jumping aboard an in-motion bus as it had an “open deck” door at the back. Although this type of conduct was frowned upon, it prevailed nevertheless. It was one of the joys of travelling on a routemaster!
Sitting in the front row seats, on the top deck, while the bus wound its way through London’s narrow streets was, well, one of many quintessential London experiences.
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