Many know that RM 2217 performed the final regular RM service on 7/12/05 on the 159 from Marble Arch, not so many know that RM5 operated the last one to arrive in service at Marble Arch, following which it disappeared down Park Lane OOS. It wasn't driven by a regular Brixton driver either. I'd like to see RM2217 go to the London Transport Museum, failing which the London Bus Museum at Brooklands.
What are those RMs currently used for, or what were they latterly used for? Did Arriva run the recently withdrawn heritage routes in Central London? Or are they just spot hire buses?
No, Arriva played no part in the operation of the heritage routes. I wouldn't think you could hire most of those RMs, but someone might prove me wrong.
In that case, what are they used for? Are they just kept for occasional special events?
I guess so. They may be used at events like Imberbus.
RM5 has certainly attended Imberbus. It operated in 2013 and may have been there this year too.
They are/were primarily available for private hires - a very crowded market on London for anyone wanting a red Routemaster. When not required for a hire, they were used for special events.
www.bbc.co.uk
BBC News - London bus cuts: Sadiq Khan pulls handbrake on planned changes
London bus cuts: Sadiq Khan pulls handbrake on planned changes
Only three routes will now be removed while 17 services which were proposed to be cut are saved.
This is good news not all of the planned cuts are happening but three routes are going 521,507 and 332
Tonight's Standard says route 11 will now be shortened. Helpfully it doesn't say which end.
The 11 in original form will go, route 507 extended from Victoria (after crossing Westminster bridge) to Fulham Broadway and renumbered 11
I'm surprised it was just three routes but on the other hand there was alot of pressure from MPs and Campaigners.
You're probably right but they must have spent a tidy sum in recent years on charging equipment, I guess it can be moved (at great expense) some where else.
They could have moved to Metrobus for the 358, but the route is probably too long for them. Maybe the 227 or 108?
It's been suggested that some will be used on the 108.
The link doesn't work. Can you explain more about the change of the 16, 332 and N16 changes please? I have to use the route N16 to get to the coach station for early morning coaches, and the 332 to Paddington for trains there as well.
TfL seem to have put a time out on the direct link, it is the one in blue marked decision summary and next steps document on link below
haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk
The N16 is effectively just being renumbered N32, it remains Edgware to Victoria.
I believe the N32 will operate between Edgware and Oxford Circus.
That was the original plan with the N98 rerouted to Victoria but that idea has been dropped.
Waterloo Bus Garage won the Energy Globe international award exactly three years ago from around 2,000 entries for innovations in sustainability. It was the first all-electric bus garage in the U.K., but a lot of the people most involved at Go-Ahead and TfL have moved on or retired. Given Lambeth Council is the local authority and bearing in mind past campaigns (Coin St. etc) which were both effective and publicity-garnering, I doubt very much that planning permission for what you suggest would get past Mayor Khan: Mayor Johnson he is not!
It's Go Ahead London's decision, if they don't need the premises anymore the electric charging equipment will be removed and it will be sold for redevelopment.
