Still a long way to go on Routemaster

Published: 27 May, 2010

• As members of the Surface Transport Design Forum, a group of older and disabled people hosted by LondonTravelWatch reporting to London Transport, we were surprised at some of the contents of Dan Carrier’s article (New ‘party bus’ rolled out! May 20).

At a recent forum meeting we had detailed discussion on the proposed new Routemaster design raising more than 20 constructive points, including crewing issues, adequate space for more than one wheelchair-user plus buggies, positioning of handrails, height and positioning of seats.

We were also concerned at the green credentials of a bus with air conditioning and an open entrance.
From our meetings we understand that there are to be five prototypes in the first instance which have yet to be allocated to a route, let alone rolled out, as part of a fleet of 300 buses, onto the 29.

Given the present financial climate, the many comments made through the forum and the public debate we believe there is still a long way to go before a final satisfactory version of the Routemaster is ready to be unveiled.
GRIFFITH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Keith Gray
Hammersmith & Fulham Consultative and Disability Forums