Icon drives into the sunset

2005-12-09 13:37

London - Fans of London's double-decker Routemaster buses were out early on a foggy morning on Friday, hoping to catch a ride on the last day of the icons regular service.

The Routemasters, with their hop-on, hop-off open platforms and conductors, are scheduled to make their last regular trip at midday.

"It's a sad day. The buses have all been overhauled and they were ok for several more years," said Rustom Battiwalla, 37, a former bus driver who travelled to London from Bristol to witness the last circuit made by the city icon.

London transport authorities have replaced the Routmaster buses with boxy modern double-deckers or articulated, Mercedes-Benz "bendy buses".

They say the venerable vehicle cannot accommodate disabled people and must be replaced by more "user-friendly" buses.

Routemasters will remain on two "heritage routes", aimed at tourists.

"We are losing so much of our tradition. You would think we would want to carry on with the Routemasters," said Fred Martin, 59, who came from the eastern city of Norwich hoping for a last ride.

Also travelling into London for several "last runs" on various Routemasters routes is 49-year-old Dave Weston from Swanley.

"All these Routemasters have a history. They all mean something. The new buses just don't have that sort of pedigree," said Weston.

- AP