The red, rear-entrance double-decker bus is recognized worldwide as one of London's pricipal icons; as notable as the Queen's Guards or the black cab.
However, shortly after his second election as mayor, Ken Livingston phased out the Routemaster double decker bus - first introduced by London Transport in 1956 - to provide a wheelchair accessible bus service in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act. The articulated buses, also known in England as 'bendy buses' were highly unpopular. They were too wide for many of London's organic road network and they were involved in many automobile and bicycle collisions.
After his election as mayor, Boris Johnson held a formal design competition to develop a 'new' Routemaster. The winners included Capoco, leading bus designer and a collaborative submission by Foster and Partners/Aston Martin (see image).
The 27 winning designs and 50 other noteworthy entries from Mayor of London Boris Johnson's New Bus for London competition are now on display in an exhibition at the London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, from 14 February to 29 March.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment