Designed specifically for London, the New Bus for London is planned to be the 21st century replacement for the iconic Routemaster. Almost six years after the withdrawal of the RM from main London services (with the exception of two Heritage routes), the capital is set to see another ‘hop on, hop off’ style bus. The NB4L is to be manufactured by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland who have been producing buses since 1946.

This electric hybrid bus has been designed to be more fuel efficient than other modern buses and it will use more lightweight materials and glass creating a ‘light and airy’ feel inside the bus. It will also have three doors, one centre, middle and a platform at the rear making it highly accessible during peak travel periods. This Original Omnibus model will be decorated in the livery of its first route of operation.

For nearly sixty years the AEC Routemaster bus transported Londoners and tourists around the capital, its design and efficiency meant it out lived many other types of bus over its working life. All good things have to come to an end and by 2005 they were phased out of main service. With no outright replacement for the Routemaster, Transport for London (TFL) then set about the challenge of finding a new vehicle that would be suitable for London’s transport needs and like the Routemaster, something that the Capital could be proud of.