Return of the Routemaster: London’s iconic bus makes a comeback

Atika Shubert, CNN
Updated 8:45 AM EST, Fri November 25, 2011
The new Routemaster bus has been designed by Thomas Heatherwick. This is an artist's impression of how it will look on the bustling streets of the UK capital.
The new Routemaster bus has been designed by Thomas Heatherwick. This is an artist's impression of how it will look on the bustling streets of the UK capital.
Echoing the shape and function of the old design, the new Routemaster has been updated for 21st century travel needs of all passengers.
Echoing the shape and function of the old design, the new Routemaster has been updated for 21st century travel needs of all passengers.
The classic London Routemaster, pictured in 2005.
old routemaster front —
The classic London Routemaster, pictured in 2005.
On the outside the curves are reminiscent of the 1950s design, with the option of an open platform at the rear.
On the outside the curves are reminiscent of the 1950s design, with the option of an open platform at the rear.
On the inside there are some changes, but the rear staircase has been kept.
On the inside there are some changes, but the rear staircase has been kept.
Upstairs, the same layout as the old Routemaster has been retained but with improved spot lighting.
Upstairs, the same layout as the old Routemaster has been retained but with improved spot lighting.
The characterful curved staircase of the old Routemasters has been given a modern twist.
The characterful curved staircase of the old Routemasters has been given a modern twist.
The deep-red colours are also similar to the old London Routemaster colour scheme.
The deep-red colours are also similar to the old London Routemaster colour scheme.
An old Routemaster wending its way east towards St Paul's Cathedral.
An old Routemaster wending its way east towards St Paul's Cathedral.
A view of the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge, seen through the rear window of an old Routemaster.
A view of the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge, seen through the rear window of an old Routemaster.
Passengers inside an old Routemaster, as seen from the open platform at the rear.
Passengers inside an old Routemaster, as seen from the open platform at the rear.
London's new Routemaster bus

Story highlights

London's Routemaster bus is getting a 21st-century makeover

English designer Thomas Heatherwick has created a stylish successor to 1950s icon

Three sets of doors and two staircases included in new design

It also features a rear platform and improved lighting and fuel efficiency

London CNN  — 

The Routemaster bus first appeared on London’s streets in the 1950s and quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable icons.

Now, six years after it was phased out, English artist and designer Thomas Heatherwick is taking inspiration from the famous Routemaster to re-define the look of London buses.

With an international reputation for inventive and playful work, his approach blends sculpture with engineering.

In 2010, the Heatherwick Studio created a dramatic Seed Cathedral – a mass of acrylic rods with plant seeds on every tip – for the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo.

on move routemaster london bus_00001228
on move routemaster london bus_00001228
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Iconic London bus gets makeover

Turning the most commonplace public transport into a work of art proved to be an equally challenging feat. But in collaboration with vehicle manufacturer the Wright Group, the double-decker bus with a difference is becoming a reality.

Improving the passenger experience was a critical consideration in the design process.

“That’s what’s tends to be used to illuminate a piggery,” he jokingly says.

“So introducing some of the lighting techniques that are now used within interior environments is a very simple thing, but we feel it will make a very big difference to the experience,” he adds.

The new bus also has three sets of doors and two staircases, which means you can get passengers on and off more quickly, Heatherwick says.

“That means you are more likely to get a bus that is on time because that means you are not waiting for huge queues to get on or off.”

Heatherwick says the new bus is greener too, with a hybrid engine which will be 40% more energy efficient than a standard bus. It also doesn’t shudder when it’s stationary.

“It’s going to be much quieter and calmer,” he says.

The prospect of a calmer commute to work is one to relish in a bustling city of around 12 million people.

Passengers can look forward to getting on board the new buses early next year, in time for London’s Olympic Games.

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