The first of London’s next-gen double-decker buses is a hybrid that officials promise is “most environmentally friendly” and “the latest, greatest masterpiece of British engineering.”
The bus, unveiled Friday in Trafalgar Square, is the first designed specifically for London in more than 50 years. The Routemaster-inspired bus went from the drawing board to a fully functioning prototype in just two years. Transport for London awarded the contract for engineering design to Northern Ireland-based Wrightbus in January 2010. Wrightbus and London’s Heatherwick Studio have now finished the first prototype. via Wired
December 19, 2011
Oh dear!
This is a serious vanity project by London’s Mayor. Each bus is reprted to cost around £360,000 (just over $500,000) to build, 20% more than other buses in use. But there is also a £7.8m ($12 million) NRE charge for design and prototyping, paid for by London residents. The party line is that this will be repaid in royalties when the bus is sold elswhere. Don’t hold your breath guys.
“A masterpiece of British engineering.”
Now there’s a phrase you don’t hear much. 😉
As the former owner of a Lotus, a Sunbeam, a Tiga, and a Crossle, I’m intimately familiar with British automotive engineering.
Seems doubtful these new double-deckers will be sold elsewhere. The old ones weren’t, were they?