news, events, calendar, churches, schools

Save the Routemaster

Greg Hands urges TfL to stick with tradition.

August 01, 2004

Related links

Following press reports that the popular 'Routemaster' bus is to be retired by the end of the year, Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, Cllr Greg Hands, is urging Transport for London to save the familiar London icon. According to the Routemaster Association, it's now official and the end of the Routemaster in London is confirmed.

Greg regularly uses the number 14 and number 22 bus routes in Fulham, both of which are serviced by 'Routemasters' - and believes their decommissioning will take away from the character of the area. The current contract for rout number 14 ends in 2007, but it could be replaced earlier. The current contract for route number 22 ends in July 2005.

Greg said: "I have had a number of local people contact me, very concerned that the 'Routemaster' buses are due to be withdrawn from service.

"Without doubt, the red 'Routemaster' bus is a great symbol of London, recognised all around the world - and has also been a familiar sight around Fulham for many years, in particular along the Fulham Road and New Kings Road.

"It would be a crying shame for these buses to disappear from our streets - and I would like to urge the Mayor of London and Transport for London to urgently intervene to save them. If they don't, then these buses will sadly become yet another example of Ken Livingstone's disregard for proud London traditions."

Local residents who want to see the 'Routemaster' saved, particularly on the number 14 and 22 routes, which pass through the Hammersmith & Fulham parliamentary constituency should write to Cllr Hands at the Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative Association, 4 Greyhound Road, London W6 8NX or email news@greghands.com.

The Routemaster Association