Thanks to Peter Watts at Time Out as well as Google Alerts for bringing this to my attention. DG identifies four problems with Boris Johnson's "21st Century Routemaster" plan:
"1. Boris can't bring back old Routemasters because accessibility legislation bans the use of non-inclusive 1950s technology. There aren't enough of the old vehicles left anyway, because most of those withdrawn from service a few years ago are now either in private hands or rusting. So all that Boris can promise is a competition to design a 'new Routemaster'. Something like this Johnson-approved blueprint here (although the design can't be anywhere near perfect otherwise he wouldn't be relying on a contest). Expect the timelag from competition launch to first on-road replacement to be several years. Long term good, but medium term nil."
He continues:
"2. The new design won't really be a Routemaster at all, just a rear-platform people-mover with an evocative name. Call it a Routemaster if you like, Boris, but it won't be the classic bumpy spluttering vehicle we know and love. It'll be some new shiny thing with intrusive on-board announcements and electronic destination panels. But before the election, of course, all that matters is a convincing sounding rebranding exercise."The rest of the post is here. But already I'm again wondering how many bus manufacturers would be interested in entering The Blond's competition. Has anyone asked any of them? Perhaps someone should.
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