London Buses

Public transport specifically focusing on buses are an important good to many people across the UK and world.
In London, buses known for their red colour, Since 2014 cash is no longer accepted on these services, in favour for Oyster and wireless bank card or services such as Apple Pay with supposed savings of £24 million a year which TFL claim will be reinvested in the transport network.

The AEC Routemaster was launched in 1956 and become the iconic world famous London bus, they were famous for their hop on hop off feature at the back door. In 2005, they were removed from service across London with the except for 2 heritage routes.
In 2008,  the Mayor of London announced that all bendy buses were removed from London with safety concerns also announced was the launch of Launch of a new Routemaster bus, the first bus entered service in February 2012. The design features 3 doors and 2 staircases at an original cost of £355,000 each with an additional £3 million development costs. So far they have come under lots of criticism for overheating in summer and their emissions but many like the new design and the government's dedication to keeping London heritage.

Under the system that bus contracts are given out in London, buses are often updated within 7 years, with new buses owned or leased by the operator, if the operator changes or not. The new bus for London has caused issues due to its initial purchase costs nether the less, as of January 2016 there are 686 in service. London currently has a fleet of 8,000 buses serving 19,000 stops on 673 routes. The age system for London buses has meant that there is constantly a modern fleet and, therefore, they reduce the risks of breakdowns and keep the city looking fresh and modern. London has a fleet of 8 hydrogen buses, 17 electric only buses and 1,500 diesel-electric buses running through the capital and this will have risen to 1,700 by 2016 making up 20% of the fleet.


Another article to follow regarding:
Rural bus cuts and removal of subsidies
http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Market_failures/Public_transport.html


© David Bell 
LT61AHT & 5 CLT Old and New Routemaster- Iconic London Bus

LT12HHT New Routemaster for London