Routemaster to "New Routemaster"

Route 159 seems to be coincidentally a plaything for the Mayor of London. Under Ken Livingstone, this route was the last route to lose its Routemasters back on the Friday 9th December 2005. This was under a midst of a lot of politics involving disability discrimination, even with protests within the last hours. They were replaced by B7TL/ALX400 buses, which were largely in service throughout that day.
Ten years and three days later, politics enter Route 159 yet again!

Abellio London LT636 on Route 159, Westminster Bridge (© Aubrey)

Abellio London have won the 159, and at the same time, converted the 159 to LT operation all at once. OPO, of course.


Abellio London LT629 on Route 159, Marble Arch (© Aubrey)

The bus, apparently "iconic" to London is actually a not so very good attempt to replicate/copy the Routemaster in being distinctive. Really, the Routemaster became distinctive as all the buses around it disappeared and were replaced, so the Routemaster stood out more as it looked different. It wasn't so different to other designs of similar buses back when it was introduced. However, it was deemed as old-fashioned back in the 1960s as new rear engined double decker buses like the Daimler Fleetline and the Leyland Atlantean which were deemed as modern at the time.


Abellio London LT608 on Route 159, Marble Arch (CC Aubrey)

Therefore, the so-called "New Routemaster" (the LT) is just a very distinctive bodied bus who has no other possible body. Or anything else. It's not even hybrid at times. Does it even make any economic sense?!


Abellio London LT629 on Route 159 with two Go-Ahead London Central LTs at Westminster Bridge (© Aubrey)

When in Central London, there are very few places without LTs nearby now! Westminster and the TfL office 'coincidentally' have a high proportion of LTs passing through!


Abellio London LT614 on Route 159, Marble Arch (© Aubrey)

Just conveniently, the next LT conversion Abellio may have is the 3 or the 211, both which pass Westminster. A 211 destination is show on this photo. The 211 is also the last bus route to be run by conventional buses outside the TfL offices! The route is cleared for the buses, practically with the existence of the 507 and the N11 conversion. Yeah... Just keep on coming, they do.