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The debate rages on as to who is the most iconic Londoner. Sir David Attenborough? Bowie? Amy Winehouse? For all the greatness of those aforementioned figures, the answer is clearly the red Routemaster bus, a symbol of the city since its arrival in 1956. Soon, you could own one for yourself, as five are coming up for auction.
Owned by TfL, the AEC Routemaster double-decker buses will come under the hammer at Wilsons Auctions Newcastle at 11am tomorrow (Wednesday March 4). Each one is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000.
The buses were built around 1960 and have, according to Wilsons, been ‘meticulously’ maintained throughout their decades of service, meaning that the vehicles remain in ‘impressive running condition’.
Original Routemasters were fully removed from service in 2005. They were replaced by the ‘New Routemaster’, buses with fully closing doors that were considered safer than the previous model’s famous open platform. That also meant bidding a fond farewell to the role of conductor.
TfL continued to run the original model as a ‘hop on, hop off’ service on the number 15 route, which ran between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square. But the heritage service was withdrawn in April 2021, after its pandemic-induced suspension, with TfL blaming its permanent withdrawal on its failure to meet ULEZ standards and offer step-free access. Transport historian Tim Dunn described the disappearance of the final original Routemaster from official service as ‘a real shame’.
A private owned company called Londoner Buses began to offer a similar ‘hop on, off’ service in 2022. Clearly aimed at the tourist market, its route begins at Embankment and offers views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Big Ben.
If you happen to have deep enough pockets to win the Wilsons auction, though, you can claw back £2.50 on each journey (which is what Londoner Buses charges for a single ticket). In doing so, you’d follow in the footsteps of former TfL commissioner Lord Peter Hendy, who had his own personal Routemaster repowered to meet ULEZ standards in 2017.
Nigel Binks, associate director of UK sales at Wilsons Auctions, said of the five buses going to auction: ‘These are instantly recognisable, unmistakably British, and a lasting symbol of the city’s heritage. Interested bidders will be pleased to hear that all five buses are running.
‘We are honoured to be working with Transport for London on this auction. It’s a privilege to offer buyers a rare opportunity to secure pieces of genuine history.’
Did you see that a new Superloop bus service in east London has been officially confirmed?
Plus: You can get free rides on three London bus routes until May.
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