Conceived in the mid 1950's and built until the late 1960's, it was the last open platform bus to enter service in London and was designed for a 17 year life.

Ironically, the first few models looked quite a bit different than what were used to seeing today - there were a number of different front end versions tried until they settled on what we're used to seeing today..

Although the Routemaster was designed in the 1950's, one should not forget what an advanced design it was for its time. By using a light alloy body, it was possible to produce a 64-seat bus within the weight limits of the older 56-seat RT bus. The RM also differed from earlier London designs in being of integral construction. Instead of having a traditional body and chassis, the Routemaster has a strengthened body which does not require a chassis to take the stress. The mechanical units are mounted on front and rear sub-frames rather than a heavy fixed chassis. Other novel features for a bus of the 1950's, but fitted as standard to the Routemaster, included independent front suspension, power steering, fully automatic gearbox and power-hydraulic braking. In 1961, 24 vehicles were built and then lengthened by the insertion of an additional 2ft 6in bay in the centre of their bodywork. Classified RML, this version with its 72-seat bodywork became the standard product from 1965 and remains the most common type in London today. At approximately 7 3/4 tons, the RML is still some 2 tons lighter than modern double deck vehicles of similar passenger capacity.

Many modifications or variations took place during the production of the fleet. During 1962/63, 575 RMs were fitted with Leyland engines from new. From 1964, several batches of vehicles were built with offside illuminated advert panels. Other design changes affected the radiator grille, head lamp panels, heater grille, offside route number panel, brake cooling grilles and upper deck front windows, to name just a few examples. This list does not include the many variations to the mechanical components or the interior of the vehicle. What may appear a standard bus is far from it! Following on from the fourth prototype, 68 similar vehicles (right) were built for use on Green Line routes from 1962. This production batch, classified RMC (Routemaster Coach), were built as 57-seaters, with fully enclosed platforms with electrically-operated doors, air suspension, fluorescent lighting, different interior trim, luggage racks and twin headlamps. In 1965, 43 further Green Line coaches were built to the longer (RML) 30ft length and classified RCL. These were 65-seaters and were equipped with larger AEC engines. From May 1964, 50 vehicles were delivered to Northern General Transport of Gateshead. These vehicles, known in London as RMFs, were to the 30ft length, fitted with Leyland engines, forward staircase and entrance. With different windows, interiors and many other features, they were quite distinct from the London examples. Despite these variations and the hilly operating environment, they were another successful Routemaster variant.

British European Airways (BEA) was the only other customer for the Routemaster. A batch of 65 vehicles was built in 1966/67 but to the shorter 27ft 6in length. Like the Northern General examples, they were forward-entrance and had non-London interiors, but mechanically they were fitted with the larger AEC engines and were capable of running at up to 70 mph and towing luggage trailers. In 1966, a final prototype was completed, namely FRM1, the front entrance Routemaster. It was built with some 60% of standard RM parts, an AEC engine fitted at the rear, and staircase and platform doors fitted at the front.

Nearly 1500 Routemasters have been scrapped in the intervening years, but many have been sold for further service around the United Kingdom or around the world; others have been used for a variety of non-pcv duties and numerous examples have been preserved.

Meanwhile in London, between 1990 and 1994, all but two of the 502-strong RML fleet together with more than 100 RMs, were re-engined with new Cummins and Iveco engines. In addition, between 1992 and 1994, 500 RML's have been refurbished for a widely quoted "further ten years" service.

A further variation to the standard Routemaster specification occurred in 1996 with the commencement of the fitment of Scania engines to London Central's RM fleet for route 36. At the end of 1994, the privatisation of London Buses was completed and now all the Routemasters in London are in private ownership. However, the 43 RML's for routes 13 and 19 remain owned by London Transport and are currently leased to the operators. From 1996, London Transport Buses have offered the individual contracts for the RM operated routes for re-tender. To date all but one of the routes has remained with Routemasters.

Sadly, 2005 appears to mark the end of the Routemaster on active service... by year end, it's planned for all RM service to be phased out. The RM will live on, however, in both preserved buses as well as the latest addition to our party bus fleet, The Majestic!