The London bus is a much loved cultural icon and is appreciated by people all over the world. After 50 years, the London bus has finally received a drastic and extremely contemporary facelift. The Heatherwick studio were assigned the project to redesign the bus and have succeeded in creating a visually attractive and eco-friendly bus. The new buses will be rolling all over London streets by 2012.
"A long asymmetric front window provides the driver with clear kerbside views, while a wrapped glazing panel reflects passenger circulation – bringing more daylight into the bus and offering views out over London.
By incorporating an open platform at its rear, the bus reinstates one of the much-loved features of the 1950s Routemaster which offered a ‘hop-on hop-off’ service. The new design will also have three doors and two staircases, making it quicker and easier for passengers to board.
In engineering terms, the New Bus for London will be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than existing hybrid buses and 40 per cent more efficient than conventional diesel double-deckers."
For more information about the project, visit www.heatherwick.com/new-bus-for-london
