| rdfs:comment | - The Routemaster was invented in 1836 by Hillingdon-born anorak Robin Mann. Standing at a diminuitive 5 foot 6, Mann was obsessed by the notion of creating something "that would look down upon all men," to make up for the height he had never possessed. While walking 20 miles to the local pub in order to obtain a pint of London Pride, Mann was struck by an idea - public transport. He decided that disused rail lines could be converted into roads, and equipped vehicles to take people to and from pubs at much greater speed.
- The Routemaster was developed by AEC in partnership with London Transport, the customer for nearly all new Routemasters, although small numbers were also delivered to the airline British European Airways (BEA) and the Northern General Transport Company. In all, 2,876 Routemasters were built, with approximately 1,000 still in existence.
- The Routemaster was developed by AEC in partnership with London Transport, the customer for nearly all new Routemasters, delivered in traditional red or green "country" colours, although small numbers were also delivered to British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company. In all, 2,876 Routemasters were built, with approximately 1,000 still in existence.
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| abstract | - The Routemaster was invented in 1836 by Hillingdon-born anorak Robin Mann. Standing at a diminuitive 5 foot 6, Mann was obsessed by the notion of creating something "that would look down upon all men," to make up for the height he had never possessed. While walking 20 miles to the local pub in order to obtain a pint of London Pride, Mann was struck by an idea - public transport. He decided that disused rail lines could be converted into roads, and equipped vehicles to take people to and from pubs at much greater speed. Here was Mann's unique opportunity to combine his two dreams - to leave a legacy taller than him and to get to the pub much quicker. He drew up plans for abus that was two storeys high, painted bright pink (his favourite colour). (This was later to be changed to red on the insistance of Transport for London.) The bus became a huge success and lasted for many years as the prime method of transport for London. Unfortunately, Robin Mann became a victim of his own success and was run over by the number 42 to Hillingdon.
- The Routemaster was developed by AEC in partnership with London Transport, the customer for nearly all new Routemasters, although small numbers were also delivered to the airline British European Airways (BEA) and the Northern General Transport Company. In all, 2,876 Routemasters were built, with approximately 1,000 still in existence. A pioneering design, the Routemaster outlasted several of its replacement types in London, survived the privatisation of the former London Transport bus operators, and was used by other operators around the UK. In modern UK public transport bus operation, the unique features of the standard Routemaster were both praised and criticised. The open platform, while exposed to the elements, allowed boarding and alighting away from stops; and the presence of a conductor allowed minimal boarding time and optimal security, although the presence of conductors produced greater labour costs. The traditional red Routemaster has become one of the famous features of London, with much tourist paraphernalia continuing to bear Routemaster imagery, and with examples still in existence around the world. Despite its fame, the previous London bus classes the Routemaster replaced (the RT-type AEC Regent and Leyland Titan RTL and RTW counterparts) are often mistaken for Routemasters by the public and by the media.
- The Routemaster was developed by AEC in partnership with London Transport, the customer for nearly all new Routemasters, delivered in traditional red or green "country" colours, although small numbers were also delivered to British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company. In all, 2,876 Routemasters were built, with approximately 1,000 still in existence. A pioneering design, the Routemaster outlasted several of its replacement types in London, survived the privatisation of the former London Transport bus operators, and was used by other operators around the UK. In modern UK public transport bus operation, the unique features of the standard Routemaster were both praised and criticised. The open platform, while exposed to the elements, allowed boarding and alighting away from stops; and the presence of a conductor allowed minimal boarding time and optimal security, although the presence of conductors produced greater labour costs. The traditional red Routemaster has become one of the famous features of London, with much tourist paraphernalia continuing to bear Routemaster imagery, and with examples still in existence around the world. Despite its fame, the previous London bus classes the Routemaster replaced (the RT-type AEC Regent and Leyland Titan RTL and RTW counterparts) are often mistaken for Routemasters by the public and by the media.
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