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'Green' Routemaster plan outlined 'Green' Routemaster plan outlined
(about 22 hours later)
Designs which could see the iconic Routemaster bus being returned to regular service have been unveiled.Designs which could see the iconic Routemaster bus being returned to regular service have been unveiled.
Plans for an emission-free Routemaster, using a driver and conductor, were outlined by Autocar magazine.Plans for an emission-free Routemaster, using a driver and conductor, were outlined by Autocar magazine.
The buses would carry 76 passengers and there would be a ramp for pushchair and wheelchair access.The buses would carry 76 passengers and there would be a ramp for pushchair and wheelchair access.
But London Buses said the design failed to address the issues of safety and accessibility which led to the demise of the fleet. The Mayor of London said the design would increase fares and did not address the safety and accessibility issues which led to the fleet's demise.
The majority of the original fleet of Routemaster buses were withdrawn in 2005.The majority of the original fleet of Routemaster buses were withdrawn in 2005.
Bus designer Capoco was asked to come up with a design for a new Routemaster by Autocar.Bus designer Capoco was asked to come up with a design for a new Routemaster by Autocar.
Hydrogen engineHydrogen engine
In the plans, electric motors would drive the bus and be powered by battery packs which, in turn, are charged by a hydrogen-fuelled engine and generator.In the plans, electric motors would drive the bus and be powered by battery packs which, in turn, are charged by a hydrogen-fuelled engine and generator.
The bus would carry 48 people on the upper deck and 28 on the lower and be built from lightweight materials.The bus would carry 48 people on the upper deck and 28 on the lower and be built from lightweight materials.
MP for Henley Boris Johnson, who is the Conservative candidate for London mayor, backed the plan which he said was the "shape of the future".MP for Henley Boris Johnson, who is the Conservative candidate for London mayor, backed the plan which he said was the "shape of the future".
Resurrecting the bus conductor would improve security for the public and for the driver Chas Hallett, Autocar editorResurrecting the bus conductor would improve security for the public and for the driver Chas Hallett, Autocar editor
But Mike Weston, from London Buses, said conductors would have to be re-introduced at a cost of £600m per year and that the costs of a new design would be onerous. But a spokesman for London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the cost of the new buses would be an extra £600m a year.
He said London Buses would "continue to progress by using the most efficient, clean and safe technology available, not harking back to a bygone era". He said: "This is typical Boris Johnson incompetence.
"Now he has unveiled his bus scheme it would mean single bus fares going up from 90p to £1.50 and a weekly bus pass from £13 to £22."
Autocar editor Chas Hallett said: "We approached Capoco to create a new-generation Routemaster bus to our brief.Autocar editor Chas Hallett said: "We approached Capoco to create a new-generation Routemaster bus to our brief.
"Resurrecting the bus conductor would improve security for the public and for the driver.""Resurrecting the bus conductor would improve security for the public and for the driver."
Routemasters still operate on two tourist routes in London taking passengers past some of the city's top attractions.Routemasters still operate on two tourist routes in London taking passengers past some of the city's top attractions.