90p bus fares

[Roadkill]

I do love the way the Routemaster still has the ability to generate controversy.

Okay, so by the standards of these days it was dated and in some ways unsuitable for modern conditions, but it's impossible to deny that it was years, even decades, ahead of its time when it was introduced, in terms of construction, mechanical sophistication, ease of maintenance, ease of operation and virtually anything esle you can think of. Compare it to its predecessors, and you see just how advanced the design was.

I can't say I ever found them anything but convenient and reasonably comfortable. I don't remember the ride being appreciably worse than modern buses, for a start, although the headroom was a bit low, and although I used them in winter I don't really remember being particularly cold either. Granted, I wasn't London-resident when they were still active so I didn't have to commute on them, but plenty of Londoners were sorry to see them withdrawn, and not only for their sentimental value.

But then, Londoners are spoilt with shiny new buses. Compared to the heaps of shit that are still working in most other cities, the Routemasters don't look nearly so dated...

 

[EastEnder]

I'm with Sunray.

Routemasters were shit. Outdated, outmoded, relics of a bygone era.

Give me a nice shiny, warm, modern double decker any day.

Not a bendy bus obviously, they're uber-shite....

 

[marty21]

I'm quite curious about Travelcards, as well.

Maybe it's about greater unfilled capacity on the buses vs. the Tube (so they want to encourage more people onto the buses) - a Zone 1 & 2 issue, or maybe it's about getting the max positive exposure for the least cost i.e. buses only

there is a travel card for use on buses only, it's £3.50

plus if you use your oyster card on buses only, it won't charge you mroe than £3 a day

 

[marty21]

back to route masters i loved them, used to have a couple i could use, the 38 or 73, never felt particularly cold on them, if it's cold i wear more stuff, never felt too hot on them, on the modern buses during last summer's (2006) heatwave it was sweltering on the new buses, there was also the getting on and off stuff which was very convenient

 

[girasol]

The best thing about routemasters is that they had a conductor - so the driver could concentrate on driving!

I liked routemasters, but then again I like living dangerously - I used to like jumping off them, and running after them

But if you had had a pram or were disabled, you could forget about getting on a bus! Prams had to be collapsed off before they got in. Mums had to carry pram and baby (and usually the shopping too) - too difficult.

 

[London_Calling]

there is a travel card for use on buses only, it's £3.50

plus if you use your oyster card on buses only, it won't charge you mroe than £3 a day

This is good to know. Thang yew.

 

[butterfly child]

It does seem to me that the only reason people liked routemasters is the fact you could get on/off them at places other than at bus stops!

They're fine if you are young and fit, but if you aren't, they were crap. One of them drove off once when I was half on, could have been pretty fucking painful for me and my dodgy hip, all things considered.

The seats WERE too small, and there was no leg room. I always sat on the long side seats at the back, for this exact reason.

Also, freezing cold in the winter. And I don't recall them being any cooler in the summer than other buses.

I like the look of the routemaster, but it's not appropriate anymore for a lot of bus users.

 

[marty21]

routemasters were easier to get on and off of, there also seemed to be less of a scramble when people were getting on and off, because there were conductors so you didn't have to pay first

 

[EastEnder]

I liked routemasters, but then again I like living dangerously - I used to like jumping off them,

yeah but that's not so dangerous for you.

Anyone of normal height has so much further to fall if they trip...

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

Good things about Routemasters also include the lovers bucket seat on the top deck at the back, by the stairs. I used to love sitting in that seat, with the feeling of exclusivity that it engendered.

 

[marty21]

yeah but that's not so dangerous for you.

Anyone of normal height has so much further to fall if they trip...

i'm of normal height, and never fell off them in 15 years of use

 

[Wolveryeti]

I think Wiskey metioned she was getting 11 injuries a day due to those buses.

They were shit. Just because something is an icon, does not make it good. They were designed for pygmies children. If you slipped going down the stairs you'd fall off the back of the bus. The seats were about 2" wide and you had negative leg room. I always hit my head on the celing in the upper deck, I'm not considered tall.

I can't believe we're talking about the same thing. If someone injured themselves on a Routemaster I would worry about their ability to function normally crossing the road.

Don't diss Routemasters or I'll bruck you and your whole family

 

[EastEnder]

i'm of normal height, and never fell off them in 15 years of use

Maybe not, but what about as you approach your dotage? Now that the days are drawing in, the spring's gone from your step, the hips are one stumble away from a replacement and the idea of a blue rinse takes on a whole new appeal...

I'm thinking of people like you marty.

I want to see you enjoying your twilight years, shuffling round the park, feeding the ducks, leaving a fine dribble of wee - not stuck in a rest home all day long, immobilised by a routemaster accident, able only to mutter incoherently at the orderlies...

It's because I care.

 

[Blagsta]

Routemaster's were great, you could get a free ride most of the time.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

Still can on the Seventy-free

 

[lights.out.london]

This is pretty incredible. In my life the London buses are the only form of transport that has got better and cheaper at the same time.

 

[wtfftw]

Good things about Routemasters also include the lovers bucket seat on the top deck at the back, by the stairs. I used to love sitting in that seat, with the feeling of exclusivity that it engendered.

I loved that seat.

When I couldn't make it upstairs I liked the seats by the door. People were more likely to just budge up and accommodate more people than actually move seat of stand on buses now.

The routemasters weren't a problem for all disabled people. I found it fantastic to cut down on my walk by getting off at the lights instead.

I hate heated buses as if it's cold out I'm wearing my bloody coat anyway.

 

[marty21]

Maybe not, but what about as you approach your dotage? Now that the days are drawing in, the spring's gone from your step, the hips are one stumble away from a replacement and the idea of a blue rinse takes on a whole new appeal...

I'm thinking of people like you marty.

I want to see you enjoying your twilight years, shuffling round the park, feeding the ducks, leaving a fine dribble of wee - not stuck in a rest home all day long, immobilised by a routemaster accident, able only to mutter incoherently at the orderlies...

It's because I care.

i feel very touched by your concern

 

[tim]

An added bonus of the past were freezing cold/too hot Routemaster death traps that were designed for munchkins.

Yes, I travelled to work on a new air-conditioned 14's several times in the last week. A perfectly regulated double decker fridge.Just what you need at 7.00 on an autumnal morning.

 

[Sunray]

Yes, I travelled to work on a new air-conditioned 14's several times in the last week. A perfectly regulated double decker fridge.Just what you need at 7.00 on an autumnal morning.

Least you can ask the driver to turn it down, rather than shouting at god to turn it up as you contemplate going to A&E for exposure.

I fucking HATE the cold.

 

[Blagsta]

Sounds better than the heating being on on the number 3 every day, even in the middle of summer.