It was a sad day for many Londoners, as well as tourists, when the final
Routemaster buses were taken out of service back in 2005. For more than 40 years these distinctive vehicles carried millions of people around the capital.
Most people can still recall the days of dashing down the street to jump aboard the rear open platform as the traffic lights changed and the bus moved off. Or leaping from a moving bus before it reached its proper stop. Or watching from the comfort of a seat at the back as a fellow passenger mistimed their leap and ended up running out of control smack bang into the nearest lamp post or garden hedge. Ah yes, those were the days.
And then there was the conductor, with his big clunky ticket machine slung around his neck, calling out that familiar line: "Anymore tickets, please!"
And remember the string running along the length of the bus? Pull it once and you'd hear the gentle "ding" of the bell in the drivers' cab, informing him that you wanted to get off at the next stop. There was also the "ding, ding", but that was the preserve of the conductor, to let the driver know it was safe to pull away. Lord help any passenger who did a double-ding.
Fortunately, the powers-that-be had the wisdom to keep a few of the buses in operation for tourists, as well as locals suffering withdrawal symptoms from the buzz of the bumpy ride.
Routes 9 and 15 have been designated 'heritage routes' and this is where you'll see the familiar sight of the Routemaster. Modern buses also operate the same route, so you'll have to wait 15 minutes or so for one of the classics to come into view. The first one trundles out of the garage at around 9.30am and returns at 6.30pm.
The number 9 goes from the Royal Albert Hall to Aldwych, taking in Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Sqaure and Charing Cross on the way.
As for the 15, that chugs from Tower Hill to Trafalgar Square, taking in Cannon Street, Mansion House, St. Paul's, Aldwych and Charing Cross along its route.
The much-loved Routemaster is one of London's true icons and for the time being at least, you can leap on and off at your leisure – just be sure to time your jump carefully.
