Friday 9th December 2005 marked the end of traditional Routemaster operation in London, thus bringing to a close not only 49 years of London Routemasters but also the end of the open platform bus. Although Transport for London has continued Routemaster operation on two 'heritage' routes, all day operation of Routemasters on conventional bus routes has now ended.
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RML2366 (JJD366D) at the southern end of Westminster Bridge bound for Streatham Station |
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RML2752 (JJD572D) crosses Westminster Bridge |
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RML2491 (JJD491D) on the south side of Westminster Bridge |
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RML2366 (JJD366D) crosses Westminster Bridge with the remains of the morning fog obscuring the Houses of Parliament |
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RML2549 (JJD549D) heads northbound across Westminster Bridge with St. Thomas' Hospital in the background |
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RM85 (VLT85) passes the Houses of Parliament |
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RML2752 (SMK752F) rounds Parliament Square with Westminster Abbey in the background |
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RM1145 (LDS402A) enters Whitehall from Parliament Square with a northbound journey |
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Photographed in Whitehall, RML2619 (NML619E) has obviously seen better days than its last in London service. |
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RML2619 (NML619E) heads along Whitehall towards the Houses of Parliament |
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London's last Routemaster RML2217 (CUV217C) heads north along Whitehall on its penultimate journey on the 159 |
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RML2521 (JJD521D) at Streatham Hill close to the end of its last journey. I had travelled on this bus from Trafalgar Square. RML 2521 is also modelled by EFE. |
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RM545 (WLT545) and its successor, a VLA class bus on its first day of operation on the 159. Routemasters operated the 159 during the morning with VLA class vehicles introduced from late morning. |
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RM285 (NVS485) outside Brixton Garage after completing its last journey. |
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RML2375 (JJD375D) approaches Brixton Garage |
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New VLA class buses were in the process of delivery as the last Routemasters completed their journeys |
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RML2307 (CUV307C) turns to enter Brixton Garage watched by the large crowd |
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RML2387 (JJD387D) waits to enter Brixton Garage after its final journey |
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Green liveried RML2440 (JJD440D) passes RML 2387 outside Brixton Garage. |
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RML2440 (JJD440D) passes Brixton Garage |
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RM545 (WLT545) photographed in Streatham Hill some time after RM2217 had performed its final run |
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RM54 (LDS279A) struggles through the crowd outside Brixton Garage as it attempts to reach its final destination of Streatham Station |
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Golden Jubilee liveried RM6 (VLT6) enters Brixton Garage |
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The first was almost the last. RM5 (VLT5) was the first production Routemaster and the penultimate RM to enter Brixton Garage. |
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RM5 (VLT5) waits for the crowd to clear before entering Brixton Garage |
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RM2217 (CUV217C) arrives at Brixton Garage after operating the last crew operated journey of a traditional London bus route. |
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RM2217 waits as elements in the crowd express differing views of the merits of the Routemaster |
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RM2217 turns to enter the garage. RM 2217 was refurbished during 2005 and was in immaculate condition for the last day of traditional Routemaster operation. |
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Arriva staff find a good vantage point to watch the return of the last Routemaster |
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Arriva drivers take it in turns to sit in the cab of RM2217 |
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RM2217 leaves Brixton garage after its final run on the 159 |
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A last glimpse of London's last Routemaster, RM2217 as it leaves Brixton garage. |
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