Hmmmmm.Very logical response indeed.
However the present concentration on Cashless Articulated operation in
Central London appears to be throwing up substantial funding issues.
The Routemaster is simply a very efficient machine which as yet has not been
surpassed in design philosophy.
It would be interesting to gat a true breakdown of the Costs of such route
conversions and how these costs are being apportioned.
For example many of the new high-tech vehicles,be they Mercedes,Volvo or
Dennis have substantial mechanical/electrical/electronic teething
difficulties some of which remain ongoing for long periods.
The various manufactures all operate warranty departments to rectify these
problems,however the question remains as to how much of this cost has been
factored into the "On The Road" price of the Bus.
With Three fully refurbished Routemasters (Marshall Standard) being
available for the cost of a single modern vehicle it appears sensible to
maximise the Passenger carrying ability of ANY route by retaining them and
distributing them throughout the network as the situation demands.
The other factor which needs careful consideration is why with all the
modern technology at its disposal the Modern Bus Design Industry has never
cpome close to producing a vehicle as supremely suited and efficent at its
task as the Routemaster.
Save the Routemaster Indeed......But only if it remains capable of
performing its task !!