"Mait001" wrote in message
...
Seriously, name one good thing about routemasters. Go on, just one.

I'll give you ten:

If I might add my opinions...

1. Windows that open at the front of the upper deck.

Agreed - this should have been catered for on recent designs. Easy to
fix if en wants to, surely?

2. Fuel efficiency (ever tried standing near the rear of a more modern
bus: the
engine emissions change the climate for several feet in area).

Hmmm, ITYF that the vast majority of Routemasters have been re-engined
in the last decade, so surely the emissions will be similar? The
Sovereign ones on the 13 are very similar to Dennis Darts mechanically.

3. Ease of maintenance.

Agreed, but surely a worry for the operators not the passenger.

4. Conductors.

True. But low-floors partially counter this by pushchairs not needing to
be folded and the elderly not needing to be helped up high steps. And
fare-dodging is only a real problem on the artics.

5. Upper deck on which to get away from the melee downstairs

Surely *all* double-deckers have this?! :-) The 73 is the only RM route
so far (in this period) to be converted away from double-deckers.

6. Excellent suspension.

Personally, I don't notice much difference, but probably a matter of
personal preference.

7. Superbly ergonomically designed and aesthetic from all angles.

Matter of opinion - see below.

8. Excellent drver visibility.

Though the RM is obviously unencumbered by passengers around the cab
area, ISTM that visibility from Presidents, Geminis etc. is better -
bigger windscreens, bigger mirrors.

9. Aluminium construction ensuring less weight, i.e. less wear & tear
on roads.

Is this really much of a problem? I have no idea?

10. The rear upper storey seats are the nearest thing I will ever
experience to
being in a (double-decker) limousine!

Again a matter of preference. I think the more recent Metroline
Presidents, e.g. on the 205, are some of the most comfortable buses in
London - excellent legroom.

Utter rubbish. Do you realy think at TPL or whatever they are now
called are
more aesthetically pleasing?

I reckon this is an age thing (no offence Marc, I of course don't know
how old you are!). Older people like the buses they saw when they were
younger, whereas today's younger people like more modern designs,
fitting with design trends in cars, mobile phones, etc.. From what I've
read, the Wright Eclipse Gemini seems to be considered one of the best
looking buses around.

AFAICS, the presence of conductors on RMs seems to be the only universal
(i.e. non-subjective) reason as to why they should be kept. I'm not
convinced. Nevertheless, I am worrying about the 73...

James