New London buses a hit in Golders Green (From Times Series)

New London buses a hit in Golders Green

10:30am Wednesday 11th January 2012 in News By Kate Jenkinson

A PROTOTYPE of the new look London bus was given the thumbs-up by locals at a showcase in Golders Green last week.

Up to 500 people attended the viewing at Golders Green Bus Station on Friday, January 6.

The new buses are modelled on the original Routemaster style bus, allowing passengers to hop on and off through three sets of doors and an open rear platform.

TfL technical consultant Chris Dyal fielded questions from visitors and said there had been a lot of interest in Golder Green.

“We estimate at least 500 people went through the new bus for London," he said.

"This included a number a students who thought the bus was cool and a group of American tourists who were given a history lesson on the original Routemaster before boarding the new bus.

"Most people were enamoured with the new bus and the feedback we were given during the whole tour will be immensely valuable in our evaluation of it over the coming months.”

Students from JFS School in Harrow took an excursion to the station to learn about the history of London transport.

Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer said the "Boris Bus" was sure to be "a hit" when he visited the display.

"I thought the new bus was excellent, modern but with a clear echo of the original Routemaster," he added.

The new design has two staircases, one each at the front and rear to enable better access to and from the upper deck.

A conductor will be employed to monitor access at the rear platform.

The new buses will operate initially on the 38 route from Victoria to Hackney, entering service from February 20.