Synopsis: |
The archetypal Routemaster is arguably the most recognised vehicle in the world, as witnessed at the recent Beijing Olympic handover ceremony. Buses have been operating on London's streets since 1829, originally as horse-drawn omnibuses, and the London Omnibus Company was founded in 1855 to regulate the various services. The first motorised buses made an appearance in 1902 with the LGOC beginning to manufacture the buses itself two years later. It remained one of several bus companies to operate in London until the Underground Group bought LGOC in 1912, eventually becoming London Transport. For six decades London went its own way with specially designed buses. More recent innovations such as the 'bendy' bus have not been popular, but today practicalities of pushchair and wheelchair access has consigned the London bus to a nostalgic, but much-loved, attraction. With 10,000 words and full colour photographs, this book comprehensively tells the story behind London's famous buses. |