New Bus design unveiled in Acton, west London, sports some features of the now-defunct iconic London Routemaster bus. It may enter service as soon as next year
A mock up of the New Bus for London is unveiled to the press in Acton, west London. The new bus design mimics some of the features of the old red London Routemaster bus and is scheduled to come into service in 2012. The original Routemaster was introduced in 1956, with some still in use on heritage routes in London, after their withdrawal from general service in 2005Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesThe London mayor, Boris Johnson, stands on the back stairs of the New BusPhotograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesSeat upholstery inside the New BusPhotograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianThe front of the New Bus. The design boasts 40% less carbon dioxideemissions than a regular diesel double decker and 15% less than the current breed of hybrid busesPhotograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianStairs inside the New Bus from the top deckPhotograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianThe interior of the New Bus for London Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesMayor Boris Johnson unveils a lifesize mock-up of the New Bus. Some critics have damned the £10m development costs and called it a 'vanity project'.Photograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianThe New Bus for London in Acton Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images