UK News: Joanna Lumley Leads Campaign to Save the Final London Routemaster

Actress and campaigner Joanna Lumley has launched a public campaign to preserve London’s remaining Routemaster heritage buses from retirement as Transport for London proceeds with the full electrification of its bus fleet — a programme that, unless exceptions are made for heritage vehicles, would end the operation of the iconic double-deckers that have become one of the most recognisable symbols of the capital internationally.

The heritage Routemasters currently operate on two tourist routes in central London, having been retained as visitor attractions after the original fleet was retired from regular bus service following Ken Livingstone’s mayoralty. The routes carry significant numbers of tourists and have become part of the London experience marketed to international visitors, alongside Tower Bridge, the Changing of the Guard and the Thames. The buses require petrol or diesel engines that are incompatible with TfL’s zero-emission fleet requirements.

Lumley, whose previous campaigns have included the successful effort to secure the right of Gurkha veterans to settle in the United Kingdom, has argued that the cultural and heritage value of the Routemasters justifies an exception to the electrification policy, either through the continued operation of the existing vehicles under a specific heritage exemption or through investment in electric powertrains that could make them compatible with the clean air requirements.

TfL’s position acknowledges the heritage value of the buses while noting the practical and financial challenges of maintaining an ageing fleet of vehicles whose parts supply is increasingly limited and whose maintenance costs per vehicle have risen substantially as the buses age. The authority indicated it would consider responses to the campaign before making a final decision about the heritage route programme.