Letter From London - The Deed is Done - Humorous Gossip from London

Routemaster No More - 28 December

Dear Lulu,

Back to the subject of funereal themes, the day has finally arrived: the termination of the beloved Routemaster. Think London. Think bus. Think seminal. Think double-decker Routemaster. Imagine jumping on, jumping off at will…imagine fare paying dependent on the conductor’s whim and personal request. There was something perfectly satisfying about these landmarks from 1956. It is a black, black day. Even the chicness of a black Christmas cannot offer solace.

The original designers wanted to create an ‘attractive piece of street furniture’.Every detail was worked, tested and reworked until perfection was accomplished. The yellow threads in the seat covers were deliberate. The bus could be taken apart and put back together like a puzzle. It was specifically designed for London.

As a result of some American’s influence, whose name escapes me – otherwise he'll find a mob picketing outside his rented Belgravia mansion – Mayor Ken Livingstone has flipped like a limp pancake. “Only some ghastly, dehumanised moron would want to get rid of the Routemaster.” He purchased dozens of them to add to the fleet. His deputy of Transport of London acknowledged how efficient they were. I used to like anarchistic, independent Ken. Now I don’t because he no longer exists.

41 reporters from around the world covered the poignant event. 81% of those polled are opposed. 85% thought conductors made the buses more secure against terrorism. 78% of the disabled, who are being blamed for their removal, and their families want the Routemaster to stay.

I’ll yearn for the wind in my face as I remember hanging off the open back platform.

TTFN

Maggie

Letters From London