Operator Stagecoach London Vehicle AEC Routemaster Night-time Night Bus N15 | Garage West Ham (WH) Peak vehicle requirement 5 Start Tower Hill | |
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London Buses route 15 (Heritage) is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square, it is operated by Stagecoach London. It is a short working of the standard route 15 and it is the only preserved AEC Routemaster route.
Contents
History
This route and route 9 (Heritage) were announced initially as 'A' and 'B' as short workings on existing routes to avoid any potential complications as Government's legislation requires buses to be fully wheelchair-accessible by 22 October 2014 in the entire United Kingdom. For Transport for London, they aimed to comply earlier as it is a different case with the last buses withdrawn on June 2008 with two exemptions - heritage routes. Only one route, 15H remains after the withdrawal of 9H in 2014.
One of the two routes, awarded to Stagecoach London, was for services between Trafalgar Square and Tower Hill, covering the most touristy section of route 15 taking in the Tower of London, Monument, St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. An extension to the Oxford Street area was excluded due to severe congestion there. The number of the parallel route 15 was adopted for the AEC Routemasters, despite potential for confusion with the main 15.
Ten buses were allocated to the operator; 5 for the daily turnout, 3 operational spares and 2 as a "strategic reserve". Despite having only a couple of weeks to prepare the vehicles after they left normal service, Stagecoach turned out 5 immaculately presented RMs for the first day launch, 14 November 2005. The first journey was driven by Peter Hendy, managing director of TfL surface transport.
In April 2008, one of the buses was painted in a special Indian Red and Silver livery, to promote Bow Garage's Centenary. It was first revealed at the LBPT's Cobham bus rally, and soon after entered regular service.
In 2015, the 10 Routemasters are to be refurbished which will include opening windows being refitted.
Current route
Route 15H operates via these primary locations: