Aston Martin and architects Foster & Partners have won a design competition held by Transport for London for a new Routemaster bus concept which reflects the 21st Century. Tying in second place was also Wilshire’s Capoco Design.
Aston Martin and Foster designed a bus with a glass roof and solar panels; one of the many of its features that is tailored to a more environmentally friendly vehicle. The bus will also have wooden floors and a zero-emissions powertrain with accessible doors. The tying winner, Capoco bus is aesthetically similar to the classic Routemaster, but has even lower emissions from their engine design, and a lower floor.
“We have had a phenomenal response,” said London Mayor Boris Johnson. Ideas had been submitted from companies around the world and with the two winning designs, Transport for London is going to begin with a tendering process to select a bus-builder, who will then use both designs to develop a new Routemaster. The new bus service is expected to be available by 2011.
