LONDON 30*** (TBC) October 2008 Winning designer of new London bus announced 

In July London Mayor Boris Johnson launched a competition, with a prize of UK Pounds 25,000 (US $49,394), for the design of a new London bus. He plans to announce the winner by the end of October, and entries close on 19 Sep. The new bus must be as distinctive as the double-decker Routemaster buses that symbolized London for the city's millions of annual visitors. The Routemasters were phased out in 2005 after 50 years in service. The competition is open to both professional designers and those bus passengers who believe they know what will make London bus journeys better.

“London deserves a bus fit for the 21st century, and I want as many people as possible to submit their ideas," said Johnson on the competition web site.

Flat-faced and alloy-bodied, the lightweight buses enclosed the driver in a cab, had a conductor and featured an open rear platform and door that allowed riders to hop on and off where they pleased. At their peak, some 2,760 wound through London streets.

Many of the scrapped Routemasters were bought by private bus operations and collectors around the world. Jul/08

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Competition web site
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/anewbusforlondon