Fare-paying passengers climbed aboard the first of London's new "Boris buses" today amid protests that the vehicles were a waste of money.
Following a pledge by London Mayor Boris Johnson, hop-on, hop-off red double-decker buses returned to regular services in the capital.
The first of the buses set off from Hackney in east London on route 38 which ends at Victoria station.
But following the new driver-and-conductor vehicle was a "protest" bus covered in slogans attacking the rise in public transport fares in London.
According to several reports, the Boris bus briefly broke down, with the protest bus sailing past.
Additionally, a software glitch meant the bus had to be run with the rear platform shut, the BBC reported.
Despite these mishaps, Mr Johnson today described the new bus, built by Northern Ireland company Wrightbus, as a "stunning piece of automotive architecture" which represented the very best in British design, engineering and manufacture".
Scroll down for a slideshow of pictures from today's launch
But Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA transport union, described the new bus as a "vanity project," while David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, wrote to Mr Johnson, asking how the Mayor could "justify the extraordinary cost and diversion of resources of procuring the 'new bus', which has come in at a price of £1.4 million per bus".
The last of the popular open-platform Routemasters was withdrawn from regular service in December 2005, although some still run on tourist routes in addition to the closed-door, driver-only regular buses.
Mr Johnson promised a return for a new "green" successor to the Routemaster as well as vowing to get rid of the ultra-long bendy buses, which have now all been withdrawn.
The first of the new buses is being operated by transport company Arriva. In total, eight of the new buses will enter passenger service in the first half of this year.
London-based designers Heatherwick Studio have provided the exterior and interior design of the new buses.
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Fare-paying passengers climbed aboard the first of London's new "Boris buses" today amid protests that the vehicles were a waste of money.
Following a pledge by London Mayor Boris Johnson, hop-on, ...
Fare-paying passengers climbed aboard the first of London's new "Boris buses" today amid protests that the vehicles were a waste of money.
Following a pledge by London Mayor Boris Johnson, hop-on, ...
Boris may hate bending buses but these new buses look almost as long. They must be a nightmare to get around corners as a result will slow down traffic.
AreThoughsLighterThanAir: Boris may hate bending buses but these new buses look
In my opinon Livingston shouldn't have got rid of the old original Routemaster.I have Never liked one man buses and never will. I would have ALL routes in London with hop on hop off buses.
robinlattimore: In my opinon Livingston shouldn't have got rid of the
You don't need a conductor in London,you need a bouncer with a stab-proof vest. Anyway anything is better than the crap rear engine OMO buses they have had since the 80s
chunkybuster: You don't need a conductor in London,you need a bouncer
If these buses are costing £1.4m each, someone is pocketing a serious amount of money on each bus. First in Devon bought 5 new deckers in 2006 and these were £290.000 each then, which is still stupid money for a motorised box with two floors, glass and seats. There's no way that the price has gone up by £1.11m quid in six years. Just like the new Wembley Stadium was and all this Olympics crap going on now; everyone on the take!
muddiford: If these buses are costing £1.4m each, someone is pocketing
Boris's New £1.4m Routemaster Breaks Down On First Journey
It's called teething problems. Edinburgh has the same problems with it's trams which have been made worse because of the involvement of the clueless local council. The funny thing is that Edinburgh had a comprehensive tram system until the politicians binned it years ago. Now they want to start it back up again and doubtlessly it will cost taxpayers a fortune.
Mickey_Mouse_1: Boris's New £1.4m Routemaster Breaks Down On First Journey It's
£1.4m per bus!!!! No wonder UK PLC can't make a profit from manufacturing anymore. Surely this figure is either wrong, or, more likely the same 'bunch of muppets' who commissioned the failed NHS computer integration scheme are behind it? This'd at least explain the breakdown on day one and the cost.
probableclean77: £1.4m per bus!!!! No wonder UK PLC can't make a
R and D should be down to the manufacturer, not the customer. The total price should be spread over the projected amount of sales, which, if the product is any good, shouldn't be limited to sales just in London. People on the take again, no doubt.
muddiford: R and D should be down to the manufacturer, not
Boris's vanity bus. People fell off the back of these things years ago, but Boris wants to hark back to the past, with Conservative led government and high unemployment.
How long will the bus companies put up paying someone to help old ladies on and off?
Years ago many people were used to jumping on and off these buses, but now we have a generation who have never done this. Stand by for insurance claims that will cost Londoners millions.
The man is a joke
Johnowen: Boris's vanity bus. People fell off the back of these
This should be a very year for ambulance chasing personal injury lawyers.
I can envision a new ad campaign.
Have you recently tripped or fallen off one off London's new Routemaster buses? If you have experienced this trauma you may be entitled to financial compensation. Give us a call or visit our website at: greedygreedysolicitors.com.
engchina: This should be a very year for ambulance chasing personal
@thebikeshow
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PA/Huffington Post UK First Posted: 27/02/2012 14:28 Updated: 27/02/2012 15:11