Press Release
Mayor of London unveils 'Spirit of London' bus
3-10-2005 476
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today (Monday, 3 October) unveiled the bus that replaces the vehicle destroyed in the terrorist attack on 7 July.
The new bus, named “Spirit of London” by its operating company Stagecoach East London and manufacturers Alexander Dennis, is the first of a new generation of British designed and built double deckers. It will start operating shortly from Stratford garage.
Ken Livingstone said:
‘This new bus is another illustration of London’s recovery following the terrible events in July. It is a tribute to those who lost their lives and who were injured and a further recognition that London’s transport workers, along with the emergency services, responded to the attacks magnificently. London's spirit been shown in how the city has stood united and defiant in the face of terrorism.'
London’s bus network is Europe’s busiest public transport system carrying around 6 million people every weekday using 7000 vehicles on 700 routes.
Notes to Editors
Notes for Editors
· Photos will be available after the launch – contact the Mayor’s press office on the number below.
· ‘Spirit of London’ is a Dennis Trident fitted with Alexander Dennis Limited’s (ADL) new Enviro 400 bodywork. The capital will be amongst the first cities receiving Euro IV versions of the new bus during early 2006.
· The new vehicle will operate on a number of routes from Stagecoach East London’s Stratford garage including the No. 30 on which the 7/7 bombing occurred
· The new ‘Spirit of London’ bus was built in Guildford, Surrey (chassis) and Falkirk Stirlingshire (bodywork) and is capable of carrying 75 seated passengers with 7 more lower deck seats than the design it replaces.
· The bus is also fitted with all of the equipment now required as standard on all new London Buses including low floor step free layout on the lower deck, on-board CCTV, tinted glass, automatic heating system, wheelchair ramp and front ‘kneeling system and Euro III engine. This particular vehicle is also fitted, as a trial, with an advanced upper deck air cooling system.
· London Buses fleet comprises 5000 double deck buses, 2,700 single deck and 300 articulated (bendy) buses. All London Buses will be fitted with wheelchair ramps and CCTV systems by the end of 2005.
For media enquiries please call Sam Hart on 020 7983 4755, Nicola Dillon on 020 7983 4714 or Hilary Merrett on 020 7983 4753.
For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000.
For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.
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