Event to celebrate 70 years of the Routemaster Bus

A Brief Routemaster History

In September 1954 the first Routemaster bus was unveiled to the public. In 1958, after three more prototypes were completed and four years of testing, full production began. Over a 10 year period London transport received 2760 of these iconic vehicles as well as 50 being built for a north east bus company and 65 for BEA for their London to Heathrow service, most of these being purchased later by London Transport when withdrawn by their owners.

The Association

We are a group of volunteer owners and enthusiasts who collectively run the Routemaster Operators and Owners Association. Formed in 1988, just as the first Routemasters were being sold by London Transport to other companies for further use and to enthusiasts both in the UK and internationally, our aim is to support owners with technical advice and locating or organising the manufacture of difficult to find and no longer available spare parts, bring news to enthusiasts and organising small and large events around the UK.

Small Events

Many events are low cost as they form part of larger vehicle displays such as the annual AEC show in Newark or the 10 to 20 vehicle event in December each year to commemorate the final London route to use Routemasters, from the Ace Café near Wembley and referred to as the 159 running day. Other events are held in conjunction with established museums such as the Transport Museum, Wythall and the London Bus Museum at Brooklands.

Our 10 Yearly Celebration Event

Since 1994 and every 10 years since, we have organised an event known as RM40, RM50 and RM60 respectively, the latter being held in Finsbury Park over a very warm July weekend in 2014. This event attracted owners from the UK and mainland Europe with a total of 136 Routemaster buses attending, a free bus service for both days, a centenary of buses provided by the London Transport Museum with a vehicle from each decade from the 1920s to the New Bus for London of the 2010s as well as other park displays including a free funfair. The event was free to enter for all and in 2014 we were pleased to see many, many families attending as well as enthusiasts from the bus world.

We are currently planning the 70th anniversary to be held in July 2024, this time at Chiswick Business Park, formerly the London Transport Chiswick Works. The cost of items such as toilet rent and maintenance, first aid, security, health and safety items and general organisation etc. has risen dramatically in recent times and we are seeking assistance with these costs.

We are planning for local community and school involvement to attract families and community groups for a chance to see a large line up of the most famous bus in the world on the land where the very first one was assembled.