Vlog 35: A late-evening ride in London onboard RML 887

A late-night journey onboard London Bus 4 Hire's Routemaster bus RML 887 dating from 1961 as we travel out of service from Berkeley Street in the heart of affluent Mayfair through the likes of Victoria, Pimlico, Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea all the way back to RML 887's home base at Wandsworth bus garage on the fine but chilly late evening of 3rd October 2024.

[@atinshed]

Thanks, Mike, for an interesting video; which throws up a couple of questions. For context, in the late seventies I drove the #22 out of Clapton garage; an excellent route offering a real cross section of London. At that time it was exclusively RM, and our partners in crime were Battersea garage. Under LTE, as I'm certain that you recall, we were only allowed to divert from our 'line of route' if our card was signed by an inspector, which segues into my questions. What restrictions are placed on your drivers, please? How much latitude are they granted? Must they keep to designated double-decker routes? If, for instance, they're on a private wedding charter to a hitherto unknown country venue, does your company carry out any prior reconnaissance, or is the sole responsibility for evading low branches etcetera placed upon the driver? Now retired, and living in rural Australia, I'm just curious! Thanks.

[@MikeGMcDermott]

Glad you enjoyed the video! With our company whenever we take our Routemasters on weddings or on corporate hires we always check beforehand to see on Google Street View or on Google Maps as to if a road is safe to pass along due to low tree branches or width restrictions etc. Some Routemaster hire companies in London just go ahead regardless and travel along a route before they encounter a problem. We don't - we always plan a route well in advance to check for any problems or restrictions where the bus may be damaged. If there is a potential restriction or other danger we avoid it by running another way round the problem thanks to Google Maps.

[@atinshed]

@@MikeGMcDermott Thanks, Mike, for the reply. The companies that operate 'blind' must suffer excessive roof damage. That's no way to treat an icon like the Routemaster!