wrote in message
oups.com...
Mark Etherington wrote:
Paul Corfield wrote:
For those fans of the Routemaster, Route 38 or those who wish to sample
the last really large scale RM operation in London then the last day is
this Friday 28 October 2005.
There will be a fair sprinkling of additional special vehicles running
too. Details via www.lots.org.uk and click on 38 / 159 button.
Then retire to The Old Red Lion for a celebration of the Number 38.
http://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/tlml/pubevents
--
Mark Etherington
Just a quick word of thanks to all those who made the last day of
Routemasters on the route 38 on Friday such a memorable occasion.
My abiding memory, apart from a lovely journey on RMF1254 (the first
time I had travelled on this fine bus - complete with Sung yellow
ceilings and red moquette seats!) - will the the utter astonishment and
disappointment expressed by every single "non enthusiast" to whom I
spoke, that they are losing their Routemasters. The hordes of "ordinary
people", for whose views Ken Livingstone, Peter Hendy-Bendy and their
cohorts do not give a fig. The "ordinary" people of London being so
badly served by their "elected" representatives. They should all hang
their heads in shame like the monstrous morons (Ken's phrase, not
mine!) they are.
I love the routemaster, and I know that most users of london busses would
prefer a new-fangled bus to stop at their stop, than a classic RM drive past
because it's full. You can fit many, many more people on a bendy bus than a
RM, and tall-ish people like me actually fit on a bendy-bus. Travelling for
miles on a crowded RM, hunched over because the standing-room is only about
6', or wedged in a seat that has less leg-room than I have leg-length is NOT
the best start to a day. At least now I know I'll not be having muscle
spasms when I get off a bendy bus. Couple that with the air-conditioning
and the decent performance, and it's a far nicer experience in all.
I do love the routemaster, with all its faults, though. I will miss it, but
I'm not too upset.
And the best of luck to all the staff (still so freindly and helpful to
the last) from Clapton Garage who will lose their jobs as a result of
this "progress".
Marc.