The Routemaster Bus: An Iconic Choice For Wedding Transport

The iconic Routemaster bus is a popular choice for wedding transport; with its distinctive colour and elegant design, it’s not just any old coach hire. There’s also plenty of room to pack a large wedding party inside, ensuring that everyone is in the right place at the right time; not always an easy feat to pull off on the big day!
Here’s a look at the history of the much-loved Routemaster bus, and why it remains an enduring choice for bride and grooms to be up and down the country.
The 1950s
The story goes back almost 70 years, when Britain was emerging from the long shadows of the World Wars with severe austerity measures and rationing in place. There was a spirit of celebration and innovation in the air, kicking off with the Festival of Britain in 1951, that was intended to be a ‘tonic for the nation.’
It was modelled on the Great Exhibition of 1851 that saw the construction of the awe-inspiring Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. The 20th century event exactly a century later was designed to showcase the best of British manufacturing and design. It was held in London’s South Bank, with satellite events across the country.
The event was a great success, and a catalyst for rebuilding the economy and creating more jobs. This meant that more people came to live and work in the towns and cities, and this led to a review of the transport systems. In the beginning of the 1950s, inner urban areas were principally served by an ageing tram network that had been in place for several decades.
The replacement of the old tram network
As diesel engine buses became more widely available, flexible and cheaper to run than trams, they soon began to replace the old trolleybuses. London Transport began the process of withdrawing the trams in 1952, replacing them with a range of pre and post war diesel buses.
The heyday
By the mid 1950s, these vehicles were becoming dated, and in 1956 the Routemaster bus was launched to replace them. It had bigger capacity, with 64 seats compared to 57, and a lighter aluminium body and a bigger and more powerful engine. Of course, its distinctive pillarbox red, open rear platform and elegant curved shape made it instantly recognisable.
The new ‘RM 1’ also had automatic gearboxes and power steering, making it easier for the driver to handle and providing a smoother ride for the passengers. Now, we celebrate the classic vintage design, but in the 1950s the buses were praised for their contemporary look and feel.
The dotage years
Over the years, the Routemaster outlived many replacement designs in London, and smaller numbers were used in northern cities. However, by the end of the 1960s, the design was considered to be dated and the bus was withdrawn from production. However, many remained on active service, with the last one retiring as recently as 2005.
It is thought that 2,876 Routemasters were built, with around 1,280 still existing today. The iconic red bus is often used as a symbol on a whole variety of tourist paraphernalia, and it is recognisable around the world. Many have been lovingly restored to carry tourists around the sights, and of course to be used at special occasions such as weddings.
An unforgettable transport choice for your wedding
The classic Routemaster cannot fail to raise a smile as it pulls up, turning heads and always ready to pose for the camera! This sets the perfect mood and tone for your wedding day, inviting friendly waves from passersby and good cheer.
The nostalgic charm is not the only reason to hire a Routemaster bus however; they can also be a very practical way to transport a larger wedding party to A to B, so it can make the logistics of the day run a little smoother; you will feel less like you are herding cats.
The bus can be customised to your individual needs and tastes, with your own conductor, banners, and themed decorations. There’s even a fun choice of seats, from the prime front window seats of the upper deck where you can enjoy super views on your journey; the back seat for the troublemakers, and the open platform for fresh air lovers!
The Routemaster is the perfect backdrop for photographs, providing you with striking images for the wedding album that you will treasure forever, and perfect material for social media.