MY LONDON BUS IS ON THE ROAD!

Spec: Routemaster RML re-engined with Cummins B Series, 1966 (World Cup) D reg, in red, one previous owner, service history. Power-steering, semi automatic, aluminium monocoque body, top speed 40mph, about 13mpg. Full broadband internet, 240v self-contained power, DVD, 2 LCD TV displays. - Ling

My bus was built in 1966, the year that England won the World Cup.
Big deal, eh?

Brief history: The Routemaster bus was developed during the period 1947-1956 by a team led by Douglas Scott, the brief being to replace the trolleybuses, which had themselves replaced trams.

Production examples, at first to the 27 feet 6 inches (8.4 metres) length then permitted, were placed in service from 1959 to replace trolleybuses, this process being completed in May 1962. Subsequent Routemasters, the last 500 of which were 30 feet (9.1 metres) long RML types, began the process of replacing the previous generation of RT-type AEC Regent buses (commemorated by Flanders and Swann's "A Transport of Delight") and their similar Leyland Titan RTL and RTW counterparts. These are often mistaken for Routemasters by the public, and by the media. The last Routemaster, RML 2760, entered service in March 1968.

The design proved very popular with Londoners and tourists alike. It perpetuated features common to earlier buses: the open platform at the rear, and the presence of a conductor to collect fares, required by the isolated driver's cab. The platform allowed large volumes of passengers to alight and board quickly at stops, and indeed at traffic lights and slow speeds. The conductor collected fares whilst the bus was travelling, which considerably reduced waiting time at stops.

My bus will be used to promote my service in real-life
(up to now, I have always lived on the web).

This has led to some annoying people saying
a) I don't really exist (idiots!),
and b) How can they trust someone they can't meet?

So, here is my bus. It means I will be able to send it to venues, supermarkets, markets, events and locations all over the North-East of England, maybe further afield occasionally. It is as real as any stupid car dealer's franchise glass palace, and a damn sight cheaper. I deliberately used a vehicle which will not devalue and add costs to my business.

Inside, I have made sure that my bus is useful. I have installed a 1.5kw inverter and a big additional set of truck batteries. I have 14 domestic plug-holes. Now, I can power 240v appliances all day long! I have also installed a DVD player, two flat-screen TVs and full LED lighting independent of the normal bus flourescent tubes. I can power my computers, and do live car quotes for customers, on the fly.

I have installed 3G Internet access so I can work, do quotes and use Voice over IP phones.

Downstairs, I explain how contract-hire works, and present myself and my customer testimonials.

Upstairs, I show all my cars that are available to private customers. Over 100 new cars are displayed on the top deck. People can browse around and compare all makes and models on a level playing field with no bias. I highlight that sentence in red, because the UK car industry and franchised dealears never allow this! - Think about it? When do you ever see competing brands of new cars sat side by side?



As soon as I have itinerary for my bus, I will display on website so that if you want to visit, you can. It might be me on board, it might be someone I employ. I have a very good Chinese young lady in mind.
(Due to restricted headroom, a Chinese is IDEAL, hehe!)

I look forward to seeing you!

BYE BYE BUS!

I sold my London Bus in September 2010 because I am just too damn busy in my office to use it, and what a shame for it to go to waste! - Ling

LINGsCARS bus idea copyright LINGsCARS.com 2006