In December 2005, London lost one its most famous symbols: the Routemaster bus - a bus designed and made in London, by Londoners for Londoners, which was to London what the gondola is to Venice. In terms of postcards, books, films and cheap souvenirs, and in the eyes of the world, the Routemaster represented the city just as much as Big Ben. It was the last bus to be have conductors as well as drivers, the last bus to ring familiar shouts that are at least a century old: 'Fares please,' 'Full up inside but room on top,' 'Next stop the British Museum'! The last bus, in other words, to be a proper bus. In this fond history, Travis Elborough tells the story of the Routemaster's invention, rise and decline, of the people who worked on it and of the enthusiasts who were mad about it. The streets will never be the same again.

'A charming account of the capital's enduring affair with its favourite piece of transport' Daily Mail

About the Author
Travis Elborough is a former bookseller and freelance journalist. He reviews for the Guardian, and has contributed to the Sunday Times, Zembla and the Oldie. He lives in London.

Reviews
Elborough's book will please bus lovers ... as well as cultural historians -- Sukhdev Sandhu * Daily Telegraph *
A charming account of the capital's enduring affair with its favourite piece of transport * Daily Mail *
This quirky book looks at the Routemaster in a completely different way to other publications relating to this iconic bus ... a light-hearted read that will amuse as well as tell the story of one of London's best-loved buses * Bus Fayre *
Elborough's love for the Routemaster bus and all who travel in her is unbounded -- Magnus Mills * The Times *
Elborough's cheerful memoir provides all manner of information about the vanished vehicule...and saves itself from coming across as simple trainspotter territory by the author's savvy eye for cultural history * The Sunday Times *
Travis Elborough's homage to the Routemaster is an undiluted delight - witty, whimsical and lavished with the kind of affection usually reserved for Morris Minors, Supermarine Spitfires and the Flying Scotsman * The Daily Telegraph *



Book Information
ISBN 9781862078857
Author Travis Elborough
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Granta Books
Publisher Granta Books
Weight(grams) 200g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 15mm