In 2010 the Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced that Heatherwick Studio would be designing the New Routemaster.
It was the first time in more than 50 years that Transport for London commissioned the development of a bus built specifically for the capital.
A long asymmetric front window provided the driver with clear kerbside views, while a wrapped glazing panel reflected passenger circulation – bringing more daylight into the bus and offering views out over London.
Initially the bus reinstated one of the features of the 1950s AEC Routemaster, an open platform at its rear, which offered a "hop-on hop-off" service.
However, the expense of staffing this feature, to avoid the many accidents that occurred on the original bus, has since led to it being discontinued.
The design has three doors and two staircases, making it quicker and easier for passengers to board.
In engineering terms, the New Routemaster was claimed to be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than the existing hybrid buses and 40 per cent more efficient than conventional diesel double-deckers.

Designs for the new bus were originally unveiled in May 2010 and a prototype, developed and manufactured by Wrightbus, was launched in December 2011, The first bus entered public service in February 2012 and Transport for London ordered a further 600 buses in September 2012.
By 2018, the last of the 1000 new Routemasters were delivered.
Current Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has pledged no more new Routemaster buses will be purchased for London, the funds instead going towards upgrading the city's existing fleet with the latest sustainable technologies and purchasing new buses.

Critics have pointed to the very large cost and frequent issues caused by the design, including excessive temperatures for passengers in the summer.
It is claimed the Routemasters are emitting more harmful particles than the buses they replaced.
Prospective London Mayoral candidate Christian Wolmar, who first revealed problems with the new Routemasters, said in July 2015: "This project was misconceived from the start.
I have been told that drivers have been complaining about the failed batteries since August last year and yet nothing has been done.
It is no surprise the emissions are higher than those on conventional buses as the New Bus for London is not operating as designed.
It is supposed to be powered by an electric motor, but instead is using its inefficient diesel engine that should, in normal conditions, be running at constant speed."
In 2010 the Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced that Heatherwick Studio would be designing the New Routemaster. It was the first time in more than 50 years that Transport for London commissioned the development of a bus built specifically for the capital. A long asymmetric front window provided the driver with clear kerbside views, while a wrapped glazing panel reflected passenger circulation – bringing more daylight into the bus and offering views out over London. Initially the bus reinstated one of the features of the 1950s AEC Routemaster, an open platform at its rear, which offered a "hop-on hop-off" service. However, the expense of staffing this feature, to avoid the many accidents that occurred on the original bus, has since led to it being discontinued. The design has three doors and two staircases, making it quicker and easier for passengers to board. In engineering terms, the New Routemaster was claimed to be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than the existing hybrid buses and 40 per cent more efficient than conventional diesel double-deckers.
Designs for the new bus were originally unveiled in May 2010 and a prototype, developed and manufactured by Wrightbus, was launched in December 2011, The first bus entered public service in February 2012 and Transport for London ordered a further 600 buses in September 2012. By 2018, the last of the 1000 new Routemasters were delivered. Current Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has pledged no more new Routemaster buses will be purchased for London, the funds instead going towards upgrading the city's existing fleet with the latest sustainable technologies and purchasing new buses.
Critics have pointed to the very large cost and frequent issues caused by the design, including excessive temperatures for passengers in the summer. It is claimed the Routemasters are emitting more harmful particles than the buses they replaced. Prospective London Mayoral candidate Christian Wolmar, who first revealed problems with the new Routemasters, said in July 2015: "This project was misconceived from the start. I have been told that drivers have been complaining about the failed batteries since August last year and yet nothing has been done. It is no surprise the emissions are higher than those on conventional buses as the New Bus for London is not operating as designed. It is supposed to be powered by an electric motor, but instead is using its inefficient diesel engine that should, in normal conditions, be running at constant speed."
Thomas Heatherwick