The Routemaster lives on

London is of course famous for its double decker buses, but one model in particular stands out as the iconic image of what one should look like. The AEC Routemaster was introduced in 1954 and was manufactured until 1968. Of the over 2,800 built, about 1,000 are still around. This model began continuous service in London in 1956. The Routemaster made its final run on a regular route on December 9th, 2005 - heavily delayed because crowds blocked the streets to see the last bus. The buses were decommissioned for a number of reasons: environmental concerns, handicapped accessability, and age (although the fleet had already be referbished with new engines and was in good condition). The Routemaster still has a presence in London through two specially designated "heritage routes" 9 and 15. It also lives on as the only bus depicted in postcards and on other tourist merchandise - a fitting tribute to the fleet that served London for nearly half a century.