This week saw the Mayor of London unveil the much awaited new London double decker bus design. Much awaited because it has been a long time since WrightBus were chosen to proceed with the design and a considerable time since a design was scheduled to be announced. Perhaps timing is political, Boris not wishing to give the previous Government any credit for his project, perhaps it’s because it’s because the design isn’t finished.
Taking a firm look at the visuals as they’ve been provided to the press this week, two things become apparent: 1) the lack of form at the front of the vehicle; 2) the biggest design characteristics at the rear of the vehicle look unlikely to withstand a few meetings with the engineers.
Interestingly, Wrightbus and Transport for London have been working with Heatherwick Studio as a “collaborative design partner taking the lead on the styling of the bus to support Wrightbus in the design and development process”. The use of Heatherwick Studio, predominantly a sculpture and architectural concern, is a departure from standard practice and whilst perhaps bringing a new design dimension to the table, may leave the bulk of Wrightbus’s designers uncredited for their work.
The bus will feature two staircases to enable “easier and quicker access to and from the upper deck”; this may turn out to represent too great a loss of seating and standing area – again we will have to see if this feature makes it to production. The alighting platform returns – but with a sensible screen for non-peak times.
Wrightbus engineers are currently working on a static mock up of the bus due to be complete later this year, with the first prototype expected in late 2011. Should the timetable remain on track, the buses are set to enter service in 2012.
In essence the new design is clean, contemporary and does a good job of bringing together modern packaging requirements whilst attempting to build a degree of personality conspicuously lacking from bus design in recent years. We are likely to see much evolution of the design and project itself as production practicalities and budget realities make their impact. In the meantime, here’s to Boris’s shiny red pride and joy!
