Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill to open Routemaster 70 this weekend

Published: 16/07/2024

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Minister of State (Department for Transport) will officially open Routemaster 70 this Saturday.

Organised by The Routemaster Association, the free family event celebrates 70 years since the first London Routemaster double-decker bus went into production and is being held at Chiswick Park in London on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2024.

John Ward, Chairman of the Routemaster Association said, “We are delighted Lord Hendy has agreed to open Routemaster 70, he is the proud owner of a number of preserved Routemaster buses one of which he will be bringing to Routemaster 70 and has been a member of the Routemaster Association for many years, so to have a long-standing member and a high profile Minister of State open the event for us is something I am very excited about”.

Routemaster 70 will be the largest gathering of Routemaster buses since Routemaster 60 ten years ago with over 90 examples of this iconic bus booked in to attend the two-day event and will offer visitors a unique opportunity to see and ride these beautiful old vehicles in the very location where trainee drivers were once put through their paces - on the infamous Chiswick skid pan.

As well as an impressive line-up of preserved Routemaster buses that will be on display in Chiswick Park, visitors will also be able to enjoy stepping back in time with free rides on vintage buses along a dedicated circular route which will begin and end at Chiswick Park; the event will also include trade stands and a unique Routemaster bus that has been converted into a bar.

The Routemaster Association was formed in 1988 with the aim of supporting new owners who had started to acquire examples of this London icon following the commencement of large scale withdrawals from London service. The Association’s principal aims are to share knowledge and operating experience, provide technical information and help with obtaining spare parts. Membership includes enthusiasts and prominent figures from the transport industry and bus preservation movement.