London Buses steps up sightseeing
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• London Buses' commercial unit now has 50 AEC Routemaster double-deck buses in use on its London sightseeing tour programme.
They have all been fitted with a public address system and 30 have been converted to open toppers. All tours are operated with fully qualified guides.
London Buses hope the Routemasters — expected to last 10 years — will make the tour more attractive in the competitive market. The Routemasters are also cheaper than new buses used before which have now been released for further one-per son bus operation.
Commercial manager Martin Fuggles is not too worried by the drop iri the number of American visitors to Britain and says that the market for visitors to London from other parts of Britain could be developed to compensate.
Fuggles also says that the initial performance of the first London Liner route to Birmingham has proved encouraging and new Metroliner coaches are being bought to cater for demand.
A second London Liner service, to be operated jointly with Eastbourne Borough Transport, starts soon. London Buses will use Lancs-bodied Leyland Oh plan double-deck coaches the service.
While Fuggles is confid of these commercial dew ments, his main competit are convinced the enterp: will fall flat on their faces National Express says joint London-West Midlar London Liner has had no effect on loadings on its I don-Birmingham service.
In London, Ensign Bu: thinks the Routemasters do more to send passeng to their more modern loc and warmer Fleettine bin