Boris needs YOU to design a new bus for London

The new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, last week announced the details of a competition to design a 'new Routemaster' bus. The overall winner will scoop £25,000.

Boris made clear his commitment to finding a replacement during his successful campaign to become London Mayor.

He launched the competition to "design a new icon for London" at the London Transport Museum, on Covent Garden piazza. Speaking of the competition on Friday, 4 July, Johnson said: "London deserves a bus fit for the 21st century, and I want as many people as possible to submit their ideas. Whether you're a professional designer who can submit a detailed plan or you are someone who buses every day and has one great idea that would make your journey better, we want to hear from you."

The closing date for entries is 19 September. The winner will be revealed on 27 October.

There are two distinct categories. Firstly, there is the 'imagine' category. Entrants submitting ideas into this stream do not have to have any particular technical expertise. In Boris's words: "You just need to inspire our judges."

Secondly, there is the 'design' category, which is aimed specifically at design professionals and companies. This section is subdivided again, into 'whole bus' and 'element'. The latter covers designs that focus on a specific part of the proposed new bus, like the staircase.

The new bus must not be longer than 13.5 metres, wider than 2.55 metres or higher than 4.42 metres. In keeping with tradition, any new design must be red.

Transport for London admitted that a budget for the 'new Routemaster' has not been agreed. A decision as regards which routes any new bus would operate on has not been made.

Boris knows now he is in Office knows that he cannot proceed with a 'new Routemaster' regardless of cost. He will have the chance next year to drop the whole idea of a 'new Routemaster' if circumstances dictate.

Visitors to London can still ride on a Routemaster on one of two heritage routes. Only in London for a short-time and want to do some sightseeing? Then climb aboard a Routemaster at bus stop F, on the Strand, near Trafalgar Square and let Walk Talk Tours explain to you some of the history of the original Routemaster bus on the Ride & Stride, London travel guide.

In 1954 the prototype for the original Routemaster first made its appearance it was hailed “the most modern double deck bus in the world”. It boasted power steering, automatic transmission and independent suspension, and internal heating on both decks, all with the object of competing with the 1950’s private car.

The designers also engaged a design consultant, Douglas Scott, to help. Listeners to the Ride & Stride iPod travel guide can discover which other British icons Scott designed. To hear an audio sample from the Ride & Stride podcast guided tour please click here.

Listeners to the Ride & Stride, London mp3 guided tour, will alight at St Paul's Cathedral. Take a look inside Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece before heading across the river Thames via the Millennium Bridge. Ponder the meaning of art at Tate Modern, then hear why the original Globe Theatre re-located to the South Bank. Find out what Winchester geese were and hear about the origins of the term 'in the clink'. See the City Hall, where Boris is based, and then cross back over the Thames via the iconic Tower Bridge. The Ride & Stride, London tour guide concludes outside the once infamous Tower of London.

With a Walk Talk Tour you're in charge. No need to feel too self conscious with a guidebook in your hands or look like a lemming as you struggle to keep up - let alone hear - the man with the umbrella. Travelling with the kids? Are they driving you round the bend? With a Walk Talk Tour you're free to stop and start as you wish.

There are five Walk Talk Tours of London. Each of the London tours is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Each Walk Talk Tour, London visitor guide has Where & When pages which detail the opening times and admission charges of key attractions along each of the tour's routes.

Each London Walk Talk Tour costs just £5.95. All of the tours with the exception of the longer City & South Bank Circular audio downloadable walking tour can be completed in two hours. Customers purchasing two tours simultaneously will receive a twenty per cent discount. Buy three at the same time and get thirty per cent off. Walk Talk Tours represent excellent value for people sightseeing in groups and parties, too.