The Aec and Leyland RT's were at one time the definitve London Bus. But once they were withdrawn it was the Routemaster which became the "LONDON BUS". Now it would appear it's days are numbered, or are they? The easy entry and exit of the Routemasters means that they don't have to stop for long thus they don't hold up the busy London traffic. Does this factor mean they will still be in London in the future or will they be withdrawn and replaced by lowfloor buses. Now that Reading Mainline will be withdrawing there RM's will they be going back to their original home, London. It would appear not, some of these may be sold but probably not to London and rumour has it that possibly most will be getting scrapped. I suppose we have to face up to the fact that RM's won't be around forever (except preserved ones) but just how long will these old faithfulls survive?
The Metrobus became known in 1978 when a prototype was built. When production began in 1979 these buses quickly earnt themselves a good reputation as a drivers bus. The only flaw being when it was a hot day the centre door rubber seal would shrink and would make the bus think the door was open and this would throw the automatic gear box into neutral and the bus would go no where. Now these buses are being spread about the country to smaller operators and other parts of big bus groups. A.S.W (Arriva Scotland West) have moved some up to Scotland so they can take on more schools contracts. Although they are pretty old the majority are still giving yeoman service in and out of London the reason for this is that the Metrobus is still a great bus. Below is an animation of how the metrobus has changed over the years.
The Leyland Titan was developed for LT and it appeared around about 1976. They were seen around London regularly but these buses were considered too ahead of there time for LondonTransport and soon Titans were being sold off. Next Leyland designed it's replacement for the Atlantean, the olympian. London preferred this to the Titan. London still retains many examples of the Titan but it would appear that there are many more in other places than London. Stagecoach Western has many many examples for it's services and school contracts in Ayr.
This is a Titan fom way back in LT days.