Routemasters for red nose day

[Weak Field]

For red nose day (Friday 15th March) it is apparently planned to operate a Routemaster on each of TfL bus routes:-
4
24
248
Always nice when a Routemaster appears in normal service.

[Weak Field]

The Routemaster on route 248 in Romford.

[class345]

Went for a rounder and took a couple of pics before work.

I have to say, I think the event would have been more popular had it been better advertised. I only found late last night.

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[Nortube]

How does this sort arrangement work, does the bus company "rent" the bus and crew or do the bus owners just work with TfL. Not sure where the Oyster reader would be though!

[happybunny]

Mobile oyster reader same as on heritage routes. Don't forget bus companies still own RMs torun heritage unites and rent out too! Not sure if they feature iBus, haven't been in a heritage route since it was installed.

Have to say I am not surprised they were not popular, given the typical silly routes chosen. Would have been much more poplar with some high profile routes! I mean Romford to Cranham, and the 4 - Archway to Waterloo via Finsbury Park!

[Weak Field]

These types of operation vary from a "free service" provided by anyone. TfL don't like people doing that, though legally there isn't much they can do about it.
The operating company can run the bus as an extra (Routemasters can't be used on a low floor route as one of the contracted service buses) with TfL permission, using one of their own buses or a bus "on hire" from anyone else, so long as it has been inspected by the operating company and runs under their operators licence. Or if on hire from another TfL contractor it can run on their operators licence and inspection. There are allowances if the bus comes from companies who do rail replacements such as Ensignbus or The London Bus Co.
The Routemasters used on the herritage 15 and 9 routes are leased to Stagecoach and First for a nominal fee as part of the service contract (as the NBfLs New Bus for London (BorisMasters) will be owned by TfL and leased to the contracted provider)

In the three examples that ran on Friday.
The 248 is worked by Stagecoach for TfL, it used one of Stagecoach's RM's leased from TfL and usually on route 15.
The 24 is worked by Metroline for TfL, it used (Transport Commissioner) Peter Hendy's own RM, which is maintained by First.
The 4 is worked by Metroline for TfL, it used Metroline's own Private Hire RML.

[Nortube]

Thanks both of you for the replies. I hadn't thought of bus companies having their own RMs as well.

There must be a few RMs still around as I seem to see one (presumably private hire) about once a fortnight, although probably not the same bus.

[graham4405]

I remember when the RMs were brand spanking new! Must be getting old...