Sack Boris vs the £1.4 million Vanity Bus
At £11.4 million for a massive total of 8 buses (that's £1.4 million each so far, compared with about £300k for a normal new hybrid bus), the Boris Vanity Bus isn't exactly a bargain, so we took to the streets today with TSSA in our own SACK BORIS vintage Routemaster to get the message out.
The launch of the Vanity Bus hadn't gone smoothly up to now anyway - the original first services have been cut from the 8 production buses to just one test model and put off by an extra week - and today's first timetabled service on the 38 route from Hackney to Victoria had its share of problems too.
An early breakdown at Islington Green lasted 10 minutes, and the Sack Boris Routemaster was compelled to overtake the packed Vanity Bus while a fault in the rear brakes (apparently) meant the system had to be rebooted several times.
This was clearly embarrassment enough for Transport for London because, from then on, a special 'Response Vehicle' TfL van was despatched to impede our bus's progress.
Once everyone got going again out of Angel, the van crawled at 10 mph down Rosebery Avenue to prevent us keeping pace with the Vanity Bus. It stopped at every zebra crossing whether or not people were waiting, and then it parked up in front of us each time we stopped - trying to pen us in without leaving room to get around it.
Our valiant driver got us to Victoria in the end though - via a very popular detour down Oxford Street - and we weren't too far behind after all, with the Vanity Bus ending up 30 minutes behind schedule and in need of a lot more technical TLC before it could set off again for the return trip.
We had a lovely (if slightly obstructed) day, giving lots of cheer to Londoners who have footed the bill for this cute-looking but pointless and expensive vanity project, as well as giving away tons of our famous Oyster wallets. Thanks to everyone who supported us, and @SamTarry for the pics.
Here's some of the press coverage and blogs about the day and the bus:
Here's the new Routemaster... chased by an original one - Evening Standard
Boris Johnson's £1.4m new bus breaks down on first journey - Political Scrapbook
The emperor's new bus - part 1 - Boriswatch
Boris's Bus (A Political Journey) Part 36: A Hot Debut - Dave Hill in the Guardian
You Wait Four Years For Boris Bus...and then two turn up at once - TSSA
Comments (7)
Latest news
@SackBoris2012
- RT @garydunion: On behalf of everyone at @sackboris2012 I confirm we can't bloody wait to run the I HATE SEBASTIAN COE 2016 campaign. #S ...
- FYI: Our sister campaign is selling off the last of its classic Alliance Against Urban 4x4s tshirts for just £5 each: http://t.co/gvr6sJRb
- RT @sophiescott: If someone currently on a 63 bus that's just left kings cross has lost their #sackboris oyster card holder, it's with t ...
- @tom_watson @richpeppiatt @dorkymum Hi Tom! We used @mediagang; they were very helpful indeed.
andylowe:
Feb 28, 2012 at 10:44 PM
this is a joke of an article.. do you not understand research and development costs? you cant take the development cost for thr prototypes and divide it by 8 to suggest that is what the buses will cost when they are in full production. they will obviously be cheaper when they start making more after the one off cost of r&d. the fact that this needs to be explained to you says it all really.. you should go back to school
simon:
Feb 29, 2012 at 07:35 PM
this is not a joke of a comment.,.do you not understand that these buses are an extravagant waste of money and that tube and bus fares have risen 50% this year? we didnt need new buses we cant afford new buses and we dont want new buses
the fact that this has to be explained to you says it all really...
once you start school you may begin to understand this
graham:
Mar 01, 2012 at 05:18 PM
@andylowe It's true that if Londoners were to spend a lot more money and order loads of these things the costs would come down a bit, but the point is that what we have spent on these buses now - which we'll never get back - is £1.4 million each. And they're overspecified and bespoke and will always be more expensive than off-the-shelf completely normal hybrid buses. And meanwhile he's put up bus fares 50%. Total vanity project!
Steven:
Mar 04, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Boris is a complete cunt
Cheap Rolex:
Oct 10, 2012 at 07:22 AM
Fortunately owing to those who tour fed up prices, the rightful scoop is that Chinese Rolex replicas are besides the anterior serviceable.
UGG Boots UK Sale:
Nov 15, 2012 at 06:24 AM
Good article, I agree
Cheap Mulberry:
Jan 19, 2013 at 06:23 AM
Your share is really interesting and useful. Welcome to share more with us.