Bendy buses are making a return to London’s streets, six years after the last of the controversial articulated vehicles went out of service in the capital.
The Mercedes-Benz Citaros, which are hinged in the middle, are going into service with Middlesex-based OmniServ for its operations around Gatwick and Bristol Airports. The three-door buses have a passenger capacity of 163 people, with 46 seated and the rest standing.
The move marks a return for the buses, which were introduced to the capital by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone in 2001. While they were praised for their passenger carrying capability and good accessibility, the vehicles were disliked by cyclists and were criticised for blocking road junctions that weren’t designed for such lengthy vehicles.
Incoming Mayor Boris Johnson made it part of his 2008 Mayoral Election campaign to remove bendy buses from the city with the last service, between Hayes and White City, operating in December 2011.
The new 18-metre articulated buses include full luggage racking and LED destination displays with three interior display screens. They are Euro VI compliant and are fitted with a ZF six-speed Ecolife transmission.
