New Routemaster: design

English: Design of the New Routemaster bus, the first bus since the original Routemaster to be designed by a London transport authority (Transport for London / London Transport). TfL used the Heatherwick Studio as aesthetic design partner and Wrightbus as engineering design partner, who also won the contract for production manufacture. It's the first London bus since the original Routemaster to feature an open rear platform, and the first to use the continental style two staircase / three door layout in non-prototype London service (c.f. the V3). It is 11.3m long, 2.5m wide and 4.4m tall. Flush fitted glazing and non-opening windows smooth the exterior, with a ventilation system handling cooling.