Steve Norris pledges to "save" number 73 bus route 07/02/04

Steve Norris, Conservative Mayoral candidate for London, has this week slammed a decision by Mayor Livingstone to axe the famous Routemaster bus, including the number 73 route that runs from the Tottenham Swan to Victoria train station.

The 50-year-old "hop on, hop off" design, which has an open platform at the rear and a distinctive curved body, is being phased out except for one "heritage" route for tourists. Mr Livingstone's Transport for London authority intends to replace them with articulated "bendy buses".

Supporters have started a leafleting and sticker campaign to force a u-turn. They say they have tapped into a groundswell of support for the Routemaster, which has a conductor on board and is regarded as an iconic part of London.

Campaigners on the 73 route have gathered over 500 signatures on a petition urging Livingstone to think again.

Steve Norris, who is Livingstone’s main rival in the June election, has pledged to save the Routemaster if he is elected. Mr Norris, who intends to talk to manufacturers about designing a new model with a platform capable of "kneeling" at bus stops for wheelchair access, said: "It shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to produce a design suitable for the 21st century. If we can find water on Mars, it really shouldn't be impossible to do this. The 73 bus route serves Tottenham people very well and may it continue to do so for many years to come."

ENDS.