The New Double Decker Bus

I love the double decker buses. I've always been a huge fan but I've never really ever ridden one or ever even been to London. We New Yorkers have our own "bootleg" version of the double decker bus but it's only for tourists and drunken couples. London held a competition earlier this year to design a new bus and they've gotten themselves some winners! and I gotta say, they're all really well designed!

['welcome back' bus by miñarro garcía, héctor serrano studio and javier esteban

earlier this year the transport for london held a competition asking people to design a new bus for the city. aston martin together with foster + partners were named winners just a few weeks ago but coming a close second was the design shown here by miñarro garcía, héctor serrano studio and javier esteban.

based on the iconic routemaster the 'welcome back' bus would use hybrid diesel-electric drive-train and regenerative braking system to keep weight and emissions to a minimum, coupled with a solar-panel roof for top-up energy. the design has a small wheelbase for easier maneuvrability around london's narrow streets. another feature is the diagonal window that celebrates london's double decker buses by visually externalizing the stairs. to improve safety the design incorporates a lighting system into the floor of the rear entrance platform that informs passengers and vehicles when the bus is about to move. its smaller size also means less weight so less fuel consumption is required and less
exhaust emissions are produced.]

[via design boom, dezeen]