Hi All ,
Any news on what's happening with the ex H9 routemasters yet ? Have they been sold ?

Mark

My bus number (if any): RML2391

They have been put out to tender along with overhauls for the remainder

I think I can now say that I had been approached as a potential assessor for several vehicles which a consortium is currently negotiating and has placed a bid.

It's all very secret including the details for sale. Although they had supplied me with a wad of data which is marked confidential

I've declined the offer as I was not keen over the intent of the corporates intentions or the shroud of 'business led' secrecy and also think TfL have not retained enough as a reserve especially as a float for the overhauls which having seen the specs will take quite a while to meet the quality desired.

So it's wait and see.

Oddly enough, one of the batch for disposal , turned up just last night in a really good film "Last Orders" with Michael Caine, Ray Winstone, Tom Courtenay, Bob Hoskins, David Hemmings and Helen Mirren.

Shows Helen Mirren waiting, Boarding and riding on RM1280, Just prior to it's despatch to Marshalls. She's also seen on a Metrobus specially resurrected for the film.

I had completely forgotten that I had helped prepare both for the filming 1280 stood in for RM 70 which had failed.

Was a very good bus prior to it's overhaul as a Dartmaster. Was part preserved as a part time clothing shop.

One TFL should have retained and pilot overhauled to supplement the rather depleted remaining fleet.
One RTA or failure and the Heritage service will really struggle. Unless they plan to hire in.

When I worked for LT Internal Audit,that was how sealed tendering was done. It's a requirement of the public sector to seek sealed tenders for significant contracts and the details are of course confidential between the parties until the contract(s) are placed. Once the tenders are opened and the successful tenderer(s) known, then negotiations can take place to finalise the details and make any changes to mutual benefit.

My bus number (if any): RTL 960, RMC 1458, RM 1585 and many RTs

the rms from the 9 are for sale the ones on the 15 are to be de dartmaster