Routemaster buses. what parts of the world have they ended up in,and what unusual use is being made of them?

Question

whislt on holiday in a rural part of the west of ireland (Galway) i observed an old london routemaster bus which was being used as a mobile creche for the local community. it would park up at a location at a designated time each day and spend a half day there,then it would move onto the next parish for the 2nd half of the day. the bus was completey decked out as a creche and was very safe and well equiped.the driver was a trained carer and there was also another qualified woman working on it. it is being funded by the irish health authority. it was very unusual to see a big red routemaster driving along narrow lanes in the west of ireland.this got me thinking what other far flung places have the routemasters ended up and what use are they being put too.

Answer 1

There is one near my workplace in London which has been converted into a restaurant.

Answer 2

l saw one recently being used as a camper van down in Cornwall

Answer 3

Saw one in Dheli last year, original markings and colours, being used for tour guides. It was in top condition too.

Answer 4

I did see two buses converted to a bistro/snack bar

a t a festival about 5 years ago.

Many cities around the world have a Routemaster, or an older RT variant somewhere, often privately owned and used for many different purposes (from Preservation to Hot Dog stands, tour bus to shop). Routemasters can be found far from home in places such as Sri Lanka, Australia, China, Southern California, Malaysia, even Fairbanks, Alaska.

Answer 5

Yes they are all over the world  

some in modified use   (  cafes  creche   libary  shops )

some in  use  as  intended       passenger travel

a lot of them are  in preservation ...   by collecters and clubs

They have moved on,  with current times  and most are now running Cummins  diesel  engines..  and some have auto gearboxes too

Parts  are still available....   but  cannabilism is usually the case  from  bus salvage yards

Answer 6

Well one went on Summer holiday with Cliff and the Shadows...not sure where they end up though..

Answer 7

They have been sent all over the world.

There are still plenty to be seen in the UK, usually used for wedding hires and other unusual hires.

There are also plenty in preserviation.

Nettie: That was an RT  NOT an RM (Routemaster)