H4 Bus design for the Mayor of London

[Anthony Pan]

In response to the Mayor of London’s competition to design a replacement for the old Routemaster, H4 Consulting Ltd based next to the 19 bus garage in Battersea responded with a innovative interior and an uplifting body.
The H4 bus was designed from the inside out. The competition required two entry exit points, one at the front and one open deck at the rear. This immediately sets a different dynamic inside the bus. ‘We wanted to improve the flow inside the bus and make the passenger experience more enjoyable’ said Guy Middleton Managing Director of H4 Consulting Ltd.
A Series of ‘U’ shaped seats formed to provide maximum use of the space and to keep the aisles clear. The H4 design reduces obstructions into the aisle meaning fewer disturbances for the seated passengers and easier transits for passengers boarding / exiting. The Mayor had specified the need for a conductor and so we have made it easier for the conductor to walk up and down tip toeing through a mass of feet.
The seats are deigned to maximise space underneath, for children’s buggies, bags etc, and the seat is made from a breathable mesh material to enhance comfort and allow easy cleaning. The material is semi transparent to try to help passengers to keep bags and belongings on view and to stop them becoming lost property or a suspect package.
The seats also enjoy greater leg room when the bus is not at full capacity, passengers can spread out more.
Air conditioning / comfort cooling for the upper deck is another competition requirement. H4 have taken this further again by utilising the space to its full potential a series of ducts are run under the seats rising to the upper decks, serving both the upper and lower decks. To reduce the load on the air-conditioning we have reduced the size of the windows and we have added a small pane on the upper deck, to allow views of the skyline of some of London’s landmark buildings.
Weight is an important issue and with less glass and lightweight seating Middleton states it will help to improve the efficiency of the bus, whatever power is used. ‘ Remember these buses are on the road 18 -20 hours a day so it is sensible to reduce the load to the bare minimum, instead of burning fuel carrying heavy seats and glass around town.’ explains Middleton. ‘The engine is undecided at present but the H4 bus incorporates space to allow a variety of power units, essential as technology evolves. ‘it takes 5 years to design and roll out a new engine so we did not want to restrict the delivery by limiting the choice of engine/ drive at this point in the design’.
The centred driving cab is designed to give maximum peripheral vision and allows the driver a secure private cabin, with the ability to assist passengers or the conductor, without leaving the bus and walking round. It is also designed so that the bus can export easily simply by reversing the doors and seating layout. Sadly this prevented the old Routemaster from becoming an exportable model.
The exterior design follows the style of the old Routemaster. Such an iconic design would be a shame to bin completely. Like the Mini, I think it only needs some small modern touches, lights etc. It is known around the world, so we kept it simple.
‘The smile on the front was the last part of the design. London buses run more frequently than they did years ago. I think everyone smiles inside when they see their bus coming; I hope with the H4 bus smile, it might brighten up everyone’s journey young and old alike.’
-ends


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