Iconic Routemaster to give festive tours of Capital for all ages

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:52

HE NORMALLY arrives in the Capital on a sleigh led by reindeers – but this year Santa is coming to town on a vintage London bus.

Owner Sam Phipps, from Leith, is inviting the public aboard his treasured 1962 Routemaster for the first time, for festive tours of the city.

The father-of-three, 45, said: "I use the bus for private parties and weddings, which are great, but now I really want the public to see it as well.

"Often when I drive past, people stare or children wave – it's the only one of its kind in Edinburgh."

Mr Phipps and his wife, Clunie, 44, bought the red double-decker two years ago from a dealer in Newcastle, in mint condition with all its original 1960s features.

The bus was decommissioned in 1987 and had been bought by a transport enthusiast in Wales, before making its way north of the Border with the Phipps family, who store it in Leith when it is not in use.

Mr Phipps – who also drives the bus – has been eagerly sitting the necessary exams to allow him to invite the public aboard, which he will do for the first time in mid-December with a week of tours of the city three times a day, each for different age groups.

Customers will be able to buy tickets from the Red Bus website, www.theredbus.co.uk, and choose which trip suits them – from daytime outings for youngsters with onboard musical entertainment and Santa, to evening jaunts through the city in the dark. Mr Phipps plans to roll out more of the trips next year, introducing his number 88 Red Bus to Festival audiences, as well as, potentially, to book enthusiasts for literary tours of the Capital.

He said: "When I first got the bus I did think about using it for a totally different purpose, possibly as a cafe. But then I thought no.

"It was built to transport people and I wanted to keep it for that. It's great fun."

Unlike many 1960s Routemasters, the bus was never refurbished to lose its authentic red livery, tartan moquette seating and tungsten lighting.

Mr Phipps said: "People just really like the bus when they see it. Children seem to love climbing the stairs to sit on the top, yet others rush to the front near the driving seat so they can see exactly what is going on."

&#149 www.theredbus.co.uk