Refurbished Routemasters return to service in London

A fleet of iconic Routemaster buses is returning to London's streets following a comprehensive mid-life refurbishment programme delivered by Wrightbus's repair and refurbishment division.

The latest vehicle to complete the programme - LT706 - has emerged from a full refit at RGI Bus & Coach Refurbishment Limited, which was acquired by Wrightbus two years ago, before returning to service from Transport UK London's Walworth Garage.

It is the ninth of 40 Routemasters allocated to Walworth-based Routes 3 and 68 to complete the programme, with the remaining vehicles due to be refurbished over the next 12 months. Among those already refurbished is the LT1000 - the last ever production New Routemaster - which is now back at the theTransport UK Twickenham Depot.

Designed to extend the operational life of the fleet, the programme sees each vehicle undergo a comprehensive survey before key components are repaired or replaced, returning the buses to an 'as new' condition for the next phase of their service.

Ross Cleaver, Sales Director, Repair, Refurbishment & Repower Sales, at Wrightbus, said: "Refurbishment is about much more than appearance. It's about giving operators the confidence that their vehicles will continue to deliver the highest standards of reliability, safety and passenger experience throughout their operational life.

"Our customers are looking for partners who can support them at every stage of a vehicle's journey. By combining refurbishment, repair, and new vehicle supply, Wrightbus can provide a complete lifecycle solution that helps operators maximise the value of their fleets."

Gabriel Collins, Fleet Manager at Walworth Garage, said: "Buses in the capital have a 14-year operational life and are typically refurbished at around age seven to eight, meaning vehicles are in 'as new' condition during a second contract term.

"The refurbishment programme consists of a comprehensive vehicle survey that identifies what needs either repairing or replacing and, as LT706 demonstrates, the team has done a fantastic job."

Wrightbus acquired Warwickshire-based RGI Bus & Coach Refurbishment Limited in October 2024 to expand its repair, refurbishment and repowering capabilities, enabling the company to offer operators a complete range of aftermarket services alongside its market-leading zero-emission buses.