New Routemaster refurbishment: Full spec & details

[thelondonthing]

While idly browsing through completed Freedom of Information requests on the TfL site, I spotted a response to one such request that included three attachments, which was posted last week.

The first is a document titled "New Routemaster Aesthetic Mid-Life Refurbishment: Technical Requirements Specification". It's essentially a detailed executive summary of all the works involved in refurbishing an LT. (Forgive me if this has been posted previously - I did several searches before posting, but I was only able to find a handful of posts referring to the details of the refurb in fairly broad, general terms.)

The second document is perhaps a little less interesting; its title is "Camera Monitor System (CMS): Mirror Replacement", and it provides an overview of the CMS and its placement within the driver's cab, including this thrilling diagram:



Confusingly, the third attachment has a filename of "New Routemaster Moquette Specification FOI", but it actually appears to be the detailed moquette spec for the classic Routemaster.



Anyway, having seen a few posts here and there in recent months seeking details on what exactly is involved in refurbishing an LT, I hope that at least the first attachment will be of interest to some.

[M1104]

So it looks like this model will be the first to be retrofited with electric mirrors throughout the fleet.

[cl54]

The specification is undated.

When TfL originally went out to tender for companies to do the work the prices were too high and the scope was reduced so that things like only damaged seat coverings were to be replaced (except for the priority seats).

This is why Hants & Dorset Trim and others weren't involved originally.

[southlondonbus]

Oct 14, 2022 18:18:15 GMT cl54 said:

The specification is undated.

When TfL originally went out to tender for companies to do the work the prices were too high and the scope was reduced so that things like only damaged seat coverings were to be replaced (except for the priority seats).

This is why Hants & Dorset Trim and others weren't involved originally.

Hopefully this will mean some of them can be for a 7 year contract. So far since the refurb the 149/159/248/H32/H91 have all been for only 5 years.

[M1104]

Oct 14, 2022 19:59:03 GMT southlondonbus said:

Oct 14, 2022 18:18:15 GMT cl54 said:

The specification is undated.

When TfL originally went out to tender for companies to do the work the prices were too high and the scope was reduced so that things like only damaged seat coverings were to be replaced (except for the priority seats).

This is why Hants & Dorset Trim and others weren't involved originally.

Hopefully this will mean some of them can be for a 7 year contract. So far since the refurb the 149/159/248/H32/H91 have all been for only 5 years.

I imagine for them to be utilised for those two extra years a more thorough refurbishment program involving the hybrid system directly would need to be implemented for better longevity.