To counter unfavourable media coverage of the withdrawal of London’s classic AEC Routemaster fleet, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone promised to introduce a heritage Routemaster operation. The pledge eventually materialised as a pair of tendered short workings of Routes 9 and 15. Operation of both routes commenced on 14 November 2005 with First London working the 9H between Royal Albert Hall and Aldwych, while Stagecoach London worked the 15H between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square.
On 13 November 2010, route 9H was extended westward from the Royal Albert Hall to Kensington High Street and curtailed at its eastern end to Trafalgar Square.
On 22 June 2013, route 9H was included in the sale of First London’s Westbourne Park garage to Tower Transit. Route 9H ceased operating on 25 July 2014 due to low patronage and financial reasons. From 2 March 2019, Route 15H was reduced to operate only on weekends and bank holidays, from the last Saturday in March until the last weekend in September.
Route 15H ceased operation in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic and was not restarted due to Transport for London not renwing the contract.
First London & Stagecoach London Heritage AEC Routemaster Buses
Operator: First London – Vehicle: AEC Routemaster – Registration Number: 218 CLT – Fleet Number: RM1218 Route: 9H – Location: Hyde Park Corner
