Farewell to Routemaster Buses: the final day
159 bus on Brixton Road, Friday 9th December 2005



A 159 Routemaster growls up Brixton Road heading for Streatham on a misty winter morning.



Routemaster detail.



A 159 Routemaster enters the centre of Brixton on the last day of service.





Destination board detail.



Crowd photograph a snazzy gold Routemaster bus on Brixton Road by the junction with Coldharbour Lane.





Traffic ground to a halt in Oxford Street as the last Routemaster left on its way south, and the streets along the route were packed with people saying their goodbyes to this London landmark.

Here a Brixtonite gives the thumbs up to a passing bus.



The last but one 159 Routemaster leaves Brixton. Note the Union Jack draped over the engine.





The last bus came with a large police escort.



The last ever Routemaster on the 159 route on Brixton Road.



The final farewell.

Such is the huge affection held for Routemasters, the entire evening BBC London news broadcast was dedicated to the bus's final trip, while bell-ringers at St Leonard's Church, Streatham, were reported to be sounding their bells half muffled from 6.30pm to about 9pm as a final tribute to the Routemaster.

I'm going to miss them.


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