London Navigator – the double deck bus.

This London Navigator is a project presented as a replacement for the Routemaster model, which retired in 2004 and has come second in a contest where the designers were supposed to propose a replacement for the regular London buses.

The initial Routemaster buses have managed to become genuine British icons, so their replacement was supposed to preserve its main features: double decks, red color.

The access into the Navigator is possible through a rear side corner and a double automatic door. The full capacity of the bus allows the transportation of 88/86 persons, including 16 standing.

The Navigator is made of a light weight aluminum monocoque, with a chassis made of a blend of aluminum and glass fiber.

The curios fact about this concept is that it can function on different types of drive trains. The first idea was for it to work on a biodiesel 4.8 liters hybrid engine, with the back wheels directed by electric engines.

The renewable braking energy recharges the lithium-ion batteries from the back side of the bus, providing an economy of 30-40 % comparing to the similar diesel buses.

There are electronic screens on the Navigator concept, in front and in the back of the bus, displaying the bus's number and additional info on the route, like the next station or the main destination.

The driver seats in some sort of cocoon, protected through armored doors. He has air conditioning, external cameras and a communication center with the control center.