Routemaster service takes Transport for London back to the future

On the No 38, passengers giving their verdict on the "Boris bus" might be discussing the man behind it, Mayor Boris Johnson, elected on precious few promises other than to rid London of his predecessor's "bendy buses".

"It doesn't make sense," claims one commuter of the new fleet of red London buses. Another counters: "It's a nice upgrade - and it makes you a little bit happier when you see the new, shiny one coming along."

Prototypes have run in London since 2012, but now the New Bus for London is to flood the No 24 route from Hampstead in north London, through Trafalgar Square to Pimlico, near Parliament - the first full service.

The 28 buses are the first of 600 to be delivered over three years - the culmination of Johnson's rallying cry in 2007. As a putative Conservative challenger to Ken Livingstone, the then-mayor, he tapped into nostalgia for the Routemaster double-decker, with an open door at the rear - for his first policy of note.

Critics say the new bus has a hefty price tag and high running costs. They question the wisdom of the open rear entrance, the platform that became emblematic of fun, leaping Boris versus dour Ken, worried about access for all. And they question the environmental credentials of the bus heralded as the greenest yet.

The first No 24 out of Pimlico garage at 6am tomorrow will be driven by Sir Peter Hendy, London's transport commissioner, and Leon Daniels, head of surface transport at TfL [Transport for London]. "It's fabulous," said Hendy. "It's a lovely vehicle, very comfortable, popular - everyone likes it. They love it."