Its June 2004 and London has just 13 routes left operating the famous Routemaster bus. As I write this in November 2005, there is now one left, the Route 159 that runs between Marble Arch and Streatham which is to be converted to modern buses in December.

However, Transport for London is to introduce two tourist routes using Routemasters later this month, and so the title of this gallery is not quite right!

The route 159 sees its Routemasters go on Friday 9 December, the last one leaving Marble Arch at noon, but on the previous day there will be a full day of operation complete with guest appearances from buses of previous eras.

However sad it is to see the Routemasters be phased out, remember that they are now 40 years old and have lasted twice as long as their contemporaries. Life goes on.