The first new bus service for central London for over a decade was launched today
by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
Riverside 1 (RV1) is a unique partnership project linking the South Bank to the
West End and the City. The route, aimed to boost tourism, employment and accessibility
for local communities, brings together more than forty arts and tourist attractions,
five Underground stations, three national rail stations and five river piers.
Launching the new route with Mark Rylance, artistic director of Shakespeare's
Globe, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:
"This is a great new service - great for tourists, for business and all the
community. It is an excellent example of good partnership working to help deliver
services. The route takes in some of the finest sights in central London and what
better way to see London than on a bus. I've no doubt it's going to be a huge
success."
Chair of South Bank Employers' Group Ian Coull said:
"South Bank Employers' Group is very proud to have led and supported the
creation of the Riverside Bus service. This service complements the major environmental
improvements that we have completed over the past few years. It also demonstrates
how the private and public sectors can work together to create a new service that
will benefit people who work, live in and visit South Bank and Waterloo."
London Tourist Board and Convention Bureau Managing Director Paul Hopper said:
"Tourist attractions south of the river are now some of the most exciting
in London. I am delighted that the Riverside Bus service will now link the Tate
Modern and the London Eye to the Tower of London and Covent Garden making this
one of the most useful tourist routes in the capital."
Cross River Partnership Chairman Tom Franklin said:
"Easing congestion and making public transport easy and accessible is vital
to the long term prosperity of London. Riverside One helps make the river area
more accessible, linking in with our work with the Mayor to open up the Thames
to transport and improve links north and south of the river through projects such
as the London Tram."
The eleven-strong low-floor fleet of buses are easily identifiable with the traditional
red livery plus the specially designed Riverside bus logo and a series of icons
identifying key destinations on the route. In addition special information screens
on the bus alert passengers to approaching destinations and their attractions.
Buses will run every ten minutes every day until midnight (every twenty minutes
between 0600 and 0700 Monday to Saturday and 0600 until 0800 Sundays).
