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).