New Routemaster: Pre-production bus LT2

Images of New Routemaster LT2 (reg. LT61 BHT).

This bus was one of the batch of eight pre-production prototypes, designated as fleet number LT2, i.e. the second in the class specific LT series. As such it was finished with the operator markings of an Arriva allocated Routemaster and given a standard GB plate registration, and entered service in trial operation on route 38. This was the intended use for all 8 prototypes, although only LT1 and LT2 were complete by the first day's operation (LT2 starting the first journey, at lunchtime), entering service on 27 February 2012. The remainder entered service over the following months, but not in fleet number order. In May 2013, LT2 was loaned to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, who sent it on a promotional world tour intended to last a year (also sent were LT1, and later LT3), with LT2 performing the European leg. It has since returned to England, but did not re-enter service with Arriva. In July 2014 it was painted in a green livery (minus any fleet number) for a 6 month loan period to First West Yorkshire, to promote their New Bus For West Yorkshire initiative. In this role it was to be both exhibited and operated in a variety of that operator's routes.