Routemaster buses

Boris Johnson unveils the two winning designs in the New Bus for London competition at a reception inside Millbank Tower, with the Capoco Design Ltd image pictured top left, and the collaborative design from Aston Martin and Foster and Partners pictured top right Photograph: Johnny Green/PA

The Capoco Design Ltd image, one of two winning designs in the New Bus for London competition Photograph: Transport for London/PA

The collaborative design from Aston Martin and Foster and Partners, one of two winning designs in the New Bus for London competition Photograph: Transport for London/PA

A new-generation eco-friendly driver-and-conductor Routemaster, which could make a return to regular service. The new bus, which would be emission-free and have a hydrogen-fuelled engine, was backed in 2007 by Boris Johnson Photograph: PA

2004: Decommissioned Routemaster buses in a garage of Ensign buses Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Getty Images

Retired Routemaster buses in a bus yard in Tolworth, Surrey Photograph: Dan Chung

Number 9 Routemaster buses in London Photograph: Dan Chung

The number 19 bus route, driving along Charing Cross Road Photograph: David Sillitoe/Guardian

A view of a Routemaster bus - the stop sign in the driver's cab Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi

Kitsch London magnet souvenirs including Big Ben, Routemaster buses and red telephone boxes Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi

Seats on the upper deck of a Routemaster bus Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi

The stairs in a Routemaster bus Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi

2005: The Eye Bus, a Routemaster decorated with watching eyes, arrives in London's Trafalgar Square to mark World Aids Day Photograph: Michael Stephens/PA

1968: An early prototype of the red routemaster bus Photograph: Brian Mccreeth/Rex Features

1966: One of two London Routemaster double decker buses being loaded onto the Edelgarde at Millwall Docks, to be transported to Oslo to carry visitors to and from the trade fair as part of 'British Fortnight' Photograph: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty

1956: A prototype Routemaster bus at London Transport Headquarters Photograph: Folb/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty

1947: Oxford Street, London Photograph: PA