28 Apr 2005
Arriva London embarks on Italian job – and finds it is no mini adventure!
Arriva London tackled red tape, negotiated several different countries' permit systems and worked out the exact height and width clearances needed to take a 1960s Routemaster from London – to Italy !
The 'Italian Job' was in support of TfL's 'All Zones' which was exhibiting a specially converted Routemaster at a significant design exhibition held in Milan earlier this month.
Dave Jones, commercial support manager for Arriva London, was in charge of the logistics and explains some of the challenges:
We were delighted to be asked to take the bus to the design exhibition – and then we started working out exactly how to do it and that caused a fair few headaches!
As Arriva also operates buses in a number of other European countries I was able to ask colleagues for advice and their support was invaluable.
Arriva London was also given support by Richard Anderson at Van der Vlist UK who helped sort out all the necessary permits.
The bus was made ready by a dedicated three-man team who prepared the vehicle for the 2,200 mile round trip – and who then went with it on the four day journey to ensure it arrived safe and sound.
Dave added:
The bus attracted a lot of positive attention at the exhibition – so it was definitely worth the effort of getting it there!
The bus, which was converted by Arriva for the 100 per cent Design exhibition, is now safely back in the UK. Following its international success the bus is expected to be invited to other design exhibitions over the coming year.
Notes to editors
- The bus travelled via the route: London to Dover to Calais to Troyes (1st night stopover), Valence, just south of Lyon (2nd night stopover), 3rd night Cannes, 4th night Tortona in Italy, delivered to Milan on the morning of the 5th day.
- The following photographs are available electronically from Kate Flint.