What has been called the world’s first ‘rainbow bus’ in passenger service launched on March 2 in London, as Transport for London (TfL) and Stagecoach London teamed up to celebrate and support diversity in the city.
TfL and Stagecoach London created the special rainbow design based on the symbolic rainbow flag to celebrate the people who live, visit and work in the city. The rainbow is wrapped on a red New Routemaster which will remain in operation for a year.
The bus will mainly operate on route 8, which runs between Bow Church and Tottenham Court Road, passing by famous landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Brick Lane.
The rainbow bus also marks the 10th anniversary of TfL’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) staff network group, OUTbound.
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “The rainbow bus is a great addition to the streets of London and is a wonderful way for us to celebrate diversity in this great city. It’s a fantastic commitment by Stagecoach to sponsor the wrapping of this bus.”
Martyn Loukes, Chair of OUTbound, said: “Following on from the fantastic success of the rainbow crossing last year, we wanted to create a new LGBT icon for London. What could be more iconic than a big red bus with the rainbow flag emblazoned on it, celebrating diversity and 10 years of our LGBT+ network at TfL.”
Mark Threapleton, Managing Director for Stagecoach London, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support this important TfL project by wrapping one of our world famous buses for the year. This will be a travelling advertisement, spreading the message of diversity to the hearts of our communities and to visitors from across the world. We look forward to the bus raising a smile and awareness wherever it goes.”
