New buses noisier than Routemaster

Scrapping the Routemaster bus and replacing it with a modern fleet is inflicting even more noise on Londoners, a new survey reveals.

Newer buses are so much noisier, experts say it is like turning up the volume from "medium to high".

The iconic double-decker remains on only six routes because Transport for London wants the city's 7,000-strong bus fleet to be fully accessible to disabled people.

The remaining 170 Routemasters will go by the end of the year in a move criticised by campaigners who want to save them. Tests conducted for the Evening Standard, however, reveal that the new bendy bus blasts passers-by with 92.1 decibels of noise from the engine, tyres and exhaust.

Experts say it is the equivalent of standing at the back of a live rock concert.

By contrast the Routemaster - in service since 1954 - was measured at a comparatively muff led 89.6 decibels.

All other new buses in the capital and surveyed by the UK Noise Association and Transport 2000 are also louder than the Routemaster.

The average noise emitted by a new single-decker is 93.4 decibels. Researchers using noise-measuring equipment found that a modern double-decker is louder too; on average emitting 90.6 decibels of sound.

All modern buses surveyed were as loud as or noisier than a black cab which was recorded at 90.6 decibels.

Today the Noise Association said that hundreds of new buses were having a "significant" impact on noise levels in the capital. John Stewart, of the UK Noise Association, said: "Ironically, with the Mayor's push to get more buses on London's roads - which is a laudable move - it is now making a significant difference to noise levels we all experience-It is very disappointing that new vehicles are actually noisier than those produced 50 years ago."

Mr Stewart added: "While car manufacturers have been under pressure to produce quieter vehicles with lower emissions it seems buses have been left behind because of their 'cuddly' image."

World Health Organisation guidelines say that any continuous noise above 55 decibels can be enough to cause "serious annoyance". The noisiest single vehicle discovered in Victoria was a modern double-decker recorded at 104 decibels.

However, the noisiest group of vehicles were large lorries which averaged 94.8 decibels.

All bus readings far outweighed the noise generated by cars, which averaged only 88.1 decibels and white vans which were recorded at 88.6 decibels. The quietest vehicle was the small lorry - marginally quieter in most cases than the family car. Three-tonne trucks sent the noise meter's needle to 88 decibels on average. Motorbikes-average 93.5 decibels, roughly the same as a single-decker bus.

Andrew Morgan, vice president of the Routemaster Association, said: "Despite all the supposed engineering advances, new buses in London are not only noisier; they are more uncomfortable and heavier. The transport experience is not getting better."

A spokesman for Transport for London said: "The new buses are far cleaner. They meet stringent emissions regulations ... they carry more passengers as well as being accessible for the disabled."