The Final Bell: Celebrating Alf our lovely London Routemaster Bus

  For over two decades, he has been more than just a vehicle; he has been a crimson heartbeat on the streets of Portsmouth. Alf, one of the city’s most beloved Routemaster buses, is officially entering retirement. After 20 years of faithful service, the conductor’s bell is ringing one last time for a machine that became a local icon.

The Routemaster is perhaps the most recognisable symbol of London, rivalling Big Ben and the red telephone box. With its open rear platform and hop-on, hop-off design, Alf represented a bygone era of public transport where the journey was just as important as the destination. For twenty years, Alf navigated the narrow corridors of Portsmouth and the sweeping curves of Southsea Seafront, carrying thousands of passengers through sunshine, fog, and the occasional Portsmouth downpour. Weddings, Proms, Historic Tours, Promotional Use, and general fun, Alf gave his best.

What made Alf truly special wasn't just the vintage aesthetics or the roar of the engine—it was the pleasure he brought to people. For Tourists: He was a rolling postcard, offering the best view of the city from the front row of the upper deck. He provided a nostalgic escape from the sterile, modern world, a place where you could feel the history of the city in the vibration of the floorboards. For Children: A ride on Alf was an adventure, a chance to climb the spiral staircase and pretend to steer the giant wheel.

Though he is retiring from active duty, the joy he sparked will remain. Whether he finds a home in a museum or a private collection, Alf has earned his rest. Portsmouth streets will feel a little quieter and less vibrant without him, but his legacy as a tireless servant of the public is etched into the city's history.

Thank you, Alf, for twenty years of smiles. You’ve had a wonderful run.

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