Routemasters are back

Now that tourist season is upon us once more, Halifax's fleet of AEC Routemaster double decker buses are back in service. Known as the Big Pink fleet, most of the buses are painted in vivid pink in support of breast cancer research and awareness. Nevertheless they do take on banner advertising -

 

Before the Big Pink scheme was adopted RML 2578 was completely covered with a blue restaurant ad. It has now had the top painted pink, retaining the blue below.
Although the buses retain their back doors, they have had new doors added on the right side to make entering and exiting safer.
[RML signifies the long wheelbases Routemaster variant]

For more on this bus see a previous posting from 2010:
http://truckfax.blogspot.ca/2010/10/rml-2578.html

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RML 2578

I know, but don't say I didn't warn you. This spiffy looking Routemaster drove by my window when I was looking out, so it got snapped.

With the height of the Halifax cruise season waning (it's all over at the end of October) I want to capture as many of these as I can before they go into winter hibernation.

RML 2578 is in excellent condition, with hardly a flaw in its body work and fenders. Despite the flamboyant advertising it is in virtually original condition.

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According to various internet sites on the subject, the bus dates from 1966. It was refurbished in 1994 and retired by AC Metroline in March 1997.