The Original Tour
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_1988_Hong_Kong_tri-axle_(CMB_ML64,_DV_4883),_Wellington_Arch,_26_June_2011.jpg)
MCW Metrobus in June 2011
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| Parent | RATP Dev |
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| Founded | June 1951 |
| Headquarters | Wandsworth Garage |
| Service area | Central London |
| Service type | Tourist bus operator |
| Routes | 6 |
| Fleet | 90 (September 2014) |
| Website | www.theoriginaltour.com |
The Original Tour is a London bus tour operator using open-top double-decker buses. It also holds the franchise to run City Sightseeing's London tour. It is based in Wandsworth and is a subsidiary of the RATP Dev.
The Original Tour was founded in by June 1951 by the London Transport Executive at the time of The Festival of Britain. In 1986 it was privatised, being sold to London Coaches / Blue Triangle. In December 1997 it was sold to Arriva. In September 2014, the business was sold to RATP Dev.
After purchase of a 24-hour ticket or 48-hour ticket, ticket-holders may board any of the tour routes at over 80 different stops without another charge. Services operate daily, with a recorded commentary in English and several other languages which can be listened to with headphones. A river cruise and three walking tours are included in the ticket price.
The Original Tour operates four sightseeing routes, with two connectors from other places linking to them:
† Pre-recorded language commentaries provided on the T2 and T4 routes are English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, as well as the "Kids' Club" children commentary in English.
The "T.." route numbers introduced from April 2001 but used primarily for internal and licensing purposes. Used more widely during 2004 and fully adopted in 2005 with the entry into service of the Ayats bodied Volvo B7Ls, which were specified with electronic destination displays. Previously, the routes were only distinguishable by a coloured triangle, propped up on the dash on the bus, although some had a metal holder on the front. Since 2004 the triangle (which still exist for the older tour buses) have "T.." printed on them for the appropriate coloured triangle. Also, some buses now have destination display blinds, traditionally removed from these buses, which have the coloured triangle on them with the "T.." route number inside that.
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