Black cabs

The black London taxi cab is another tradi­tional symbol of London. It looks old-fash­ioned and clumsy, but in fact it's comfort­able and speedy. Besides, London taxi dri­vers know the city very well. They spend up to two years studying and memorizing 25,000 streets, as well as the locations of hospitals, hotels, theatres, clubs, museums, etc. Then they have to pass a very difficult test called 'The Knowledge'. So when you climb into the famous black cab you can be absolutely sure that it'll get you wherever you want and by the quickest possible route.

Notes:

double-decker bus -двухэтажный автобус Niagara Falls-Ниагарский водопад omnibus- омнибус, автобус horse-drawn- гужевой, на конной тяге bus pass -билет на несколько автобусных поездок valid -действующий, действительный route- маршрут, путь vehicle- транспортное средство, автомобиль oil-cloth cover- клеенчатое покрывало to equip- оборудовать, оснащать powerful engine- мощный мотор brochure- брошюра

in miniature- в миниатюре souvenir hunter -охотник за сувенирами to design- моделировать, создавать to serve one's purpose–соответствовать назначению, соответствовать цели financial assistance- финансовая помощь to stipulate-оговаривать в качестве особого условия to resist- противостоять, сопротивляться bureaucrat- бюрократ to be determined- быть полным решимости to renovate- ремонтировать, реставрировать

THE END OF AN ERA: London Loses Its Beautiful Big Red Buses

In December 2005 the last Routemaster bus was retired. What is a Routemaster? Routemaster is the name for the classic red London bus. It is red, has two decks, a 1950s-style bonnet, and an open platform on the back. The first Routemaster took to the London streets in 1954, and served the public for more than fifty years. It had a revolutionary design: special brakes, a light aluminium body, and power-assisted steering. Because the platform on the back was open, passengers could easily get on and off the bus. The driver didn't need to open doors, but he did need to look carefully in his mirrors, to see if anyone was about to get on or off. Of course, because the driver sat in a separate compartment, the bus needed a conductor. There was a special place for the conductor near the platform. He communicated with the driver using a bell system. The stairs to the upper deck were very steep and the conductor (and the passengers) had to climb them while the bus was in motion.

The Routemaster has been replaced by 'bendy buses' (buses with two sections connected in the middle, like in Moscow). Some Routemasters will still be used for special tourist routes and can be hired for wedding parties. You can buy one for about 10 000 pounds.

So why has London stopped using these buses?

There are a number of arguments, both for and against these old buses.

FOR:

-They are specially designed for London's streets. They are narrow and compact, they can manoeuvre easily.

- They are fast and comfortable.

- The journey is much quicker with a conductor (most buses in England don't have conductors: you must buy your ticket either in

advance or from the driver).

- Passengers just get on the bus and the bus sets off. The conductor checks tickets with the passengers sitting down and the bus moving.

- Conductors make journeys safer - they can protect passengers.

- They are a classic British design.

- They are an important symbol of London and Britain.

- They are part of our history and heritage.

AGAINST:

- If you are old or disabled it is difficult to get on or off a Routemaster. Accessibility is also a problem for passengers with pushchairs. The platform is quite high and the buses are narrow inside.

- They are 50 years old! They are expensive to maintain and repair.

- It is dangerous to have an open platform at the back of a moving bus!