ORIGINAL TOUR COMPLETES £40M FLEET REVAMP

Capital's Most High Tech - Low Emission Sightseeing Buses

London's greenest-ever open top bus fleet will be hitting the streets of the capital this Summer, and the company behind it hopes they will be full of Chinese visitors.

The Original Tour, London's first open top sightseeing bus operator has spent over £40 million on bringing 32 of the most high tech buses onto its 3 hop-on hop-off sightseeing routes, which boast state of the art commentary systems, low-floor wheelchair access and the latest eco-friendly engines.

The revamp also marks the rollout of The Original Tour's new wheelchair restraint system which is less intrusive and quicker and easier to fit for wheelchair customers.

And for the first time Chinese tourists will be able to have the attractions they are passing brought alive for them through a Mandarin commentary, installed for the first time this year.

The Original Tour managing director Colin Atkins said: "We know the Chinese love London double decker buses so we are delighted to be able to provide them with an audio guide to all the historic sights they will be seeing for the first time."

The Original Tour is celebrating its 62nd anniversary with the introduction of the high tech bus fleet, all of which exceeds requirements for the London LEZ standards and have the latest exhaust treatment systems to reduce admissions. In addition, all older buses have been fitted with new low emission engines. The revamp also marks the rollout of The Original Tour's new wheelchair restraint system which is less intrusive and quicker and easier to fit from wheelchair customers.

For Summer 2014 The Original Tour is offering its most comprehensive package of attractions yet for its three hop-on, hop-off routes covering 90 stops close to London's top sights. This includes:

• Free walking tours with the Explore London walking pass.

• Free Thames cruise operated by City Cruises with multi-lingual commentary.

• Free Kids Club with a special commentary and fun pack.

• 24 hour tickets.

• Buses arriving every 5-8 minutes in peak season.

• Use of the London's biggest visitor centre in Trafalgar Square.

Added Colin Atkins: "A 24 hour ticket on an Original Tour for just £29 is a real bargain for holidaymakers because they can use the network of routes to get to their favourite attractions and if they take advantage of the walking tours and river cruise we are giving away more than the price of the ticket".

PICTURE CAPTION

One of The Original Tour's new eco-friendly buses passes the Houses of Parliament .

Ends.

For more information please contact:

Louise Dolan, The Original Tour. T: 02088772107. E: louised@theoriginaltour.com

John Sansom, Presslink. T: 020 7831 0023. M: 07872 606024. E: john@presslinkgroup.co.uk