New Routemasters are being upgraded to have windows that open, TfL confirms

Complaints: The new buses were unveiled by former London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2012 Nigel Howard

Engineers are upgrading Boris Johnson’s new Routemaster buses so they finally have windows that open.

The long-awaited move, a response to complaints from passengers about stifling heat during summer months, will mean all 800 of the vehicles in service will be adjusted by September.

Transport for London confirmed the refit was taking place now after beginning in April – and said some passengers may already have noticed the new services.

A spokesman said: “As a result of feedback from our passengers, we’ve asked Wrightbus to fit opening windows to all New Routemaster buses. 

“Passengers will have already seen the new windows on some routes, and other routes will follow over the summer, to be completed by late September.”

Upgrade work on the buses, worth about £350,000 each, is expected to cost around £2 million.

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TfL bosses agreed to the u-turn last year following mounting criticism which led to some branding the buses “Roastmasters”.

The new Routemasters, fitted with diesel-electric hybrid engines, launched in 2012 and feature a hop-on hop-off platform at the rear which is manned by a conductor in the style of traditional London buses.

During the summer of 2013 an Evening Standard investigation recorded on-board temperatures above 30C - the maximum for transporting cattle and other farm animals across Europe.

On one day a new Routemaster hit 30.4C, which was more than 7C warmer than outside. On the same day humidity levels were 77 per cent which is almost double that of the Tube.

The scorching heat was caused by faults in the vehicles’ air conditioning system and the absence of opening windows.