BUS passengers have finally laid their eyes on the designs for the new Routemaster.

The bus, a key plank of Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s campaign for office, will take to the streets in 2012.

Just like the old version, the new Routemaster has an open platform, allowing people to hop on and hop off.

Transport for London claims the vehicle will be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than conventional buses.

But critics have pointed out each Routemaster is set to cost £1.6m - around eight times the cost of a regular bus.

Mr Johnson said: "This iconic new part of our transport system is not only beautiful, but also has a green heart beating beneath its stylish, swooshing exterior.

“I expect to eventually have hundreds of these on London’s roads, and for cities around the globe to be beside themselves with envy for our stunning red emblem of 21st century London.”

The contract to build the new bus for London was awarded to transport company Wrightbus in January 2010 following a design competition.