London Mayor Unveils New Double-Decker

London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, perhaps one of the most active mayors in the world in terms of eco-friendly initiatives, pulled the wraps off a new way of London transportation this week: a new double-decker, allegedly 15 percent more fuel efficient than existing hybrid buses and 40 percent more efficient than conventional diesel double deckers.

The bus makes use of lightweight materials and is constructed with an open platform (which in fact brings back the good-old hop-on, hop-off service) and has three doors and two staircases.

“This iconic new part of our transport system is not only beautiful, but also has a green heart beating beneath its stylish, swooshing exterior. It will cut emissions, and give Londoners a bus they can be proud of, complete with cutting edge design, and the freedom of an open platform," Mayor Johnson said when revealing the bus.

“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 bus, so far called "New Bus for London," has been created by The Wright Group and Thomas Heatherwick and is still in project phase. According to those involved in the project, the new bus will be on the streets by 2012, with the first prototype to be shown next year. For now, no technical specs have been released.