The BBC reports that:

From Friday 9 December, this quintessential London scene will disappear forever as the last of the capital's veteran red Routemaster buses reach the end of the line. On that day the last Routemaster route - the 159 running from Streatham to Marble Arch - will convert to modern double-deckers, and barring two tourist friendly 'heritage routes', the 53-year old buses will be gone.

This is kind of sad. One of my favorite memories is when I accompanied my pal Mark, who was working in London in the late 80s, on his commute into work on an early winter morning. A double-decker drove by us as we waited somewhat chilly at an Islington bus stop. We looked at each other and immediately made a run after it madly sprinting down the middle of the road, leaping upon that rear landing area all smiles and mutual congratulations only to be met with a very unhappy ticket lady who kicked us off telling us we could have killed ourselves.