Boris’s Bus book challenged

Wrightbus has claimed material in a book from Capital Transport Publishing, ‘Boris’s Bus’, is defamatory. It was written by a number of well respected industry writers including: John Aldridge, Gavin Booth, Stewart J Brown, James Whiting, Christian Wolmar and others. According to news reports, the publication contains photographs of loose ceiling panels and broken light fittings, as well as criticisms of the bus’s green credentials. When we contacted them, Wrightbus refused to comment.

A spokesperson from Capital Transport Publishing said, ‘It is true that Wrightbus appear to have felt that one page of the book was an attack on them. Our intention in the book was to give a complete and balanced account of the story of Boris’s Bus so far. Solicitors acting for Wrightbus wrote to us shortly before the book was published threatening legal action if page 106 was not amended. We gave them the best part of two days to supply a correction if they felt anything on that page was incorrect, but this offer was not taken up. We have heard nothing further since.’

A TfL spokesperson said, ‘At no point has TfL sought to stop the publication of Capital Transport’s book. Some time ago we were approached by an author, who was keen to write a book on the New Bus for London project, whom we introduced to specialist publisher, Capital Transport. We also gave the author access to official documents, photographs and designs as well as interviews with officials and other parties involved in the project. Unfortunately there were disagreements between the author and publisher and their partnership was terminated. The dissolution of the agreement involved correspondence between solicitors.’

The 112 page publication is available from most transport bookshops at £19.95.