LONDON.- Twenty-eight New Routemaster bus sculptures, painted and adorned by well-known and aspiring artists were this unveiled against the iconic backdrop of Trafalgar Square. The sculptures form a collection of up to 60 bus sculptures, commissioned by Transport for London, which have been placed across London on four walking trails as part of the Year of the Bus. The first three trails have been installed for the public to enjoy from Monday 20 October with a fourth following before Christmas.

The walking trails - the first three of which are "Around Westminster", "Around the River" and "Around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" - are being delivered with creative events company Wild in Art. The fourth sculpture trail will be in Croydon.

The Bus Sculpture Trail project is part of TfL's celebrations to mark the Year of the Bus and aims to promote walking, to highlight the vital role the bus plays in the capital and to raise money for charity.

The sculptures, which are 2.5m long, 1m high and 0.5m wide have been sponsored by various organisations and will remain on public display for a minimum of seven weeks. They will then be brought together in a final display at the end of the project before being auctioned early next year, to raise invaluable funds for three charities: Kids Company, Transaid and London Transport Museum.

Leon Daniels, TfL's Managing Director for Surface Transport, said: 'These bus sculptures are a stunning addition to the capital's streetscape. Whether you are wandering along the Thames, re-exploring Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park or out and about in the West End - you can admire these beautifully and individually designed artworks. The best way to see them is on foot and we have arranged them in accessible trails that everyone can enjoy. What is fantastic is that these sculptures also allow us to promote British artists, the bus industry, encourage walking and raise money for three admirable charities.'

Charlie Langhorne, Director of Wild in Art, said: 'Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to thousands of people while offering new ways to explore the city. The buses are a fantastic spectacle and showcase a wonderful wealth of artistic talent. We hope everyone will enjoy exploring the trails'.

Events and activities are being held throughout 2014 to celebrate TfL's Year of the Bus, in partnership with London Transport Museum and the capital's bus operators - specifically the role that London buses, bus drivers and the staff who support them play in keeping the capital moving. The Year of the Bus also marks a number of important anniversaries including 60 years since the creation of the original and iconic Routemaster, 75 years since the launch of its predecessor the RT-type bus, and 100 years since hundreds of London buses were sent to the Western Front to play a crucial role during the First World War.

During the Year of the Bus TfL has worked on a number of high profile collaborations including with the world-famous Fender guitar manufacturer whose Stratocaster guitar celebrated its 60th anniversary this year; with LEGO to install an operational bus stop and shelter on Regent Street made entirely out of LEGO and a special Routemaster Google Doodle on the Google.co.uk homepage. The Year of the Bus has also seen the first ever series of live music performances on board a New Routemaster bus as part of Oxjam, and 'bus stop top' exhibitions along the Strand from renowned photographers Juergen Teller and David LaChapelle.

There's still time for businesses wanting to be part of the Year of the Bus Sculpture Trail to sponsor one of the Croydon trail sculptures. Interested organisations should email yearofthebus@tfl.gov.uk to find out more.

The Year of the Bus is supported by and delivered in partnership with Exterion Media, Abellio, Arriva London, Clear Channel UK, Go-Ahead London, Metroline, RATP Dev UK, Stagecoach, Wrightbus, Optare and Telent Technology Services. Cubic Transportation System Ltd have sponsored 10 of the sculptures.