View source for London Buses

{{Short description|Transport for London subsidiary for bus services}}
{{About|the organisation responsible for most local bus services in London|a more general article|Buses in London}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name          = London Buses
|logo          = Buses roundel.svg
|logo_size     = 150px
|image         = LTZ1328-19-20241030-160332.jpg
|image_size    = 300
|image_caption = [[New Routemaster]] on [[London Buses route 19|route 19]] at [[Battersea]]
|parent        = [[Transport for London]]
|founded       = {{Start date|1999|11|11|df=yes}}
|headquarters  = [[London]]
|locale        = 
|service_area  = [[Greater London]]<br>[[Berkshire]]<br>[[Buckinghamshire]]<br>[[Essex]]<br>[[Hertfordshire]]<br>[[Kent]]<br>[[Surrey]]
|service_type  = Bus transport network
|alliance      = 
|destinations  = 
|stops         = 19,607 (2023)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=Things we learned from a list of every bus stop in London |url=https://www.citymonitor.ai/analysis/14-things-we-learned-list-every-bus-stop-london-4005/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=CityMonitor |language=en-US}}</ref>
|hubs          = 
|stations      = 
|lounge        = 
|routes        = [[List of bus routes in London|circa 670]]
|fleet         = 8,797 (2025)
|ridership     = 5.7 million (2019/20)
|fuel_type     = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]], [[Hybrid electric bus|Hybrid]], [[Battery electric bus|Electric]] and [[Fuel cell bus|Hydrogen fuel cell]]
|ceo           = 
|website       = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''London Buses''' is the subsidiary of [[Transport for London]] (TfL) that manages [[List of bus routes in London|most bus services]] in [[London]], [[England]]. It was formed following the [[Greater London Authority Act 1999]] that transferred control of [[London Regional Transport]] (LRT) bus services to TfL, controlled by the [[Mayor of London]].

==Overview==
[[File:Go-Ahead London WVL488 (LJ61NWA) Heathrow Airport 22.08.2023.jpg|thumb|[[Go-Ahead London]] [[Volvo B9TL]] on [[London Buses route SL7|route SL7]] at [[Heathrow Airport]] in August 2023. It is currently the longest route in London Buses' network.]]
Transport for London's key areas of direct responsibility through London Buses are the following:
* planning new [[List of bus routes in London|bus routes]], and revising existing ones
* specifying service levels
* monitoring service quality
* management of [[List of bus stations in London|bus stations]] and bus stops
* assistance in 'on ground' set up of diversions, bus driver assistance in situations over and above job requirements, for example [[Road traffic accident|Road Accidents]]
* providing information for passengers in the form of timetables and maps at bus stops and online, and an online route planning service
* producing leaflet maps, available from Travel Information Centres, libraries etc., and as online downloads.
* operating [[CentreComm|NMCC]], London Buses' 24‑hour command-and-control centre based in Southwark

===Bus operations===
All bus operations are undertaken under [[Tendering|a tendering system]] in which operators bid for routes in return for a set price per route operated. Until April 2022, contracts were normally for five years, with two-year extensions available if performance criteria were met.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/buses/tenderresults/ |title=London Buses tendering system |publisher=Transport for London |date= 28 December 2010|access-date=28 December 2010}}</ref> From April 2022, contracts will be for seven years with a performance based two year optional extension.<ref>Route 322 reverts to Abellio…again ''[[Buses (magazine)|Buses]]'' issue 797 August 2021 page 24</ref>

Routes are set up, controlled and tendered out by [[Transport for London]] (TfL) and they provide day to day assistance via [[CentreComm]] which coordinates a large scale network of Network Traffic Controllers to help with any traffic issues that may occur.
Operators provide staff to drive the buses, provide the buses to operate and also adhere to set TfL guidelines. Operators are then in return paid per mile that each bus runs, the pricing is announced on new tenders.

===Publications===
London Buses publishes a variety of bus maps. In 2002, TfL introduced the first [[spider map]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/transport/buses.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005054612/http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/transport/buses.jsp|archive-date=5 October 2007|title=Transport Strategy – Buses|access-date=13 November 2007|author=Mayor of London}}</ref> Rather than attempting to cover the entire city, these maps are centred on a particular locality or bus station, and convey the route information in the schematic style of [[Harry Beck (graphic designer)|Harry Beck]]'s influential [[Tube map]], capitalising on TfL's iconic style of [[information design]]. The arachnoid form of bus routes radiating from a centre earned them the nickname spider maps, although TfL refer to them on their website as route maps. The maps are displayed at most major bus stops, and can be downloaded in [[PDF format]] via the Internet from the TfL website.<ref name="spidermaps">{{cite web
|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/|title=Bus route maps|author=Transport for London|access-date=13 November 2007}}</ref>

== [[London Buses route 1|London Buses Route 1]] ==
This [[London]] bus route goes from [[Canada Water bus station|Canada water bus station]] in South East London to [[Hampstead Heath]] in the north East side of London via [[London Waterloo station|Waterloo]] and [[Euston railway station|Euston]]. It primarily uses:                                                                                                                             [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC]]                                                                                                                                                    

== [[London Buses route 2|London Buses Route 2]]                                 ==
This [[London]] bus route goes from [[Marylebone station]] in West London to [[Norwood bus garage]] in South East London via [[Marble Arch|Marble arch]] and [[Victoria, London|Victoria]]. This bus route primarily uses:                                                                                                                                            [[Wright Eclipse Gemini|Wright Eclipse Gemini 3]]

== [[London Buses route 3|London Buses Route 3]]        ==
This London bus route goes from [[Crystal Palace, London|Crystal Palace]] in South East London to [[Victoria bus station]] in Central London via [[Brixton]] and [[The Oval|Kennington Oval]]. This bus primarily uses:                                                                                                                                  [[New Routemaster]]                       

==Legal status==
{{see also|History of public transport authorities in London}}

The legal identity of London Buses is London Bus Services Limited (LBSL),<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03914787 Companies House extract company no 3914787] London Bus Services Limited</ref> a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Transport for London]]. [[East Thames Buses]] was the trading name of another wholly owned subsidiary of TfL called, rather confusingly, London Buses Limited (LBL).<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/01900906 Companies House extract company no 1900906] London Buses Limited</ref>

LBL was formed on 1 April 1985 as part of the [[privatisation of London bus services]], and acted as an arm's-length subsidiary of TfL's precursor organisation, [[London Regional Transport]] (LRT), holding twelve bus operating units (from late 1988) and other assets. The operating units were sold off in 1994/95, and their purchasers make up the majority of companies awarded bus operating tenders from the current London Buses (LBSL).

After 1994/95, the LBL company lay dormant, passing from LRT to TfL. It was resurrected when [[East Thames Buses]] was formed, separated by a [[Chinese wall]] from LBSL, and acted as a London bus operator by proxy.

==Scope==
The local bus network in London is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. {{As of|2024|March}}, 8,797 buses operate on over 670 different [[List of bus routes in London|routes]].<ref name="TfL bus fleet audit22">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=31 March 2025 |title=Bus fleet audit—31 March 2025 |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/fleet-annual-audit-report-31-march-2025.pdf |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=24 July 2025 |website= |publisher=Transport for London}}</ref> In 2019/20, 2.09 billion passenger journeys were made.<ref>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/929992/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2020.pdf Annual bus statistics 2019/20] [[Department for Transport]]</ref>

==Fares and concessions==
Buses in the London Buses network accept [[Travelcard]]s, [[Oyster card]] products (including bus passes and [[Oyster card#Pay-as-you-go|Oyster pay as you go]]) and [[Contactless payment|contactless]] [[debit card|debit]] and [[credit cards]]. Cash fares have not been available since 6 July 2014, but Day Bus passes (issued either as a single use Oyster card, or on paper from station ticket machines) were re-introduced on 2 January 2015.<ref>[https://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-assembly/mayor/mayoral-decisions/MD1418 MD1418 January 2015 Fare Changes] Greater London Authority 18 November 2014</ref> Single journey fares used to be charged in relation to length of journey (fare stages), but are now charged as single flat fares for any length of journey. From 2000, the flat fare was higher for journeys in Zone 1 than in outer zones, although from 2004 this difference was eliminated, the change coinciding with the introduction of Oyster card flat fares. {{As of|2025}}, the single fare is £1.75. In 2016, the hopper fare was introduced. This allows passengers to use any busses within 1 hour of touching in for no additional charge.

With Oyster pay as you go, users are charged a set amount for single journeys, although there is a "daily cap", which limits the maximum amount of money that will be deducted from the balance, regardless of how many buses are taken that day (from 04.30 to 04.29 the next day).  Alternatively, weekly and monthly passes may also be purchased and loaded onto an Oyster card.

Passengers using contactless payment cards are charged the same fares as on Oyster pay as you go. Unlike Oyster cards, contactless cards also have a 7-day fare cap though it currently only operates on a Monday-Sunday basis.<ref>Leaflet 'Contactless travel' published by TfL.</ref>

Under 11s can travel free on London buses and trams at any time unaccompanied by an adult; they do not need an Oyster card or a ticket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s/travelling-with-children#on-this-page-2 |title=Travelling with children}}</ref> Children aged 11 to 15 travel free on buses with an 11–15 Oyster photocard; without an Oyster card or Travelcard, they have to pay the full adult fare. Visitors can have a special discount added to an ordinary Oyster card at TfL's Travel Information Centres. There are also concessions for London residents aged 16 to 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/1063.aspx |title=Children and students|publisher=Transport for London|date=19 January 2010 |access-date=2 February 2010}}</ref>

The [[Freedom Pass]] scheme allows Greater London residents over state pension age, and those with a disability, to travel free at any time on buses and TfL's rail services. People who have concessionary bus passes issued by English local authorities travel free on TfL bus services at any time.

==Operators==
===Current===

Bus services in London are operated by
*[[Arriva London]]
*[[Go-Ahead London]]
*[[Metroline]]
*[[First Bus London]]
*[[Stagecoach London]]
*[[Transport UK London Bus]]
*[[Uno (bus company)|Uno]] 

===Historic===
*[[RATP Dev Transit London]]
*[[First London]]
*[[HCT Group]]
*[[Sullivan Buses]]
*[[Tower Transit]] 

Each company has its own operating code, and [[List of bus garages in London|every bus garage in London]] has its own garage code.

== Vehicles ==
{{main|List of bus types used in London}}

[[File:GAL_London_Central_188_EBD131.jpg|thumb|[[London Central]] [[BYD BD11]] on [[London Buses route 188|route 188]] at [[London Waterloo station]] in September 2025]]

{{As of|2025|March}}, the [[London Buses]] fleet total of 8,797 buses includes 3,776 [[Hybrid bus|hybrid buses]], 1,951 [[Battery electric bus|battery electric buses]], and 20 [[Fuel cell bus|hydrogen fuel cell buses]].<ref name="TfL bus fleet audit22" /> The [[Low emission buses in London|zero emission fleet]] is the second largest in Europe, behind [[Electric buses in Moscow|Moscow]].<ref name=":142">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-06 |title=Transport for London has more than 2,000 zero-emission buses |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j72d2x7zpo |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> All buses have been [[Accessibility of transport in London|accessible and low floor]] since 2006,<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2013-12-02 |title=Start of Low floor buses - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/start_of_low_floor_buses |access-date=2021-08-07 |website=WhatDoTheyKnow |language=en}}</ref> one of the first major cities in the world to achieve this.<ref name=":82">{{Cite web |date=14 December 2007 |title=Transport for London wins Independent Living Award |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2007/december/transport-for-london-wins-independent-living-award |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810223758/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2007/december/transport-for-london-wins-independent-living-award |archive-date=10 August 2021 |access-date=2021-08-10 |website=Transport for London |language=en-GB |quote=We have the biggest wheelchair accessible bus network in the world}}</ref>

The various bus operators providing services under contract to London Buses operate a wide variety of vehicles, about the only immediately obvious common feature being their use of a largely red livery, mandatory since 1997,<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Louise |date=18 June 2010 |title=Buses: deregulation in the 1980s |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN01534/SN01534.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609175752/http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN01534/SN01534.pdf |archive-date=9 June 2015 |access-date=10 August 2021 |website=[[House of Commons Library]]}}</ref> as well as white-painted roofs featuring [[Aerial roof markings#Public buses|aerial roof markings]] to help cool down the bus during the summer, first introduced during 2006.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=8 June 2006 |title=Keeping cool upstairs |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newsStory.aspx?id=816 |url-status=dead |work=Bus & Coach Professional |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212091214/http://www.busandcoach.com/newsStory.aspx?id=816 |archive-date=12 December 2007 |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=March 2019 |title=Bus graphics standard Issue 2 |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-buses-graphics-standard.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218050619/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-buses-graphics-standard.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=10 August 2021 |website=[[Transport for London]]}}</ref> For each bus route, London Buses sets a specification for buses to be used, with the choice of particular vehicle that meets the specification left up to the operator.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=August 2015 |title=London's Bus Contracting and Tendering Process |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/uploads/forms/lbsl-tendering-and-contracting.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123010522/http://content.tfl.gov.uk:80/uploads/forms/lbsl-tendering-and-contracting.pdf |archive-date=23 January 2016 |access-date=10 August 2021 |website=[[Transport for London]]}}</ref> Particular examples of London Buses specification include the use of separate exit doors (increasingly unusual on buses in the United Kingdom outside London) and, on double-deckers, the use of a straight staircase.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=May 2019 |title=LONDON BUS SERVICES LIMITED Specification for new buses |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/596921/response/1418561/attach/3/Bus%20Vehicle%20Specification%20v1.1%20May%202019.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810223758/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/596921/response/1418561/attach/3/Bus%20Vehicle%20Specification%20v1.1%20May%202019.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |archive-date=10 August 2021 |access-date=10 August 2021 |website=whatdotheyknow.com |publisher=London Buses}}</ref> Additionally, London Buses has previously specified that vehicles operating in London use traditional printed roller destination blinds, whereas in most other parts of the country, electronic dot matrix or LED displays are the norm on new buses.<ref name=":7" />

Air conditioning is provided for the driver cab, and air cooling is provided on some buses.<ref name="AC FOI">https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1064-2223</ref> New electric single-decker buses use air conditioning with humidity extraction.<ref name="AC electric">https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1182-2425</ref>

==iBus==
{{Main|iBus (London)}}

[[File:TULB 3425 R68 stop announcement screen 2.jpg|thumb|Newer iBus screen which shows upcoming stops on [[London Buses route 68|route 68]].]]
All of London's buses use the iBus system, an [[Automatic Vehicle Location]] system that provides passengers with audio visual announcements and is able to trigger priority at traffic junctions. The system was on trial in 2006, and was extended to all bus routes by 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2009/april/all-londons-buses-now-fitted-with-ibus|title = All London's buses now fitted with iBus|date = 23 April 2009|access-date = 18 April 2015|website = Transport for London}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Transport in London}}
{{Bus transport in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Bus transport in London|*]]
[[Category:Local government in London]]
[[Category:Transport authorities in London|Buses]]
[[Category:Transport for London]]
[[Category:Transport organisations based in London]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in England]]