London Buses facts for kids
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New Routemaster London bus at Bank junction
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| Parent | Transport for London |
| Founded | 11 November 1999 |
| Headquarters | London |
| Service area | Greater London Berkshire Buckinghamshire Essex Hertfordshire Kent Surrey |
| Service type | Bus transport network |
| Routes | circa 670 |
| Stops | 19,000 |
| Fleet | 8,643 (March 2023) |
| Daily ridership | 5.7 million (2019/20) |
| Fuel type | Diesel, Hybrid, Electric and Hydrogen fuel cell |
London Buses is the part of Transport for London (TfL) that manages most bus services in London, England. It was created in 1999. This happened when the Greater London Authority Act 1999 changed how bus services were run in London. Now, the Mayor of London oversees London Buses.
Contents
How London Buses Work
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London Buses, through Transport for London, is in charge of many important things. They make sure London's bus system runs smoothly.
- They plan new bus routes and update old ones.
- They decide how often buses should run.
- They check the quality of bus services.
- They manage bus stations and bus stops.
- They help bus drivers and passengers during problems like accidents.
- They give passengers information. This includes timetables and maps at bus stops and online.
- They create special maps you can get at information centers or download online.
- They run a 24-hour control center called NMCC in Southwark. This center helps manage the bus network.
How Bus Services Are Run
Bus services in London are run by different companies. These companies bid for the right to operate specific bus routes. This is called a tendering system. The company that offers the best service for a set price wins the contract.
Until 2022, contracts usually lasted five years. They could be extended for two more years if the company performed well. Since April 2022, contracts are for seven years. They can still get a two-year extension based on how well they perform.
Transport for London (TfL) sets up and controls these routes. They also help daily through CentreComm. This center has many Network Traffic Controllers. These people help with any traffic issues that might happen.
Bus companies hire drivers and provide the buses. They must follow TfL's rules. In return, the companies are paid for each mile their buses travel. The price is announced when new contracts are offered.
Bus Maps for Passengers
London Buses creates many different bus maps. In 2002, TfL started using "spider maps". These maps focus on one area or bus station. They show bus routes in a simple, easy-to-understand way. This style is similar to Harry Beck's famous Tube map.
These maps are called "spider maps" because the routes spread out from a center point like a spider's legs. TfL calls them "route maps" on their website. You can find these maps at most major bus stops. You can also download them online in PDF format from the TfL website.
London Bus Network Scope
The local bus network in London is one of the biggest in the world. It is also very complete. As of March 2023[update], there are 8,643 buses. They operate on over 670 different routes. In 2019/20, people made 2.09 billion journeys on these buses.
Paying for Your Bus Ride
Buses in London accept different ways to pay. You can use Travelcards, Oyster cards (including bus passes), and contactless debit or credit cards.
You cannot pay with cash on London buses since July 6, 2014. However, you can buy Day Bus passes. These are either a special Oyster card for one use or a paper ticket from station machines. These passes were brought back on January 2, 2015.
A single bus journey costs the same no matter how far you travel. As of 2023[update], a single fare is £1.75.
Oyster and Contactless Payments
If you use Oyster pay as you go, you pay a set amount for each journey. There is also a "daily cap." This limits how much money will be taken from your card in one day. No matter how many buses you take, you won't pay more than this cap. The daily cap period runs from 4:30 AM to 4:29 AM the next day. You can also buy weekly and monthly passes and load them onto your Oyster card.
If you use a contactless payment card, you pay the same fares as with Oyster pay as you go. Contactless cards also have a 7-day fare cap. This cap currently works from Monday to Sunday.
Free and Discounted Travel
- Children under 11 can travel free on London buses and trams. They do not need an adult with them. They also do not need an Oyster card or ticket.
- Children aged 11 to 15 travel free on buses if they have an 11–15 Oyster photocard. Without this card, they must pay the full adult fare.
- Visitors can get a special discount added to an ordinary Oyster card. You can do this at TfL's Travel Information Centres.
- There are also discounts for London residents aged 16 to 18.
The Freedom Pass scheme allows older London residents and people with disabilities to travel free. They can use buses and TfL's rail services at any time. People with bus passes from other English local authorities can also travel free on TfL bus services at any time.
Bus Companies (Operators)
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Many different companies operate bus services in London.
Current Operators
Here are some of the main companies that run London bus services:
- Go-Ahead London (includes Blue Triangle, Docklands Buses, London Central, London General, Metrobus)
- Arriva London
- Stagecoach London (includes East London, Selkent, Thameside)
- Metroline
- RATP Dev Transit London (includes London Sovereign, London Transit, London United)
- Transport UK London Bus
- Sullivan Buses
- Uno
Each company has its own special code. Also, every bus garage in London has its own code.
Past Operators
Some companies that used to operate buses in London include:
- First London
- Tower Transit – most of its operations were bought by RATP Dev Transit London in 2021. The rest were bought by Stagecoach London in 2022.
- HCT Group
Types of Buses Used
As of March 2023[update], the London Buses fleet has 8,643 buses. This includes 3,835 hybrid buses, 950 battery electric buses, and 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses. London has the second largest number of zero-emission buses in Europe, after Moscow.
Since 2006, all buses in London have been low-floor and easy for everyone to use. This means they have ramps or are low to the ground for wheelchairs and strollers. London was one of the first big cities in the world to do this.
The different bus companies use many types of buses. However, almost all of them are red. This red color has been required since 1997. They also have white roofs with special markings. These markings help keep the bus cool in summer. They were first added in 2006.
London Buses sets rules for the types of buses that can be used on each route. The bus company then chooses a vehicle that meets these rules. For example, London buses often have separate doors for getting on and off. This is not common for buses outside London. Double-decker buses also have a straight staircase. London Buses used to require traditional roller destination blinds. Now, many other places use electronic displays.
iBus System
All London buses use the London iBus system. This is a special system that tracks where buses are. It tells passengers when the next stop is with audio and visual announcements. It can also help buses get priority at traffic lights. The system was first tested in 2006. By 2009, it was used on all bus routes.
See also
In Spanish: London Buses para niños
