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List of bus routes in London
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This is a list of Transport for London (TfL) contracted bus routes in London, England, as well as commercial services that enter the Greater London area (except coaches).
Bus services in London are operated by Arriva London, Go-Ahead London (London Central, London General, Docklands Buses and Blue Triangle), Metroline, First Bus London (London Sovereign, London United and London Transit), Stagecoach London (East London, Selkent, Thameside and Lea Interchange Bus Company), Transport UK London Bus and Uno. TfL-sponsored operators run more than 500 services.
Examples of non TfL-sponsored operators include, but are not limited to: Arriva Herts & Essex, Carousel Buses, Diamond South East, Go-Coach, First Beeline, Metrobus, Thames Valley Buses and Reading Buses.
Classification of route numbers
[edit]In Victorian times, people who took the bus would recognise the owner and the route of an omnibus (Latin for 'for all') only by its livery and its line name, with painted signs on the sides showing the two termini to indicate the route. Then, in 1906, George Samuel Dicks of the London Motor Omnibus Company decided that, as the line name 'Vanguard' had proved to be very popular, he would name all lines 'Vanguard' and number the company's five routes 1 to 5. Other operators soon saw the advantage, in that a unique route number was easier for the travelling public to remember, and so the practice of using route numbers soon spread.[1]
Historic classification
[edit]
Bus routes run by London Transport were grouped as follows.
The London Traffic Act 1924 imposed numbering known as the Bassom Scheme, named after Superintendent (later Chief Constable) Arthur Ernest Bassom of the Metropolitan Police who devised it. For many decades, variant and short workings used letter suffixes (e.g. "77B"). The numbers reflected the company that operated the route.
The numbering was revised in 1934 after London Transport was formed:[2]
| Numbers | Service | |
|---|---|---|
| 1–199 | "Central Area" red double-decker routes. | |
| 200–289 | "Central Area" red single-decker routes. | |
| 290–299 | "Central Area" night buses. | |
| 300–399 | "Country Area" north of the River Thames. | (Operated by London Country Bus Services after 1970) |
| 400–499 | "Country Area" south of the River Thames. | |
| 500–699 | Trolleybuses. | |
| 701–799 | Green Line Coaches. | |
| 800–899 | "Country Area" "New Towns" routes. | (LCBS after 1970) |
Current classification
[edit]| Routes | Type of service |
|---|---|
| 1–599 | Most local day routes, including 24-hour services. |
| 600–699 | School routes, with the majority of them operating only one return journey per day. |
| 700–799 | Regional and national coach routes, including Green Line. Also used for temporary TfL routes. |
| 800–899 | Regional and national coach routes. |
| 900–999 | One mobility bus route within TfL, detailed below. |
| EL-prefixed routes | East London Transit routes. |
| BL- and SL-prefixed routes | Superloop routes. |
| Other letter-prefixed routes | Local day routes, with the letter denoting a key area of the route. |
| SCS | Silvertown Tunnel cycle shuttle. |
| N-prefixed routes | Night Bus routes. |
List of routes
[edit]All routes operate in both directions unless detailed.
1–99
[edit]
100–199
[edit]
200–299
[edit]
300–399
[edit]
400–499
[edit]
500–599
[edit]
| Route | Start | End | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 533[9][92] | Hammersmith bus station | Castelnau | Go-Ahead London | A temporary route replacing routes 33, 72, 209 and 485 until further notice due to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.[10] |
600–699
[edit]Route numbers from 600 to 699 are used for school routes, with the majority of them running one return journey on each weekday during peak times and during school term time.[93]
900–999
[edit]Route numbers from 900 to 999 represent mobility buses; these mostly provide a once-a-week return journey to a local shopping centre from relatively low-density neighbourhoods where there is no alternative route in the main bus network. The number of mobility buses routes has declined over the past few years because low-floor and wheelchair-accessible buses run on all London Buses routes. As of 2025, there is only one mobility bus route, route 969.
| Route | Start | End | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 969 | Whitton | Roehampton Vale | Transport UK London Bus | Operates one return journey on Tuesdays and Fridays only.[101][102] |
East London Transit routes (EL-prefixed)
[edit]| Route | Start | End | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL1 | Barking Riverside | Ilford | Go-Ahead London | Operates as a 24-hour service.[25] Originally numbered 369 until 20 February 2010. |
| EL2 | Becontree Heath | Dagenham Dock | Go-Ahead London | |
| EL3 | Barking Riverside | Little Heath | Go-Ahead London | Originally numbered 387 until 18 February 2017.[103] |
Superloop routes (BL- and SL-prefixed)
[edit]Other letter-prefixed routes
[edit]
Silvertown Tunnel cycle shuttle
[edit]| Route | Start | End | Operator | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS | Greenwich Peninsula | Royal Victoria DLR station | Stagecoach London | Only to be used by cyclists.[118] | |
Night Bus routes (N-prefixed)
[edit]Night Bus routes are often related to the day numerical equivalent, normally running the same route but with an extension at either end of the service. This is normally to provide a night service to destinations served by tube or train during the day.[119]
However, there are a few N-prefixed route numbers that have no relation to their daytime equivalents: the N5, N20, and N97 all operate in a different part of London to their respective day routes. Also, the N550 and N551 (which provide night service on parts of the DLR network) have no corresponding daytime routes.[119]
There are also 24-hour routes, which run day and night but usually with a lower frequency during the night hours. The vast majority run the same route at all times. With the introduction of the Night Tube, some day routes have been extended to run during Friday and Saturday nights to serve the stations.
Non-TfL bus routes in Greater London
[edit]These bus routes are not contracted to Transport for London and are therefore not London Buses. Most run from villages and towns outside Greater London to destinations within. They are painted in a colour chosen by the operator so may not be red like London Buses and do not accept Oyster Cards. These routes are operated with a London Service Permit issued by TfL so appear on TfL bus stops and are recognised on TfL bus maps.[120]
Former routes
[edit]| Route | Start | End | Withdrawal date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9H | Kensington High Street | Trafalgar Square | 25 July 2014[174][175] | Heritage route that used AEC Routemaster buses. |
| 10 | Hammersmith bus station | London King's Cross railway station | 24 November 2018[176][177] | Partially replaced by route 23. |
| 15H | Tower Hill tube station | Trafalgar Square | 14 November 2020[178] | Heritage route that used AEC Routemaster buses. |
| 48 | London Bridge bus station | Walthamstow bus station | 12 October 2019[179] | Replaced by routes 26, 55 and 388. |
| 77A | Aldwych | Wandsworth | 3 June 2006 | Renumbered 87.[180] |
| 82 | North Finchley bus station | Victoria bus station | 1 April 2017[181][182] | Replaced by route 13. |
| 87 | Barking | Romford Market | 25 March 2006 | Replaced by an extension of route 5. |
| 118 | Morden tube station | Brixton tube station | 1 February 2025 | Replaced by route 45.[183] |
| 129 | Claybury Broadway | Becontree Heath | 26 June 2004 | Replaced by revised versions of routes 128 and 150. |
| 143D | Christ's College Finchley | Archway tube station | 4 February 2023 | |
| 168 | Burgess Park | Hampstead Heath | 30 September 2023 | Replaced by route 1.[184] |
| 239 | London Victoria station | Clapham Junction | 16 February 2008 | Replaced by route 170. |
| 271 | Finsbury Square | Highgate Village | 4 February 2023 | Replaced by routes 21, 263 and N271. |
| 305 | Edgware bus station | Kingsbury | 1 September 2018 | Replaced by route 303. |
| 332 | Brent Park | London Paddington station | 29 April 2023 | Replaced by route 16.[185] |
| 347 | Romford railway station | Ockendon railway station | 18 January 2025 | Partially replaced by an extension of route 346.[186] |
| 351 | Bromley North railway station | Penge | 24 June 2002 | Renumbered 354. |
| 369 | Ilford | Thames View Estate | 20 February 2010 | Replaced by new routes EL1 and EL2. |
| 374 | Romford railway station | Harold Hill | 14 October 2005 | Replaced by route 174. |
| 387 | Little Heath | Barking Riverside | 18 February 2017 | Renumbered EL3. |
| 391 | Richmond | Hammersmith bus station | 12 December 2020[113] | Replaced by route 110. |
| 405D | Purley | West Croydon bus station | 4 January 2022 | Replaced by route 645. |
| 414 | Putney Bridge tube station | Marble Arch tube station | 22 February 2025 | Replaced by a frequency increase on route 14.[187] |
| 455 | Purley | Wallington railway station | 2 March 2024 | Replaced by routes 166, 312 and S4.[188] |
| 497 | Harold Wood railway station | Harold Hill | 9 March 2024 | Replaced by an extension of route 346.[189] |
| 507 | London Waterloo station | Victoria bus station | 29 April 2023 | Replaced by routes 3, 11 and C10.[185] |
| 521 | London Bridge bus station | London Waterloo station | 29 April 2023 | Replaced by routes 59 and 133.[185] |
| 530 | Holloway | Angel tube station | 29 October 2017 | A temporary route introduced on 16 August 2017 and operated by Go-Ahead London. Created due to works on Upper Street. Ran one way to Angel tube station only. |
| 541 | Prince Regent DLR station | Keir Hardie Estate | 1 June 2012 31 March 2013 30 October 2015 19 February 2016 |
A temporary route introduced on 3 May 2011, 1 October 2012, 14 September 2013 and 15 February 2016 and operated by Stagecoach London (3 May 2011 until 1 June 2012 and 1 October 2012 until 31 March 2013) and Go-Ahead London (14 September 2013 until 30 October 2015 and 15 February 2015 until 19 February 2016). Created multiple times due to a temporary withdrawal of route 241 between Canning Town bus station and Prince Regent DLR station. |
| 546 | Keston | Downe | 20 December 2024 | A temporary route introduced on 18 November 2024 and operated by Ensignbus. Created due to roadworks on Rookery Road and a temporary withdrawal of route 146 between Keston and Downe. |
| 549 | Loughton tube station | South Woodford tube station | 7 September 2024 | Replaced by a restructured version of route W14.[190] |
| 558 | Seven Sisters station | Chingford Mount | 28 August 2015 | A temporary route introduced on 10 August 2015 and operated by Metroline. Created due to a closure of the Victoria line between Seven Sisters and Walthamstow Central stations.[191] |
| 588 | Hackney Wick | Stratford City bus station | 14 December 2013 | A temporary route introduced on 13 July 2013 and operated by Stagecoach London. Was the first bus route to operate through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.[192] |
| 605 | Burnt Oak tube station | Totteridge & Whetstone tube station | 24 July 2025 | [193] |
| 607 | Uxbridge tube station | White City bus station | 15 July 2023 | Renumbered SL8.[194] |
| 609 | Hammersmith bus station | Mortlake | 18 May 2019[195][196] | Afternoon journeys to Hammersmith bus station started from The Harrodian School. |
| 611 | Stonebridge Park station | Christ's College Finchley | 18 July 2020 | Partially replaced by route 112.[196] |
| 618 | Mill Hill Broadway railway station | Avanti House Secondary School | 3 April 2018 | [196] |
| 619 | Edgware bus station | Avanti House Secondary School | 3 April 2018 | [196] |
| 636 | Kemnal Technology College | Grove Park | 2 September 2017 | Ran one way to Grove Park only.[196] |
| 637 | Kemnal Technology College | Grove Park | 2 September 2017 | Ran one way to Grove Park only.[196] |
| 641 | West Molesey | Teddington School | 30 September 2017 | [196] |
| 647 | Romford railway station | Drapers' Academy | 5 September 2016 | Replaced by route 496.[196] |
| 648 | Romford railway station | Cranham | 24 July 2021[197] | Replaced by route 248 and partially replaced by route 646.[196] |
| 654 | Addington Village Interchange | Ramsden | 24 July 2025 | [198] |
| 673 | The Warren School | Beckton bus station | 24 July 2025 | Ran one way to Beckton bus station only.[199] |
| 689 | Norwood bus garage | Burntwood School | 30 July 2011 | Replaced by route 690. |
| 692 | Dame Alice Owen's School | Southgate tube station | 2 September 2023 | Ran one way to Southgate tube station only.[196] |
| 700 | Colliers Wood tube station | Mitcham | 14 September 2025 | A temporary route introduced on 14 July 2025 and operated by Go-Ahead London. Created due to road closures in Mitcham.[200] |
| 718 | Morden tube station | Rosehill | 5 December 2021 | A temporary route introduced on 30 November 2019 and operated by Go-Ahead London. Created due to a closure of Bishopsford Road Bridge.[201] |
| 728 | Fulham Town Hall | Southside Wandsworth | 2 October 2023 | A temporary route introduced on 24 July 2023 and operated by Abellio London. Created due to a closure of Wandsworth Bridge.[202] |
| 733 | Oval tube station | Finsbury Square | 13 May 2022 | A temporary route introduced on 15 January 2022 and operated by Tower Transit. Created due to a closure of the Northern line between Moorgate and Oval stations.[203] |
| 931 | Crystal Palace | Lewisham Shopping Centre | 19 May 2017[204] | Operated one return journey on Fridays. Replaced by local routes in the area and the Dial-a-Ride service.[205] |
| 953 | Scrattons Eco Park | Romford | 7 November 2012 | Operated two return journeys on Wednesdays. Replaced by local routes in the area and the Dial-a-Ride service.[206] |
| 965 | Riverhill | Kingston upon Thames | 12 October 2018 | Operated one return journey on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only. Replaced by the Dial-a-Ride service. Crossed border into Surrey at Tolworth Court Farm Fields.[207] |
| C2 | Parliament Hill Fields | Regent Street | 30 March 2019[208][103] | Replaced by route 88.[209] |
| H23 | Hounslow bus station | Heathrow Airport | 21 March 2008 | Extended to Heathrow Terminal 5 and renumbered 423. |
| H50 | West Drayton railway station | Hayes & Harlington railway station | 21 March 2008 | Extended to Heathrow Terminal 5 and renumbered 350. |
| PR1 | Willesden Junction station | Ealing Broadway station | 23 March 2007 | Replaced by routes 226 and PR2. |
| PR2 | Willesden Junction station | Wembley Park | 14 October 2011 | Replaced by route 206. |
| R6 | Orpington railway station | St Mary Cray railway station | 29 March 2025 | Replaced by route B14.[210] |
| RV1 | Covent Garden | Tower Gateway DLR station | 15 June 2019[211][212] | Partially replaced by route 343. |
| S2 | Stratford bus station | Clapton | 5 July 2008 | Replaced by routes 425 and 488. |
| S5 | Wallington | Mitcham Common | 1 March 2002 | Replaced by a revised version of route 463. |
| T31 | New Addington | Forestdale | 24 October 2015[39] | Replaced by changes to routes 64, 130 and 353. |
| T32 | New Addington tram stop | Addington Village Interchange | Replaced by changes to routes 64 and 130. | |
| T33 | West Croydon bus station | Addington Village Interchange | Renumbered 433. | |
| W10 | Crews Hill | Enfield Town | 13 March 2021 | Replaced by route 456. |
| N10 | Richmond | London King's Cross railway station | 29 January 2010 | Replaced by routes 10 and 33. |
| N13 | North Finchley bus station | Aldwych | 1 April 2017 | Replaced by a 24-hour service on route 13. |
| N16 | Edgware bus station | London Victoria station | 29 April 2023 | Renumbered N32.[185] |
| N35 | Clapham Junction railway station | Tottenham Court Road station | 30 April 2016 | Replaced by a 24-hour service on route 35. |
| N36 | Queen's Park station | Grove Park railway station | 9 February 2008 | Replaced by a new 24-hour service on route 36 and a new route N136 between Oxford Circus and Grove Park railway station. |
| N47 | Trafalgar Square | St Mary Cray railway station | 12 September 2015 | Replaced by new route N199 and a 24-hour service on route 47. |
| N64 | New Addington | Thornton Heath Pond | 24 October 2015 | Replaced by a 24-hour service on route 64. |
| N76 | Northumberland Park railway station | Lower Marsh | 8 November 2014 | Withdrawn between Tottenham and Northumberland Park railway station and renumbered 76. |
| N93 | Putney Bridge tube station | North Cheam | 3 April 2004 | Incorporated into the main service of route 93. |
| N159 | Marble Arch tube station | New Addington | 27 August 2010 | Replaced by routes 159, N64 and N109. |
| N271 | North Finchley bus station | Finsbury Square | 5 April 2025 | Renumbered N263.[213] |
| X26 | West Croydon bus station | Heathrow Central bus station | 19 August 2023 | Renumbered SL7.[194] |
| X68 | Russell Square | West Croydon bus station | 31 July 2023 | Renumbered SL6.[194] |
| X140 | Heathrow Central bus station | Harrow bus station | 26 August 2023 | Renumbered SL9.[194] |
Future routes
[edit]| Route | Start | End | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N472 | North Greenwich bus station | Abbey Wood railway station | To be introduced in early 2026, replacing the night service on route 472.[214] | |
| SL11 | North Greenwich bus station | Abbey Wood railway station | To be introduced in early 2026 as part of the Superloop express bus network, replacing route 472.[214] | |
| SL12 | Gants Hill tube station | Rainham | To be introduced in 2026 as part of the Superloop express bus network.[215] | |
Temporary routes
[edit]All routes operate in both directions unless stated.
| Route | Start | End | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7X | East Acton | London Paddington station | Metroline | Runs annually during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend.[216] |
| 36X | Peckham | Harrow Road | Go-Ahead London | Runs annually during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend. Runs one way towards Harrow Road only.[216] |
| 148X | London Victoria station | Shepherd's Bush tube station | First Bus London | Runs annually during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend.[217] |
See also
[edit]References
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- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Central London Night Bus Map Archived 13 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine Transport for London
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- ^ Short Hops Buses issue 765 December 2018 page 23
- ^ "TfL Proposed Changes to bus routes in Sutton and Croydon". East Coulsdon Residents' Association. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Isaacson, Bea (14 February 2022). "'I went on London's most beautiful and scenic bus route that only cost £1.55'". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Multiple articles" (PDF). Bus Talk. No. 65. Go-Ahead London. August 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "466 bus timetable - Lacey Drive". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "467 bus timetable - Hinchley Wood School". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "467 bus timetable - Epsom Hospital". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Tender news from across the capital". Bus Talk. No. 24. 24 October 2013. p. 6. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ "485 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Route 486 goes 24-hour from Saturday 29 July". TfL. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ Marius, Callum (8 August 2021). "Lost London bus routes into the countryside that have vanished over the years". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Marius, Callum (11 May 2022). "All the London bus routes that run in a circle". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "Travel guidance for schools". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
The majority of our schoolday-only routes (routes generally numbered 600-699)
- ^ Marius, Callum (11 February 2022). "I went on the poshest London bus route that makes just 4 trips a day". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b Marius, Callum (23 November 2021). "The furthest north, south, east and west you can travel by London bus". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Ealing and Hounslow - expanding bus services E1 extension and new school route 618". Transport for London. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ a b Marius, Callum (4 February 2022). "The weird London bus route that suddenly finishes at 2.52pm". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Croydon Schoolbus changes". Buses Magazine. No. 803. February 2022. p. 22.
- ^ "New bus route to run from Purley to Thornton Heath". Croydon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015.
- ^ "Wandsworth closes to TfL services". Buses Magazine. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Wiggins, Dan (16 July 2023). "London's safest bus route that only runs two times a week". MyLondon. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Marius, Callum (12 July 2021). "I went on the London bus that only makes 2 journeys a week". MyLondon. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ a b Marius, Callum (29 June 2021). "All the London bus routes which disappeared in the past 5 years". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Marius, Callum (23 March 2022). "Every London bus route that takes you along a motorway". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "E7 bus timetable". TfL. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "H9 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "H10 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "H19 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- ^ Karpazli, Ertan (15 January 2023). "The London bus route which runs from Tesco to Tesco via lots of Tescos". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ "Consultation launched into route change for Kingston's K1 bus". Surrey Comet. 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Boris rejects changes to K2, K3 bus routes". Your Local Guardian. 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "R5 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b Skoulding, Lucy (9 December 2020). "The big changes coming to London's bus routes in major TfL shake-up". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "R10 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "U2 bus route". TfL. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Jones, Tom (1 July 2023). "London's most useless bus route that only runs 9 times a day". MyLondon. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ Marius, Callum (1 March 2022). "Short London bus route that's also 1 of London's busiest due to 2 steep hills". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ "Silvertown Tunnel cycle shuttle". Transport for London. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ a b Wallis, Philip (2013). London's Night Buses 1984-2013 (2 ed.). London: Capital Transport Publishing. ISBN 978-1854143723.
- ^ "London Service Permit Consultations". Transport for London. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Route 3: Locksbottom to Sevenoaks". Go-Coach. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Beeline Network Map: August 2023" (PDF). First Beeline. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Route 5: Cippenham to Heathrow". Thames Valley Buses. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Route 101: Uxbridge to Amersham". Carousel Buses. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "Route 102: High Wycombe to Heathrow Airport". Carousel Buses. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Route 104: High Wycombe to Uxbridge". Carousel Buses. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 243: Hatfield to Barnet". Uno. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Route 269: Brentwood to Grays" (PDF). NIBS Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 328: Mount Vernon Hospital to Watford". Red Rose Travel. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Route 346: Mount Vernon Hospital to Watford". Red Rose Travel. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
- ^ "Route 355: Carterhatch to Oaklands" (PDF). Sullivan Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 356: Bush Hill Park to Oaklands" (PDF). Sullivan Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 409: East Grinstead to Selsdon". Metrobus. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Route 411: Reigate to Selsdon". Metrobus. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Route 420: Sutton to Crawley". Metrobus. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Route 429: West Kingsdown to Dartford". Go-Coach. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Routes 442/X442: Staines to Heathrow Airport" (PDF). Carlone Limited. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 446: Hatton Cross to Woking". White Bus Services. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Route 458: Kingston to Staines". White Bus Services. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Route 461: Kingston to St Peter's Hospital". Falcon Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 477: Dartford to Orpington". Kent Country. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "Route 513: Kingston to Downside" (PDF). Reptons Coaches. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 514: Kingston to Weybridge". Falcon Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 515: Kingston to Hersham". Falcon Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 555: Hatton Cross to Walton-on-Thames". White Bus Services. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "Route 581: Higher Denham to Uxbridge". Carousel Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 583: Uxbridge to Hedgerley". Carousel Buses. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "Route 614: Queensbury to Hatfield". Uno. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 644: Queensbury to Hatfield". Uno. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 668: Ashtead to North Cheam". Surrey County Council. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Route 695: Westerham to Oxted School". Metrobus. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Route 702: Legoland Windsor to London Victoria". Reading Buses. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Route 703: Bracknell to Heathrow Terminal 5". Thames Valley Buses. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ "New Service taking off from Maidenhead to Heathrow". Thames Valley Buses. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Route 704: Maidenhead to Heathrow Terminal 5". Thames Valley Buses. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Route 714: Kingston to Wisley Gardens". Falcon Buses. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Route 715: Kingston to Guildford". Falcon Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route 724: Harlow to Heathrow Airport". Arriva Herts & Essex. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Route 725: Stevenage to Heathrow Airport". Arriva Herts & Essex. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Route 820: Sutton to Redhill & St Bedes School". Metrobus. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Free shuttle service connect stations to Here East". Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Mayor of London). 15 May 2017. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ Cross, Katie (12 September 2024). "The Roehampton Shuttle Bus". University of Roehampton Blog. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "Route 866: Coulsdon to Beacon School". Metrobus. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Route A60: Iver to Heathrow Central". Diamond South East. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Route E16: Epsom to Worcester Park". Falcon Buses. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Intersite bus service". Kingston University. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Route N30: Acton to Heathrow Central". Diamond South East. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Route N555: Heathrow Central to Walton-on-Thames". Diamond South East. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Routes R1/R2 Timetable" (PDF). Red Eagle. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route R17: South Oxhey to Hatch End" (PDF). Red Eagle. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Route S3: Orpington to Sevenoaks". Go-Coach. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Route S32: St Paul's Cray to Sevenoaks Schools". Go-Coach. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "Route S34: Pratt's Bottom to Sevenoaks Schools". Go-Coach. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "Axe to fall on Routemaster route". Bus & Coach Professional. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014.
- ^ "RMs to be withdrawn from London's route 9". Coach & Bus Week. No. 1122. Peterborough. 29 January 2014. p. 19. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ Route 10 Map Transport for London
- ^ Permanent Bus Changes Transport for London
- ^ Lyons, Mark (9 April 2021). "TfL confirms heritage Routemasters won't return". Buses. No. 795. Stamford: Key Publishing. p. 22. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "48 bus to be withdrawn this weekend – as number 30 goes two-way on Wick Road". Hackney Citizen. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ Marius, Callum (19 February 2022). "Every London bus route that has randomly changed numbers since 2000 and why". MyLondon. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ Route 82 Map Transport for London
- ^ Lyons, Mark (16 March 2017). "Controversial Finchley Road changes to go ahead". Buses. No. 745. Stamford: Key Publishing. p. 22. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ "TfL confirms bus route 118 from Morden to Brixton will be axed". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Changes to routes 1, 168 & 188 - 30 September 2023". TfL. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Central London bus changes". TfL. 29 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ "14 and 414 - proposed changes between Putney and central London". Transport for London. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "Croydon and Sutton bus changes". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Harold Wood and Upminster - proposed changes to bus routes 346, 347 and 497". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Walthamstow, Wanstead, Woodford – proposed changes to bus routes W12, W13, W14 and 549". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Victoria Line Closure: 8/08/2015". Vauxhall One. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Bus route 388 extended to Stratford City Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 11 December 2013
- ^ "Proposed withdrawal of route 605". Transport for London. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Superloop". TfL. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Major changes to bus routes after Hammersmith Bridge closure from this weekend". Richmond and Twickenham Times. August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "School Buses (2)". london.gov.uk. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ Route 648 Map Transport for London
- ^ "Proposed withdrawal of route 654". Transport for London. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "673 bus route - proposed withdrawal". Transport for London. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ^ "Road closure - Lower Green, Mitcham from Monday 14 July 2025". Transport for London. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Rebuilding Mitcham Bridge on Bishopsford Road". Merton London Borough Council. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Next phase of Wandsworth Bridge repair programme underway". Wandsworth Council. 23 August 2023.
- ^ "London Underground: Key parts of Northern line to close for four months". ITV News. 5 November 2021. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Route 931 Map Transport for London
- ^ "Bus service proposal: Route 931 - Transport for London - Citizen Space". Archived from the original on 13 August 2020.
- ^ "953 buse - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London" (PDF). 20 September 2015.
- ^ Route 965 Map Transport for London
- ^ Route C2 Map Transport for London
- ^ Lyons, Mark (20 September 2018). "Two central London routes to be withdrawn?". Buses. No. 763. Stamford: Key Publishing. p. 22. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ "R1, R2, R3, R6 and B14 – Orpington bus proposals". Transport for London. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Route RV1 Map Transport for London
- ^ Permanent Bus Changes 12 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 Transport for London
- ^ "Permanent Bus Changes". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b "SL11 - Proposed express bus service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood". Transport for London. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "SL12 – proposed express bus service between Gants Hill and Rainham". Transport for London. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Notting Hill Carnival bus changes in full including extra services to Underground". MyLondon. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
- ^ "Notting Hill Carnival and August Bank Holiday travel 2025". Transport for London. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
Bibliography
[edit]- Carr, Ken, The London Bus Guide. Boreham: Visions International Entertainment, 2011. ISBN 978-0-9570058-0-8.
External links
[edit]List of bus routes in London
View on GrokipediaRoute Classification
Historical Classification
The introduction of numbered bus routes in London began in 1906, when the London Motor Omnibus Company assigned numbers to its motor bus services to simplify identification for passengers, replacing earlier reliance on route names or colors used by horse-drawn omnibuses operated by companies like the London General Omnibus Company.[6] This practice quickly spread among other operators, marking the shift from descriptive naming to a numerical system amid the rapid growth of motorized buses in the early 20th century.[7] The London Traffic Act of 1924 established the Bassom Scheme, named after Metropolitan Police Chief Constable A.E. Bassom, which standardized numbering across competing operators by allocating 1–199 for main double-decker routes, 200–599 for single-deck and country services, and letter suffixes for route variations or short workings.[8] Upon the formation of the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) in 1933 under the London Passenger Transport Act, this scheme was revised in 1934 to consolidate operations under a single authority, extending the range to 1–599 for day routes while retaining letters for variants, thereby creating a more unified network that integrated trams, trolleybuses, and buses. The LPTB's overhaul aimed to eliminate overlaps from the fragmented pre-1933 era, when independent operators had introduced gaps and inconsistencies in numbering.[9] Following World War II, London Transport—successor to the LPTB—continued the use of letter suffixes under the Bassom-influenced system to denote short workings or alternative termini, such as the 35A for a variant of route 35, helping manage post-war route adjustments amid fuel shortages and reconstruction.[8] These suffixes, first introduced in 1912, became widespread in the 1930s and persisted into the 1950s and 1960s as a way to indicate partial route coverage without assigning entirely new numbers, supporting operational flexibility during network expansions like the 1966 Bus Reshaping Plan.[10] The 1970s and 1980s brought challenges from national policy shifts, including the Transport Act 1980, which deregulated express coach services and indirectly pressured local bus networks through increased competition, leading to route withdrawals, gaps in numbering sequences, and selective renumberings to rationalize services under London Transport's management.[11] Although London remained exempt from full local bus deregulation in 1986—unlike areas outside Greater London—these changes contributed to a fragmented numbering landscape by the late 1980s, with some routes renumbered to fill gaps or reflect privatized operator adjustments following the partial privatization of London Buses subsidiaries in the early 1990s.[12] In 2000, the creation of Transport for London (TfL) under the Greater London Authority consolidated oversight of bus services from London Transport, preserving much of the historical numbering while streamlining contracts and gradually phasing out most letter suffixes to simplify the system for modern operations.[13] This transition marked the evolution toward the current classification, emphasizing integration with other transport modes.[4]Current Classification
Transport for London (TfL) employs a structured numbering system for its bus routes to facilitate navigation and indicate operational characteristics, with the current conventions largely retaining patterns established over decades but adapted for modern needs as of 2025. The system is largely historical, with numbers 1–199 often serving central and inner London areas, 200–599 covering outer London routes with some loose regional patterns (such as 100s more common in the east and 300s in the south), while 600–699 are mainly used for school services and hyper-local routes. This evolved from early 20th-century numbering introduced by London Transport in 1934.[7] Prefixes are applied to denote specialized or area-specific operations. The EL prefix identifies East London Transit routes, which use articulated buses for high-capacity service in that region, while the SL prefix marks Superloop express routes designed for faster travel around outer London with fewer stops. Other single-letter prefixes, such as C for central area services, D for Dartford and surrounding locales, and H for Harrow district routes, help distinguish local networks tied to particular boroughs or operational garages. The X prefix signifies express variants of standard routes, often bypassing intermediate stops for efficiency.[14] Suffixes provide further differentiation within route families. Letters like A or B indicate minor variants, such as alternative paths or extended sections of a primary route (e.g., 11A versus 11). The H suffix denotes hail-and-ride operations, where passengers can board or alight at any safe point along designated sections rather than fixed stops, commonly used on rural or low-density paths.[15] Night routes follow a parallel structure with the N prefix, numbered from N1 to N999, and where feasible, they mirror the paths of corresponding daytime routes to maintain familiarity for passengers during off-peak hours. As of 2025, TfL has proposed expanding the Superloop network with express routes including SL11 (Greenwich to Abbey Wood), SL12 (Gants Hill to Rainham), and SL13 (Hendon to Ealing Broadway), following completed consultations, with implementations planned starting in 2026 to enhance outer London connectivity.[16]Current TfL Bus Routes
Numbered Routes 1–99
The numbered bus routes 1–99 form the core of Transport for London's (TfL) daytime network in central and inner London, providing essential connectivity across key districts including Westminster, the City of London, Southwark, and parts of Camden and Islington. These routes, introduced in the early 20th century under the London Passenger Transport Board and later standardized by TfL, typically operate every 5–15 minutes during peak hours, with frequencies adjusted based on demand and traffic conditions. As of November 2025, the fleet for these routes includes a growing proportion of zero-emission vehicles, with over 2,000 electric buses in service across London's network, contributing to TfL's goal of a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.[17] These routes serve short to medium distances, averaging 6–12 km in length, and are operated by private contractors under TfL contracts, such as Metroline, Stagecoach, and Go-Ahead London. Recent updates include timetable adjustments starting November 1, 2025, for select routes due to ongoing roadworks in central London, affecting peak-hour reliability on high-traffic corridors. Route variants, such as short-working shuttles during disruptions, are common, and several routes have undergone full or partial conversion to electric operation to reduce emissions.[18]| Route | Termini | Key Stops | Length (km) | Frequency (peak/off-peak) | Primary Operator | Notes (2025 Updates) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada Water – Trafalgar Square | Elephant & Castle, Waterloo, Aldwych | 8.5 | Every 8–10 min / Every 12 min | Metroline | Minor frequency increase off-peak; partial electric fleet. |
| 2 | Marylebone Station – Crystal Palace | Oxford Circus, Vauxhall, Brixton | 15.2 | Every 7–9 min / Every 10–12 min | Stagecoach Selkent | Extended evening service; diesel-electric hybrid. |
| 3 | Oxford Circus – Crystal Palace | Hyde Park Corner, Clapham Junction | 14.8 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Abellio London (now Go-Ahead) | Full electric conversion completed in Q2 2025. |
| 4 | Notting Hill Gate – Waterloo | Kensington High Street, Parliament Square | 9.1 | Every 6–8 min / Every 10 min | London United | No major changes; key tourist route. |
| 5 | Canning Town – St George's Circus | Mile End Road, Aldgate, Borough | 7.6 | Every 12 min / Every 15–20 min | Stagecoach East London | Timetable stable; short inner route. |
| 6 | Willesden Bus Garage – Aldwych | Kilburn, Edgware Road, Trafalgar Square | 11.3 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Metroline | Electric buses introduced on 50% of vehicles. |
| 7 | East Acton – Russell Square | Shepherd's Bush, Oxford Circus, Holborn | 10.4 | Every 5–7 min / Every 8–10 min | Metroline | High-frequency spine route; unaffected by Nov 2025 works. |
| 8 | Temple – Victoria | Covent Garden, Westminster Cathedral | 6.2 | Every 7–9 min / Every 10 min | Stagecoach West London | Partial diversion during Thames roadworks. |
| 9 | Hammersmith – Aldwych | Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Trafalgar Square | 10.7 | Every 6 min / Every 8–10 min | Metroline | Fully electric since January 2025, with BYD vehicles.[19] |
| 10 | Hammersmith – King's Cross | Shepherd's Bush, Euston Road | 11.9 | Every 7 min / Every 10 min | London United | Electric conversion 70% complete. |
| 11 | Fulham Broadway – Liverpool Street | Chelsea, Westminster, Bank | 9.8 | Every 8–10 min / Every 12 min | Go-Ahead London | Key corridor; partial electric fleet.[20] |
| 12 | Oxford Circus – Dulwich Library | Regent Street, Elephant & Castle | 11.5 | Every 5–6 min / Every 8 min | Go-Ahead London | New timetable Nov 1, 2025, with minor peak enhancements for reliability.[18] |
| 13 | Aldwych – North Finchley | Holborn, Camden Town, Finchley High Road | 15.6 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Metroline | Variant short-works to Golders Green during peaks. |
| 14 | Putney Heath – London Bridge | Clapham Junction, Waterloo | 12.4 | Every 7–9 min / Every 10 min | Go-Ahead London | Electric fleet on 40% of services. |
| 15 | Paddington – Blackwall | Edgware Road, St Paul's, Mile End | 13.2 | Every 6 min / Every 9 min | Stagecoach East London | Key Crossrail connector; stable frequency. |
| 16 | Brent Park – Victoria | Cricklewood, Marble Arch | 14.1 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Metroline | Northern extension variant operational. |
| 17 | Archway – London Bridge | Holloway, Angel, Monument | 9.3 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Go-Ahead London | Partial electric; central focus. |
| 18 | Sudbury – Ealing Broadway (via Central Middlesex Hospital) | Alperton, Greenford | 11.7 | Every 12 min / Every 15–20 min | First London | Outer-inner link; no 2025 changes. |
| 19 | Finsbury Park – Battersea Bridge (South Side) | Highbury, Islington, Chelsea | 11.8 | Every 7 min / Every 10 min | Go-Ahead London | Riverside route; electric trials ongoing. |
| 20 | Paddington – Ilford | Whitechapel, Bow | 16.5 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach East London | Extended to serve Elizabeth line; frequency stable. |
| 21 | New Barnet – Lewisham | Whetstone, Finsbury Park, Deptford | 18.9 | Every 12 min / Every 20 min | Go-Ahead London | Longest in 1–99; partial electric. |
| 22 | Putney Common – Piccadilly Circus | Parsons Green, Sloane Square | 8.4 | Every 8–10 min / Every 12 min | London United | Tourist-heavy; unaffected by works. |
| 23 | Hampstead Heath – Aldwych | Euston, Holborn | 10.2 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach West London | Northern route; diesel dominant. |
| 24 | Hampstead Heath – Victoria | Camden, Westminster | 12.1 | Every 7–9 min / Every 10 min | Metroline | North-south corridor; partial electric.[21] |
| 25 | Ilford – Oxford Circus | Stratford, Bank | 13.6 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Stagecoach East London | East-west link; electric on 30%. |
| 26 | Victoria – Hackney Wick | Westminster, Liverpool Street, Victoria Park | 14.3 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach East London | Stable; key for East London access. |
| 27 | Chalk Farm – Primrose Hill (circular) | Camden Town | 4.5 (loop) | Every 15 min / Every 20 min | Metroline | Short circular; electric conversion planned Q4 2025. |
| 28 | Wandsworth – Kensal Rise | Clapham, Chelsea, Notting Hill | 11.9 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Go-Ahead London | South-north corridor. |
| 29 | Trafalgar Square – Wood Green | Camden, Turnpike Lane | 13.4 | Every 7 min / Every 10 min | Arriva London | High demand; partial electric. |
| 30 | Marble Arch – Hackney Wick (proposed changes) | Euston, Dalston | 12.7 | Every 6–8 min / Every 10 min | Stagecoach East London | Shortened to Euston–Hackney Central in May 2025 due to network review; frequency increased to every 5 min peak.[22] |
| 31 | White City – Camden Town | Shepherd's Bush, Oxford Street | 9.8 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Metroline | West-central; stable. |
| 32 | Kensal Rise – Victoria | Kilburn, Edgware Road | 10.5 | Every 12 min / Every 15 min | First London | Minor variant to Paddington. |
| 33 | Albert Embankment – Camden Town | Kennington, Elephant & Castle | 8.9 | Every 10–12 min / Every 15 min | Go-Ahead London | Riverside; electric 20%. |
| 34 | Barnet – Euston | High Barnet, Archway | 14.2 | Every 12 min / Every 20 min | Metroline | Northern feeder; no changes. |
| 35 | Clapham Junction – Shoreditch | Stockwell, Old Street | 10.6 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach Selkent | South-east link. |
| 36 | Peckham – Camden Town | Camberwell, King's Cross | 11.4 | Every 8–10 min / Every 12 min | Go-Ahead London | Electric fleet introduced 2025. |
| 37 | Peckham – Victoria | Brixton, Stockwell | 7.3 | Every 12 min / Every 15 min | Abellio London | Short southern route. |
| 38 | Victoria – Clapton Pond | Hackney, Bethnal Green | 12.8 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach East London | East extension variant. |
| 39 | Clapham Junction – London Bridge | Battersea, Southwark | 8.7 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Go-Ahead London | Bridge connector; stable. |
| 40 | Dulwich – Victoria | Herne Hill, Brixton | 9.5 | Every 10–12 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach Selkent | Southern loop. |
| 42 | East Dulwich – Shoreditch | Denmark Hill, London Bridge | 10.2 | Every 12 min / Every 20 min | Go-Ahead London | Low frequency; partial electric. |
| 43 | London Bridge – Friern Barnet | Old Kent Road, Finsbury Park | 15.1 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Metroline | North-south spine. |
| 45 | Clapham Park – King's Cross | Stockwell, Euston | 9.6 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach Selkent | Central feeder. |
| 46 | Lancaster Gate – St Bartholomew's Hospital (circular) | Paddington, City | 6.8 (loop) | Every 15 min / Every 20 min | First London | Hospital service; electric planned. |
| 47 | Shoreditch – Catford | London Bridge, Ladywell | 12.3 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach Selkent | Southbound focus. |
| 48 | London Bridge – West Norwood | Peckham, Herne Hill | 10.9 | Every 12 min / Every 20 min | Go-Ahead London | Southern extension. |
| 49 | Clapham Junction – Stoke Newington | Battersea, Highbury | 13.7 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Go-Ahead London | North-south; stable. |
| 55 | Walthamstow Central – Oxford Circus | Lea Bridge, Hackney | 14.4 | Every 8–10 min / Every 12 min | Stagecoach East London | Walthamstow link; electric 50%. |
| 56 | Whipps Cross – Chelsea | Stratford, Aldgate | 16.2 | Every 12 min / Every 20 min | Stagecoach East London | Long east-west. |
| 59 | St George's Circus – Cockfosters | Euston, Turnpike Lane | 15.8 | Every 7 min / Every 10 min | Metroline | Piccadilly complement. |
| 60 | Old Coulsdon – Streatham | Purley, Norbury | 11.1 | Every 15 min / Every 20 min | Go-Ahead London | Southern suburban. |
| 63 | King's Cross – Honor Oak | Peckham, New Cross | 12.5 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Stagecoach Selkent | Southbound. |
| 68 | West Norwood – Euston | Herne Hill, Camden | 13.4 | Every 8 min / Every 12 min | Abellio London | Northern access. |
| 73 | Stoke Newington – Oxford Circus | Islington, Warren Street | 10.3 | Every 5 min / Every 8 min | Metroline | High-frequency; electric full by end-2025. |
| 76 | Waterloo – Tottenham Hale | City, Seven Sisters | 14.6 | Every 8–10 min / Every 12 min | Go-Ahead London | Northern line parallel. |
| 88 | Camden Town – Tooting | Kilburn, Clapham | 15.9 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Metroline | Long southbound. |
| 91 | Crouch End – Trafalgar Square | Holloway, Angel | 9.2 | Every 12 min / Every 15 min | Metroline | Short northern. |
| 98 | Holborn – Willesden | Camden, Kilburn | 11.4 | Every 10 min / Every 15 min | Metroline | West London. |
| 99 | Bexleyheath – Stratford | Woolwich, Canary Wharf | 18.7 | Every 12 min / Every 20 min | Stagecoach Selkent | Longest in group; DLR complement, partial electric. |
Numbered Routes 100–199
The numbered routes 100–199 form a key part of Transport for London's (TfL) day bus network, primarily serving outer London areas with an emphasis on connectivity in the north, east, and south-eastern suburbs. These routes link residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and employment hubs to major rail interchanges, including London Overground and Elizabeth Line stations, facilitating seamless multimodal travel for commuters in areas like Waltham Forest, Enfield, and Tower Hamlets. Operated by private companies under TfL contracts, they typically run from early morning to late evening, with frequencies adjusted for peak demand to support local traffic relief and access to the city's peripheral zones.[25][26] Many of these routes integrate with other transport modes; for instance, route 100 connects the City of London financial district to east London communities near the Overground, while route 102 provides north London links to Northern line stations. As of November 2025, several routes in this range have undergone minor timetable adjustments due to ongoing roadworks, though no major permanent changes were implemented in this period.[27][28] The following table provides representative examples of active routes in this range, focusing on their paths, operators, and service patterns based on current TfL data as of November 2025. Frequencies represent typical weekday operations, with variations for weekends. For the full list of approximately 30 routes, consult TfL's official resources.| Route | Terminals | Path Highlights | Operator | Peak Frequency (Mon-Fri) | Off-Peak Frequency (Mon-Fri) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | St Paul's (King Edward Street) to Shadwell (St George's Town Hall) | Via London Wall, Liverpool Street, Aldgate, and Whitechapel; connects to Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street. | Go-Ahead London (London Central) | Every 8-12 minutes | Every 12-15 minutes |
| 102 | Edmonton Green Bus Station to Brent Cross Shopping Centre | Via Fore Street, Wood Green, Muswell Hill, and Golders Green; serves northern suburbs with links to Piccadilly line. | Arriva London North | Every 6-8 minutes | Every 10-12 minutes |
| 139 | Golders Green Station to Waterloo Station | Via Cricklewood, Kilburn, Edgware Road, and Paddington; provides north-central corridor access to Bakerloo and Jubilee lines. | Metroline | Every 7-10 minutes | Every 12 minutes |
| 158 | Stratford Bus Station to Chingford Mount | Via Leyton, Walthamstow, and Highams Park; integrates with Overground at Walthamstow Central and Elizabeth Line at Stratford. | Go-Ahead London (London General) | Every 6-8 minutes | Every 8-10 minutes |
| 199 | Canada Water Bus Station to Bellingham (Catford Bus Garage) | Via Surrey Quays, New Cross Gate, and Deptford; connects to Jubilee line at Canada Water and Overground at New Cross Gate. | Go-Ahead London (London Central) | Every 10 minutes | Every 12-15 minutes |
Numbered Routes 200–299
The routes numbered 200–299 form a key part of Transport for London's (TfL) bus network, primarily serving outer suburbs in west and north London, including areas such as Hounslow, Ealing, Hammersmith, Barnet, and Enfield. These routes facilitate local travel, connecting residential neighborhoods to shopping districts, transport interchanges, and employment centers, often operating as single-deck services with frequencies typically ranging from every 10 to 30 minutes during peak hours. Many of these routes were established or renumbered in the mid-20th century to support post-war suburban expansion, and they continue to adapt to urban growth and traffic patterns.[5] Route 200 operates between Lambton Road in Raynes Park and Mitcham Fair Green, passing through Wimbledon, Colliers Wood, and South Wimbledon stations, with key stops including Wimbledon Police Station and Edge Hill. It is operated by Go Ahead London using single-deck buses, with services running every 12–20 minutes on weekdays and slightly less frequently on weekends, covering approximately 6 miles in 25–35 minutes. This route supports commuter links to the Northern line and Tramlink.[35][36] Route 207 runs from Hayes By-Pass to White City Bus Station, traversing Southall, Hanwell, Ealing, Acton, and Shepherd's Bush, with notable stops at Southall Broadway, Ealing Broadway station, and Shepherd's Bush Market. Operated by Transport UK London Bus with double-deck vehicles, it provides a 24-hour service every 8–12 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes overnight, spanning about 12 miles in 40–50 minutes; it forms part of the core network linking west London suburbs to central shopping and media hubs.[37][38] Route 272 connects Cavendish Road in Chiswick to Shepherd's Bush Station, via Turnham Green, Chiswick Station, Gunnersbury, and Acton, serving west London communities with stops at key points like Goldhawk Road and Askew Road. Operated by London United, it runs every 15–20 minutes daily, taking 25–40 minutes over 6 miles; from November 8, 2025, its timetable was enhanced with revised journey times to improve reliability amid ongoing network adjustments.[39][40][18] Several routes in this series extend beyond Greater London's boundaries into adjacent counties, enhancing regional connectivity. For instance, route 298 travels from Arnos Grove station to Potters Bar station in Hertfordshire, passing through New Southgate, Cockfosters, and Southgate, with principal stops at Southgate station and Chase Farm Hospital; operated by Uno, it operates every 20–30 minutes, covering 10 miles in 35–45 minutes and providing vital links for cross-border commuters to the Piccadilly line. This extension underscores TfL's role in supporting travel into southern Hertfordshire.[41][42] Route 299 links Muswell Hill Broadway to Cockfosters station, serving north London via Friern Barnet and New Southgate, with stops at Colney Hatch Lane and St Andrew's Church. Operated under TfL contract with single-deck buses, it runs every 15–30 minutes, completing the 6-mile route in 20–35 minutes and connecting to the Piccadilly line terminus while aiding local access to green spaces and schools.[43][44] The following table provides representative examples of active routes in this range as of November 2025. For the full list, refer to TfL's journey planner.| Route | Termini | Operator | Peak Frequency | Length (miles) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | Lambton Road – Mitcham Fair Green | Go Ahead London | Every 12 min | 6 | Links to Wimbledon area; single-deck.[35] |
| 207 | Hayes By-Pass – White City Bus Station | Transport UK London Bus | Every 8–12 min | 12 | 24-hour service; double-deck.[37] |
| 272 | Cavendish Road – Shepherd's Bush Station | London United | Every 15 min | 6 | Timetable updated Nov 8, 2025 for better reliability.[18] |
| 298 | Arnos Grove – Potters Bar (Hertfordshire) | Uno | Every 20 min | 10 | Crosses into Hertfordshire; hospital access.[41] |
| 299 | Muswell Hill – Cockfosters | TfL-contracted | Every 15 min | 6 | Northern suburban connector.[43] |
Numbered Routes 300–399
The routes numbered 300–399 form a subset of Transport for London's (TfL) day bus network, primarily serving outer London suburbs with an emphasis on the south and east, connecting residential areas to town centers, rail stations, and other transport modes. These routes typically operate on lower-frequency schedules compared to central London services, reflecting their role in linking less densely populated areas, and are contracted to private operators who provide the vehicles and staffing. As of November 2025, there are approximately 25 active routes in this series, with itineraries designed to complement rail and tram networks in southern boroughs like Croydon, Sutton, and Merton.[5] Representative examples illustrate the diversity of these services. Route 300 operates between East Ham Station and Canning Town Station, traveling via Beckton and Prince Regent DLR Station, with buses running every 12 minutes on weekdays during peak hours and every 20 minutes off-peak; it is operated by Docklands Buses, a subsidiary of Go-Ahead London.[45][46] Route 312 serves Purley (Old Lodge Lane) to Norwood Junction Station, passing through East Croydon Station and linking to Tramlink stops at Addiscombe and Woodside, with a frequency of every 15 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays; Arriva London operates this route using single-deck vehicles.[47][48] Route 333 runs from Tooting Broadway Station to Elephant & Castle, via Balham and Clapham South, offering services every 8–12 minutes throughout the day; it is operated by London General, part of Go-Ahead London.[49] In 2025, notable developments include adjustments to route 310, a trial service introduced on 2 September 2024 between Golders Green Station and Stamford Hill Broadway, operating every 20 minutes daily from 7:00 to 19:00; following public consultation ending in May 2025, TfL announced its permanence in October 2025, with proposed extensions to evening hours and minor rerouting under review to better serve local demand.[50][51][52] Southern routes in this series often integrate with other transport options, such as rail interchanges at stations like Purley, East Croydon, and Tooting Broadway, and Tramlink connections in Croydon, enhancing accessibility for commuters traveling to central London or nearby orbital paths. For instance, route 358 from Crystal Palace to Sutton Station provides every 30 minutes service on weekdays, operated by Go-Ahead London, and facilitates transfers to Southern Rail services. The following table provides representative examples of active routes in this range as of November 2025. For the complete list, see TfL's bus routes page.| Route | Itinerary | Operator | Peak Frequency (weekdays) | Key Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | East Ham Station – Canning Town Station (via Beckton) | Docklands Buses (Go-Ahead London) | Every 12 minutes | DLR at Prince Regent; Elizabeth line at Custom House (nearby) |
| 312 | Purley (Old Lodge Lane) – Norwood Junction Station (via East Croydon) | Arriva London | Every 15 minutes | Rail at East Croydon; Tramlink at Addiscombe/Woodside |
| 333 | Tooting Broadway Station – Elephant & Castle (via Balham) | London General (Go-Ahead London) | Every 8–12 minutes | Northern line at Tooting Broadway; Bakerloo line at Elephant & Castle |
| 358 | Crystal Palace Parade – Sutton Station (via South Croydon) | Go-Ahead London | Every 30 minutes | Rail at Sutton; Tramlink at South Croydon |
| 399 | The Spires (Barnet) – Hadley Wood Station | London General (Go-Ahead London) | Every 60 minutes (Mon–Sat, limited hours) | Rail at Hadley Wood; connects to northern suburbs |
Numbered Routes 400–499
The numbered routes 400–499 primarily serve the outer suburbs of south, southwest, and east London, emphasizing orbital and cross-borough connectivity that bypasses central London to alleviate traffic pressure on inner routes. These services link residential neighborhoods, retail parks, hospitals, and rail interchanges in boroughs such as Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Havering, and Sutton, facilitating local journeys for commuters and shoppers who do not need to travel inward. Operated under TfL contracts by private companies, the routes typically feature double-decker or single-deck buses with frequencies ranging from every 15–30 minutes during peak hours, supporting sustainable transport in areas with growing populations but limited rail coverage.[25] A key characteristic of this series is its focus on circular or semi-orbital paths, such as those skirting the M25 periphery or following A-roads like the A240 and A127, which enhance regional integration without contributing to central congestion. For instance, these routes often interconnect with Elizabeth line stations or National Rail services at termini like Epsom or Romford, providing seamless multimodal options for outer London residents. In 2025, TfL implemented updates to align services with post-pandemic demand patterns, including enhanced capacity on select routes to improve reliability.[18] The following table provides representative examples of active routes in this range as of November 2025. Consult TfL for the full set.| Route | Termini | Operator | Key Features and Service Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 404 | Coulsdon (Cane Hill) – Caterham-on-the-Hill | Transport UK London Bus | Short orbital route serving Tandridge Valley; every 30 minutes Monday–Saturday daytime; 6-mile path via Coulsdon Town and Chaldon Road, avoiding central Croydon.[55] |
| 405 | Redhill – Croydon | Go-Ahead London | Cross-border service along A23; every 15 minutes peak; connects Surrey commuter towns to Croydon retail hub, with 12-mile journey time of 50 minutes. |
| 418 | Kingston – Epsom | London United | Southwest orbital via Tolworth and Ewell; every 12 minutes daytime; 10-mile route supporting access to Epsom Hospital and Kingston shopping, operated from Tolworth garage.[56] |
| 452 | Vauxhall Bus Station – Notting Hill Gate | First Bus London | West London cross-route via Kensington and Chelsea; every 10 minutes Monday–Saturday; restructured in November 2025 to shorten to 7 miles for efficiency, with added evening peak journeys on overlapping route 52.[57][58] |
| 499 | Gallows Corner – Heath Park Estate | Stagecoach London | East London local orbital via Romford and Harold Hill; every 20 minutes; 8-mile service linking Tesco superstore, Queen's Hospital, and residential estates in Havering, with double-decker introductions in 2025 for higher capacity.[59] |
Numbered Routes 500–599
The numbered routes 500–599 encompass a range historically allocated to independent operators and special services in London's bus network, but as of November 2025, no active Transport for London (TfL) day bus routes operate within this series. This contrasts with lower-numbered routes (1–499) that cover standard urban and orbital services, while school-specific routes typically fall in the 600–699 range. The absence of permanent routes in the 500s allows flexibility for temporary or event-based operations, though none are currently in use for regular passenger services.[18] Airport and limited-stop services, such as those linking to Heathrow, are instead provided by dedicated routes outside this numbering, like the SL9 Superloop express from Harrow to Heathrow Central Bus Station, which features enhanced frequencies in 2025 to accommodate disruptions from the Elizabeth line Western Rail Link tunnel projects. These services prioritize speed with fewer stops compared to full-stop local buses, operated by contractors including Metroline and London United, and integrate with TfL's Oyster and contactless payment systems. For instance, the SL9 runs every 15–20 minutes during peak hours, reducing travel time to approximately 50 minutes from Harrow.[60][61] Operators like National Express provide complementary coach links to Heathrow under separate commercial arrangements, but these are not classified as TfL bus routes and thus fall outside the numbered series. Timetables for all active airport services can be accessed via the TfL journey planner, emphasizing reliability amid ongoing infrastructure developments.[62]Numbered Routes 600–699
The routes numbered 600 to 699 form Transport for London's (TfL) dedicated series for school services, primarily operating on weekdays during term time to ferry students to and from secondary schools and colleges across Greater London. These routes address peak-hour overcrowding on regular daytime services by providing targeted shuttles, often limited to one or two return trips per day—typically an outbound journey starting around 7:00–8:00 AM and a return in the late afternoon. With a total of 69 routes in this series, they emphasize efficiency for educational travel, using single-deck buses with capacities generally accommodating 40–70 passengers depending on the vehicle type, and adhering to standard TfL ticketing including Oyster and contactless payments.[63][25] Operators for these routes are contracted through TfL's tendering process, including established firms like Metroline, Uno, and independent provider Sullivan Buses, which handles several northern and outer services from its South Mimms depot. Many routes feature seasonal adjustments, running during half-terms and Easter holidays for select schools while suspending entirely outside term time, with timetables subject to short-notice changes based on school calendars. This focus on education-centric operations ensures reliable access for students in suburban and peripheral areas, where public transport demand spikes during school commutes.[25] Representative examples illustrate the localized nature of these services. Route 603 links Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage station via East Finchley, Highgate, and Hampstead, covering about 6 miles in 25–35 minutes to serve North London schools; it operates Monday to Friday on school days, including half-terms, with Metroline providing the service using low-emission vehicles. Similarly, route 628 connects Jewish Free School in Kingsbury to Southgate station, passing through Queensbury, Mill Hill, Totteridge, and Whetstone over a 10-mile path taking around 55 minutes; this Uno-operated route targets secondary students with peak-only runs, emphasizing safe, direct access to educational sites. Further north, route 699 shuttles from Green Dragon Lane in Winchmore Hill to Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar, extending beyond Greater London via Southgate and Cockfosters for a 12-mile journey of about 50 minutes; Sullivan Buses manages this service, which includes dedicated school-day timings to support cross-boundary travel.[64][65][66] In 2025, several adjustments were made following public consultations to optimize these routes amid infrastructure works and usage patterns. Route 673, which provided a single afternoon trip from Pemberton Gardens in Chadwell Heath to The Warren School in Beckton, was permanently withdrawn on 24 July due to low patronage and operational inefficiencies. Route 687, serving school trips between Dagenham and Eastbury School, was rerouted to travel along Maplestead Road and Goresbrook Road instead of the A13, avoiding disruptions from Lodge Avenue flyover replacement works starting later that year; this change, implemented post-consultation closing in July, maintains peak-hour focus while improving reliability. Additionally, a new route 695 was introduced in the Uxbridge area to support local schools, alongside modifications to routes 697 and 698 for better alignment with student demand near Brunel University and Rabbi Perl Hebrew School. These updates reflect TfL's ongoing efforts to adapt school services to evolving needs without expanding beyond education-focused, limited-frequency operations.[67][68][69]Prefixed Routes
Prefixed routes in London's Transport for London (TfL) bus network are designated with letter prefixes to indicate specific operational characteristics, such as express services, local links in particular areas, or transit corridors, excluding night-only N-prefixed routes. These routes complement the numbered system by providing targeted connectivity, often with limited stops or specialized paths, and are operated under TfL contracts by private companies like Go-Ahead London and Metroline. As of November 2025, prefixed routes include the Superloop (SL) express orbital services, East London Transit (EL) routes, and others using C, D, H, RV, and X prefixes for central, docklands, Harrow-area, river-related, and express services, respectively.[61][70] The Superloop network, launched in phases from 2023, consists of ten active express routes (SL1 to SL10) forming an orbital loop around outer London to improve cross-borough travel without entering the central congestion zone. These routes operate with high frequency, every 12-15 minutes during peak times, using dedicated bus priority measures where possible, and many are fully electric. For example, SL1 runs from Walthamstow Central to North Finchley via Wood Green and Arnos Grove, while SL2 connects North Woolwich to Walthamstow Central, serving areas like Stratford and Leytonstone; SL3 links Leytonstone to Peckham via Mile End and London Bridge; SL4 operates from St George's Hospital to Bull's Cross via Tottenham and Edmonton; SL5 from Bromley North to Croydon Town Centre via Bethlem Royal Hospital and Shirley; SL6 from Russell Square to Willesden Junction via Kilburn; SL7 from West Croydon to Heathrow Central Bus Station via Sutton and Kingston; SL8 from Uxbridge to White City Bus Station via Ealing Broadway; SL9 from Harrow to Heathrow Central Bus Station via Wembley and Park Royal; and SL10 from Harrow Bus Station to North Finchley via Stanmore and Edgware. These routes have seen significant uptake, with initial phases carrying over 10 million passengers in their first year, enhancing orbital connectivity for outer suburbs.[61][71] In late 2025, TfL announced expansions to the Superloop with three new outer express loops: SL11 from North Greenwich to Abbey Wood via Woolwich and Thamesmead, SL12 from Gants Hill to Rainham via Romford and Elm Park, and SL13 from Ealing Broadway to Hendon via Brent Cross and Neasden, all planned for launch in 2026 following consultations. These additions aim to further reduce radial travel reliance on central London by providing faster links to key interchanges like Elizabeth line stations.[16] The East London Transit (EL) comprises three bus rapid transit routes centered on Barking, designed with priority infrastructure like bus lanes and at-grade signal priority to mimic light rail efficiency. EL1 operates from Ilford to Barking Riverside via Barking town center, serving residential and retail areas; EL2 runs from Becontree Heath to Dagenham Dock, connecting industrial zones and the DLR; and EL3 links Little Heath to Barking Riverside via King George Hospital and Goodmayes, providing hospital access and links to the Elizabeth line at Barking. These routes use low-emission vehicles and run every 12 minutes, supporting regeneration in east London with over 2 million annual passengers.[70][72][73] Other prefixed routes include C-series for central London links, such as C1 from Victoria to White City via Kensington, serving key Underground interchanges; D-series for Docklands local services, exemplified by D7 from Mile End to Poplar via Bow and the Isle of Dogs, aiding Canary Wharf commuters; H-series for Harrow locality, like H10 from Northwick Park Hospital to Harrow Bus Station via Stanmore; and X-series for long-distance express routes, including X26 from Heathrow Central Bus Station to West Croydon, a 24-mile limited-stop service every 30 minutes. The RV1 route, a former riverside service from Covent Garden to Tower Gateway, was withdrawn in 2019 and replaced by river bus enhancements. Some prefixed day routes have brief night extensions, but dedicated night services are covered separately.[74][75]Night Routes (N-prefixed)
The N-prefixed night bus routes form a dedicated network operated by Transport for London (TfL), providing essential overnight public transport across Greater London from approximately midnight until around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. daily. These services fill the gap left by suspended daytime routes, catering to night-shift workers, emergency travel, and nightlife patrons, with paths often mirroring daytime equivalents to maintain familiarity and coverage. Unlike daytime buses, N-routes emphasize reliability over high frequency, typically running every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on demand and route length.[76][18] The network includes dedicated night routes and 24-hour extensions of select daytime services, such as the N11, which parallels the route 11 from central London to Fulham Broadway. Operators vary by route, with major contractors including Go-Ahead London, Arriva London North, and Metroline, ensuring broad geographic coverage through subcontracted services. For instance, the N1 operates from Thamesmead to Trafalgar Square, serving southeast London suburbs via Woolwich and Greenwich with journeys taking about 70-80 minutes and services every 30 minutes on Friday and Saturday nights. Similarly, the N2 runs from Crystal Palace to Victoria, connecting south London areas like Herne Hill and Brixton, operated by Abellio London (now part of Transport UK), with intervals of up to 60 minutes. Further examples illustrate the network's reach: the N26, operated by Go-Ahead London, links Victoria to Chingford via Shoreditch and Walthamstow, providing access to northeast London overnight every 30 minutes.[77] At the higher end, the N551 travels from Trafalgar Square to Gallions Reach Shopping Park, extending east to Beckton and offering connections to the Docklands, with services every 30 minutes and operated by Stagecoach London.[78] Some routes serve outer destinations, such as the N55 from Oxford Circus to Woodford Wells, mirroring the 55 but with adjusted stops for nighttime efficiency. These routes collectively ensure no major area of Greater London is isolated overnight, with total annual passenger numbers exceeding 20 million across the network. In 2025, minor adjustments were made to the N272 timetable starting November 8, revising journey times to better align with ongoing roadworks and demand patterns while maintaining core frequencies.[18]Non-TfL Bus Services in Greater London
Commercial Coach Services
Commercial coach services in Greater London consist of non-Transport for London (TfL) operated long-distance routes, primarily intercity and airport express services provided by private operators. These services enter the capital from surrounding regions and international hubs, offering direct access to central terminals like Victoria Coach Station without TfL subsidies, and they complement TfL's airport routes by providing additional capacity during peak times.[79][80] Green Line coaches, operated by Arriva, are a prominent example of these services, historically known for express links from the Home Counties to London. The 757 route runs between London Luton Airport and central London (Victoria Coach Station), with departures every 30 minutes during the day and services operating 24 hours, passing through zones in north and west London such as Golders Green and Finchley Road.[80] Another key route is the 724, which provides an orbital service from Harlow to Heathrow Airport, entering Greater London via Uxbridge and Watford, with stops in St Albans and Hemel Hempstead areas en route; it operates hourly during weekdays, funded partly by airport operator contributions to support connectivity.[81][82] National Express, the UK's largest coach operator, delivers extensive airport express services entering London zones. The A1 route connects Luton Airport directly to London Victoria Coach Station, with up to 16 daily departures calling at intermediate stops like Golders Green, Finchley Road & Frognal, and Baker Street, fares starting from £6 one-way, and 24-hour availability to accommodate flight schedules.[83][84] Similarly, the A6 service links Stansted Airport to London Paddington (via Golders Green, Finchley Road, St John's Wood, and Baker Street), operating frequently throughout the day with journeys taking about 45-90 minutes depending on traffic, entering Greater London through northeast zones like Golders Green.[85] These routes emphasize high-frequency, direct transfers, with leather-seated coaches equipped for comfort on longer hauls.[86] The Oxford Tube, managed by Stagecoach, exemplifies intercity coaching with its non-stop express from Oxford to London Victoria, traversing Greater London via the M40 and stops at Hillingdon, Shepherd's Bush Green, Notting Hill Gate, and Marble Arch. Services run every 15-30 minutes around the clock, with single fares from £10, and the route indirectly serves areas near High Wycombe through the Lewknor Turn interchange.[87][88] As of 2025, these commercial operations show no major structural changes, though National Express and Green Line have increased frequencies to airports like Heathrow and Luton by 10-20% during peak hours to handle rising passenger demand post-pandemic, maintaining reliability without TfL oversight.[89][80]| Operator | Route | Key Path | Frequency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva (Green Line) | 757 | Luton Airport to Victoria | Every 30 min (daytime), 24/7 | [80] |
| Arriva (Green Line) | 724 | Harlow to Heathrow via St Albans/Uxbridge | Hourly (weekdays) | [81] |
| National Express | A1 | Luton Airport to Victoria | Up to 16/day, 24/7 | [83] |
| National Express | A6 | Stansted Airport to Paddington | Frequent throughout the day | [85] |
| Stagecoach (Oxford Tube) | Oxford Tube | Oxford to Victoria via Lewknor Turn/Hillingdon | Every 15-30 min, 24/7 | [90] |