Keeping London Moving During WWII
"One of the marvels of London" was how one journalist described the success with which London Passenger Transport Board maintained its services during the air raids
A group of volunteer firefighters examine a trailer-mounted water pump (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Throughout the war it was deemed imperative that, as far as possible, London and Londoners' were able to go about their business. This meant that tube, bus and tram services were expected to continue unaffected
Analysis of Number of Staff Called Up for the Armed Forces and Other National Service (1940-11)TfL Corporate Archives
A Shortage of Staff?
The LPTB kept detailed records on how many of its staff were serving either with the Forces or full time with other national services, and how many were able to return to service
By 30th November 1940, the LPTB had 11,919 members of its staff enlisted in war service. 510 of these had been called up in November 1940 alone
525 employees had returned to work due to military discharge. A transport system can be neither protected nor run without staff. Severe labour shortages were countered by increased hours of work, and use of unskilled labour
To fill as many of the vacancies as possible, the LPTB also used one of the approaches that had worked so well during the First World War and engaged women. More about the employment of women can be found in our Women in the Workforce story.
Women employed in LPTB in 1943
By January 1943 over 13,000 women were employed by the LPTB - over double the number employed during the First World War
The Home Office approved slight relaxations in the lighting restrictions on the buses and trams to assist passengers during the blackout. A cut in the cowls of the lamp fittings could be made to reflect more light into the vehicle. Drivers and conductors began to wear white.
A salute to "The Omnibus Brigade" from the Daily Telegraph (1939-12)TfL Corporate Archives
A salute to "The Omnibus Brigade" during blackout
This article summarises a note of praise in the Daily Telegraph for the London bus service drivers' displays of "skill and nerve... in piloting their buses through the Egyptian darkness."
Photograph of a woman welder producing intricate small parts (1945-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Lighting restrictions at the LPTB's garages and depots hugely impeded the preparation overnight of vehicles for their next day's work. Eventually, modified fittings were produced to improve the situation and these soon became the approved standard throughout the country
Due to shortages of petrol and fuel oil, 839 buses had to be withdrawn from service and mileage cut by 30%
Article Praising Staff Actions following Severe Blast Damage to Bus Garage (1944-07-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Staff praised for actions following severe blast damage
A bus garage and contents were extensively damaged by enemy action at 2 a.m, blasting the roof off and blowing out the windows of all the buses stationed overnight
Working all night, staff rushed to clear the damage and select least-damaged buses for service. Within 7 hours it was possible to run a normal service
Yet still, in the Operating Department, an emergency fleet of 600 double-deck buses was used to supplement or replace interrupted services on the tube, tram, and trolleybus network. Peak services were therefore maintained as much as possible
Outstanding service rendered by Frank Goodsall following an air raid at Hangar Lane Junction (1940)TfL Corporate Archives
Power-signal lineman keeps London moving...
The outstanding actions of staff continued throughout the war. Following an air raid at Hangar Lane Junction, Frank Goodsall isolated damage to signalling equipment and enabled the train service to be restored
Valiant efforts of night repair staff to reinstate trolleybus lines damaged by bombs (1941-05)TfL Corporate Archives
Valiant account of night repair staff
Night repair staff heroically reinstated trolleybus lines shattered by bombs. Damaged lines were fixed in time for the first trolleybus service at 5.30 a.m, and 500 yards of new lines were installed in a few days
William Wordsworth's England (1950-05) by N R FarbmanLIFE Photo Collection
Short lived riverboat service set up following bomb raid
When an enemy bomb caused the splitting of some tram services, a steamboat service was temporarily instated. The Government also felt that river could be a good means of transport to factories and wharves. It ran for 2 years between Woolwich and Westminster
Soon enough, LPTB staff were being recognised across the globe for the lengths they were enduring to keep London's transport network operational despite adversity.
Letter of admiration from American Traffic Chief (1940-02)TfL Corporate Archives
Letter of admiration from American Traffic Chief
This letter from the Vice-President and General Manager of the Chicago Motor Coach Company expresses "great admiration" for the LPTB's work and perseverance
Some sadly lost their lives whilst driving trams and trolleybuses, manning stations, conducting on the buses, and performing other roles of vital importance.
Statement paying respect to 3 London Transport staff injured or killed during an air raid on 12 March 1943. Driver Brown died in the cab of his bus during an air raid
In the words of an article that appeared in The Times:
"Transport kept London alive....The routine, the sense of duty, and the system held out. The schedules remained in force; vehicles were serviced; drivers and conductors reported normally for duty....buses took other workers home through dark streets undeterred by bomb or shell."
Want to learn more? Discover our story about staff acts of bravery during World War Two.
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
This story has been enhanced using some images from the London Transport Museum and LIFE Photo Collection. All enquiries regarding these images should be made directly to those institutions.
