On the Buses

Introducing London Buses...

Shillibeer Omnibus (1829-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives

London's first buses were horse-drawn

The first regular horse-bus service within the capital was started by George Shillibeer in July 1829

Front side of a postcard illustrating two horse omnibuses in competition (1910-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives

Soon, other operators began to introduce omnibus services

By December 1835, 418 horse-buses were making 1190 journeys in and around London most days. The most heavily used London terminal was Paddington

London General Omnibus Company Capacities of Stables, 1900-12-31, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
,
Report of First Annual Meeting Of The London General Omnibus Company Shareholders, London General Omnibus Company, 1857-04-25, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
Show lessRead more

In 1856, the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) was formed, and by the year-end had become the world’s largest bus operator. Founded in Paris, it soon re-registered in London to become a wholly British concern

Poster Advertising The London Steam Omnibus, 1898-12-31, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
,
First Licenced for Service Oil Fuel Omnibus, 1904-12-31, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
Show lessRead more

The last LGOC horse-bus ran in October 1911 as the motor bus took over

London General Omnibus Company Boundaries Map (1914-06-15)TfL Corporate Archives

To Charing Cross...and Beyond!

In 1912, the Underground Electric Railways Company acquired financial control of the LGOC. This extended the LGOC’s area of operation to 30 miles from Charing Cross

Until 30th June 1933, more than half the buses running in London belonged to the LGOC. For more than 75 years the company was London’s principal bus operator.

Diagram of Key Bus Routes in Central London (2021-01-06) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives

Key Bus Routes in Central London

The services built by the LGOC form the basis of the network of bus routes operated by TfL today

London Bus Fleet by Type 2011-2021, Transport for London, 2021-09-17, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
,
London Bus Fleet by Age and Type as at 31 March 2021, Transport for London, 2021-09-17, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
Show lessRead more

As of 2023, TfL manages a bus fleet of around 9,300 vehicles operating across 675 routes.  We plan bus routes, set service levels, and monitor service quality

Newbury Park Bus Station, 1955-12-31, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
,
Bus Stop with Countdown Board, Transport for London, 2023-02-27, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
Show lessRead more

TfL is responsible for around 50 bus stations and more than 19,000 bus stops

Credits: Story

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.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
A Journey Through Time
Embark on a quirky commute through TfL's history
View theme
Google apps