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Hidden London , London , London Travel Tips & Inspiration · August 16, 2023

The Best Bus Routes for Sightseeing in London 2024 (for £1.75!)

Looking for the best routes for sightseeing in London? Skip the on-and-off bus tours and see London like a local with the best bus routes to take in the city sights, all for £1.75 .

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If you’re visiting London for any amount of time you’re bound to want to see the city by bus. And I can’t blame you. I mean, what’s more iconic than cruising past Big Ben and Westminster Abbey on a big red double-decker bus…I’ll wait.

But, I’ll let you in on a little secret. There’s tons of bus routes across London that don’t require a fancy tour guide and pre-booked tickets.

All you need is an Oyster card, a little speed (to run to the top deck seat) and you’re on your merry way to gorging on some of the best views of the city , all for £1.75.

Now of course, if you’re keen for a proper tour guide and sightseeing experience, there’s nothing wrong with hopping on a bus tour ( just make sure it’s a cool one ). But for the rest of us, here’s the 5 best bus routes in London for sightseeing, Candace approved.

The Best London Bus Routes for Sightseeing

1. Bus Route Number 11: Tamed Fulham to Buzzing Liverpool Street

Click for the latest bus timetable.

Bus 11 has gained a reputation for being the closest you can get to a sightseeing tour, all for the price of £1.75. So I checked in out. Hopping on at Fulham Broadway and whizzing through the city until I ended up in the heart of Liverpool Street.

For this journey, start at Fulham Town Hall (Stop R) . On route, you’ll see the famously beautiful Chelsea road and glide through Belgravia until you end up in Westminster, and it’s pretty much all eye candy from there.

The St.Paul’s Cathedral view is breathtaking, but you’ve equally got Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament to soak up along the way. You’ll also pass the Royal Courts of Justice ( hey Bridget Jones ) as you continue through the historic Strand and London’s financial district.

Once you’ve watched the city go by, you’ll realize you’ve suddenly landed right plop at Liverpool Street station. Reward yourself with a visit to Spitalfields market or a jaunt to Shoreditch .

2. Bus Route 24: Chic Pimlico to Leafy Hampstead Heath

I’ve always loved Pimlico and adored Hampstead Heath, so imagine my surprise when I found out you could see both in one route…and snag amazing views along the way — heaven.

Wait for your carriage to arrive at Victoria Station (Stop J) and take in the grandeur of Westminster and Downing Street before saying hey to the friendly lions at Trafalgar Square.

You’ll also get a great glimpse of the theatre district from here before making the trek into the belly of Camden (I would suggest hopping off here to explore before continuing on your journey).

Before you know it, you’ll realize you’ve made it all the way to leafy Hampstead. And can proceed to give yourself the city break you deserve after all that sightseeing.

3. Bus Route Number 9: Beating Aldwych to Rocking Hammersmith

Bus number 9 is one of the oldest routes in London, with impossibly charming views.

Beginning at Aldwych Bus House (Stop H) you’ll pass one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods before you’re flung into views of the Somerset House. After which, you’ll find yourself along the Strand going all the way to Trafalgar Square.

If you keep your eyes winced, you’ll also catch a full glimpse of the famous Hyde Park (and Green Park) along Piccadilly.

Just like that it’s time for the crème de la crème of London — Knightsbridge. The luxurious London neighbourhood will leave you with plenty to gawk at — from the world-renown Harrods to just about every designer shop you can imagine on every corner.

You’ll also make your way past Kensington Gardens and High Street (worth the pit stop) as well as Holland Park before ending up in Hammersmith.

4. Bus Route Number 74: Posh Baker Street to Charming West Brompton

To enjoy a bit of the finer London life (well, by bus) you’ll definitely want to head onto bus 74, taking you from Baker Street Station (Stop A) . Passing through all the high street shops, dazzling Park Lane and the charm South Kensington, it’s absolutely lovely.

After you’ve finished all your ‘ooing and ahhing’ you’ll have centre stage views to the liveliness of Earls Court.

You can stop off here for a little jaunt or happily continue onto West Brompton. There’s a gorgeous cemetery here that’s also worth visiting at the end of your journey ( especially in autumn! ).

5. Bus Route 139: Historic Waterloo to Whimsical West Hampstead

And lastly, the ever enjoyable bus 139. The good news is if you’re already sightseeing, you’ll be at a great starting point from Waterloo Station / Tenison Way (Stop J).

Once you’ve hopped on you’ll instantly be met with striking views of the Somerset House before you mosey along to Covent Garden .

You’ll probably get FOMO of all the action going on in the area (I mean…it is Covent Garden ) so consider having a little peak around ( or a quick walking tour ) before continuing onward.

A short but sweet ride along will lead you to Trafalgar Square, before taking you into the heart of Picadilly Circus (you’re gonna wanna get your camera out for this).

Bond Street and Selfridges & Co. will come up next, followed by Abbey Road — get out and get your Beatles pictures!!

Tips for taking the Best Bus Routes in London for Sightseeing

• Thanks to the Hopper Fare , you can ride London’s buses as many times as you like within one hour of tapping in

• If you’re touring London, you can choose bus routes according to your travel itinerary for the day, (kill two birds with one stone kinda thing)

• If possible, try to start your journey during off-peak hours (9:30am-4:00pm and 7:00pm-6:30am) to make sure you can snag a seat at the front of the top deck

• Snag a seat at the front of the top deck 😉

Map of the Best Bus Routes in London for Sightseeing

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London's Best Bus Routes for Sightseeing

Stephen Lux/Getty Images 

There's a lot to see on a trip to London , and especially on your first trip to the city. Taking a bus is one of the easiest ways to get a good view of London without much hassle or expense; all you have to do is find out which route you want to take and then leave the driving to them while you gawk at the scene. London is covered by more than 700 bus routes, and many travel past some of the city's iconic sights. As a bonus, many of the buses are double-deckers , and what a great view you'll get on the upper deck. This list focuses on routes in central London only and includes links to a full guide that rounds up all the sights included on the route as well as helpful tips and additional information. 

London buses no longer accept cash fares, so you will need an Oyster card loaded with sufficient credit or a travelcard. You could also consider using a contactless payment card to pay for London transport .

If you are short on time and want to guarantee that you see all of the big sights in London , your best bet is the classic Big Bus Tours circular route.

No. 11 Route

This bus route is a perfect one to take if it is your first trip to London. The key section of the No. 11 route starts at Liverpool Street Station and ends at Victoria Station. It goes through the City of London and past such must-sees as  St. Paul's Cathedral , Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

No. 9 Route

Brendan Mccarthy/Getty Images

The best section of the No. 9 route starts in Kensington and ends on the edge of Covent Garden. It goes past Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park, along Piccadilly, past St. James's Palace and Trafalgar Square .

No. 73 Route

joe daniel price/Getty Images

The No. 73 route starts at Victoria Station and ends in Stoke Newington in northeast London. It goes past the Buckingham Palace gardens, Wellington Arch, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, along with the whole length of Oxford Street, and through Islington.

No. 26 Route

vladimir zakharov/Getty Images

The No. 26 route starts at Hackney Wick in east London and ends at Waterloo by the South Bank . It goes through Hackney and the City of London before traveling over Waterloo Bridge for fantastic views on both sides.

No. 24 Route

Stephen Rafferty/Getty Images

The No. 24 route starts at Hampstead Heath in north London and winds its way to Pimlico, near ​ Tate Britain . It goes through Camden and Trafalgar Square, as well as Parliament Square, where you'll get a glimpse of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Laurie Noble/Getty Images

The RV1 route starts at Tower Hill, close to the Tower of London, and ends in Covent Garden. The route links the Tower of London to London Bridge and Borough Market, via Tower Bridge, and Waterloo and the South Bank to Covent Garden Piazza.

David Bank/Getty Images

This route starts in West Hampstead and passes through other upmarket North London neighborhoods, including St. John's Wood where the famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing can be found, before heading along Oxford and Regent streets, through Piccadilly Circus and around Trafalgar Square, and ending in Waterloo with magnificent views from Waterloo Bridge.

London Monopoly Board Locations

Bruno Vincent/Getty Images

Visitors to London often walk London Monopoly board locations. It's easier if you take the bus on these four routes, which will drive you past all the Monopoly board locations. These routes all connect. Catch No. 205 at Marylebone Station, No. 78 at Liverpool Street Station, No. 72 at Old Kent Road, and No. 23 at Fleet Street. If you want an abbreviated tour, pick No. 23, where you will hit the jackpot and roll past the lion's share of Monopoly board names on just this one route.

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Top Sight Tours Group

Open Top London Bus Tour with Live Guide

Tour start time: daily from 10am to 5pm, start every 1 hour, what we will see & where we will be.

This is an open top bus tour through most iconic landmarks of London with live guide ( on selected departures, subject to availability) . Sit back and relax as our well-ventilated bus reconnects you with the city. The tour lasts between 1.5 hours and 2 hours (subject to traffic on the day).

The bus glides past Central London with most iconic landmarks such as London Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, London Eye, .

The buses will be running at reduced capacity and tickets will be sold in specific time slots to avoid overcrowding.

Know before you go

What’s included :

• Professional live guide on selected departures (s ubject to availability)
• Audio guides available in 11 languages
• Reduced capacity and allocated time slots to avoid over crowding

What’s exlcuded :

• Entrances to any attraction

Please bring with you

• Bottled water

Please note :

• Not hop-on hop-off bus tour
• Buses will be cleaned thoroughly after every tour.

Where we meet

London Eye Tourist Stop, Belvedere Road

Once you have booked, we will send you a confirmation email with all the details of how, where and who to meet on the day of your tour.

Tour Highlights

• A fully ventilated open top bus tour of London
• See London’s most iconic landmarks
• Great history lesson for all ages
• Live English-speaking guide
• Audio guide available 

Notable sights :

• London Tower Bridge
• Houses of Parliament
• Buckingham Palace
• Westminster Abbey
• Trafalgar Square
• Piccadilly Circus
• London Eye 

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London's most scenic bus routes you've got to ride this summer

For just £1.65, what are you waiting for?!

• 05:00, 25 JUN 2022

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The best way to see London is by bus. Best of all, from the front seat of the top deck as you glide over the Thames, snake down Shooters Hill or climb up to Ally Pally. London's bus network scours the capital in a way no other mode of transport can - it's accessible to everyone, you don't have to worry about parking, you don't spend your time in tunnels and best of all you can take in the capital's most amazing views.

Every type of scenery you can think of is there - from concrete jungle in dense urbania to verdant Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty . That's because there are over 700 bus routes operating across the capital, including 620 which are run by Transport for London (TfL) - from Zone 1 to beyond the M25 , you can tuck into some pretty delicious scenery. They also offer good value for money, with the £1.65 Hopper fare allowing you to ride as many buses as you can within an hour. Bus fares are also 'capped' at £4.95 on TfL routes per day, meaning if you're looking to have an affordable adventure through the city's streets, the big red bus is the perfect solution.

MyLondon's Transport Editor Callum Marius has travelled extensively all over the capital on the weirdest, wackiest and most wonderful bus routes the city has to offer and reveals his favourite scenic jaunts. Here are his picks split up into NW, NE, SE, SW and Central London, with some bonus routes just outside London for the more adventurous among us.

READ MORE: 'London's bus routes aren't always the best - there are ones with better service outside the capital'

North West London

Norf Weezy is where Metroland suburbia meets gritty industrial North Circular Road industry, with urban sprawl interspersed with small pockets of greenery. Much of it is factories, trading estates and business parks, but there are a handful of hidden gems which offer something more aesthetic. Route 52 (Victoria-Willesden Bus Garage) is a great route to start off with. Incredibly bougie, you can enjoy whizzing past Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, Portobello Road Market and Kensal Rise.

If you want something more green, take route 210 (Brent Cross-Finsbury Park Station) across the northern fringe of Hampstead Heath, hop off at Kenwood House along the way and look down on the city and the heath below for a truly spectacular view. House hunters might also want to check out The Bishop's Avenue, also known as billionaires row for some prime property.

An honourable mention also has to go to route 258 (South Harrow-Watford Junction) for its ultimate suburban appeal. Crossing 'Metroland', the route passes the famous Harrow School and a impressive viewpoint at Old Redding, where you can see all the way to Canary Wharf. Heading into Hertfordshire, the route descends into the charming commuter town of Bushey before terminating in Watford.

North East London

Route 108 (Stratford International-Lewisham Station) is not the most conventionally scenic route , but offers a genuine snapshot of London life. The only route to link NE and SE London outside of Zone 1, the scale of London's development is blaringly obvious as the route skirts the Olympic Park and Westfield, then the classic Chrisp Street Market, under the Blackwall Tunnel, across the Greenwich Peninsula and finally descending into Blackheath and Lewisham.

Right on the outskirts of NE London, you'll find route 313 (Potters Bar Station-Chingford Station), which is the only route which uses the infamous 'Boris buses' outside the M25. As the route makes its way into Greater London from the Hertfordshire commuter town of Potters Bar, you get the most impressive view of North London despite being surrounded by fields - which makes a great photo op!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Finally, possibly the best view of the entire capital from the front seat of a London bus is on route W3 (Northumberland Park-Finsbury Park Station) as it climbs and then descends the summit at Alexandra Palace. If you've never done it before, you're truly missing out - it's a photographer's dream and offers clear, unobstructed views of some of the capital's most recognisable buildings. Sister route W7 also gets a mention for the view as it climbs Muswell Hill.

South East London

Although it has a low number, symbolising its 'importance', route 3 (Whitehall-Crystal Palace) is a bit of an oddball route, which sneaks around the back of Inner South East London as it links several key locations. A couple of these 'shortcuts' actually offer very pleasant vistas including Lambeth Bridge, Brockwell Park and Dulwich Wood Park. It also stops at several iconic locations including Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street, Houses of Parliament, Brixton Electric Avenue and Crystal Palace Tower. Treat yourself to a stroll through Crystal Palace Park at the end of the route.

London's fastest bus route, 246 (Bromley North-Westerham/Chartwell), reaches the highest point in London - Westerham Heights - which obviously offers great views! You also get plenty of fantastic scenic views of the 'chocolate box England' Kent countryside as the route heads to its southern terminus at Chartwell, Winston Churchill's gorgeous country home which is now a National Trust property.

Whilst down in Bromley, also take a ride on route R8 (Orpington-Biggin Hill), which uses a series of country lanes around the village of Downe to get between its termini. Many of the roads are so narrow they don't have fixed bus stops meaning the bus stops on a 'hail and ride' basis, which offers quite possibly the most rural feel to a bus route you can get within Greater London.

South West London

Route 88 (Parliament Hill Fields-Clapham Common) passes so many iconic London sites, it's hard to list them all. Camden, Regent Street and the Tate Britain are all en route. It's also the mayor's favourite bus route (bar the 44 which his father once drove) so is certainly one worth checking out.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED : The southernmost route on the entire TfL bus network, route 465 (Kingston- Dorking ) is an anomaly spending more time outside London than in it . The route crosses the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the viewpoint at Box Hill, the historic village of Mickleham and the UK's answer to Provence at Denbies Wine Estate. Spend a whole day on this route hopping on and off with your camera and you'll truly make memories!

Route R68 (Kew-Hampton Court Station) meanders along the River Thames across South West London, crossing it twice. If you love being by the water, you can take in the view as the route crossed Richmond Bridge and Hampton Court Bridge, which are both breathtaking, particularly at sunset.

Central London

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED : The worst kept secret on the London bus network is that route 11 (Fulham Broadway-Liverpool Street) is effectively the cheapest sightseeing tour in the capital. MyLondon has even ridden it to that effect! If you want snapshots of all the most iconic London landmarks but you're short of time and money, catch the 11 and tick them off one by one. It passes: King's Road Chelsea, Victoria Coach Station, Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Royal Courts of Justice, St Paul's Cathedral, Bank of England and Heron Tower.

If you want the same thing as the 11 but north to south, try London's oldest unchanged bus route 24 (Hampstead Heath-Pimlico) which passes Camden Market, the BT Tower, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and Grosvenor Railway Bridge. Be quick though, the 24 (and the 11) are set to be axed soon, with changes to the 88.

Route 139 (Golders Green-Waterloo) is also pretty scenic, gliding through the village-like affluent community of West Hampstead, Abbey Road Studios (going across the famous 'Beatles' zebra crossing), Sherlock Holmes' house (which is a museum in the fictional detective's honour on Baker Street), Selfridge's, Oxford Circus and the South Bank.

Just outside London

It goes without saying, but if you want the most traditionally scenic views of greenery, flora and flauna as far as the eye can see, you ought to take a bus ride just outside the M25. The following routes aren't operated by TfL so fares are usually higher than the £1.65 Hopper fare but the views are more impressive so worth the investment!

• Route 304 (St Albans-Hitchin) is a pleasant route through the Hertfordshire countryside, linking charming villages and the historic, cathedral city of St Albans which is well worth a visit on its own . The route sometimes has large gaps between buses of around two hours so it's important to check the timetable.
• HIGHLY RECOMMENDED : Routes X39 and X40 (Oxford-Reading), branded as 'River Rapids' as they follow the course of the Thames, are very charming. Offering great views of the Upper Thames Valley and South Oxfordshire, the routes stop in the quaint market town of Wallingford and a number of villages that look straight out of "The Wind and the Willows." The route is operated with modern, comfortable, premium-specification double decker buses which make the journey even more appetising and features in its parent company's 'most scenic bus route' list . An honourable mention on that list should also go to the Coaster routes (12, 12A, 12X, 13X) between Brighton and Eastbourne along the coast which are mesmerising.
• Route X80 (Chafford Hundred Lakeside-Bluewater) is another route that isn't conventionally scenic but the view over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge towards Bluewater into London and out to Kent is worth the trip out.

What do you think the most scenic bus route in the capital is? Have you been on any of these routes and what did you make of them? Tell us in the comments below!

If you have a transport-related story you think MyLondon should be covering, email [email protected]

• 'I went on London's poshest bus route which makes just four journeys per day'
• 'I travelled on London's bleakest bus route and it was everything wrong with public transport '
• 'I travelled from Zone 6 into Zone 1 for just £1.65 and saw EastEnders' Albert Square, Sherlock Holmes' house and Selfridge's on the way'
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How to use London Buses

Buses in London are plentiful and best of all, if you ride the buses instead of always taking the underground, you see more of the city. Some visitors to London are scared of using the buses, but there’s no need to be wary.

Another big benefit of taking the buses in London is that, apart from the London Cycle Hire Scheme , it’s the cheapest way to travel around London – £5.25 per day or £24.70 per week for unlimited travel all over London (there are no zones for bus travel).

London bus route maps

The simplified bus map (pdf)  shows London’s main tourist attractions and the most useful bus routes for visitors.

Bus spider maps show bus routes to and from a particular area.

Paper bus maps

Paper bus maps are now out of date and will not be updated.

London bus route planner

To find out how to reach a particular destination, use the TfL Journey Planner .

Type in your departure and arrival points. Click ‘Travel Options & Accessibility and deselect all options except ‘buses’. The planner gives you the route number, departure times and estimated journey time.

If you prefer to use an app, try Citymapper or  TfL Go

London bus times

Many buses in central London run 24-hours. If they don’t, special Night buses (prefixed with an ‘N’) start running after 11.30pm.

Buses in central London run frequently during the day and you normally won’t have to wait more than 5-10 minutes. For early departures or travel at night, check the timetables on the Transport for London website . There are timetables at bus stops as well.

Most bus stops have a screen telling you when the next bus is due to arrive.

You can also find live bus departures and arrivals on the TfL website, just type in a street, postcode, route number or bus stop code or via the TfL Go app

London bus stops

To find the location of a bus stop, use the TfL Bus Map . Type in an area, a place of interest, a street or a postcode and it shows you a map with the nearest bus stops. You can also use it to find bus stops on a particular bus route.

Each bus stop has a letter at the top of the flagpole. Look at the Destination Finder on the bus stop wall. If the same letter is listed next to where you’re going, you’re at the right stop. If you’re not, it tells you where to catch your bus.

A simpler way to find a bus stop is with an app. TfL Go or Citymapper finds your location and shows you the closest bus stops along with the times of the next buses from each stop.

The final destination of the bus and the bus number is displayed on the front and side of the bus. Check this before getting on. Not all buses travel the full route.

Knowing when to get off

Buses in central London have displays and announcements telling you the name of the next stop. You’ll also find journey time estimates at each bus stop. And if you’re still not sure, ask a fellow passenger. Londoners are very helpful when it comes to giving directions.

If you miss your stop, don’t worry, you won’t have far to walk. Distances between stops in central London are not that great.

Related pages

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• London bus tours

Last checked: 21 February 2024

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London transport: Call for ban of 'floating' bus stops

• Published 4 days ago
• comments Comments

TfL has funded 160 so-called floating bus stops

Campaigners have called for a ban of so-called floating bus stops in London.

The design, which has a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement, is intended to allow bus passengers to get on and off safely while cyclists can keep moving.

Transport for London (TfL), which has funded 160 of the stops, says the likelihood of being injured by a cyclist at a bypass is "very low".

The Department for Transport says schemes should be accessible to all.

The National Federation of the Blind UK's (NFB) has produced a petition which as been signed by more than 270 organisations and will be handed in to Downing Street later.

It comes after a video posted by the NFB , external that shows what it describes as "the chaotic and downright dangerous situation" at a bus stop bypass outside St Thomas' Hospital near Waterloo.

It showed a pedestrian walking into a cycle lane and falling to the ground after a cyclist knocks him off balance.

"These designs are not safe and they need to be urgently halted," it posted.

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Warning of dangers with London’s ‘floating bus stops’

Age UK London, the London Sports Club for the Blind and Disability Rights UK are among the signatories of the petition.

Last month, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told the BBC the "floating" stops were installed during his second term because "a disproportionate number of cyclists" had been "injured and killed as a consequence of buses".

Sarah Gayton, street access campaign coordinator for the NFB, stressed that the organisation was not calling for the wholesale removal of cycle lanes.

"We're calling for a redesign of cycle lanes around bus stops so the bus can pull up directly to the pavement so blind and visually impaired people can board the bus directly without having to cross - or step into - a cycle lane," she said.

"Blind people have fewer choices. Cyclists can see and stop. We want the floating bus stops and the shared use bus borders to be removed."

Caroline Russell, a Green Party member of the London Assembly, backed the "floating" bus stops due to what she said was "overwhelming" evidence that the design had reduced the number of people killed or seriously injured.

Speaking in the assembly, Ms Russell on Monday, she said: "We also have to acknowledge that there are people riding bikes who are inconsiderate.

"There are also people driving cars who are incredibly inconsiderate and it's the inconsiderate people in cars who overwhelmingly kill and injure."

This bus stop outside St Thomas' Hospital features in an NFB video

Ms Russsell said that measures like tactile (raised) paving, clear zebra crossings and different coloured tarmac at floating bus stops could make them safer, as well as announcements on buses reminding people when a bus stop bypass is approaching.

She added: "It's all about avoiding getting into battle lines, looking at the evidence and making sure you're listening to people and particularly the most vulnerable in that transport hierarchy, which [includes] a blind person walking."

Christina Calderato, TfL's director of transport strategy and policy, said: "Keeping everyone travelling in the capital safe is our top priority and we're determined to make the network as inclusive as possible, which is why we have carried out an extensive review of safety at bus stop bypasses.

"Our analysis suggests that bus stop bypasses have not led to a reduction in bus stop use by older or disabled customers.

"Any moratorium on bus stop bypasses would put at risk the programme of work we are undertaking to improve cycle safety in London and encourage more people to cycle."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "TfL are responsible for these schemes in London but we expect them to engage with disability groups and follow our guidance which clearly sets out that all infrastructure designs should be accessible for everyone."

Additional reporting by Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook , external , X , external and Instagram , external . Send your story ideas to [email protected] , external

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• Transport for London
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More on this story

Call for major rethink on ‘floating bus stops’ Video, 00:01:08 Call for major rethink on ‘floating bus stops’

• Published 9 March

'My visual impairment won't stop me travelling' Video, 00:01:42 'My visual impairment won't stop me travelling'

• Published 19 February

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London buses ‘more dangerous’ under Khan, transport experts claim

Critics blame high accident rate on 20mph zones which pile extra pressure on drivers

London buses are getting “more dangerous” under Sadiq Khan ’s premiership, public transport experts and campaigners have claimed.

Collisions are higher on average than they were between 2014 and 2023 because new low speed limits put pressure on drivers to go faster when they can in order to keep up with their schedule, critics have argued.

Official figures show that the distance covered by London buses has gone down since the pandemic but the number of collisions has increased, meaning buses are injuring more people per mile travelled.

Between 2014 and 2023, London averaged 26,384 bus collisions per year, according to an analysis of TfL figures. In 2023, that number rose to 28,114 despite buses making fewer journeys.

In the financial year 2016 to 2017, London buses were operated over a total distance of 492 million kilometres, according to TfL data. Between 2022 and 2023, it was 457 million kilometres: a decrease of 7 per cent.

Critics of the London mayor put the higher collision rates down to the fact that new 20mph speed limits make it harder for bus drivers to meet their schedule without driving fast on the roads when they can.

A training document from 2016 given to bus drivers by Go Ahead, TfL ’s largest bus contractor, said: “We must try and keep this gap [between buses] as even and as close to what is scheduled as possible. If we fail, we can be fined up to 10 per cent of the contract price.”

Neil Garratt, leader of the City Hall Conservatives, said that lower speed limits on busier roads mean that bus drivers feel pressure to go faster on other roads to keep up with the timetable – which he said has not been factored into the new speed limits introduced under Mr Khan.

Mr Garratt said: “Drivers feel caught in a pincer movement between lowered speed limits on busier roads and a relentless timetable pressure. I think the mayor is in denial about the safety implications of heaping so much pressure on people doing an already challenging, stressful job.

“Despite his many promises and strategy documents, the stark fact is that London’s buses are getting more dangerous under mayor Khan.”

The findings cast doubt over Mr Khan’s “Vision Zero” programme, launched in 2018, which looked to eliminate deaths caused by buses by 2030.

Michael Liebreich , who oversaw health and safety while sitting on TfL’s board between 2012 and 2018, said: “It’s becoming more and more difficult to meet the schedule. So the pressure on drivers is only increasing.”

Mr Liebreich also said that London was in the lowest quartile of cities – ranked by vehicle collisions – in a 2021 study done by the International Bus Benchmarking Group.

Now working as a transport executive, Mr Liebreich said: “People should be scared. We have a really unsafe system in London. There are hundreds of victims here.”

Since 2016, 61 people have been killed in bus collisions, TfL data shows.

Chronic fatigue

Some bus drivers on particular routes are also alleged to be speeding, yet TfL admitted it does not routinely share this information with the police, Questions to the Mayor shows.

In January 2020, Unite said bus drivers were also suffering from “chronic fatigue” after a survey found 36 per cent of drivers had had a “close call” because of tiredness in the past 12 months.

A spokesman for the mayor of London, said: “The mayor is committed to ensuring London’s transport network and roads are as safe as possible. Since introducing his goal to eliminate road deaths in London, both deaths and serious injuries in London have fallen faster than the national average.

“Buses are already the safest way to travel on London’s roads and carry more people than any other public transport mode. Despite the Government trying to force major bus cuts in London, the mayor has managed to protect the vast majority of bus routes and is now expanding bus services, particularly in outer London. This includes the new Superloop bus network .

“In September, TfL announced a new strategy to make buses even safer. This includes continuing to roll-out the world-leading Bus Safety Standard, which specifies safety standards for new buses in London. More than 1,400 buses now meet the standard and this number will increase as older vehicles are replaced with new electric buses. The mayor has pledged to make all of the capital’s buses zero-emission by 2030.”

TfL and Go Ahead declined to comment.

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Moment London bus bursts into flames

Terrifying video shows a London bus engulfed in flames leaving it completely destroyed after black flumes of smoke filled the air.

Sad news as Everest season turns fatal

Blue meteor roars through European skies

Wild fee for empty fuel tank in rented Tesla

A bus has been engulfed in flames in London’s suburban district of Twickenham.

Terrifying video shows London Fire Brigade desperately trying to get the huge blaze under control on Saturday evening, local time.

The bus was left completely destroyed after black flumes of smoke filled the air.

No one was injured in the horror blaze.

A Met Police spokesman said emergency services were called at 1.20pm to a bus on fire in Richmond Road, Twickenham.

“There were no reported injuries. Inquires continue alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues.”

A London Firebrigade spokesman said: “Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters tackled a bus fire on Richmond Road in Twickenham.

“One diesel single decker bus was destroyed by the fire. All passengers and the driver left the bus before the Brigade’s arrival. There are no reports of any injuries.

“The road remains closed following the incident and people are advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day.

“The Brigade was called at 1318 and the incident was over for firefighters at 2.26pm. Crews from Twickenham, Richmond, Heston and Kingston fire stations attended the scene.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

The blaze is the fourth London bus to catch fire so far this year.

On January 25 a double decker exploded in Putney Bus Garage, west London.

It came after another bus was completely destroyed by a blast in North Woolwich, east London on January 12.

The double-decker was not carrying passengers, and no-one was hurt.

An explosion also ripped off the back of a no. 200 bus in Wimbledon, south west London at 7.20am on January 11.

More Coverage

It is understood that the fires are not currently believed to have a common cause.

The Sun has contacted LFB and TFL for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Two men have been confirmed dead after going missing on Mount Everest, with the body of a second climber found following search and rescue efforts.

Early reports suggest a meteor was spotted in the skies over Spain and Portugal on Saturday evening, stunning citizens with its bright blue colouring.

One of the world’s biggest car rental companies has been left red-faced after charging Tesla customers hundreds of dollars in bizarre fees.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

London Tube ticket from the 80s drives home just how much fares have risen

Share this with

An old London travel card reveals how much the cost of Tube travel has increased over the years.

London would not be the same without the underground.

Whether you love it or hate it, the Tube has been a fundamental part of life in the capital since it opened more than 160 years ago.

Ticket price increases on the Transport of London network are also a regular occurrence – although fares were frozen again this year.

A Londoner discovered a 1988 London Underground travel card when going through their parents’ old books, sharing the rare find online on Reddit.

It shows how much prices have ballooned since.

Back then, an off-peak travel card across zones 1 to 3 for one day cost £2, MyLondon reports.

Because of inflation, that equals £5.36 today.

Today, hopping on the Tube for one day of travel between zones 1-6 will set you back by £15.90.

The discovery sparked nostalgic memories on Reddit, with one user saying ‘that’s a blast from the past. People selling cards at stations! I remember doing it too.’

Another said: ‘Wow, talk about nostalgia! Back then I was riding the tube in to University every day.’

Latest London news

• Moment London bus erupts in huge fireball as firefighters rush in
• Boy, 6, dies after falling more than 150ft from tower block
• Iconic London gay bar up for sale after it didn't show Eurovision in Israel row

To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk's London news hub .

Travel cards were introduced on the London Underground and buses in 1983, while day tickets were launched the following year, according to MyLondon .

The graphic below reveals how much Tube prices have increased for one-day travel cards in zones 1 to 4.

Londoners let out a sigh of relief in 2016, when TfL announced a ticket price freeze.

Passenger fares were frozen between 2017 and 2020, preventing a rise of 12%, the BBC reported.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced another fare freeze in January until March 2025 ahead of the mayoral race .

It comes after the transport authority announced an average rise of 5.9% last year.

The average pay-as-you-go Tube fare went up by 30p, while the fare for a single bus journey increased by 10p, according to the broadcaster.

A spokesperson for the Mayor said Khan pledged to freeze TfL fares until at least 2025 to ‘support Londoners with the cost of living crisis.’

‘This is the fifth time Sadiq has frozen fares as he continues to build a greener and fairer London for everyone,’ they added.

Overall consumer prices in Britain have increased by around 236% since the ticket was issued.

The Tube has been modernised since it opened, including the addition of the Elizabeth Line , a better phone signal and an off-peak Friday price trial announced by City Hall.

Passengers are set to get mobile signal within most of London underground by the end of this year – to the delight of those who rack up hours of travel on the Tube each month.

Stretching 249 miles, the underground network has hundreds of secret passages, historical Grade II-listed stations and even ghost platforms.

If you ever feel you are being watched when catching the Tube, it could be because some of the passages have metal grates with views of unassuming passengers.

Travel influencer Dan Thomas revealed a tour of the historic passages.

It could also be because there are more than 15,500 CCTV cameras in the London Underground.

@danthomasuk Replying to @Dan Thomas | Travel & Music🩵 The Hidden Tunnels in Shepherds Bush Station Others in Baker Street: @Dan Thomas | Travel & Music🩵 TFL transport museum Hidden London tour Secret London Abandoned stations Closed underground stations Closed tube station For fans of Secrets of the London Underground and Siddy Holloway #hiddenlondon #secretlondon #londonunderground #abandonedplaces #abandonedstation #tfl #londontube #shepherdsbush ♬ Lovin On Me – Jack Harlow

A TfL spokesperson told Metro.co.uk if it plans to extend the off-peak Fridays trial: ‘We continue to analyse the impact of our trial of off-peak pay as you go fares on Tube and rail services on a Friday, which remains ongoing until May 31.

‘This analysis will take into account a number of aspects including assessing changes to both morning peak ridership and overall daily ridership, as well as the impact to businesses across London.’

The London Underground

Here is everything you need to know if you ever find yourself in a Tube-themed pub quiz.

The underground was affectionately nicknamed Tube after the shape of its tunnels.

The Tube opened in 1863, and since then the passenger numbers have increased to a whopping 1.35 billion each year.

Today, it boasts 11 lines with 272 stations stretching across the capital and beyond Greater London.

The furthest Underground station from central London is Chesham in Buckinghamshire located in zone 9.

It stretches for 249 miles.

The busiest station is Waterloo with 100.3 million passengers annually, according to TfL.

Waterloo is also the station with most escalators – 23 in total.

While the average train speed across the Tube is around 20 mph, the Metropolitan Line can reach speeds of up to 62 mph.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

MORE : Royal Vauxhall Tavern future hangs in the balance after row over Eurovision boycott

MORE : Urgent measles warning to parents as cases rise in London

MORE : How Britain’s shopkeepers are fighting back against flower pot stealth tax

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London Tube ticket from the 80s drives home just how much fares have risen

An old London travel card reveals how much the cost of Tube travel has increased over the years.

London would not be the same without the underground.

Whether you love it or hate it, the Tube has been a fundamental part of life in the capital since it opened more than 160 years ago.

Ticket price increases on the Transport of London network are also a regular occurrence – although fares were frozen again this year.

A Londoner discovered a 1988 London Underground travel card when going through their parents’ old books, sharing the rare find online on Reddit.

It shows how much prices have ballooned since.

Back then, an off-peak travel card across zones 1 to 3 for one day cost £2, MyLondon reports.

Because of inflation, that equals £5.36 today.

Today, hopping on the Tube for one day of travel between zones 1-6 will set you back by £15.90.

The discovery sparked nostalgic memories on Reddit, with one user saying ‘that’s a blast from the past. People selling cards at stations! I remember doing it too.’

Another said: ‘Wow, talk about nostalgia! Back then I was riding the tube in to University every day.’

Latest London news

• Boy, 6, dies after falling more than 150ft from tower block
• Iconic London gay bar up for sale after it didn't show Eurovision in Israel row
• Urgent measles warning to parents as cases rise in London

To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk's London news hub .

Travel cards were introduced on the London Underground and buses in 1983, while day tickets were launched the following year, according to MyLondon .

The graphic below reveals how much Tube prices have increased for one-day travel cards in zones 1 to 4.

Londoners let out a sigh of relief in 2016, when TfL announced a ticket price freeze.

Passenger fares were frozen between 2017 and 2020, preventing a rise of 12%, the BBC reported.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced another fare freeze in January until March 2025 ahead of the mayoral race .

It comes after the transport authority announced an average rise of 5.9% last year.

The average pay-as-you-go Tube fare went up by 30p, while the fare for a single bus journey increased by 10p, according to the broadcaster.

A spokesperson for the Mayor said Khan pledged to freeze TfL fares until at least 2025 to ‘support Londoners with the cost of living crisis.’

‘This is the fifth time Sadiq has frozen fares as he continues to build a greener and fairer London for everyone,’ they added.

Overall consumer prices in Britain have increased by around 236% since the ticket was issued.

The Tube has been modernised since it opened, including the addition of the Elizabeth Line , a better phone signal and an off-peak Friday price trial announced by City Hall.

Passengers are set to get mobile signal within most of London underground by the end of this year – to the delight of those who rack up hours of travel on the Tube each month.

Stretching 249 miles, the underground network has hundreds of secret passages, historical Grade II-listed stations and even ghost platforms.

If you ever feel you are being watched when catching the Tube, it could be because some of the passages have metal grates with views of unassuming passengers.

Travel influencer Dan Thomas revealed a tour of the historic passages.

It could also be because there are more than 15,500 CCTV cameras in the London Underground.

A TfL spokesperson told Metro.co.uk if it plans to extend the off-peak Fridays trial: ‘We continue to analyse the impact of our trial of off-peak pay as you go fares on Tube and rail services on a Friday, which remains ongoing until May 31.

‘This analysis will take into account a number of aspects including assessing changes to both morning peak ridership and overall daily ridership, as well as the impact to businesses across London.’

The London Underground

Here is everything you need to know if you ever find yourself in a Tube-themed pub quiz.

The underground was affectionately nicknamed Tube after the shape of its tunnels.

The Tube opened in 1863, and since then the passenger numbers have increased to a whopping 1.35 billion each year.

Today, it boasts 11 lines with 272 stations stretching across the capital and beyond Greater London.

The furthest Underground station from central London is Chesham in Buckinghamshire located in zone 9.

It stretches for 249 miles.

The busiest station is Waterloo with 100.3 million passengers annually, according to TfL.

Waterloo is also the station with most escalators – 23 in total.

While the average train speed across the Tube is around 20 mph, the Metropolitan Line can reach speeds of up to 62 mph.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more by signing up to Metro's News Updates newsletter

635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98