Understanding Bus Route Numbering: A Guide To Efficient Travel

how do bus numbers work

London's bus route numbering system has a long and complex history, evolving slowly since the earliest days of regular bus operation in the capital. The system is not entirely logical, having mutated over many years. The original bus routes in London were first numbered in 1906, and since then, the numbering has been influenced by various factors, including historical precedent, the type of bus serving the route, and the geographical area served. Today, the numbering system is maintained by Transport for London (TfL), which aims to respect the past by reusing numbers with local historical associations when introducing new routes or making alterations to existing ones.

Characteristics Values
How are bus numbers chosen? In London, bus numbers are chosen by route planners within Transport for London (TfL) and its forerunner organisations.
How do bus numbers evolve? Bus numbers evolve slowly, with some routes being traced back to their identically numbered predecessors from the horse-drawn days.
What is the logic behind bus numbers? There is no universal logic behind bus numbers. In London, certain numbers used to have digits in common if they were following the same route for a stretch. For example, in the 1950s, a student could catch the 3 or the 53 to school, while their friend could take the 24 or the 134.
What do bus numbers represent? Bus numbers can represent the place around which the routes cluster. For instance, in London, P stands for Peckham in routes P4, P5, and P13, while E stands for Ealing in the series E1 to E11.
What do prefixes in bus numbers mean? Prefixes in bus route numbers can have different meanings. In London, C stands for Central, X stands for Express routes, and N denotes a Night Bus.

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Bus numbers in London are linked to their historical routes

London's bus routes first started being numbered in 1906. Before then, in Victorian times, passengers would recognise their bus by its distinctive coloured livery and line name, much like we do today with our tube lines. Buses had the two termini painted on their sides to indicate their route.

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 through to 5. Other operators soon saw the advantage, realising that a unique route number was easier for the travelling public to remember, and so the practice of using route numbers spread.

The London Traffic Act of 1924 imposed a numbering scheme known as the Bassom Scheme, named after Superintendent (later Chief Constable) Arthur Ernest Bassom of the Metropolitan Police who devised it. Under the scheme, double-decker bus routes were numbered 1 to 199; single-decker routes from 200; and trolleybuses from 500.

This system was revised in 1934 when London Transport was formed, and the task of numbering routes returned to transport industry workers. However, historic numbers for routes stuck, even if the buses serving them were changed from single to double-decker, or vice versa.

Today, numbers 1 to 599 are for everyday routes; school day services are numbered 600 to 699; 700 to 899 are for regional and national coach services.

When introducing a new route, Transport for London (TfL) tries to work sympathetically with the transport solutions of the past. TfL will often reuse numbers that have local historic associations, and when altering an existing route by splitting it, the last digit or digits of the historic 'parent' route are used wherever possible so that passengers might associate the incoming route with its predecessor.

For example, when the 53 between Plumstead and Lambeth North was split into two sections in 2003, the new part became the 453, between Deptford Bridge and Marylebone.

Prefixes first came into use in 1968, under London Transport. Some prefixes have straightforward meanings: C stands for Central; X stands for Express routes; N denotes a Night Bus. With others, the prefix letter designates the place around which the route clusters. So P for Peckham in the case of routes P4, P5, and P13; E for Ealing in the case of series E1 to E11. Then there's the now-defunct RV1 — a nod to the river it used to hug along its route; and the G in south London's G1 is for St George's Hospital.

Bus route numbers with letter suffixes were gradually abolished over the years, but they were in use for many years. The last suffixed route in London was the 77A, between Aldwych and Wandsworth, which became the 87 in June 2006.

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The use of letters in bus numbers indicates the area the bus serves

The use of letters in bus route numbers is not a new phenomenon. In London, for example, the use of letters as prefixes in bus route numbers was introduced in 1968 by London Transport. The use of letters in bus route numbers indicates the area the bus serves.

The letter 'C', for example, stands for 'Central' and is used in the route number 'C2'. The letter 'P' designates Peckham, as in routes P4, P5, and P13. The letter 'E' designates Ealing, as in routes E1 to E11. The now-defunct RV1 route number had an 'RV' prefix, indicating the route hugged the river.

In addition to letters designating the area served, some letters in bus route numbers have other meanings. For instance, the letter 'X' is used to denote express routes, while the letter 'N' is used to indicate a night bus service.

The use of letters in bus route numbers can also be traced back to the early days of bus transportation in London. In the Victorian era, passengers identified their buses by their distinctive coloured livery and line name. Buses had their two termini painted on the sides to indicate their route. With the introduction of numbered routes in 1906, some operators continued to use letters or a combination of letters and numbers to identify their routes.

Over time, the use of letters in bus route numbers has evolved, with different cities and regions adopting their own systems. The use of letters can provide additional information about the route, such as the direction of travel, terminus, or type of service.

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The number 24 bus route in London is over 100 years old

London's bus routes first started being numbered in 1906. The numbering system was not universal, however, as independent operators chose the numbers themselves. In 1924, the London Traffic Act was introduced, which included a numbering scheme for London's buses. This was known as the Bassom Scheme, after the then-Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Police, A. E. Bassom. Under this scheme, double-decker bus routes were numbered 1 to 199, single-decker routes from 200, and trolleybuses from 500.

Today, London's bus route numbering system is more methodical than it might seem, with numbers 1 to 599 for everyday routes, school day services numbered 600 to 699, and regional and national coach services from 700 to 899.

One of London's most historic routes is the number 24 bus, which is over 100 years old. The route first started operating in 1910 or 1911 between Hampstead Heath and Pimlico, with minor changes over the years to accommodate one-way systems. In 1912, the route was extended to Pimlico and has continued in that form until the present day, making it the oldest unchanged bus route in London. The route has always been powered by motor engines, and by 1915, horse-drawn buses had been completely phased out.

The number 24 bus has been operated by various companies over the years, including the London General Omnibus Company, the British Automobile Traction Co, London Transport, Grey-Green (now part of Arriva), Metroline, and Abellio London. It was also the first central London route to trial the new 'Atlantean' style of bus with electric doors at the front and back in 1965.

The route covers just over seven miles and passes through several notable locations in London, including Camden, Trafalgar Square, and Horse Guards Parade. It has also had its fair share of incidents, including two separate occasions where a bus crashed into the same bridge within three months, and an incident in 2010 where a bus driver pulled over and prayed to Mecca.

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London's bus routes were first numbered in 1906

However, for the next 18 years, there was no universal numbering system in London. Independent operators simply chose their own route numbers. It wasn't until 1924 that the London Traffic Act introduced a numbering scheme, known as the Bassom Scheme, named after the then-Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Police, A.E. Bassom. Under this scheme, double-decker bus routes were numbered 1 to 199, single-decker routes from 200, and trolleybus routes from 500.

This system underwent revision in 1934 when London Transport was formed, and the task of assigning route numbers returned to transport industry professionals. Nevertheless, historic route numbers tended to stick, even if the types of buses serving those routes changed.

Today, London's bus numbering system has evolved to accommodate the city's growing transport network. Numbers 1 to 599 are assigned to everyday routes, while school services are numbered 600 to 699. Regional and national coach services, including Green Line coaches, fall within the 700 to 899 range.

While the numbering system has evolved, it still retains traces of its historical roots. For instance, the number 24 route, operating between Pimlico and Hampstead Heath, recently celebrated its 105th anniversary, tracing its lineage back to the horse-drawn days.

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London's bus numbering system is not entirely logical

London's bus routes first started being numbered in 1906. Before then, in Victorian times, passengers would recognise their bus by its distinctive coloured livery and line name, much like we do today with our tube lines. Buses had the two termini painted on the sides to indicate their route.

Then, George Samuel Dicks from the London Motor Omnibus Company noticed the line name 'Vanguard' was very popular, and decided to name all his lines Vanguard, adding a number for the company's five routes 1 to 5. This caught on, and other operators soon realised that numbers were easier for the public to remember.

In 1924, the London Traffic Act was introduced, which included a numbering scheme for London's buses known as the Bassom Scheme. Under this scheme, double-decker bus routes were numbered 1 to 199, single-decker routes from 200, and trolleybuses from 500. However, this system was revised in 1934 when London Transport was formed, and the task of numbering routes was returned to transport industry workers.

Today, numbers 1 to 599 are for everyday routes, school day services are numbered 600 to 699, and 700 to 899 are for regional and national coach services. While there is some logic to the numbering system, it is not entirely chronological or geographical, as London has grown and evolved, and new routes have been added.

Prefixes were first introduced in 1968 and are still used today. Some prefixes have straightforward meanings: C stands for Central, X stands for Express routes, and N denotes a Night Bus. Other prefixes designate the place around which the route clusters, such as P for Peckham for routes P4, P5, and P13, or E for Ealing in the case of series E1 to E11.

Frequently asked questions

Bus numbers are assigned based on various factors, including route history, type of bus, and geographical area served.

Letters are used to designate the place around which the routes cluster. For example, P stands for Peckham in routes P4, P5, and P13, while E stands for Ealing in routes E1 to E11.

When introducing a new route or altering an existing one, the last digit(s) of the historic 'parent' route are used to help passengers associate the new route with its predecessor.

No, there is no strict chronological or geographical order to bus numbers. Instead, route planners try to preserve and respect numbers with local historical associations.

The number 55 in London evolved from a tram route 55 to a trolleybus route 555, and then to the current bus route 55, which follows a similar path.

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