London Bus Length: How Long Are They?

London's iconic double-decker buses are a convenient, cheap, and cashless way to travel around the city. The first London buses started in 1829, and they were horse-drawn. Today, the London bus route network covers the entire city with a 24-hour service. The buses are all card-only, and a single journey costs £1.75, with a maximum of £5.25 for a day of bus-only travel.

The Routemaster models used in London between the 1950s and late 2000s are famed for their red livery, which has become synonymous with the city. The Routemaster was designed with a rear open platform and crewed by a driver and conductor. The New Routemaster, designed by Heatherwick Studio and manufactured by Wrightbus, features a similar “hop-on hop-off” rear open platform but is fully accessible and operated by the driver alone.

The majority of double-decker buses in the UK are between 9.5 metres (31 ft 2 in) and 11.1 metres (36 ft 5 in) long.

The New Routemaster, colloquially known as the 'Boris Bus', is a low-floor diesel double-decker bus operated in London

Colloquially known as the Boris Bus, the New Routemaster is a low-floor diesel double-decker bus operated in London. It was originally referred to as the New Bus for London. It was designed by Heatherwick Studio and manufactured by Wrightbus, and first entered service in February 2012. The New Routemaster is notable for featuring a "hop-on hop-off" rear open platform similar to the original Routemaster bus design.

The New Routemaster was designed with three doors and two staircases to allow accessible boarding. The layout of the bus allows it to be operated by the driver alone. The bus is a hybrid diesel-electric driven by a battery-powered electric motor, charged by a diesel-fuelled generator.

The New Routemaster is 4.5 metres (15 feet) tall, 2.44 metres (8 feet) wide, and 12.2 metres (40 feet) long. This is comparable to other transit buses, making it a good option for high-ridership transit routes.

The New Routemaster is not to be confused with the AEC Routemaster, which was used as the standard London bus type until it was withdrawn from service at the end of 2005. The AEC Routemaster was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The first prototype was completed in September 1954, and the last one was delivered in 1968. The AEC Routemaster was a front-engined double-decker bus with a half-cab, front-mounted engine, and open rear platform.

The AEC Routemaster was used as the standard London bus type from 1956 to 2005

The AEC Routemaster is an iconic double-decker bus that was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The Routemaster was used as the standard London bus type from 1956 to 2005. The first prototype was completed in September 1954, and the last one was delivered in 1968.

The Routemaster was a pioneering design, featuring a front-mounted engine, an open rear platform, and a half-cab. It offered greater passenger capacity than single-level buses, carrying up to 100 seated passengers. This made it a more economical choice for high-ridership transit routes.

The Routemaster was introduced to replace London's trolleybuses and older diesel buses, becoming synonymous with the city itself. Its distinctive red colour, open platform, and timeless design made the Routemaster instantly recognisable, and it has appeared in countless films, television shows, and advertisements over the years.

The Routemaster was both praised and criticised for its old-fashioned features. The presence of a conductor allowed for minimal boarding time and optimal security, but at a greater labour cost. Additionally, the high floor design made the bus inaccessible for disabled individuals and challenging for those with heavy luggage or pushchairs.

Despite its shortcomings, the Routemaster remains an enduring symbol of London's transport heritage. Its unique design and longevity have captured the hearts of people worldwide, and it continues to be celebrated through special colour schemes, heritage routes, and its successor, the New Routemaster.

London's bus route network covers the entire city with a 24-hour service

London's buses are all cashless, so you'll need a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card, Travelcard, or contactless payment card to ride. A single bus journey costs £1.75, and you can take multiple buses or trams within an hour at no extra charge. The maximum you'll pay for a day of bus-only travel is £5.25.

London's bus network is extensive, with over 8,500 buses serving the city. The buses are also accessible, with all buses being low-floor vehicles, and bus travel is free for wheelchair users.

The first London buses started in 1829 and were horse-powered. Today, London's double-decker buses are mostly staffed by a single bus operator and can carry up to 100 seated passengers. While the second floor is not accessible to disabled passengers, modern buses provide accessible seating on the first floor.

The double-decker bus became an icon in London with the Routemaster models, which were used from the 1950s to the late 2000s. These buses are about 4.5 metres (15 feet) tall, 2.44 metres (8 feet) wide, and 12.2 metres (40 feet) long.

London's bus routes cover a wide area, with some running 24 hours a day. For example, Route 2 runs between West Norwood and Marylebone, serving areas such as Brixton, Vauxhall, Victoria, and Marble Arch. Many routes also run all night, providing a convenient way to get around the city at any time.

London's iconic double-decker buses are a convenient and cheap way to travel around the city

The double-decker buses offer plenty of seating, with a typical capacity of up to 100 seated passengers across two levels. This provides greater economy compared to single-level buses, as more people can be carried for a similar operating cost. Modern double-decker buses are usually staffed by a single operator, whereas in the past, they were operated by a two-member crew. The first level typically contains the driver's cab and some seating, while the second level primarily offers additional seating.

The standard London bus, the AEC Routemaster, was used from the 1950s to the late 2000s and became an iconic symbol of the city with its red livery. The New Routemaster, introduced in 2012, features a “hop-on hop-off” rear open platform similar to the original Routemaster but is fully accessible. This new design has three doors and two staircases and can be operated by the driver alone.

London's bus network is extensive, with 675 bus routes served by over 8,700 buses as of 2023. The fleet includes battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, making it the second-largest zero-emission bus fleet in Europe. The buses are also accessible, with all 8,500 buses being low-floor vehicles, offering free travel for wheelchair users.

London's double-decker buses provide a unique perspective on the city, with many regular bus routes offering excellent opportunities for sightseeing. For example, route 9 takes you past London's museums and palaces, while route 35 offers a tour of the city's markets. You can also opt for a dedicated London bus tour, which provides historical insights and interesting facts about the city's famous streets and monuments.

London buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride

London's iconic double-decker buses are a convenient and cheap way to travel around the city. The buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard, or contactless payment card to ride. A single journey on a London bus costs £1.75, and a day of bus-only travel will cost a maximum of £5.25. You can transfer to other buses or trams an unlimited number of times within an hour of your first journey.

London buses are typically 4.5 metres (15 feet) tall, 2.44 metres (8 feet) wide, and 12.2 metres (40 feet) long. They are designed for heavy passenger loads, carrying up to 100 seated passengers. The first level contains the driver's cab and seating, and a stairwell connects to the second level, which only contains seating. The second floor is not accessible to disabled passengers, but modern buses provide accessible seating on the first floor.

London's bus network covers the entire city and runs 24 hours a day. Many routes run all night, and you can identify these by looking for the "N" in front of the bus number. If you're not familiar with the routes, head to Trafalgar Square, the hub for night buses, or check the information board at any bus stop.

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