This article is a list of Transport for London (TfL) contracted London Bus routes in London, as well as commercial services that enter the Greater London area (except coaches).
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[edit] Classification of route numbers
[edit] Historic classification
Historically, bus routes run by London Transport were grouped by the type of service that they provided.
The 1924 London Traffic Act imposed a numbering scheme known as the Bassom Scheme, named after the chief constable of the Metropolitan Police. The odd letters came into use because the full length of a route was allocated the main number. Short workings used letter suffixes. The numbers reflected the company that operated the route.
The numbering was revised in 1934 after London Transport was formed:[1]
[edit] Current classification
| Route Number | Type of Service |
| 1–499 | Day routes, including 24-hour services. |
| 500–599 | Day routes that run only part-time. |
| 600–699 | Schoolday services, normally operating only one return journey per day. |
| 700–899 | Not used for local bus services - numbers reserved for regional and national coach services. |
| 900–999 | Mobility Services, normally operating one returning journey per week. |
| N-prefixed routes | Night buses. |
| X-prefixed routes | Express routes. |
| Other letter-prefixed routes | Local day routes, including 24-hour services, with the letter denoting the town the bus travels through. |
| 24-hour bus services | Route has variable final destinations or starting points |
| † | Transport for London services that cross the Greater London boundary. Standard ticketing applies throughout. |
| †† | Rail Replacement Bus Services. Special fares apply. Travelcards accepted. |
[edit] List of routes
[edit] 100–199
[edit] 200–299
[edit] 300–399
[edit] 400–499
[edit] 500–599
The 500 series numbers were originally allocated to Red Arrow services, they did not operate on Sundays. Route 507 now operates throughout the week, however the 521 does not operate on Saturdays or Sundays.
[edit] 600–699
Many of these routes are run for schools to reduce overcrowding on regular bus services. Their timetables are subject to short notice alteration and re-routing in accordance with school requirements. A notable exception is route 607, which is a limited stop service operating in West London, whose number is "inherited" from the period (15 November 1936 - 8 November 1960), when this route was served by trolleybuses [3].
[edit] 900–999
These are Mobility Bus Routes. These routes provide a once a week return journey to a local shopping centre where there is no alternative route in the main bus network. The prevalence of low-floor buses across London has reduced somewhat the number of Mobility Bus services.
| Route | Start | End | Day of Operation | Operator |
| 917 | Park Hill Rise | Croydon | Wednesdays only | Abellio London |
| 931 | Crystal Palace | Lewisham | Fridays only | Abellio London |
| 941 | Bedfont Green | Hampton Hill Sainsburys | Wednesdays only | Abellio London |
| 953 | Scrattons Farm | Chase Cross | Wednesdays only | First London |
| 958 | Woodford | Ilford | Tuesdays only | First London |
| 965 | Riverhill | Kingston Sainsburys | Mondays and Fridays only | Transdev London |
| 969 | Whitton | Roehampton Vale Asda | Tuesdays and Fridays only | Abellio London |
| 972 | Neasden Birchen Grove | Colindale Asda | Thursdays only | First London |
[edit] Letter prefixes
[edit] Night only routes (N-prefixed)
Night bus routes are often related to the day numerical equivalent, normally running the same route but with an extension at either end of the service. This is normally to provide a night service to destinations served by tube or train during the day.
However, in a few cases, a few services have a route number that has no connection to its daytime equivalent, such as the N5, which operates in a different part of London to day route 5.
There are also 24-hour routes, which are listed in the day routes above, shaded blue. Route 65 is classed as a 24-hour service, but unusually has an extension to its night service, rather than the night service being designated N65.
[edit] Commercial routes within the London area
These routes are operated with a London Service Permit issued by Transport for London.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] External links