How do London Buses work?

Ever asked yourself how the London bus network actually works?
Well I’m here to explain it. Hope you enjoy ;)
Instagram: NetworkNathan
Music Credit: Tired- Outdoors

[@anthonyzziwa7850]

Me, a South Londoner: "Which areas does this bus pass through exactly?" The 468: "Yes"

[@joshm3059]

Throw X26 in there too

[@anthonykdramanu9158]

Throw the 196 in there too

[@stearmaster6.756]

21

[@karimscaterovic5413]

Really forgot 109 and 343 lol

[@SenorSupreme176]

Add the 53 in there too

[@inigorjgsl8909]

How long were u filming the display waiting for a diversion 😂😂

[@networknathan]

I asked the driver to do it 😂

[@Group51]

Excellent video and that’s a lovely garden backdrop. I agree on the Citaro. A step ahead. I’m looking forward to seeing an Arrival Bus on the streets.

[@networknathan]

Same here!!

[@CB-by9nf]

2:51 two LTs with the same advert wrap on the same stand from two different companies on two different routes = money shot.

[@fsr170409]

My favourite bus route was the 119 from Bromley North to Thornton Heath .I drove it back in the day when it was crew operation with Routemasters,which also are my favourites.15 years as a bus driver at TB,SP and TL. 25 years on incident response as a gold badge.By the way I'm also a big railway fan too.

[@zacharychambers7570]

mines the 414

[@jacksugden8190]

I’m old enough to remember seeing London Transport Trolleybuses in London.

[@eaglehousewasteservices1709]

Mines are X26/X140/K2/285

[@ericgraham7026]

Me too… I drove the 119 out of TB along with 47 and 94 on RT. Happy days!

[@mildlydispleased3221]

I grew up riding that route every day, good times.

[@dj_ees]

I’m on a 108 right now for no reason hours after finding this video. Engine sounds lovely through the tunnel thanks for heads up😎

[@robertdblack7179]

Firstly my favourite bus is the Boris Bus, it's the most comfortable and my 2yr boy loves the rear stairs. I read they're expensive to run too? My favourite route has to be the 390, it's so nice watching all the hussle of the streets below drinking a hot chocolate on a cold day. Love your videos...keep them up. Stay safe 👍

[@corinnehurst-knight5413]

Love the London bus network and all the info in this video, thanks Nathan!

[@Moshimulations]

My favourite bus in London were the Plaxton Presidents that used to run for Go Ahead London and I liked the old Citaro G. Sad to not be able to see them anymore.

[@ricktownend9144]

My favourite route used to be the 2B (as in '2B or not 2B...') to Crystal Palace. My biggest gripe with the buses is that they are not well enough integrated with the tubes/railways - many stops at stations could be a lot closer, and with better way-finding signs.

[@Random_Officiality]

Amazing intricate details of bus routes and ticketing systems. I chuckled a bit at 1:34. You have such a unique way of making even the most mundane topics seem absolutely thrilling! Can't wait for your newer videos! 😂 Favourite route: Any bus that uses Gemini 2s. To pick one, I'll go with 89. Favourite buses: 1. Gemini 2 2. Enviro 400 3. Enviro 200 Worst bus: Enviro 200 MMC, looks ugly. I don't have a favourite bus operator however I do like Arriva's vibrant branding and new livery, as of 2023. Bonus: I know it wasn't included in the video but my favourite train is the Class 465. #BringBackTheClass465BrushMotors Extra bonus: I LOVE SouthEastern, it's my local operator. Extra EXTRA bonus: If you every put me on a Class 700, 717 or 707, I will-

[@bazmanuman8879]

My fav is the route 106 with their electric buses run by London general. I like the seats over over operators in my area such as tower transit, stagecoach,metro line and arriva

[@ymodnar]

The Citaro is also popular in Hounslow since they're used on the 117 and 203.

[@bigissa1234]

My favourite operator is metroline and my favourite route is either 16 or 332. I love those orangeish handles and the drivers are very polite my favourite bus is probably the Wright streetdeck

[@NorthLondonBuses]

Jeez your vids are so good lol they’re really informational and are actually watchable unlike some other vids 👀👀 Also my favourite bus of all time is probs the ALX400 and my favourite bus atm which is still in service is defo them 108 citaros 😍 or the enviro 400 Tridents it’s gonna be sad to see them go.

[@networknathan]

Thank u!! They were great but I wasn’t a fan of the doors opening inwards if I’m honest

[@stearmaster6.756]

@@networknathan he is lying, he likes TEHs

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

My favourite buses are the ALX400 Trident 2’s as well especially the ones with the Voith gearbox with Stagecoach London. I also love the Mercedes Benz Citaro C1’s with The ZF Ecomat gearboxes like the ones on the 108 but I’m not really a fan of the newer ones like the ones that are on the 358. By the way, I think London United or one of those RATP bus companies that operate in London with the green interior have the 11 plate Mercedes Benz Citaro C1’s as well which I really like too.

[@BombasticSuperHero]

My favourite bus would be the Gemini 2 B5LH. The engine is just so unique, and the revs on the bus make it sound amazing. Its just perfection.

[@VampireThunder]

Same it's also my favourite!! It's honestly just unique 😂

[@SenorSupreme176]

Got so many favourite routes, 498 as you head down London road from Brentwood, 313 along the reservoir and the ridgeway, 114, 183, 142, N15, N3, N279, 176, 65, N207

[@InstantKarma_1]

Favourite route(s) - 53 and 96 (Both number and route aesthetically speaking) Favourite bus operator - Stagecoach (Bring back the "Beachball" logo ;-;) Favourite bus model - Wright Streetdeck Integral Demonstrator (HEVs as well, but mostly the two with Go-Ahead London and Arriva at the time - WSD1 & SW1). Also have a soft spot for all ALX400s, all Enviro 400 MMCs, all B7TLs, all DB250s, DB300s (Would've been interesting to imagine what an Enviro 400 DB300 would look like), all Benz Citaros (Especially the Bendy Buses), B5LHs (Gemini 2s, Gemini 3 Streetdecks, Enviro 400 MMC & EvoSetis) and the quirky Enviro 400 B9TLs Personal extra, the older "lime" coloured font on the buses were much better looking imho

[@tastyblox]

Another fact: Some bus routes have less frequency than others, for example the 347 which runs from Romford (i think) to Ockendon is Londons least frequent route

[@Blueforlifefry]

I drove routes 80, 93, 151, 152, 154, 157, 200, 213, 293, and 413 in my time as a driver with London General but that was 12 years ago and drove mostly Volvos, but things have changed

[@stpguy123]

First you said Catford bus garage as LT but it is TL. My Favourite bus is the Wright Gemini 2 and The HV’s on Arriva just makes my day better my favourite operator is Arriva cuz I take it nearly everyday of my life and my Favourite is the 53 which runs from Plumstead Station/Bus Garage to County Hall.

[@theeastendwanderer8277]

Great video Nathan. I love the N21, you get so many characters on it, haha.

[@networknathan]

I can imagine, they use to run routemasters on the N21 aswell. Even better when they did !

[@theeastendwanderer8277]

@@networknathan yea, I remember that. The good old days, lol.

[@KaisOnBuses]

my fav bus route has to be the 241 FORMER ROUTE (Canning Town, Barking Road - Stratford City) Now goes to Silvertown Royal Wharf. Now its probably the 325 (Prince Regent - East Beckton, Sainsburys) It just brings back memories

[@Moshimulations]

Can you make a video on the classic stripes on the lower part of the buses, like Go Ahead London's Brown, Metrolines Blue, First Group Yellow or White on why they existed and why they then were removed to be completely red buses.

[@brianmorrison9168]

@5:30 Had to laugh at you favourite bus route. My wife and I had a mini break in London, late in 2022 .. our first trip there in over 20 years. We travelled down from Newcastle by train and were staying at the Premier Inn, near Goodge Street station. We caught the 73 from Kings Cross almost immediately we left the station, which dropped us off close to the hotel. Going to Oxford Street and out ‘n about in general, we named the ’73 bus’ as our bus .. we must have been on it 10 times over the few days. It’s amazing how often it runs .. where we live, the buses are every hour. We used your favourite too, the 390 .. but the 73 was ‘our bus’ We are heading back in August, at the same hotel so no doubt we’ll use the 73 and 390 again Regards from Whitley Bay BTW .. just subscribed .. you present your videos very well indeed.

[@notryoshi]

I was confused how contactless worked until you explained the getting rid of per distance charge, yeah it's been that long since I used a bus. Thanks

[@mowzer6489]

I like the wright gemini 1 just because they used to run on my local route, as for my fav bus thats still in service id say its the wright gemini 2 because its the closest thing to a gemini 1 thats still in service

[@dipyaman93]

Mine to this day is 8 from Bow Church to Tottenham Court. At night the N8 runs from Oxford Circus to Hainault. I like it because it is the bus I use for commute, from Brick Lane to Holborn Station.

[@AKG_2014]

Routes 181 Lewisham station ● Grove Park ● Hither green 284 Lewisham station ● Grove Park cemetery ● Ladywell ● Catford Town centre 54 Woolwich ● Elmers end ● Bellingham, Catford bus garage 484 Lewisham station ● Camberwell green 129 (Extended) Lewisham Shopping centre ● North Greenwich 122 Plumstead bus garage ● Crystal palace ● Sydenham 124 Eltham, Southend cresent ● Catford, St dustans collage

[@PsychicLord]

Last time I used a bus in London was the 108...... I remember that it was rather rattlely. It might be good to make a video on London Bus bus stops, explain the disc with the letter and how to find the correct stop in a street with several routes.

[@SamuelTheTortoise]

YES

[@Gogeta307]

My favourite route 313, Favourite bus type: The Arriva DAF DB250 (sadly no longer in service), so current favourite the Enviro 200 xtra (ENX).

[@networknathan]

Do love the 313 aswell !

[@Gogeta307]

@@networknathan I get to drive them on occasions cause I’m based in the Enfield branch, so peaceful and on the Ridgeway (the country road) enjoy the scenery.

[@MasonWheeler-ek2od]

Me as a south Londoner my personal favourite bus routes are 64,130,314,664,359,654,433, 466,353,SL7,SL5 ,

[@jarredpickle4916]

Favourite bus routes are EL2 and 5, My favourite operator is Go ahead london and favourite bus in use now has to be the Wright Gemini 2 but favourite of all time is the atx400

[@ashleyjiscool]

Yeah atx400 totally not alx400

[@CCA2020]

RATP 🐐 Love those light blue poles

[@googlamonster5086]

Thank you Nathan. Do you see many tourist bringing full size suitcases on the buses? Are there any bus models that don't have an area that a suitcase can fit in?

[@mahletasfawtilahun1929]

hey u give us very very good information thank u for that and i have a question how u guys know how many people are riding the buses, while u wait the bus at the bus station? i don't know when u see this message please replay me as soon as possible.

[@friendlyscissors]

Route 413 in south London still has Citaro buses and they are run by Quality line.

[@oliverhoare6779]

413 is also a great number

[@JaguarProJoe]

Optare esteem (specifically the 600-610 service numbers which have gone out of service) is my best with the metro bus operator which is owned by go ahead

[@goodmantmp7944]

The London Citaro's are still operating 358 service. And is only operated GoAhead-London.

[@MariusBidea]

Also Mercedez buses are my best. I enjoy 108 from east London aswell 358 from SE/ Bromley and 203 from SW/ Hounslow. From central London 23 and 28 buses with wide windows

[@alexfrench7837]

Not London bus route but the 9/9A In Coventry and the E400 Evs are so nice

[@srfurley]

I like the Metrobus 291 from Crawley to Tunbridge Well via East Grinstead. Basically follows the route of the old railway line!but slightly South of it. Runs hourly for most of the day, and is double deck so you get a good view. Doesn’t seem to get many passengers except for school turning out times which are best avoided; I can’t stand the sound of screaming teenage girls, it’s really painful.

[@lazrseagull54]

Since there's a "london ratp", i say there should also be a "paris tfl".

[@doughunt9621]

Surely TL for Catford? Unless it has been changed. There were 3 garages taken over from Thomas Tilling in the early 1930s, these wereTL C.tford (Tilling Catford), TB Bromley and TC Croydon

[@LukeTR2000]

I live in the Midlands so can't really comment on London buses but as a passenger I love the Volvo B7RLE that NXWM run but they're only nice on low volume routes (they are stressful to be on when full). On busier routes, I used to love the ALX400 but NXWM are withdrawing those as quickly as possible. As a driver I love the ADL Enviro 400 MMC however, I do like the look of the BYD enviro 400 but haven't driven one NXWM have ordered the electric version. I think both models are very very good. It will be a sad day when ALX400 are finished and also a sad day when the Volvo B7RLE are pulled. Favourite NX route would be D8 but only the section from Dudley to Wollaston Farm. Favourite route overall would be the 5 Dudley to Kingswinford currently ran by Diamond (Rotala Group)

[@jacksugden8190]

CT was Catford and not LT, those new Boris buses were loaned from TfL for a fee of £1 a year, new mayor ended production as wanted to concentrate on electric rather than hybrid, the hybrid was designed to reduce operating costs for the operators, each Boris bus has Belfast registered number plates, each operator works under a contract price, the fares structure… diesel… there’s lots more to mention here, and it’s all bad.

[@grassytramtracks]

They should integrate bus and tube fares - you shouldn't have to pay for 2 separate journeys if you take a mixture of buses and trains to make your journey

[@srfurley]

Not all London buses have a separate entrance and exit; the x26 doesn’t for example, and I think there are a few single deck ones as well. A bit odd that London has just three ‘x’ express routes. In New York there are lots of them, but they are much more expensive than the normal routes; I think the fare was about three times as much when I was there. What are the buses which are used on the 388? They look almost line a cross between the New Bus For London and a normal double decker.

[@networknathan]

They usually run Enviro 400H City bodied Alexander Dennis E40Hs on the route

[@modalatsuv]

Belated congrats for 1k subs

[@networknathan]

Thank you :)

[@Jacob-il4yf]

My favourite bus route is the 465 its the longest bus route after the x26 which runs from Dorking in Surrey to Kingston

[@SenorSupreme176]

Pretty sure 358 is longer, could be wrong but I do like the 465

[@Jacob-il4yf]

@@SenorSupreme176 358 route is 10 miles long between Orpington and crystal Palace the 465 is 15 miles away from Kingston to Dorking its the most furtherest point away from the Greater London boundary

[@SenorSupreme176]

@@Jacob-il4yf 10 miles sounds like Crystal Palace to Orpington direct, 358 with all its deviations and double runs in Orpington is 15.5

[@Jacob-il4yf]

@@SenorSupreme176 just found out the 465 route is 21 miles long as it turns of and on roads throughout its journey 358 length is 15 miles according to Tfl but in general really long bus routes

[@eaglehousewasteservices1709]

Note X26 is defo Longest Route To Date At 23.75 miles

[@millercool21]

Miss the bendy bus but bloo Boris got rid of them also is the 25 still operated by Stagecoach

[@networknathan]

Yes it is

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video.☺️

[@sw_charlie]

203 also has citaros and 117 *in september*

[@frankieboateng4673]

I get on the Mercedes’ citaro every day the 358 but the bus stop is a bus garage so it like always changes driver there

[@JacobOhlssonBudinger]

29 (main bus nest to my school), gemini 3 bodied wrightbus, lots of them near me, metroline again lots of that near me.

[@SuperAnglocelt]

Seems I 'm not the only route 358 Mercedes Benz Citaro fan on this channel. Big ups to Metrobus

[@SuperAnglocelt]

I love the Mercedes Benz Citaro C2 0530 buses on route 358 from Orpington to Crystal Palace. Shame there shortly to be replaced .....so stylish.

[@AliciaSykes]

great video :)

[@samw1937]

Watching because I’m going the Harry Potter studio next month and driving to Watford, no way am I driving to London so to get around I’ll be using public transport and need to know how to use it all in London 😅

[@fredstrainandbusvids.]

I love the enviro 200 & the enviro 400

[@zahkrail572]

Do you still do history of trains franchise is you do do the history of the London overground franchise because you got history of tfl rail franchise

[@networknathan]

They’re coming!!!

[@Zacksleeps]

how do you pay with a travel card? Just show it to him? Do you need to scan something? Do you do something when you get off the bus with the travel card?

[@networknathan]

you’d just show the driver when you get on

[@MohamedShou]

I’m from East Midlands and I love the bus journeys there. So I can’t wait to use the buses in London and when I visit London later this year Edit: btw we are still allowed to use cash on buses here in Leicester haha

[@JessicaStoney7474]

It runs from Staines bus station to Hounslow bus station

[@Liams_Stuff313]

I love Stagecoach

[@Sean-D78]

My favourite route is the 258 (Lovely hill climbs) And my favourite bus is the e400evcity

[@trainman305team]

Bus route; K3 Vehicle; Enviro 200 Operator (Outside London) Cardinal Buses

[@eaglehousewasteservices1709]

Same but K2

[@sarauddin3536]

My favourite bus is the route master and the favourite group I like is go Ahead and my favourite route is 15

[@tylerkillick2900]

I'm heading to London any advice on getting from Liverpool Street to Paddington and what bus to get as tube is so confusing for me

[@CB-by9nf]

205

[@tylerkillick2900]

@@CB-by9nf cheers thank you

[@AGuyCalledMarz]

Favourite Route: 391 (Too bad it was withdrawn in Nov 2019) Second Fav Route (that’s still running): 306 Fav Bus Model: Gemini 2 B5LH

[@James_Nicol]

My favorite operator: Stagecoach My favorite route: 47 and its my local route My favorite bus: 1:40 the bus that 199 is

[@2jmbeatz_]

W

[@2jmbeatz_]

Same here

[@karimscaterovic5413]

1:38 Absolute gold 🤣🤣🤣

[@hahahhahahahha6622]

Kinda like omnicities

[@busspotterlondon1032]

yes RATP have citaros at Hounslow bus station on 233 and 117

[@busspotterlondon1032]

203

[@nataliehilton9334]

Nathan, the Citaro bus is crap. The Citaro bendy buses were also used in Manchester with First group on the 135 route. The best bus we have are Volvo/Robert Wright. There was a large fleet of them new in 2021, with Rotala in Bolton. (I don't know the version of bus it is, but it's very good). By the way, I remember the small Wright buses on the number 28, 31 and 70 routes in the mid 1990's. They got really full quickly, but they were great vehicles. I remember the company that had 2 garages I know of; Centre West at Uxbridge and Westbourne Park.

[@bmendez3782]

Wow I gotta say as a New Yorker whos been riding the mta subway trains and buses all my life I gotta I very amazed and impressed by this not to mention the busses look beautiful compared to the busses here even though I like them but yeah.

[@srfurley]

Visited that area several times between 2002 and 2010. Stayed in New Jersey used to take PATH into New York then the Subway, think it was the ‘R’ line to the station before Bay Ridge then liked to take the bus over the bridge to Staten Island to Staten Island Mall then a different route back to St. George ferry terminal. I think the routes were S79 and S44, but I can’t remember which was which. In London it’s considered normal to thank the driver when getting off a bus, but you seem to get odd looks if you do it there.

[@stuff9807]

I've been on a Citaro 108 to Langdon Park

[@menetamana507]

I go on the citaro on route 108 all the time

[@yasminali4217]

276 i was a fan of it when i was stagecoach

[@anthonykdramanu9158]

Mad how it’s 2023 and the new buses on the 358 are still YET to enter service

[@cheemsus4]

Are all the prices same for all the lengths and routes? Im an indian and I completely don't know anything 😅. Please help me out.

[@networknathan]

yes they are. its quite convenient

[@nat9xd260]

The 112 is a enviro200MMC that goes from north finchley to (whopping) ealing

[@SouthEastTrainspotter]

You live in Catford?

[@1Tenor1]

The 358 goes past my house I still see the Mercedes on the route quite often

[@indiantrack6524]

Bro I have just oyster or cash . Can I travel to London from slough

[@Westlake72]

Favourite bus: Definitely the Enviro 400 City EV. Most despised: the Heathwick's New Routemaster - dark, dingy, smelly, bumpy, claustrophobic. I won't get on one if there is ever any viable alternative and luckily there pretty much always is.

[@sandheado4210]

Favourite Operator: Go-Ahead London Favourite Route: 172 [I cant deny] Favourite Bus: Wright Gemini 2 [Arriva, DW]

[@londonbuses1027]

DAF DB250s Were lovely in london

[@gojo_got__sliced_in_half]

Wow ur like me :D I love London busses and trains

[@MrBladeBlaze]

I love Arriva

[@CookieCft]

Nice I subbed

[@anthonykdramanu9158]

More bus videos!

[@ManpreetKaur-xl1zm]

mine is the EL1 from Barking Riverside to Ealing Hospital

[@dami4313]

Huh?

[@jaswantgill6793]

You can go on 203 or 117

[@londonbuses1027]

Nice video ❤️👍🏾

[@takenE14244]

My one is 62 and 173 - 173 Beckton - King George Hospital and 62 Mark Gates to Barking

[@gonffc]

I go on the 358 quite a lot

[@kingtwarnie1766]

I like the route 53 and the 321

[@crixrblx]

My main route: 216 (school) Fav buses: Mercedes Citaro [203] and E20ds] Fav route: 216 [you can get to kingston

[@TITTLDN2023]

Nice

[@nightbusvlogs5219]

I agree with your favourite types of buses and your favourite operator, however, the 390 wouldn't be the one for me, I'd go for one of the following routes: N5 N8 N11 N15 N20 N26 N65 N87 N97 N550 N551