I Rode Every London Bus Route

It was time to go and ride all 544 bus routes in London. So here's what happened at the beginning of the year when I spent just over six weeks exploring all of London, by riding a bit of Every Bus Route in London.
Bus Map: www.busmap.co.uk/
Bus Timetables: www.londonbusroutes.net/timeta...
All the Buses: • Riding EVERY London Bu...
Diamond Geezer Every London Bus Route: diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/20...
Ride a Routemaster here: www.londonerbuses.co.uk/
Why buses disappear from Countdown: edjefferson.com/blog/the-case...
With thanks to RF SF DG DH WH EJ DM and everyone that I met and spoke to along the way
CORRECTIONS:
4:21 Should read the '495' ( which doesn't exist) instead of the '496' ( which does! )
14:10 The bus number graphic and Voiceover should be '389 and 399', not '388 and 399'
43:42 I mention that the 230 is the only Double Decker 'Hail and Ride', the 301 is also a Double Decker route with a Hail and Ride section!
55:44 Inexplicably, the fancy Roman Numerals digits say 'MCXXIV' when it should be MMXXIV'

[@geofftech2]

Bonus STAT: 544 buses over 45 days is an average of 12 buses per day. I rode at least one bus everyday, and on my three busiest days, I rode 35, 34 and 30 buses but I'd normally aim for around 10, and then stop. Also, the Routemaster Moquette Pyjamas are here! www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/routemaster-moquette-pyjamas😮

[@Pigeon45d]

Well done

[@user-yf1tl6jy4h]

Im trying to complete every bus route in London (Full routes) and started last year. I'm at 70 bus routes completed so far so have a lot to go! Love your videos. I hope you come to Bromley on Saturday for the New Superloop bus!

[@sethmoreton1826]

Hi Geoff. Just wondering if you’ve got the pictures of the w12 and w16? If so it would be cool if u could show me the pictures of them as the w12 particularly is a lot smaller than the “Diddy” buses u mentioned

[@sunshiney_Sonnenschein]

Three busiest days. I see what you did there ;)

[@geofftech2]

the tiniest was was the W5, to Archway. love that bus! Optare Solo?

[@aaronsmith9209]

I am one of the few people who has ridden all 540+ London Bus routes from end to end. It took me almost a year and a half from April 2022 to late August 2023. I normally tied 3 or 4 routes together the best I could a day, 3 days a week, riding around more routes in Summer and School Holidays when riding the bus was less hectic and the days were longer, did quite a few on Sundays and was so surprised at the frequency of most buses even then! I tried to do them in number order, only adding a route not in order if there was no other choice to keep the journey going, I ended up creating some really interesting journeys across London and as Geoff says I saw so many parts of the city I would never normally get to see, growing up in Edmonton/ Enfield and now living a little further out in Cheshunt. The bus made me realise that London is actually a very green city, especially in boroughs in the south and west. Also good to see Mike Harris's bus map mentioned, that was invaluable to me completing this challenge. Looking forward to riding the new buses in Sutton and the full Superloop soon. Only last night, I rid the last of the 62 night buses, the N551 from Beckton to Trafalgar Square, it got there in time for the last northbound Piccadilly Line train from Leicester Square at 12:40AM, why can't other cities have such extensive public transport? Oakwood station of all places is served by day buses until 1:50AM! Also for anyone wondering, why someone might spend so much time riding so many buses? They got me through a very tough time in my life (bereavement) and helped me maintain contact with the outside world in a time where it would have been so easy to stay in bed. Getting out the house can really make a big difference to mental health.

[@vas9277]

what a complete npc

[@JoeMama-kz4sx]

@@vas9277bro stfu. Some ppl have hobbies, it’s better than hurting others or committing crimes. You’d be surprised the crazy lame shit people do for fun these days. This is normal and healthy behaviour. So gtfo of here

[@ladytee4269]

Oh wow!!

[@SamTheeee1]

​@@vas9277..... I can tell you didnt read the last bit where they said it got them through bereavement (the feeling you get when someone close to you dies)

[@vas9277]

@@SamTheeee1 damn i fully didnt read it im feel bad now

[@driver288]

As a former bus driver for 24 years in Stockholm Sweden I really appreciate you saying “Always thank the driver” is heartwarming ❤. I always do the same to my former colleagues.

[@davidchilds9590]

If my late mother were REALLY upset with a driver, she would take it out on them by NOT thanking them!

[@amy-alystillson3953]

Always thank the driver! Yes! My 5yr old is a big bus fan and says "Thank you Chicken!" when we get off a bus ❤

[@TheJaydipe]

I always try to thank the driver even if it makes me look weird leaving through the middle doors (I can't if I leave through the back doors though :( )

[@CaersethVarax]

I used to embarrassed my partner by yelling "Thank-you, driver!" Down the London buses. They were a native and it just wasn't the done thing apparently 😂

[@aethellstan]

i always used to say thanks and good morning (or afternoon) when i got on the bus, i was always ignored so i stopped. maybe it's me...!

[@paulhaynes8045]

I started this thinking "what sort of nutter tries to ride every bus in London?", but, 56 minutes later, the question has morphed into "what sort of sad no-life, spends nearly an hour watching a video about a man who rides every bus in London?"! Surprisingly good video - it takes real talent to turn such a daft, potentially REALLY boring thing into a compulsively watchable film. As someone who grew up in and around London, I really miss that network. I never knew busses had timetables until I moved out of London - you just stood at the stop and they turned up!

[@cornishiron]

Maybe because it’s not about what you do, but how much you care about what you do that really counts.

[@theangryintern]

26:56 missed an opportunity for a "404: Bus Not Found" joke

[@simonkalavazides6422]

Geoff, you probably won’t see this but you saw my mum at Kilburn Park Station last week and you spoke with her as she was working there.

[@geofftech2]

hello! yes we had a lovely chat, i was on my way to catch a bus! :-)

[@LordEverythingtrains]

Apparently you met my friend's brother at a park run on Saturday

[@harrygrieves6812]

Where I normally sit on a bus is at the front on the top deck but if it's a single decker, I usually go at the back but sometimes at either front or in the centre.

[@tonychan8558]

If I had time and money, I would ride to every tube station, in alphabetical order. Get on, then get off, so my Oyster card would show where I would get on and off. I wonder how long that would take.

[@harrygrieves6812]

@@_Ben4810 at the front

[@RandomBusesGirl]

I've ridden all of London's red passenger bus routes. Day, night, mobility, carnival.... Just got several schools outstanding but they are almost impossible to tick off due to multiple going into school grounds. Finished May 2017, took me about 3 years, and caught up with every subsequent new addition to the network. And I was part of All The Buses too! 😎

[@geofftech2]

hey Alisha! That's utterly amazing, yes! When our paths cross one day, we can chat buses :-D Do you think you're the quickest person to have completed the whole routes? I suspect so ...

[@RandomBusesGirl]

@@geofftech2 Hi! Not sure to be honest, I know folks definitely done it before me, but never asked how long it took them. Never thought about it that way. I reckon it's absolutely possible to do it in less. For me it helped I was still in full-time education, so could get new stuff done almost every day. I recall one day in 2015 I've managed to tick off 31 routes! Considering it's tricky to get 20+ in a day normally, I have no clue how I pulled that off, but I was out the house by 6am and wasn't back before midight haha. I do lurk about and like most transport folks, our paths (or routes I should say! Ha) have crossed before, last D-Stock run was definitely one of those occasions :-)

[@Alfie.w]

I am about 10 years and only around 200 buses in to a similar project. Not enough days to ride buses!

[@highpath4776]

Its probably easier for Girls to do the school services - some of us get funny looks at our age going to the girls grammers

[@Alfie.w]

@@highpath4776 I don't plan on touching those!

[@Gary0557]

I always shout thank you whenever I got off a bus. People have said to me, why do you say thank you, he/she is just doing his/her job. And I say, because he/she is taking me from a to b and it's good manners and shows appreciation of the job he of she is doing.

[@Fercough]

Why on earth wouldn't people say thank you?

[@Gary0557]

@@Fercough i've just said above. People say, he/she is just doing his/her job, why say thank you.

[@megapangolin1093]

No difference when you are served a cup of tea in a cafe, say thank you. The merest expression of recognition and politeness makes such a difference to someone who deals with the ghastly public all day, every day. Well done, I am not sure that there are many of us left now...

[@OMSI2LondonBusVisuals]

Well, those people that have asked you why you say thank you after leaving a bus aren't very polite.

[@kevinfitzpatrick444]

"What do I do now?" Geoff having that existential crisis a number of us have experienced at the end of a particular challenge... Much love for this ❤

[@raheem201231]

Geoff you’ve outdone yourself. The production quality and all sorts. My guy. I’ve been watching you since your Londonist days. From Tube to Trains to Buses. I’ll watch anything you can think of.

[@geofftech2]

thanks Raheem, extremely kind you of you! :-)

[@russgladstone432]

As an ex London bus driver now in Dorset, its a great thing to say ‘Thanks Drive’ to your driver, and Yes it does mean a lot, I used to work for Kentish Busses running from Lewisham garage routes 162, 126, 161, 138 and Bromley (town centre) briefly on routes 181 & 284, til the little yard closed, then i worked for Docklands Busses (Minibusses) routes 366, 368, 287, 181, until i eventually was driving awesome Passenger Plus+ coaches instead, was some great times had years ago, but living the life now, But Still Always say THANKS to the drivers, even here in Weymouth !!!

[@gaelansteele9224]

Geoff, I have so much respect for the fact that, in everything you do, you don't just take the nerdy angle (though the nerdy angle is great!) but you also take the time to get to know the people who use and operate the service, and to tell their stories.

[@marthaanderson2656]

wow new studio camera quality and clarity. feels like we are just having a chat. Very nice. Last month was in London and the busses saved my bacon on a Sunday morning . Efficiently getting me to a tube station where I could further connect a journey to get the Elizabeth for Heathrow. The app was accurate and I could time my arrival to the bus stop on a cold morning.

[@wassimhennequin6627]

I’ve been waiting to watch this. Finally get to see myself on social media on the T15 bus 😂🎉

[@geofftech2]

ha haaa! hello mate, you were great that day - thank you!

[@kevinasarlauskas3261]

Need to get him to ride on 339's now 👀

[@mouselovinlady]

I think you were one of the stars of the video! Looks like a great job!

[@SlimeTheHow]

Loved your bit. “Hold Tight” 😂

[@jasnfinlay]

I’ve always had ideas about riding every bus route in London, and indeed do every tube station too, though I have never had a chance. So as always, thank you Geoff!

[@sara-pr3vf]

That shot of you speaking to the camera but on the bus cctv is gold

[@lunglungmusic]

It is great that you are doing London. If you are doing Hong Kong, it is much harder. We have so many bus routes that only operate during certain festivals. For example, 3S, 32S 38S, only operates during Ching Ming Festival for tomb-sweepers to visit the tombs of their ancestors. K66A only operates when Tai Tong's red leaves are in presence. 36R, 41R, 50R, 87R, 98R, 215R, 224R, 259R, 260R, 269R, 270R, 271R, 796R only operates after a major event at Hong Kong Coliseum for people to get home faster. We also have many routes that operates only once/twice a day, for people to get to work/home during rush hours, such as N42A, which gets people to work at the airport from Fanling (which is even longer than SL7 in London). Nearly every town has a bunch of these very rare routes. Imagine bus routes carrying passengers out of Wembley Stadium to every town in London after a match, or a bus route that brings people to appreciate the sakura at Battersea Park. That's how crazy it is, thanks to Hong Kong people's unwillingness to change routes and stubborn requirement for efficiency. Apparently no one has travelled on all Hong Kong bus routes. If you give it a go, you will be on all Hong Kong headlines.

[@nicbenn]

That new moquette you found on the 385, that's the moquette we use for standard (not priority) seats on all our new buses in Adelaide South Australia! And as a bus driver myself, thanks for appreciating us ❤

[@PrograError]

hmm... maybe that bus was a transferee to TfL?

[@countludwigvonnippeltassel]

I used to drive the 464 and absolutely loved it, after spending time on the 119, 161 and 261. The difference was night and day! I went from slogging my way through Croydon, Woolwich and Lewisham to pottering around the countryside. The R5 and R10 were on the same roster as the 464 too. Happy times! Really enjoyed that video, Geoff 😊

[@tamara3984]

261 is one of my frequently used buses, so you probably drove me. Where you there in the yellow/blue days?

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Not only should we say thank you to the bus driver, but each viewer should say thank you Geoff. 👍😀

[@rugglez]

Whilst living in Brixton, I was on my way back from holiday and got a train from Gatwick to London Bridge which got in about 4am on a Sunday morning. I had no idea how to get home, where to go, how long till Tube started, so I walked out the main entrance at London Bridge and saw a number 35 bus just waiting at the stop. About 30 mins and £1.50 later, I arrived less than 50ft away from my front doorstep! I have never been so impressed with public transport as I am with London's.

[@millstonebarn]

That Oyster Card story was magnificent!

[@kevinr.8169]

I have been following Geoff for over five years now and it even brought me to do my own London Underground visit, despite I live in Austria, spending a whole weekend traveling up and down all the lines and visiting as much as possible of all the stations.(and the London Transport Museum ofcourse!) Most people laughed about it when I told them however, I realized these videos brought something in my life as well, an interest/ hobby I never had thought it would come on my path, I am planning to travel back to London in spring to visit the remaining stations and definitely I will visit all the End of the Line- stations. Now Geoff starting exploring all the busses, I know what comes up next on my travels! Thanks Geoff for sharing this kind of what some say abstract information, but we now it is an amazing abstractical hobby! Regards from Austria!

[@jjw7332]

Hi Geoff. I want to thank you for being so very kind on Saturday when I saw you on the Southern leaving Victoria towards Battersea. It made my day 👍

[@geofftech2]

Hello, you’re welcome! Pleasure to meet you both 👍

[@phronsiekeys]

London is where I learned to love buses, and now (I live in the US) I prefer them when I'm not in need of speed. Riding the bus helps me to understand how my kind of complex city is laid out and fits together, plus, I get to see the sights. I've always wanted to do something like this where I live now, and you've given me some good pointers on how to approach it practically. We'll see!

[@justmeajah]

Cool!

[@jackkerner6562]

This is the perfect video because everyone is waiting for you to come to their area, like me

[@SK_3PT1]

innittt

[@davidskidmore6768]

Being a retired bus driver from Los Angeles it's good to at least one person say thank you 😕. I found your videos while watching other London vlogs, seeing your enthusiasm really is infectious 😅. My oh my what LA could learn from TFL. Anyway keep it coming I'll be watching... CHEERS

[@thirdcore.]

I riden all 544 bus routes in 2017 to 2018, plus all stations Underground

[@geofftech2]

brilliant! well done. it's so good, isn't it?

[@keyaanmatin4804]

What a coincidence! I'm on my way to riding all the london bus routes. I've ridden 160 buses so far but not very planned out. Thanks for all the advice at the beginning and great video as always Geoff!

[@geofftech2]

Amazing! Keep going, and have fun. Done the W5 yet? It's brilliant ...

[@maxeylifetv2676]

My preferred seat on a double decker bus is upstairs front right. No one can sit behind me 😂

[@TransportBaz]

We've got more routes coming over the next year in Croydon/Sutton. 439, 443, S2, re-routings of 166, 312, 434. If you come back for those, then let me know, I'll sort the teas.....

[@dariyagancheva7876]

My son is a big transport fan and during last summer holidays, he travelled along every non-TFL bus route in London (for example the 461, 515 and the 715)

[@michaelocyoung]

One thing I've always liked about London buses is that they've retained the old-school "analogue" destination blinds and not yet been seduced by the horrible digital displays which always go wrong or are illegible (and will probably fall foul of DDA regs soon)

[@geofftech2]

So I encountede a small number of digital displays whilst doing this - so there are some out there. My gripe with them is that you can't snap a pic on your phone with them! The frequency of the LED display does not play ball with mobile phone cameras!

[@michaelocyoung]

@@geofftech2 Down with this sort of thing.

[@user-qc3yk2gd5p]

I recommend a visit to McKenna Brothers who are the only people manufacturing the old-style blinds. Middleton, north of Mancheste@@michaelocyoung

[@TheTransportHub17]

@@geofftech2I’ve managed pretty well with my iPhone 13 Pro Max. I believe you’re an iPhone user so use the x3 option instead of zooming in with your fingers. Though it doesn’t always work as there’s different manufacturers of LED displays. The older orange type I’ve found are harder. Luckily those are on non TFL routes.

[@BINGOTECH-lt8lt]

Some of them are still yellow tinted dayglow blinds which won't be around for much longer

[@alanwest7773]

Thanks for this brilliant bus feature. I have been unwell for a couple of days. This has made me feel a bit better. The 375 bus was introduced to serve Havering-atte-Bower as previous non-TFL routes had been withdrawn. I believe many years ago the 175 may have had a few buses running up to Passingford Bridge and possibly beyond. Passingford Bridge is the only safe and sensible place for the bus turn to make it's return journey. Also, I lived in Norwich for a few years in the late 1980's ago and for some reason I kept subconsciously saying "Thank you driver" in a Norfolk accent whenever I got off a 499 bus in Harold Hill.

[@geofftech2]

ah! hope you pick up soon Alan, and glad to have helped a little! thanks for your kind comment. someone has now told me if they can find a turning point BEFOER Passingford Bridge, then they want to make the service hourly.

[@SamuelLee-gw6wr]

In HK, the number of bus routes from one operator is already more than London, as KMB has a total of 785 routes but some routes only run on special days and for events. CTB has 432 routes in operation, but some routes have both KMB and CTB operating, and there are routes which only run on special days. MTR also runs 26 routes, LWB has 67 (11 special routes and 2 in conjunction with CTB), and NLB has 39. It's very difficult in HK, so a 50-60% is already amazing.

[@franklingoodwin]

We used to have the oddest bus route in Streatham in the 90s that went from West Norwood to Sainsbury's Streatham Common. Suffice to say, it didn't last long because it was pretty much only used by those who shopped at Sainsbury's.

[@mallen88]

Superb video. Your chat with the driver on the H3 reminded me of my time working at Bromley Garage where I was on the R7 and R5/R10 rota. There were only 8 of us on it and all the regular passengers knew us. It was lovely. One particular guy even knew what each of our favourite chocolate bars was. You’d drop him off at the Co-op in Green Street Green, go to Orpington station and he’d get back on on the return journey and present you with your favourite chocolate bar. Happy memories.

[@TransportForLuka]

Every Underground Station, Every National Rail Station, Every Tram Stop, Every DLR, Overground, Elizabeth Line and Cable Car Stations and now Every London Bus Route, this man has done it all!

[@rapideyephotography9782]

Wow! What a great watch. Thanks for going to all this effort. Really appreciated.

[@johnthresher259]

I used to travel to secondary school on a mix of Routemaster and RT buses (some with the top box number indicator) from Chadwell Heath to Woodford way. When I was still in my last years at junior school four of us would get a Red Rover ticket and travel all day on the buses. We were 11 going on 12 and our parents didn't worry about us, we never had any trouble. We'd end up in West London or across the river in Sarf London (here be dragons country) clutching our bus maps. Happy days!

[@hiviolet007]

Before my last trip to London, I purchased a senior rail pass for £30/year. This saved me 1/3 off rail fare and it did pay for itself! Another perk is that it saves 1/3 off tube/bus fare in London! You just have to find someone to activate it for you and you need the Oyster card to use it. No contactless. I loved this! It’s so great that senior tourists (65+) can take advantage of this!😊

[@apuldram]

60+

[@deltademon2]

As a bus driver for the 383 bus service, I must say it put a smile on my face to hear ya say to say thank you to the bus driver

[@will_n775]

One unique route you could investigate further is the B12 because to my knowledge, it is the only route in the country that travels clockwise from 5am - 12pm and anticlockwise from 12pm - 12am around Joydens Wood and Bexley. I might be a bit biased because I live in Joydens Wood😂😂 but it's a lovely route that I reckon you would find interesting.

[@Fan652w]

Thank you Geoff for an absolutely superb video!. And you left the best until last. You gave clearly very heartfelt thanks to all bus drivers AND other staff who keep London buses operating!

[@stephenglenn1969]

Loving the fact that while to Geoff Copt Gilders is a random place in London it is 7 stops after I would have got off the 71 heading out to my accomodation while I was a student at Kingston. Seven being the common number in the two routes he was interchanging there for.

[@dmegrailways]

This is beautifully made, and I love the new studio/narration location. Brilliant project Geoff! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@wanderingoff13]

Wow, Geoff, congratulations!! Now all those bus videos with Roger since the beginning of the year make perfect sense in context. I love having a project to carry me through hard times, and this sounds like a great one. So glad you had so many delightful experiences in amongst the slog.

[@mplsmike4023]

Thanks for this Geoff. Special thanks for your commitment to sharing credit with your collaborators and others whose work helped you on the way. So easy to just talk about what you did, so mature to talk about those on whose shoulders you stood.

[@vidiia]

I'm glad you like the W5, Geoff, I happen to know it very well. It was a lovely surprise to see you put it in your favourites list. I love the little loop it does on top of the hill by Harringay station, what an oddity. This whole journey of yours makes me appreciate London buses all the more. Cheers!

[@MarloSoBalJr]

I've done something similar when I was 13 years old and rode the entire bus network in Baltimore (stateside). Riding the bus to many locations so far as an afterthought that you grow to appreciate the world around you

[@jamesbulpin]

I had a similar experience to your lost Oystercard: travelling by train from Hertford East to Cambridge, having changed trains at Broxbourne I realised that my company iPhone was no longer in my pocket. I guessed it must have fallen out while on the first train. So I used my own phone to track that first train into Liverpool St and back out towards Hertford. I then doubled back to meet that train at Cheshunt, where I found the phone poking out between the seat and the wall panel.

[@Jim2020]

Geoff, I loved this. Thank you so very much. Love your new studio to.I have followed your work since 2016 and love the depth and warmth that you put into your videos. You will never know me or know the difference that you have made to my life.

[@billyprice9264]

Your a really top legend mate I never thought over the 10 years of watching your videos from londonist you have taught me a lot from steps to which way is quicker ! And also you staring on the tube episode missing out on the quickest to visit each station Your a legend mate I never was into tubes trains stations buses untill I saw your clips

[@geofftech2]

Very kind, Billy. Thank you!

[@andrewr2825]

Never underestimate the effect your videos have on us Geoff. This one in particular, as I spent the best part of my life driving, then rostering and timetabling in Sydney, Australia. You’ve got a gift and thank you for sharing. All the best from Australia 👍🏻

[@ashleyrobinson4217]

Wow!!! All I can say is a massive thank you for the video that I never knew I wanted! On a day when you're a bit low nothing gives me more joy than you Geoff getting all excited over the P13! You really do bring so much joy to us! Thank You needed this today ❤

[@BosAus]

What a wonderful video! Really appreciate and love your work. Thank you, Geoff 🙏

[@TG4164]

Hello Geoff, this was a brilliant watch. I am currently attempting to do this in NYC, and I'm a bit less than halfway through my quest. I'm doing it a bit more casually, as I don't have the time to ride 10 buses every single day, and I'm having my count be the buses I've taken in my entire lifetime. That means that when I first started doing this around a year ago, I actually had to remember which buses I've already ridden (it luckily wasn't too hard). However, since I'm also taking the liberty of taking a photo of every bus, I'll probably get around to re-riding the starter buses. The fact that most of the starter routes go close to where I live, it shouldn't be too bad. Something that will be a challenge is the Staten Island bus routes. I've only ridden 4 of them, and they are especially tricky because a lot of them are peak only and SI is generally a pain to get to. I'll probably grind those buses during the summer. I've also counted shuttle buses (you call them rail replacement buses), but only when they are long-term. So while I did count the Q95, which has been in near-constant operation since August 2023, I'm not counting buses that only operate on a few select weekends. Some fun NYC bus stats I learned along the way: - The highest bus number is M125. - The only number that appears across all five boroughs is 42, and I once rode all the 42 buses in one day. - The Queens buses tick off every number between 1 and 50 except for 14 and 45. - The Staten Island bus numbers start at 40, while the Bronx bus numbers end at 46. - The lowest bus number that does not exist for every borough is 71. - All the buses with letter suffixes include the Bx4A, Bx18A, Bx18B, M14A, M14D, M34A, Q15A, Q20A, and Q20B. - The Bx18A/B is the only bus that can be considered a circular bus. The Bx18A goes counter-clockwise while the Bx18B goes clockwise. - In total, there are 255 local bus routes in NYC, and I have ridden 107 of them so far. Bonus: While I did visit London once, I haven't actually ridden a London Bus yet, so I'm nil on that one..

[@XaviMacBash]

All the Buses, all of them! This reminds me of the very old tube challenge videos so much. Excellent work.

[@alicew349]

Loved the way you presented this video, easy to follow and picked out some great and interesting points!

[@jamesballantyne8349]

Love this and love the moment when we receive the blessings of strangers, it's such a wonderful thing, thank you for sharing this!

[@anthonydefreitas6006]

The Oyster card story and Geoff's elation put a smile on my face.

[@franklingoodwin]

Wouldn't have happened if he used contactless payments instead. Oyster Cards are easily lost or broken.

[@anthonydefreitas6006]

@@franklingoodwin Travelling on that amount of buses Geoff's probably using a travel card

[@darylmears9683]

As a bus driver (although not in London) hearing your appreciation for drivers and the job we do is great, unfortunately not everyone sees it the same way. Another great video as always

[@keithparker1346]

Unfortunately it works both ways as sometimes especially local bus drivers cut out parts of routes at a whim...I don't think we should be thanking them in that situation

[@darylmears9683]

@@keithparker1346 I agree it does work both ways, which is why I personally wouldn't be rude to a passenger. In my experience the only time a driver will cut parts of routes out should be under instruction from their controllers usually for road blockages etc and if that is the case they should notify their passengers of any spur of the moment diversions, however I'm not naive in believing that drivers wouldn't cut out parts on their own accord, as unfortunately some just don't care.

[@keithparker1346]

@@darylmears9683 just to clarify...I certainly would not condone abuse of drivers even in those circumstances

[@aishahsaddique3772]

Amazing video! Pure hard work, dedication and a hell of a lot of motivation. I appreciate your videos so much! So much thought put into this

[@garishanth]

I remember seeing your 2002 and 2004 tube challenge videos a few years back. This is cool man! 👏🏽

[@garybroadhurst3548]

Geoff this has to stop! It's because of you that I'm addicted to riding the tube and trains around London. Now there's something else I have to think about! I don't even live in the UK any more, but whenever I'm over to visit friends and family I find myself adding a few days to the trip just so I can travel around London doing "nothing". I'll be there in March and I'm going to do all of the Overground in a day. Seriously though, you are an inspiration to a "completion nerd" like me, on so many levels. Thanks for all the work you put in. That did look miserable at times but I know you loved it too.

[@justmeajah]

Ahh me too when I have chance to visit London!

[@jcbehnke1]

Epic!! Love it @geofftech2 ! Live in the US and have been to London a couple of times. Love the city and enjoy living there vicariously through your videos. Your videos bring tremendous joy and you are a shining star. Thank you!

[@OtterBee123]

Geoff, I loved this video. You perfectly highlighted why I love buses, as well as tubes/ trains. There's something about the bus journey itself that I can't quite describe (and yes, that is the perfect bus seat). Your videos have always been an uplifting corner of my life, since the Londonist days like that bus driver- maybe it's the ADHD/ Autism corner of my brain that gets tickled by the journeys and fun facts. I look forward to what adventures you get up to next.

[@aldenhunt]

I can't fathom the effort required to edit all this footage together into a smooth narrative, let alone actually ride the buses! Quite the achievement Geoff 🎉

[@millercool21]

You know it's a good video when it's nearly A HOUR LONG 😂😂

[@darrenbertram7289]

and it only feels like ten minutes when you're watching it 😁😁

[@pdm_trains5172]

And you make it right to the closing credits!

[@hublanderuk]

Did like the CCTV filming since I wonder how many times did you have to shoot it.

[@TheOracle65]

Love this summarized video blog style, Geoff. The “get on a bus and just go” and discovering new places away from tube stations so refreshing. Impressive commitment in the winter weather but you can see where the addictive excitement kicks in 😊. Great editing between your calm, professional commentary, bus videos, maps and travel tools. Top drawer information and entertainment.

[@Dubiman42]

W5 is amazing indeed. Loved the long format, hope to see more of that!

[@user-mf6ic1lo2k]

The Countdown display relies on the radio system (on the bus) being signed on correctly. If on a diversion the bus will disappear from the display and there are ‘deadspots’ where the gps signal is lost and will also disappear. From a bus driver!

[@saraclayton-smithson5083]

As a bus driver in Leeds I can tell you that we really appreciate people who take the time to thank us, it definitely makes the day better! Thanks for the great video, I have followed you from your Londonist days and look forward to a new upload arriving, thanks 😊

[@LeedsInAHat]

Thanks. Particularly if you cover the 27, 33, 34, 50, 50A or A1 routes! I'm working on a private project which will mean I'll try to go within 0.2 miles of every stop in Leeds as I can. I think it's going to take a while!

[@oceannspiritt659]

Fun fact with some of the 300 buses, quite a few of them (like the 337, 344 & 371) were actually part of other routes that got split up (37, 44 and 71 respectively). A good site for bus route histories is ian armstrongs london buses, showing most routes that ran/run from 1934 to present day

[@rjsieder]

Brilliant indeed! I visited London for the first time this past summer but did not explore the bus system, only the tubes. You've given me a great introduction to various parts of London with this adventure. Well done!

[@smjrn63]

This is one of the reasons I love London so much. I would love to live where I do not need a car. Growing up in Tampa we did not have a car. Rode the bus, walked, bicycles and occasionally a cab. We did not have the luxury of the tube or trains. I love the freedom of sitting back and people watching, watching the sights and letting the driver worry about the logistics. Too bad I cannot pick up my home and set it down near London! On a side note the studio set up looks nice as does the bright shirts! Lol the nurse in me kept trying to slow your arm down so I could check out your veins! Sorry habit! Carry on!!

[@ijmad]

Love the new setup at home Geoff, very classy. I am also a 'seat behind the stairs' person!

[@m00gal]

When I first moved to London I couldn't afford to commute by tube so I had an annual bus pass, and explored the city using the bus network. Taught me so much about the real geography of the place, compared to the rather abstract tube map.

[@The_Unknown_Spotter]

Absolutely loved this documentary, the buses in and around london play such a big part in my life and always have been since I was around 3, whether that be getting to school or keeping me occupied as a little boy so its really lovely to have a documentary on one of my favourite things. Thank you Geoff and keep making more great videos 👍🫶

[@tonydeeks5756]

I’ve always had big respect for bus drivers, they have a much harder job than train drivers, they’re paid half the money and they never strike. So to all bus drivers I say thank you

[@YouTubechannel-fb9yd]

I love this, realistically most Londoners are taking busses - not trains. Especially young Londoners who have free bus travel cos of their zip card, so taking a train would be a waste. Trains are mostly for those white collar commuters working in/near central. But the Londoners are taking the bus to work (or the car) - not often are they taking the train. So taking the bus is the best way to meet and knows the locals, as well as discover the true local areas too (not all tall buildings and glamour, that’s actually like 1% or less of London) Love this video so much, I’m a ‘Londoner’ but also want to do this.

[@jos4669]

As a south londoner, your comment about trains is quite disagreeable. many journeys i’ve taken actually utilise both the train and the bus, and i rarely venture into central london. They are vital for connecting many of the towns and population centers in greater london and they are far more important and useful than you seem to be implying. both the bus and train are, much of the time, highly preferable to driving, at least within london.

[@davidrules72]

Great piece, Geoff! Loved your bit of composition speaking to the closed circuit TVs too!

[@Eddyspeeder]

So lovely to see that a passion project turned into probably your longest video ever. Thanks for the ride!

[@cukuwaekele]

Well done, Geoff. Now you’ve made me want to complete The Superloop when it’s fully rolled out.

[@davidpiper3652]

Since I got my old person bus pass I have been riding the buses a lot more and I concur, they are brilliant. I want bus pyjamas!

[@stevegoodwin7138]

I saw your vid on mental health a while back with that Sussex railway ,my relief is a bus ride similar to what you have done but up here in notts ,buses are great for taking you for where your car would not go ❤❤

[@davidbassett4577]

Loved this video Geoff; growing up in High Wycombe in the 1960’s we had London Transport Country Area garage [HE] that then became part of London Country when LT Country Area Routes/Garages & buses were transferred to the National Bus Company .. sadly they closed HE on 30/09/77 & we lost our lovely green RML’s. My travels across London were mainly on the wonderful Green Line network using a 75p Golden Rover ticket .. again my favourite was the 711 High Wycombe to Reigate via Central London .. which went when HE closed … replacement 790 out of Amersham Garage [MA] only went to Victoria .. then morphed into the 290 out to Oxford .. but sadly virtually the whole of the Green Line network has gone now ..but this video has brought back thoughts of my earliest days of getting to Uxbridge and buying a Red Rover ticket (used to have to buy that at Tube Station) before riding up to Shepherds Bush on the 207. I love all those quirky end of the routes that ran out of London .. but nowadays for me it’s usually on a vintage bus running day on a Sunday & luckily I have the Amersham & District Motorbus Society on my doorstep that organises 4 such days every year. Would love to see you come and do one of those events .. where you can ride on Green & Red proper buses over routes long gone .. we even have a special 40th. Anniversary one in Windsor on 28th July to commemorate the closure of Windsor Garage [WR] & opening of Slough Garage.

[@de-best-clan]

Hey Geoff, you might not see this but the U1 and U3 have a Hail and Ride Section between Violet Avenue and Apple Tree Avenue. They both go on single and double decker buses. 😊

[@customtransport2777]

Really interesting video and I’m also on a mission to ride every TfL bus route in my lifetime. My favourite route is currently the 123 and I also love the maps you designed 👍

[@MartinBrenner]

Great idea and realization! Had a cold the last 2 weeks and really started to hate the season. Learned about the custom of thanking the driver when I visited Brighton&Hove last year, it is mad how the drivers are racing up and down the hills there.

[@michellebell5092]

I’m planning to do this . I’m going to start with riding round the Superloop. But I’m going to do it in Numerical order , In the meantime I’ve started my every oyster station, all 651 ( where my freedom pass is valid). I’ve done the As, and four of the Bs. 13:42

[@tonywhitmore]

The home studio footage looks great Geoff!

[@nathanw9770]

Not sure if this is still true but the 301, another double decker route, also has a hail and ride section along Brampton Road near Bexleyheath. This would also make it one of the few hail and ride sections in London served by multiple routes since the B11 also travels along that road. I last rode it in 2020 so tfl might have installed bus stops in by now.

[@tobyytlai]

Hi Geoff. I've recently moved to the UK from overseas and I'm challenging myself to photograph all bus routes in Leeds (where I live). Hopefully I don't miss any. Thanks for making this video

[@timmytubede]

Wow, impressive. Now I'm tempted to try this in my own city. Berlin only has 162 "regular" bus routes. But these already include at least one call bus and a few rush hour only buses with some of them only running on school days. Thankfully the minimum frequency for Berlin bus routes is quite good, so even the more remote ones go at least every 60 minutes at some point in time and space. Ohh and it includes a heritage bus route running historic double deckers on some of the tours (which of course I've already been on :D)

[@MrPsychomonkey]

Your bit at the end highlights why bus drivers deserved to be paid more, especially when compare tube drivers. They need to have good driving skill adaptable deal with London children, cyclists & drivers

[@Nooticus]

NO F*CKING WAY... NO WAYYYYYY i am so fricking hyped to watch this edit: this makes so much sense why your uploads have been a bit less frequent recently and im NOT complaining! 😍

[@geofftech2]

:-)

[@Nooticus]

@@geofftech2 hi geoff, your work makes me feel happy and seen :)

[@Tyrannosaurus_Wrexx]

Geoff, thank you for making this. I used to operate the bus, and light rail train in Dallas, Texas. I still hop on sometimes, just to shake off some of the winter blue and general loneliness. I got the chance to experience London’s amazing transit system on two trips last year, and cannot wait to come back this summer. Here’s to seeing you out there one of these days🤞🏾

[@justmeajah]

I finished an hour long video with you in one sitting. Wow. I can't believe it myself! That shows how engaging your video are!

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

I take my hat off to bus drivers - it's a demanding and responsible (and under-paid) job. Not convinced that drivers on a busy route relish an endless stream of people saying thank-you as they get off - it can actually be quite burdensome . . .