page_title: Buses in London
section_title: Local buses
hierarchical_section_title: Buses in London / Operation / Local buses
caption_attribution_description: English: Paris transport in London - detail of a London United bus, showing the logo of the RATP Group after their acquisition of the bus company in 2009.
context_page_description: The London Bus is a London transportation system used for multiple decades. Considered to be an icon of London, the London Bus operates nights, days, and long-distances on many different routes and lines. The main image of a London Bus is an arched, double-decker, red-painted bus which can carry a large number of passengers.
context_section_description: Most local buses within London form a network managed by London Buses, an arm of Transport for London. Services are operated by private sector companies under contract to London Buses. With the introduction of the London congestion charge in central London and because at peak times the Underground is operating at maximum capacity, many bus service improvements have been undertaken, and central bus services are currently enjoying something of a resurgence.
  Although the rear-entrance double-deck AEC Routemaster is the archetypal London bus, their numbers have dwindled quite quickly owing to their age (the oldest are now more than 60 years old), their inability to accept wheelchairs or pushchairs, and their requirement for a two-person crew. As described below, Routemasters are now restricted to one heritage route.
  All other local bus services are now operated by modern low-floor buses, which may be single-deck or double-deck. Most buses operating in London have two sets of doors, and passengers board the bus using the front door and alight using the rear door, whilst some buses on less busy routes have only one door. All these buses conform to the Disability discrimination act, and can accept passengers in wheelchairs and other mobility impaired passengers.
  Some local bus routes in the outer areas of London cross the London boundary. London Buses services that cross the boundary have standard red buses, and charge London fares, at least within the boundary. Buses from outside London that cross into London are in their operators' own colour schemes, and may not accept the London fares even within the boundary.
  Because the operating contracts for local buses in London are subject to a system of competitive tender, a wide range of companies now operate bus routes across London. Many services have been contracted out to leading transport groups such as Abellio, Arriva, ComfortDelGro, Go-Ahead Group, RATP Group, Stagecoach and Transit Systems. Connex, FirstGroup, National Express and Transdev previously operated services in London.
  Privately run bus services may also be operated independently of the regulated London bus network, but still require a permit from TfL. This permit applies to any service which has a stop in London and another within 15 miles of Greater London, such as commuter coaches, school buses and supermarket shuttle buses.
caption: A London United bus bearing the logo of the RATP Group
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