page_title: Buses in London
section_title: Organisation
hierarchical_section_title: Buses in London / History / Organisation
caption_attribution_description: English: Leyland National Greenway bus, nearside view (cropped from original image source)
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: Buses have been used on the streets of London since 1829, when George Shillibeer started operating his horse-drawn omnibus service from Paddington to the City. In 1850 Thomas Tilling started horse bus services, and in 1855 the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) was founded to amalgamate and regulate the horse-drawn omnibus services then operating in London.
  LGOC began using motor omnibuses in 1902, and manufactured them itself from 1909. In 1904 Thomas Tilling started its first motor bus service. The last LGOC horse-drawn bus ran on 25 October 1911, although independent operators used them until 1914.
  In 1909 Thomas Tilling and LGOC entered into an agreement to pool their resources. The agreement restricted the expansion of Thomas Tilling in London, and allowed the LGOC to lead an amalgamation of most of London's bus services. However, also in 1909 Thomas Clarkson started the National Steam Car Company to run steam buses in London in competition with the LGOC. In 1919 the National company reached agreement with the LGOC to withdraw from bus operation in London, and steam bus services ceased later that year.
caption: A post-privatisation London bus bearing private operator branding
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