Fancy travelling in style next week? Next week will see London welcome back vintage red buses to its streets that Londoners (and visitors) will be able to hop on for a free ride. For one day, on Sunday November 5, old-fashioned red double-decker buses will run across multiple bus routes in North London in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Chalk Farm Garage.
It’ll be a blast from the past and a different bus ride from what Londoners are used to as they journey around London old-school style. Whilst these older buses didn’t have the handy modern features we see on buses today, like air conditioning or charging ports, they do have that vintage charm and classic look that contemporary buses today just don’t have.
Passengers will be able to hop on the vintage buses in Hampstead Heath, Golders Green, Warren Street, Euston and plenty of other bus stops in north and central London. The bus routes taking part are the 24, 29, 31, 68, 74 and 139, with a full map of the routes and bus timetables available to view here. The buses will not be running as part of Transport for London but instead will be operated by retired Metroline conductor Trevor Muir.
No fares will be charged to ride on the vintage buses, although there will be programmes available to buy that include the history of Chalk Farm Garage with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
There will not be easy access for disabled passengers and children’s buggies because of the nature of the buses.