The first night bus was introduced in 1913.[4] By 1920 there were two 'All Night Bus Services' in operation named the 94 and 94a running from 23:30 to 05:30.[5] A few more services were introduced over the following decades, but all ceased during World War II. Services resumed after the war, increasing as trams and trolleybuses were replaced in the late 1950s and 1960s. In 1978 London Transport listed 21 all-night bus routes. On many of these routes, "all-night" service meant a departure frequency of no more than one bus an hour.[6] In April 1984, the number of routes was increased from 21 to 32. At this point the peak service required 80 buses; by August 2013 this had grown to 890.[7]
Originally the night bus network had its own fare structure, but with the introduction of the Oyster card in 2003, it was incorporated into the Transport for London fare structure. Until the mid-2000s, all routes had N prefixes. However, as some routes merely mirrored their day time equivalents, the N prefixes were dropped and these routes became 24-hour services; for example, route N14 was no longer differentiated from route 14.[7]
Services are operated by private operators under contract to London Buses. The Night Bus contracts are often bundled with those of the equivalent daytime routes and awarded for a five-year period, with an optional two-year extension based on performance standards being met. Some however are tendered individually.[7][8][9]
With some London Underground lines operating a 24-hour service at weekends from August 2016, a further eight routes commenced 24-hour operation on Friday and Saturday nights.[10] Further changes were made as the Night Tube network expanded.
In May 2015, the Night Bus network was the subject of The Night Bus, a Channel 4 documentary.[11][12]
Operation
Night Bus routes are often related to the day numerical equivalent, normally running the same route but with an extension at either end of the service. This is normally to provide a night service to destinations served by tube or train during the day.
However, there are a few N-prefixed route numbers that have no relation to their daytime equivalents: the N5, N20, and N97 all operate in a different part of London to their respective day routes. Also, the N550 and N551 (which provide night service on parts of the DLR network), and the N271 (whose daytime service was withdrawn on 4 February 2023) have no corresponding daytime routes.
There are also 24-hour routes, which run day and night but usually with a lower frequency during the night hours. The vast majority run the same route at all times. With the introduction of the Night Tube, some day routes have been extended to run during Friday and Saturday nights to serve the stations.
Route N2 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between West Norwood station and Trafalgar Square. In October 1984, it was extended north from Trafalgar Square to Friern Barnet and south from West Norwood station to Crystal Palace bus station. In June 1995, it was withdrawn between Camden Town and Friern Barnet, and rerouted to Hampstead Heath. In November 1999, the Trafalgar Square to Hampstead Heath section was withdrawn and replaced by route N24. Upon being re-tendered, it passed from Metroline to Arriva London in April 2000.[7]
Current route
Route N2 operates via these primary locations:[17]
Route N7 commenced operating on 30 August 2003 between Northolt and Russell Square partly replacing route N23. It was initially operated by First London. Upon being re-tendered it passed to Metroline on 23 June 2007[24][25] who commenced a further contract on 21 June 2014.[26] In October 2014 it was withdrawn between Oxford Circus station and Russell Square.
Current route
Route N7 operates via these primary locations:[27]
Route N9 commenced operating on 25 February 1994 between Kingston and Trafalgar Square replacing parts of routes N65 and N97. In March 1997 it was extended from Trafalgar Square to Aldwych. On 29 September 2001, the Hammersmith bus station to Kingston section was withdrawn and the route diverted to Heathrow Central bus station, as well as the new Heathrow Terminal 5 from 2008.[33] Route N9 has been operated by London United since its inception. On 27 January 2024, this route was transferred to Metroline from their Brentford garage.[7]
Current route
Route N9 operates via these primary locations:[34]
Route N10 commenced operating on 29 September 2001 between Richmond and Archway station replacing route N9 between Richmond and Hammersmith bus station. Initially operated by London United on 3 September 2004, the route passed to First London. At the same time, the route was withdrawn between King's Cross station and Archway, being replaced by route N390. On 29 January 2010 route N10 was withdrawn and replaced by routes 10 and 33.[7][35]
Having been replaced between Trafalgar Square and Hackney Wick in October 1989 by route N6, it resumed operating to Liverpool Street in February 1994. In March 2001 it was diverted at Hammersmith to Wembley Stadium. Having been operated by London United since its inception, on 29 June 2003 it was taken over by London General. On 7 June 2008, route N11 was diverted at West Ealing to Ealing Broadway station being replaced by route 297.[7][36]
On 23 November 2022, it was announced that route N11 would be rerouted to run to Whitehall instead of Shoreditch following a successful consultation. The withdrawn section of the route is now covered by an extended route N26. This change was implemented on 29 April 2023.[37][38]
Current route
Route N11 operates via these primary locations:[39]
Route N13 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between North Finchley and Trafalgar Square, being extended on 27 October 1984 from North Finchley to Chipping Barnet and on 8 July 1992 from Trafalgar Square to Victoria bus station, the latter being reversed on 23 June 1995. Upon being re-tendered, on 1 September 2001, the route passed from Metroline to London Sovereign being extended from Trafalgar Square to Aldwych on the same day.[7] It ceased on 1 April 2017 when route 13 was converted to 24-hour operation.[40]
Former route
Route N13 operated via these primary locations:[41]
Route N15 commenced operating on 15 July 1995 between Becontree Heath and Paddington station to replace a section of withdrawn route N95 between Becontree Heath and Aldgate. In August 1998 the route was extended from Becontree Heath to Romford Market and withdrawn between Marble Arch and Paddington. The latter was reverted in May 2001.[7] In October 2007 the route was extended from Paddington to Paddington Basin. In August 2010 the route was withdrawn between Regent Street and Paddington Basin, this section replaced by route 159.[42] In May 2013 the route was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Regent Street.[43]
On 23 November 2022, it was announced that route N16 would be renumbered as N32 following a successful consultation, due to the re-routing of the daytime route 16. This change was implemented on 29 April 2023.[37][38]
Former route
Route N16 operated via these primary locations:[46]
Route N20 commenced operating on 28 October 1989 from Chipping Barnet to Aldwych as route N1. It was curtailed from Aldwych to Trafalgar Square on 18 July 1992. It was renumbered as N20 on 24 June 1995. First London operated it from 15 July 1998 until it returned to Metroline on 25 August 2003.[7]
Current route
Route N20 operates via these primary locations:[55]
Route N22 commenced operating on 24 November 2000 between Richmond and Piccadilly Circus replace the withdrawn section of route N9 between Richmond and Putney Bridge. On 29 September 2001, the route was extended from Richmond to Kingston. On 3 June 2006, it was withdrawn curtailed from Kingston to Fulwell. It has always been operated by London General (now Go-Ahead London).[7] On 16 July 2017, the route was withdrawn between Green Park and Piccadilly Circus and diverted to Oxford Circus via Berkeley Square, partly replacing route C2.[57]
Current route
Route N22 operates via these primary locations:[58]
Route N25 commenced operation on 15 July 1995 between Romford station and Trafalgar Square. Initially operated by East London, upon being re-tendered it passed to First London on 26 July 1999. It ceased on 26 June 2004, when route 25 was converted to 24-hour operation.[7] Route N25 was reintroduced on 1 December 2018 when route 25 ceased to be a 24-hour route with Tower Transit operating it.[59] Upon being re-tendered, it was taken over by Stagecoach London on 23 May 2020.[60]
Current route
Route N25 operates via these primary locations:[61]
Route N26 commenced operation on 18 July 1992 between Walthamstow Central station and Victoria bus station. It was introduced to replace the withdrawn sections of route N6 between Trafalgar Square and Walthamstow. In 1995 it was curtailed from Victoria to Trafalgar Square but extended at the other end to Walthamstow Fulbourne Road. In 2001 it was rerouted from Walthamstow Central to Chingford station, instead of Fulbourne Road, partly replacing route N38.[7]
On 23 November 2022, it was announced that a proposed extension of route N26 to Victoria, in line with a revised (daytime) route 26, would be going ahead following a consultation; it was implemented on 29 April 2023.[37][38]
Current route
Route N26 operates via these primary locations:[62]
Route N27 was introduced on 3 February 2001 between Turnham Green and Chalk Farm. It was operated by First London. It ceased on 19 March 2004 when route 27 was converted to 24-hour operation.[7] It resumed on 9 March 2019 when route 27 ceased to be a 24-hour route, this time being operated by London United.[63] On 9 November 2019, it was taken over by Abellio London.[64]
Current route
Route N27 operates via these primary locations:[65]
Route N29 commenced operating on 27 February 1980 between Enfield Town and Trafalgar Square. On 14 January 2006 it was curtailed from Enfield Town to Ponders End with Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses introduced. On 26 November 2011 it was converted back to double deck operation.[7]
Current route
Route N29 operates via these primary locations:[69]
Route N32 commenced operating on 29 April 2023 between Edgware bus station and Victoria station when route N16 was renumbered to route N32 as part of the Central London bus changes.[37][38]
Current route
Route N32 operates via these primary locations:[75]
Route N53 commenced operating on 27 October 1989 between Erith and Victoria bus station. On 28 July 1995 the route was extended at either end to Thamesmead and Oxford Circus. On 8 January 2000 the Thamesmead to Plumstead section was withdrawn. On 28 June 2002, the route was withdrawn between Plumstead and Erith. On 15 February 2003 it was withdrawn between Whitehall and Oxford Circus. It ceased on 20 March 2004 when route 53 was converted to a 24-hour service.[7] It was reinstated on 15 June 2019 when route 53 ceased to be a 24-hour service.[76]
Current route
Route N53 operates via these primary locations:[84]
Route N72 commenced operating on 5 September 1999 between East Acton and Roehampton. It ceased on 24 April 2004 when route 72 was converted to 24-hour operation.[7] With the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, it was reintroduced on 18 May 2019.[76]
Current route
Route N72 operates via these primary locations:[91]
It was reintroduced on 13 September 2016 when route 83 was curtailed to only operate between Golders Green and Alperton and route 483 was curtailed to operate between Harrow bus station and Ealing Hospital.[95][96]
Current route
Route N83 operates via these primary locations:[97]
Route N86 commenced operating on 26 June 2004 between Harold Hill and Stratford bus station replacing the withdrawn section of route N25 between Harold Hill and Ilford.[7]
Current route
Route N86 operates via these primary locations:[98]
Route N91 commenced operating on 25 February 1994 between Hornsey Rise and Trafalgar Square. On 23 June 1995, the route was extended from Hornsey Rise to Potters Bar. Having been operated by MTL London since its inception, when re-tendered it passed to Capital Citibus on 31 January 1997. It passed with the Capital Citybus to First London in July 1998. When next tendered, it was awarded to Metroline from 6 February 2009.[7][101]
Current route
Route N91 operates via these primary locations:[102]
The route is primarily used as a night replacement for the Piccadilly line between Piccadilly Circus and Hammersmith stations. Passengers can then continue their journey using night routes N91 (to Cockfosters) or N9 (to Heathrow). There is currently no night service for the Uxbridge branch. Operation of the route passed from London United to Tower Transit on 5 March 2016.[103]
Current route
Route N97 operates via these primary locations:[104]
Route N109 commenced operating on 11 March 1994 between Coulsdon and Aldwych. It was withdrawn on 17 September 1999, being replaced by route N159. It was reintroduced on 28 August 2010 between Croydon and Oxford Circus station replacing route N159. Initially operated by Arriva London, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Abellio London on 31 January 2015.[7][106][107]
Current route
Route N109 operates via these primary locations:[108]
Route N155 commenced operating on 18 August 1995 between Sutton station and Trafalgar Square. On 28 May 1999, the route was extended from Trafalgar Square to Aldwych. On 12 December 2003, it was withdrawn between Sutton and Morden, being replaced by route N44. It has been operated by London General (now Go-Ahead London) since its inception.[7]
Current route
Route N155 operates via these primary locations:[119]
Route N205 was introduced on 31 August 2013 when route 205 ceased to be a 24-hour route. It has been operated by East London since its inception.[124][125]
Current route
Route N205 operates via these primary locations:[126]
Route N250 commenced operating on 29 August 2003 between Brixton and Fairfield Halls. It ceased on 20 March 2004 when route 250 was converted to a 24-hour service.[7] It was reinstated on 2 November 2019 when route 250 was withdrawn between Fairfield Halls and West Croydon bus station and also when route 250 ceased to be a 24-hour service.[76]
Current route
Route N250 operates via these primary locations:[131]
Route N381 commenced operating on 9 October 1999 between Peckham and Whitehall. Initially operated by London Central, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Connex on 9 October 2004.[141] It was included in the sale of Connex to Travel London in February 2004[18] which in turn was sold to Abellio London in May 2009.[19][20]
Current route
Route N381 operates via these primary locations:[142]
London Buses route 6 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Willesden bus garage and Victoria station, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 7 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between East Acton and Oxford Circus, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 9 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Hammersmith bus station and Aldwych, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 15 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Blackwall and Charing Cross stations, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.
London Buses route 176 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Penge and Tottenham Court Road station, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.
London Buses route 14 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Putney Heath and Russell Square, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.
London Buses route 29 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Trafalgar Square and Wood Green station, it is operated by Arriva London.
London Buses route 22 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Putney Common and Oxford Circus, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.
London Buses route 24 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Hampstead Heath and Pimlico, it is operated by Transport UK London Bus.
London Buses route 171 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Elephant and Castle and Catford bus garage, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.
London Buses route 73 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Stoke Newington Common and Oxford Circus, it is operated by Arriva London.
London Buses route 23 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Westbourne Park station and Aldwych, it is operated by RATP Dev Transit London.
London Buses route 139 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Golders Green and Waterloo stations, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 113 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Edgware bus station and Marble Arch station, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 112 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Ealing Broadway station and Tally Ho Corner, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 94 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Acton Green and Piccadilly Circus, it is operated by RATP Dev Transit London.
London Buses route 159 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Streatham station and Oxford Circus, it is operated by Transport UK London Bus.
London Buses route 68 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between West Norwood and Euston bus station, it is operated by Transport UK London Bus.
London Buses route 328 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Golders Green station and World's End, it is operated by Metroline.
London Buses route 189 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Brent Cross bus station and Marble Arch station, it is operated by Metroline.
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