Night buses in London - Misplaced Pages

(Redirected from London Buses route N5) Series of night bus routes that serve Greater London

The London Night Bus network is a series of night bus routes that serve Greater London. Services broadly operate between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00.

Many services commence from or operate via Trafalgar Square and are extensions or variations of daytime routes and hence derive their number from these; for example, route N73 from Oxford Circus to Walthamstow Central follows that of route 73 as far as Stoke Newington, before continuing further north.

History

The first night bus was introduced in 1913. By 1920 there were two 'All Night Bus Services' in operation named the 94 and 94a running from 23:30 to 05:30. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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	Start	End	Operator
N1	Thamesmead	Tottenham Court Road station	Go-Ahead London
N2	Crystal Palace bus station	Marylebone station	Arriva London
N3	Bromley North railway station	Oxford Circus	Transport UK London Bus
N5	Edgware bus station	Trafalgar Square	RATP Dev Transit London
N7	Northolt tube station	Oxford Circus	Metroline
N8	Hainault	Oxford Circus	Stagecoach London
N9	Heathrow Terminal 5	Aldwych	Metroline
N11	Ealing Broadway station	Whitehall	Go-Ahead London
N15	Romford Market	Oxford Circus	Go-Ahead London
N18	Harrow Weald bus garage	Trafalgar Square	RATP Dev Transit London
N19	Clapham Junction railway station	Finsbury Park bus station	Arriva London
N20	Barnet Hospital	Trafalgar Square	Metroline
N21	Bexleyheath Shopping Centre	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N22	Fulwell	Oxford Circus	Go-Ahead London
N25	Ilford	Oxford Circus	Stagecoach London
N26	Chingford railway station	London Victoria station	Stagecoach London
N27	Hammersmith bus station	Chalk Farm	Transport UK London Bus
N28	Camden Town	Southside Wandsworth	Metroline
N29	Enfield Town	Trafalgar Square	Arriva London
N31	Camden Town	Clapham Junction railway station	Metroline
N32	Edgware bus station	London Victoria station	Metroline
N33	Fulwell railway station	Hammersmith bus station	RATP Dev Transit London
N38	Walthamstow bus station	Victoria bus station	Arriva London
N41	Tottenham Hale bus station	Trafalgar Square	Arriva London
N44	Sutton railway station	Aldwych	Go-Ahead London
N53	Plumstead railway station	Whitehall	Stagecoach London
N55	Woodford Wells	Oxford Circus	Stagecoach London
N63	Crystal Palace bus station	London King's Cross railway station	Transport UK London Bus
N65	Chessington World of Adventures	Ealing Broadway station	RATP Dev Transit London
N68	Old Coulsdon	Tottenham Court Road station	Transport UK London Bus
N72	East Acton	Roehampton	RATP Dev Transit London
N73	Walthamstow bus station	Oxford Circus	Arriva London
N74	Roehampton	Baker Street tube station	Go-Ahead London
N83	Ealing Hospital	Golders Green tube station	Metroline
N86	Harold Hill	Stratford bus station	Stagecoach London
N87	Fairfield bus station	Aldwych	Go-Ahead London
N89	Erith	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N91	Cockfosters tube station	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N97	Hammersmith bus station	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N98	Stanmore tube station	Red Lion Square	Metroline
N109	Croydon	Oxford Circus	Transport UK London Bus
N113	Edgware bus station	Trafalgar Square	Metroline
N133	Morden tube station	Liverpool Street bus station	Transport UK London Bus
N136	Chislehurst	Oxford Circus	Go-Ahead London
N137	Crystal Palace bus station	Oxford Circus	Arriva London
N140	Harrow Weald bus garage	Heathrow Central bus station	Metroline
N155	Morden tube station	Aldwych	Go-Ahead London
N171	Hither Green railway station	Tottenham Court Road station	Go-Ahead London
N199	St Mary Cray railway station	Trafalgar Square	Stagecoach London
N205	Leyton	Paddington	Stagecoach London
N207	Uxbridge tube station	Bloomsbury Square	Transport UK London Bus
N242	Homerton University Hospital	Tottenham Court Road station	Stagecoach London
N250	Brixton	Fairfield Halls	Arriva London
N253	Aldgate bus station	Tottenham Court Road station	Arriva London
N266	Brent Cross bus station	Hammersmith bus station	RATP Dev Transit London
N271	Finsbury Square	Tally Ho Corner	Metroline
N277	Cubitt Town	Islington	Stagecoach London
N279	Waltham Cross	Trafalgar Square	Arriva London
N343	New Cross Gate	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N381	Peckham	Whitehall	Transport UK London Bus
N550	Canning Town bus station	Trafalgar Square	Stagecoach London
N551	Gallions Reach Shopping Park	Trafalgar Square	Stagecoach London

N1

Route N1 commenced operating on 28 June 1995 between Plumstead garage and Trafalgar Square. It was originally operated by London Central, being taken over by First London on 14 November 1998. On 8 January 2000 it was extended beyond Plumstead to Thamesmead, and in April 2000 withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Aldwych being diverted to Tottenham Court Road station. Upon being re-tendered, the route was taken over by East Thames Buses on 15 October 2005.

In October 2009, East Thames Buses was sold to Go-Ahead London, which included a five-year contract to operate route N1.

Current route

Route N1 operates via these primary locations:

N2

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.

Current route

Route N2 operates via these primary locations:

N3

Route N3 began operating on 27 October 1989 between Beckenham Junction station and Victoria bus station via Oxford Circus. In October 1993, it was extended to start back at Chislehurst. In May 2000, it was altered to operate between Bromley North station and Oxford Circus. Its operation passed from London Central to Connex on the same date.

Route N3 was included in the sale of Connex to Travel London in February 2004 which in turn was sold to Abellio London in May 2009. New Routemasters commenced operating route N3 on 8 February 2016.

Current route

Route N3 operates via these primary locations:

N5

Route N5 commenced operating on 28 October 1989 between Edgware station and Victoria bus station. In June 1995, it was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Victoria. It was operated by Metroline since its inception until July 2020 when it passed to London Sovereign.

Current route

Route N5 operates via these primary locations:

N7

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 who commenced a further contract on 21 June 2014. In October 2014 it was withdrawn between Oxford Circus station and Russell Square.

Current route

Route N7 operates via these primary locations:

N8

Route N8 commenced operating on 13 August 1988 between Bow Church and Queensbury station. In July 1992, the Marble Arch to Queensbury section was withdrawn, with the route redirected to Victoria bus station. In July 1995, it was altered to operate from Woodford Wells to Trafalgar Square. In June 1999, it once again began operating to Victoria, albeit via Piccadilly Circus. This was altered in April 2000 with it now routed via Berkeley Square. In June 2004, its eastern terminus was altered to Hainault. In June 2009, it was again withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Victoria being replaced by route C2.

Route N8 has been operated by Stagecoach London since its inception. On 28 June 2014, a further contract commenced with New Routemasters.

Current route

Route N8 operates via these primary locations:

N9

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. 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.

Current route

Route N9 operates via these primary locations:

N10

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.

Former route

Route N10 operated via these primary locations:

N11

Route N11 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between Shepherd's Bush Green and Liverpool Street station. In April 1985 it was extended at both ends, westward to Acton Town and east to Hackney Central. It was extended east again in November 1985 to Hackney Wick. In August 1986 it was diverted at the western end from Shepherd's Bush to Turnham Green, this was reversed in February 1994.

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.

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.

Current route

Route N11 operates via these primary locations:

N13

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. It ceased on 1 April 2017 when route 13 was converted to 24-hour operation.

Former route

Route N13 operated via these primary locations:

N15

Route 15 corridor

Legend

Route N15

					Oxford Circus N15
					Piccadilly Circus
					Trafalgar Square 15 15H
					Aldwych
					Ludgate Circus
					Tower Hill 15H
					Aldgate 115
					Limehouse
					Blackwall 15
					Canning Town 5
					East Ham 115
					Barking
					Becontree Heath
					Romford Market 5 N15

This diagram:

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. 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. In May 2013 the route was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Regent Street.

Having been operated by East London since its inception, it was taken over by Go-Ahead London on 26 August 2017 from their Henley Road bus garage, having part of the allocation run from River Road bus garage and additional services run from Camberwell bus garage.

Current route

Route N15 operates via these primary locations:

N16

Route N16 commenced operating on 19 January 1991 between Edgware bus station and Victoria bus station via Trafalgar Square. In October 2002 it was rerouted away from Trafalgar Square to run direct from Marble Arch via Park Lane to Victoria. It has been operated by Metroline since the start of service.

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.

Former route

Route N16 operated via these primary locations:

N18

Route N18 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between Sudbury and Liverpool Street station. In April 1985 it was extended from Sudbury to Harrow Weald via Edgware at its outer end and curtailed from Liverpool Street to Aldwych at its inner end. Having been operated by First London since privatisation, it was included in the sale of Willesden Junction garage to Metroline in June 2013. In November 2017 operation of the route passed to London United.

Current route

Route N18 operates via these primary locations:

N19

Route N19 commenced operating on 28 October 1989 between Clapham Junction station and Finsbury Park station. London General operated it until April 2000 when it was taken over by Arriva London. London General won the route back when re-tendered from March 2012, before it returned to Arriva operation in April 2017.

Current route

Route N19 operates via these primary locations:

N20

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.

Current route

Route N20 operates via these primary locations:

N21

Current route

Route N21 operates via these primary locations:

N22

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). 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.

Current route

Route N22 operates via these primary locations:

N25

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. Route N25 was reintroduced on 1 December 2018 when route 25 ceased to be a 24-hour route with Tower Transit operating it. Upon being re-tendered, it was taken over by Stagecoach London on 23 May 2020.

Current route

Route N25 operates via these primary locations:

N26

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.

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.

Current route

Route N26 operates via these primary locations:

N27

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. It resumed on 9 March 2019 when route 27 ceased to be a 24-hour route, this time being operated by London United. On 9 November 2019, it was taken over by Abellio London.

Current route

Route N27 operates via these primary locations:

N28

Routes N28 and N31 corridor

Legend

Route N28

					Camden Town station N28 N31 31
					Chalk Farm station
					Swiss Cottage station
					South Hampstead station
					328 to Golders Green station
					Kilburn High Road station
					Kilburn Park station
					Maida Hill The Chippenham
					28 to Kensal Rise station
					Westbourne Park station
					Notting Hill Gate station
					31 to White City bus station
					High Street Kensington station
					328 to World's End
					N31 to Clapham Junction station
					Kensington (Olympia) station
					West Kensington station
					Fulham Broadway station
					Imperial Wharf station
					Wandsworth Bridge
					Wandsworth Town station
					Southside Wandsworth N28 28

This diagram:

Route N28 commenced operating on 29 May 1999 between Camden Town and Southside Wandsworth. On 24 July 2023, the route was diverted via King's Road and Battersea Bridge and terminating at Clapham Junction station from 24 July until 29 July due to Wandsworth Bridge being closed. On 30 July 2023, the route was reinstated to Southside Wandsworth, but diverted via King's Road and Battersea Bridge from 30 July until 2 October, missing stops between New Kings Road and Bridgend Road in both directions due to the closure of Wandsworth Bridge. The route returned to normal running via Wandsworth Bridge when it reopened on 2 October 2023.

Current route

Route N28 operates via these primary locations:

N29

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.

Current route

Route N29 operates via these primary locations:

N31

Routes N28 and N31 corridor

Legend

Route N31

					Camden Town station N28 N31 31
					Chalk Farm station
					Swiss Cottage station
					South Hampstead station
					328 to Golders Green station
					Kilburn High Road station
					Kilburn Park station
					Maida Hill The Chippenham
					28 to Kensal Rise station
					Westbourne Park station
					Notting Hill Gate station
					31 to White City bus station
					High Street Kensington station
					328 to World's End
					28 N28 to Southside Wandsworth
					Earl's Court station
					Battersea
					Clapham Junction station N31

This diagram:

Route N31 commenced operation on 11 November 1989 between Camden Town and Notting Hill Gate. It initially operated on Friday and Saturday nights only until it became a seven days a week service on 18 July 1992 with the Alexander bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds were replaced by Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Darts that in turn were replaced by Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Darts in 1999.

On 29 May 1999, the route was diverted to terminate at Clapham Junction station. It was converted back to double decker operation in June 2004 with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs. It was included in the June 2013 sale of First London's Westbourne Park to Tower Transit. Upon being re-tendered, on 28 April 2018 the route passed to Metroline.

Current route

Route N31 operates via these primary locations:

N32

Route N32 corridor

Legend

Route N32

					Edgware bus station N32 32
					Burnt Oak Broadway
					Colindale
					West Hendon Broadway
					Staples Corner
					316 to Brent Cross West station
					16 to Brent Park
					Cricklewood bus garage
					Cricklewood Broadway
					Kilburn station
					Brondesbury station
					Kilburn High Road station
					32 to Kilburn Park station
					316 to White City bus station
					Maida Vale station
					Edgware Road station
					16 to Paddington station
					Marble Arch station
					Hyde Park Corner station
					Victoria station N32

This diagram:

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.

Current route

Route N32 operates via these primary locations:

N33

Route N33 commenced operating on 18 May 2019 between Fulwell station and Hammersmith bus station with the curtailment of route 33 due to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.

Current route

Route N33 operates via these primary locations:

N35

Route N35 commenced on 26 April 1997 between Clapham Junction station and Trafalgar Square. In April 2000, the route was withdrawn between Holborn and Trafalgar Square and diverted to Tottenham Court Road station. Having been operated by London Central since its inception, upon being re-tendered in 2009 it was taken over by Travel London. It was included in the May 2009 sale of Travel London to Abellio London. It ceased on 30 April 2016 when route 35 was converted to 24-hour operation.

Former route

Route N35 operated via these primary locations:

N38

Route N38 commenced operating on 14 July 1995 as a half hourly service between Trafalgar Square and Chingford Mount with hourly bifurcation to Chingford station and Chingford Hatch, replacing most of Route N96. Initially operated by East London, upon being tendered it passed to Arriva London from 19 April 1997, being diverted to Victoria bus station on the same date. On 28 April 2001, the route was curtailed from Chingford to Walthamstow.

Current route

Route N38 operates via these primary locations:

N41

Route N41 commenced operation on 9 December 2000 between Tottenham Hale bus station and Archway. On 5 February 2005 it extended from Archway to Trafalgar Square. It has always been operated by Arriva London.

Current route

Route N41 operates via these primary locations:

N44

Route N44 commenced operating on 18 August 1995 between Sutton station and Trafalgar Square. On 26 April 1996 it was extended to Aldwych. It has always been operated by London General (now Go-Ahead London).

Current route

Route N44 operates via these primary locations:

N53

Route N53 commenced operating on 27 October 1989 between Erith and Victoria bus station. On 28 July 1995 the route was withdrawn between Erith and Thamesmead and extened to 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. It was reinstated on 15 June 2019 when route 53 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N53 operates via these primary locations:

N55

Route N55 commenced operating on 28 April 2001 between Whipps Cross and Oxford Circus station. On 25 June 2004 it was extended from Whipps Cross to Woodford Wells. It has always been operated by Stagecoach London.

Current route

Route N55 operates via these primary locations:

N63

Route N63 commenced operating on 16 November 2002 between Crystal Palace bus station and King's Cross station. It is operated by Transport UK London Bus.

Current route

Route N63 operates via these primary locations:

N65

Route N65 commenced operating on 31 August 2002 between Kingston upon Thames and Ealing Broadway station. It ceased on 24 January 2004 when route 65 was converted to 24-hour operation. It was reintroduced on 25 October 2018 between Chessington World of Adventures and Ealing Broadway.

Current route

Route N65 operates via these primary locations:

N68

Route SL6 corridor

Legend

Route N68

					Tottenham Court Road station N68
					SL6 to Russell Square
					68 to Euston bus station
					Holborn station
					Aldwych
					Waterloo station
					SL6 direct non-stop
					Elephant and Castle 468
					Camberwell Green
					King's College Hospital
					Denmark Hill
					Herne Hill station
					Tulse Hill station
					SL6 direct non-stop
					West Norwood station 68
					Upper Norwood
					Selhurst Park
					Thornton Heath High Street
					SL6 to West Croydon bus station
					Wellesley Road tram stop
					East Croydon station
					South Croydon South End 468
					Purley
					Reedham station
					Coulsdon Town station
					Coulsdon South station
					Old Coulsdon N68

This diagram:

Route N68 commenced operating on 27 March 1999 between Purley Cross and Trafalgar Square. On 28 April 2000, the route was diverted at Aldwych via Kingsway, and High Holborn to Tottenham Court Road station and extended from Purley to Old Coulsdon. Having been operated by Arriva London from its inception, on 31 March 2006 it was taken over by London Central and on 31 March 2018 by Abellio London.

Current route

Route N68 operates via these primary locations:

N72

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. With the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, it was reintroduced on 18 May 2019.

Current route

Route N72 operates via these primary locations:

N73

Route N73 commenced operating on 22 September 1989 between Walthamstow Central station and Victoria bus station. On 17 June 2017, it was withdrawn between Victoria and Oxford Circus, being replaced by route 390.

Current route

Route N73 operates via these primary locations:

N74

Route N74 commenced operating on 23 November 2002 between Roehampton and Baker Street station.

Current route

Route N74 operates via these primary locations:

N83

Route N83 commenced operating on 13 September 2002 between Golders Green and Ealing Hospital. Operated by First London, it ceased on 16 April 2004 when route 83 became a 24-hour service.

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.

Current route

Route N83 operates via these primary locations:

N86

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.

Current route

Route N86 operates via these primary locations:

N87

Route N77 commenced on 18 August 1995 between Tolworth and Trafalgar Square. On 3 June 2006 route N77 was renumbered N87 and curtailed between Tolworth and Fairfield bus station.

Current route

Route N87 operates via these primary locations:

N89

Route N89 commenced operating on 28 June 2002 between Erith and Trafalgar Square.

Current route

Route N89 operates via these primary locations:

N91

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.

Current route

Route N91 operates via these primary locations:

N97

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.

Current route

Route N97 operates via these primary locations:

N98

Route N98 commenced operating on 19 August 1995 between Stanmore station and Trafalgar Square. On 29 April 2000 the route was diverted at Oxford Circus to Red Lion Square. Initially operated by CentreWest, since 3 February 2001 it has been operated by Metroline.

Current route

Route N98 operates via these primary locations:

N109

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.

Current route

Route N109 operates via these primary locations:

N113

Route N113 commenced operating on 30 June 2012 between Edgware bus station and Trafalgar Square partly replacing route N13.

Current route

Route N113 operates via these primary locations:

N133

Route N133 commenced operation on 24 January 2003 between Tooting and Liverpool Street bus station. On 1 September 2007 it was diverted at Streatham to Mitcham. Having been operated by London General since its inception, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Arriva London on 22 January 2010.

Current route

Route N133 operates via these primary locations:

N136

Route N136 commenced operating on 9 February 2008 between Chislehurst and Oxford Circus station replacing route N36 between Grove Park and Oxford Circus. Having been operated by Stagecoach London since its inception, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Go-Ahead London on 27 May 2017.

Current route

Route N136 operates via these primary locations:

N137

Route N137 commenced operating on 16 March 2001 between Crystal Palace bus station and Oxford Circus station. Having been operated by London Central since its inception, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Arriva London on 9 July 2004.

Current route

Route N137 operates via these primary locations:

N140

Route N140

Legend

Route N140

					Harrow Weald bus garage N140 140
					Harrow bus station SL9
					South Harrow station
					Northolt Park station
					Northolt station
					Yeading White Hart Roundabout
					Yeading Dilston Close
					Yeading Willow Tree Lane
					Hayes the Grapes
					278 to Ruislip High Street
					Hayes & Harlington station 140
					Harlington High Street
					Harlington Corner
					Heathrow Central bus station
					N140 SL9 278

This diagram:

Route N140 commenced operating on 31 March 2000 between Harrow Weald bus garage and Heathrow Central bus station. It ceased on 16 April 2004 when route 140 was converted to a 24-hour service. It was reinstated on 7 December 2019 when route 140 was withdrawn between Heathrow Central bus station and Hayes & Harlington station and also when route 140 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N140 operates via these primary locations:

N155

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.

Current route

Route N155 operates via these primary locations:

N171

Route N171 commenced operating on 27 April 1996 between Hither Green station and Trafalgar Square. In 2000 it route was diverted at Aldwych to Tottenham Court Road station instead of Trafalgar Square. In 2006, the route was changed to terminate at Catford bus garage instead of Hither Green, and so mirror the day 171 route.

On 30 April 2011 it was rerouted back to Hither Green station. It is operated by Go-Ahead London.

Current route

Route N171 operates via these primary locations:

N199

Route N199 commenced operating on 12 September 2015 between St Mary Cray station and Trafalgar Square to replace discontinued night bus N47.

Current route

Route N199 operates via these primary locations:

N205

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.

Current route

Route N205 operates via these primary locations:

N207

Route SL8 corridor

Legend

Route N207

					427 to Uxbridge (York Road)
					Uxbridge station N207 SL8
					Uxbridge The Greenway
					Hillingdon Heath Lees Road
					Hayes End
					Uxbridge Road Uxbridge County Court
					Hayes the Grapes
					Hayes Bypass 207
					Southall Trinity Road
					427 to Southall (Merrick Road)
					Southall North Road
					Southall Iron Bridge
					Ealing Hospital
					Hanwell Broadway
					West Ealing Broadway
					Ealing Broadway station
					Ealing Common station
					Acton Town Hall
					Acton Central station
					Acton Vale Bromyard Avenue
					Uxbridge Road Adelaide Grove
					Shepherd's Bush Market station
					Shepherd's Bush stations
					SL8 207 to White City bus station
					Holland Park station
					Notting Hill Gate station
					Queensway station
					Lancaster Gate station
					Marble Arch station
					Oxford Circus station
					Tottenham Court Road station
					Holborn station
					Bloomsbury Square N207

This diagram:

Route N207 commenced operation on 11 October 1996 between Uxbridge station and Victoria bus station. On 12 November 1999 it was diverted at Oxford Circus to Aldwych. On 28 April 2000 it was again rerouted to Bloomsbury Square. Having been operated by First London since privatisation, it was included in the sale of Hayes garage to Metroline in June 2013. Upon being re-tendered, it passed to Abellio London on 6 April 2019.

Current route

Route N207 operates via these primary locations:

N242

Route N242 commenced operating on 31 January 2003 between Homerton University Hospital and Tottenham Court Road station. It ceased on 23 April 2004 when route 242 was converted to a 24-hour service. It was reinstated on 15 June 2019 when route 242 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N242 operates via these primary locations:

N250

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. 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.

Current route

Route N250 operates via these primary locations:

N253

Route N253 commenced operating on 3 September 1993 running between Aldgate bus station and Euston bus station. On 25 November 1994 it was extended to Trafalgar Square. On 29 May 1998, the route was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Tottenham Court Road station.

Current route

Route N253 operates via these primary locations:

N271

Route N271 commenced operating on 4 February 2023 between Finsbury Square and Tally Ho Corner following the withdrawal of daytime route 271.

Current route

Route N271 operates via these primary locations:

N277

Route N277 commenced operating on 30 June 2018 between Cubitt Town and Islington.

Current route

Route N277 operates via these primary locations:

N279

Route N279 commenced operating on 26 April 1996 between Upshire and Victoria bus station. On 15 October 1999 it was withdrawn between Upshire and Waltham Cross. On 15 October 2004 it was cut back from Victoria to Trafalgar Square.

Current route

Route N279 operates via these primary locations:

N343

Route N343 commenced operating on 2 February 2001 between New Cross garage and Victoria bus station. Having been operated by London Central since its inception, about being re-tendered it was taken over by Travel London in 2006. It was included in the sale of Travel London to Abellio London in May 2009. Upon being re-tendered it returned to Go-Ahead London on 13 February 2018.

Current route

Route N343 operates via these primary locations:

N381

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. It was included in the sale of Connex to Travel London in February 2004 which in turn was sold to Abellio London in May 2009.

Current route

Route N381 operates via these primary locations:

N550

Route N550 commenced on 30 October 2008 between Canning Town bus station and Trafalgar Square replacing route N50 between Canning Town and East Beckton. Initially operated by East London, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Tower Transit on 31 August 2013. When next tendered it passed to CT Plus on 1 August 2018. It is now operated by Stagecoach London.

Current route

Route N550 operates via these primary locations:

N551

Route N551 commenced on 30 October 2008 between Gallions Reach Shopping Park and Trafalgar Square. Initially operated by Go-Ahead London, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Tower Transit on 31 August 2013. When next tendered it passed to CT Plus on 1 August 2018. It is now operated by Stagecoach London.

Current route

Route N551 operates via these primary locations:

References

Route N73 Transport for London
Route 73 Transport for London
"Central London Night Bus Map" (PDF). Transport for London. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
"First Night Bus service, B-Type (B185) on route 94 outside Piccadilly Circus Underground station. Leslie Green station canopy clock gives time at 2.15am". London Transport Museum. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
"B/W print of poster, All Night Bus Services 94 & 94A, unknown, 1920". London Transport Museum. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
Melbin, Murray (February 1978). "Night As Frontier". American Sociological Review. 43 (1). Boston: American Sociological Association: 3–22. doi:10.2307/2094758. JSTOR 2094758. S2CID 147703422.
^ Wallis, Philip (2013). London's Night Buses 1984-2013 (2 ed.). London: Capital Transport Publishing. ISBN 978-1854143723.
Tender Results Stagecoach London 16 July 2014
"London's Bus Contracting and Tendering Process" (PDF). Transport for London.
TfL introduces new Friday and Saturday night bus services to support Night Tube Transport for London 17 August 2016
"The Night Bus" community on Arriva London buses Arriva London 11 May 2015
The Night Bus; nocturnal naughtiness on the N29 The Guardian 11 May 2015
Go-Ahead Acquires East Thames Buses Archived 22 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Go-Ahead Group 30 July 2009
Go-Ahead buys East Thames Buses Archived 24 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 3 August 2009
East Thames Buses Archived 24 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Go-Ahead London
Route N1 Map Transport for London
Route N2 Map Transport for London
^ National Express buys 200 London busesThe Daily Telegraph 27 February 2004
^ National Express Group plc agreement to sell Travel London National Express Group 21 May 2009
^ NedRailways acquisition reinforces long term commitment to UK transport market NedRailways 9 June 2009
Route N3 Map Transport for London
London bus contract changes announced Coach & Bus Week issue 1420 19 November 2019 page 10
Route N5 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 7/N7 Transport for London 2 November 2016
"Route 7 change reveals increased tendering competition" Buses issue 625 April 2007 page 20
Tender News Bus Talk issue 25 December 2013
Route N7 Map Transport for London
London Buses announces changes to bus routes 8, N8 and C2 Transport for London 23 June 2009
Major Routes Retained & First New Bus for London Stagecoach 1 February 2014
Tender News Bus Talk issue 26 February 2014
Service Changes 24 May to 5 July 2014 inclusive Transport for London 5 June 2014
Route N8 Map Transport for London
Five bus routes to the new Terminal 5 Transport for London 18 March 2008
Route N9 Map Transport for London
New night bus services in west London Transport for London 22 January 2010
Route 297 to become a 24-hour service Transport for London 3 June 2008
^ "Central London Bus Review 2022: Decision summary and next steps" (PDF). TfL Have Your Say. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
^ "Central London bus changes". TfL. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
Route N11 Map Transport for London
Bus Service Changes 11 March to 16 April 2017 Transport for London 24 March 2017
Route N13 Map Transport for London
Major changes to routes 15, N15, 159 and N159 Transport for London 24 August 2010
Bus routes 6, 15 and N15 Transport for London 13 August 2018
Tender News Go-Ahead London 28 March 2017
Route N15 Map Transport for London
Route N16 Map Transport for London
^ Aberdeen firm FirstGroup sells off depots for £80m BBC News 9 April 2013
^ First quits London bus business Bus & Coach Professional 9 April 2013
Stagecoach lose out in bus tendering Coach & Bus Week issue 1285 5 April 2017
Route N18 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 19/N19 Transport for London 27 June 2011
Bus tender results - Route 19/N19 Transport for London 25 August 2016
Tender News Bus Talk issue 42 October 2016 page 12
Route N19 Map Transport for London
Route N20 Map Transport for London
Route N21 Map Transport for London
Bus service changes 16 June to 28 July 2017 Transport for London 30 June 2017
Route N22 Map Transport for London
Permanent Bus Changes 2 November to 14 December 2018 Transport for London 26 November 2018
Success for Stagecoach in London Coach & Bus Week issue 1404 30 July 2019 page 7
Route N25 Map Transport for London
Route N26 Map Transport for London
Permanent Bus Changes 8 March to 19 April 2019 Transport for London 22 March 2019
Abellio, Stagecoach gain in TfL tender results Coach & Bus Week issue 1387 2 April 2019
Route N27 Map Transport for London
"Next phase of Wandsworth Bridge repair programme underway". Wandsworth Council. 23 August 2023.
"Next phase of Wandsworth Bridge repair programme underway". Wandsworth Council. 23 August 2023.
Route N28 Map Transport for London
Route N29 Map Transport for London
Tower Transit announces First Group partial acquisition Tower Transit 9 April 2013
First confirms London sell-off Coach & Bus Week 16 April 2013
Bus tender results - Route 31/N31 Transport for London 24 August 2017
Latest tendered service awards Buses issue 751 October 2017 page 21
Route N31 Map Transport for London
Route N32 Map Transport for London
^ Permanent Bus Changes 12 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 Transport for London 7 June 2019
Route N33 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 35/N35 Transport for London 15 September 2008
Bus service proposal: 35 and N35 Transport for London 18 March 2016
Route N35 map Transport for London
Route N38 Map Transport for London
Route N41 Map Transport for London
Route N44 Map Transport for London
Route N53 Map Transport for London
Route N55 Map Transport for London
Route N63 Map Transport for London
Permanent Bus Changes 5 October to 16 November 2018 Transport for London 23 October 2018
Route N65 Map Transport for London
London Central loses out in tender round Coach & Bus Week 1303 8 August 2017 page 7
Route N68 Map Transport for London
Route N72 Map Transport for London
Bus service changes 19 May to 30 June 2017 Transport for London 2 June 2017
Route N73 Map Transport for London
Route N74 Map Transport for London
Changes to route 83 and the introduction of new route 483 Archived 8 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Transport for London 7 June 2016
Bus Service Changes 5 August to 24 September inclusive Transport for London 27 August 2016
Route N83 Map Transport for London
Route N86 Map Transport for London
Route N87 Map Transport for London
Route N89 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 91/N91 Transport for London 19 June 2008
Route N91 Map Transport for London
Over 50 new electric buses on their way to London Coach & Bus Week issue 1198 21 July 2015 page 6
Route N97 Map Transport for London
Route N98 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 109/N109 Transport for London 17 April 2014
Abellio continues its winning streak Buses issue 711 June 2014 page 19
Route N109 Map Transport for London
Bus service proposal: new night bus route N113 and changes to route N13 Transport for London 1 June 2012
New night bus N113 links Mill Hill, Watford Way and Hendon Way with central London Transport for London 26 June 2012
Route N113 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 133/N133 Transport for London 14 September 2009
Route N133 Map Transport for London
Sullivan Buses and London Central gain London bus tenders Coach & Bus Week issue 1266 15 November 2016 page 9
Route N136 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 137/N137 Transport for London 2 February 2004
Route N137 Map Transport for London
Route N140 Map Transport for London
Route N155 Map Transport for London
Bus service proposal: route N171 Transport for London
Route N171 Map Transport for London
"Have Your Say Transport for London" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
Route N199 Map Transport for London
Have your say on proposals for bus services to serve the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Transport for London August 2013
Six routes transfer in latest TfL tender results Coach & Bus Week issue 1375 8 January 2019 page 7
Route N205 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 207/N207 Transport for London 11 July 2018
Metrobus and Abellio gain TfL contracts Coach & Bus Week issue 1351 17 July 2018 page 7
Route N207 Map Transport for London
Route N242 Map Transport for London
Route N250 Map Transport for London
Route N253 Map Transport for London
Bus Changes Transport for London 1 February 2023
Route N271 Map Transport for London
Permanent Bus Changes 1 June to 13 July 2018 Transport for London 15 June 2018
Route N277 Map Transport for London
Route N279 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 343/N343 Transport for London 9 March 2005
Successful TfL tender round for London Central - Coach & Bus Week issue 1299 11 July 2017 page 7
Route N343 Map Transport for London
Bus tender results - Route 381/N381 Transport for London 15 March 2004
Route N381 Map Transport for London
^ Contracts awards show an enthusiasm for night work Buses December 2012 page 18
^ HCT wins three new London red bus routes HCT Group 13 December 2017
Route N550 Map Transport for London
Route N551 Map Transport for London

London bus routes

1–99
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

100–199

100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
108D
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199

200–299

300–399

400–499
401 403 404 405 406 407 410 411 412 413 414 415 417 418 419 422 423 424 425 427 428 430 432 433 434 436 439 440 444 450 452 453 456 460 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 472 473 474 476 481 481D 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 490 491 492 493 496 498 499

500–599
533

600–699
601 602 603 605 606 608 612 613 616 617 618 621 624 625 626 627 628 629 631 632 633 634 635 638 639 640 642 643 646 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 660 661 662 663 664 665 667 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 677 678 679 681 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 696 697 698 699

900–999
969

Letter prefix

East London Transit
EL1 EL2 EL3

Superloop
SL1 SL2 SL3 SL5 SL6 SL7 SL8 SL9 SL10

Night only
N1 N2 N3 N5 N7 N8 N9 N11 N15 N18 N19 N20 N21 N22 N25 N26 N27 N28 N29 N31 N32 N33 N38 N41 N44 N53 N55 N63 N65 N68 N72 N73 N74 N83 N86 N87 N89 N91 N97 N98 N109 N113 N133 N136 N137 N140 N155 N171 N199 N205 N207 N242 N250 N253 N266 N277 N279 N343 N381 N550 N551

Former
9H 10 15H 48 77A 82 87 129 143D 168 271 305 332 369 387 391 405D 455 497 507 521 530 541 549 558 588 607 609 611 618 619 636 637 641 648 689 692 718 (2019-21) 718 (2022-24) 719 720 728 733 931 953 965 C2 H50 PR1 PR2 RV1 S2 S5 T31 T32 T33 W10 N10 N13 N16 N35 N36 N47 N64 N76 N93 N159 N213 X26 X68 X140

Future
SL4

Categories:

History

Operation

N1

N2

N3

N5

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N13

N15

N16

N18

N19

N20

N21

N22

N25

N26

N27

N28

N29

N31

N32

N33

N35

N38

N41

N44

N53

N55

N63

N65

N68

N72

N73

N74

N83

N86

N87

N89

N91

N97

N98

N109

N113

N133

N136

N137

N140

N155

N171

N199

N205

N207

N242

N250

N253

N271

N277

N279

N343

N381

N550

N551

See also

References