Photo: London subway map. Click to enlarge

When we first moved to London from Manchester, I must admit that I was afraid for a long time to use the London Underground. It seemed to me an intricate labyrinth with many intertwining branches, which seemed an impossible task to understand. In my memory, a story read once has firmly settled down, how the singer Larisa Dolina once got lost in the London subway with her daughter. Therefore, I put off my acquaintance with the metro until later, for a long time successfully using only buses. Nevertheless, the need was brewing, and I gradually began to use the services of the London Underground.

The first rule of thumb when using the London Tube is: study the map carefully! The principle of organizing the London underground differs from the Moscow one - the lines of the London underground intersect, run parallel to each other on some sections, forming an extensive network. Certain stations are interchange stations - be careful, trains can go in completely different directions from the same platform!

I once missed a couple of stops and didn't get off on time at Oxford Circus station. Having discovered my mistake, I immediately got out of the car and crossed to the other side of the platform. What was my surprise when, instead of Oxford Circus, the train took me towards Camden Town! Therefore, carefully read the readings of the electronic board: they indicate in which direction the arriving train is going. And be sure to listen to announcements on the speakerphone: sometimes they announce that trains do not run on some sections of the route. In the latter case, alternative bus routes are usually organized.

The London Underground includes 12 linesa plus Docklands Light Rail (Docklands Light Railway, abbreviated as DLR) and is conveniently integrated with the commuter train network. DLR lines are present on the London Underground map, and the same travel fare rules apply. An interesting feature of the London Light Rail is that it is fully automated, and trains are controlled by computers, not machinists.

Subway trains start running from 5 am and finish work in midnight (on Sunday, the metro operates on a reduced schedule). The current mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is fighting to introduce a 24-hour work schedule for the London Tube, but, alas, so far unsuccessfully: the labor unions of the London underground are strongly opposed, regularly organizing global strikes throughout London.

The London public transport system is divided into 9 concentric zones: the first zone is the central one, and zones 6-9 are already related to Greater London (that is, in fact, they are suburbs).

Traveling around London is cheaper and more convenient with cards Oyster Card (or Visitor Oyster Card) and Travelcard... I'll tell you more about them.

Oyster Card

Photo: Mayor of London Boris Johnson showing the Oyster map

Having landed at London airport, the first thing a tourist should do (besides currency exchange or cash withdrawal from a bank card) is to get a smart card Oyster Card.

It is absolutely necessary to do this, since it has not recently been possible to pay in cash on London buses. However, if you have a contactless bank card, then you can pay for trips in London transport with her, at similar rates.

The Oyster Card can be used to pay for travel on the London Underground, DLR, surface transport, waterbus and most train destinations.

The Oyster Card saves money on travel. By comparison, a single London Underground ride within Zone 1 with a paper ticket will cost you £ 4.90, while with the Oyster the same ride will only cost you £ 2.40.

The cost of a trip by public transport depends on the distance and travel time: during rush hours (on weekdays from 6-30 to 9-30 and from 16-30 to 19-00) a trip along the same route will cost more than the rest time (off-peak times).

Tourist variety of Oyster Visitor Oyster Card, which also provides various discounts and special offers in some shops, restaurants and other entertainment venues in London, can be ordered in advance, delivered to your home. It will cost £ 3 plus shipping costs.

The regular Oyster Card is free of charge but requires a £ 5 deposit. This card can be issued only in London (it is better to do it immediately upon arrival at the airport). You can top up your card at numerous electronic terminals at airports, tube and train stations, as well as tourist information centers and small shops throughout London (usually they have a blue Oyster badge on their windows). In case of difficulty, just ask any passer-by with the question: "Excuse me, where can I top-up my Oyster card?", And you will certainly be helped.

Using the Oyster Card is very convenient: just bring your card to the yellow circle on the reader at the beginning and end of the trip (in buses and trams, the payment is debited immediately after the first touch). Be sure to find an electronic reader if you travel by rail: not all railway stations are equipped with turnstiles, but renting an Oyster is in your personal interests, otherwise you will be charged the highest possible fare.

The good news is that when using the Oyster or contactless card, the maximum possible daily charge threshold is set ( price cap) - when it is reached, the further cost of trips is reset to zero. So, for example, for trips within zones 1-4, this threshold is now 8.60 or 9.30 pounds per day (for off-peak and peak times, respectively).

You can register an Oyster card on the Internet at oyster.tfl.gov.uk - in this case, you can find out the balance of your account at any time, and most importantly, if you lose your card, you will be sent a new one, transferring the balance from the lost one to it.

Travelcards

Photo: Travelcards

An alternative to Oyster are cards Travelcards for a certain number of days. The advantage of travelcard is that you pay a fixed fee once and travel with the card an unlimited number of times. You can purchase both a paper travelcard for 1 day, and a weekly travelcard (in the latter case, it is recorded on the Oyster card). Travelcard operates on the same modes of transport as Oyster and offers a 30% discount on the standard river tram ticket prices and 25% on cable cars.

Travelcard cost depends on zones and travel time. For example, a one-day Travelcard for travel within zones 1-6 during off-peak hours will cost you £ 12.10.

Well, the best news is that children under 15 years old travel with their parents on the underground, DLR or ground transport in London for free (for children over 5 years old, you need to issue a Zip Oyster photo). Most National Rail destinations are also free for children under 10.

London buses

In the photo: a double-decker bus in London

In my opinion, this is the most enjoyable and comfortable way to travel around London. Sitting in the bus on a soft seat, you not only move around the city, but also observe its life from the inside (the view on the second floor is especially good). Plus, it's the cheapest form of transport: a single bus ride with the Oyster Card will cost you as little as 1.50 lb... If you are using one ground transportation (bus or tram), the maximum cost of your daily travel in Oyster will not exceed 4.50 pounds.

If you travel on buses all the time, then you might want to consider buying a bus pass. A weekly travel pass for buses and trams will cost you £ 21.20, and for a month - £ 81.50.

With two floors, London buses almost always have an empty seat. A baby stroller is not a hindrance to travel: inside each double decker there is a specially designated area for at least two strollers. People with disabilities enjoy priority on all types of urban transport. In buses for wheelchair users, the driver lowers a special footboard, and the wheelchair itself is securely fixed on a special mount inside the bus.

Be aware that bus drivers in London make stops on demand. Therefore, if you are waiting for a bus at a bus stop, be sure to raise your hand when it approaches so that the driver will notice you - otherwise he may pass by. Before exiting the bus, give a signal to the driver by pressing the red “Stop” button on any of the handrails - you will hear a bell, and the message “Bus stopping” will light up on the electronic board.

London is a city that never sleeps. Especially for night owls at night, when the metro is already closed, London runs night buses.

Detailed information on bus routes can be found at the stops. Some stops are also equipped electronic scoreboards, suggesting how many minutes to wait for the bus of each route.

Special rides in central London tourist buses with an open top. This is a great opportunity to explore famous London landmarks. However, regular city buses are also fine for sightseeing - try routes 9, 14, 15 or 22.

London trams

Photo: tram in London

Available in London and trams: They run in the south of Greater London, connecting the Wimbledon, Croydon, Beckenham and New Addington districts. Tram fares are similar to bus fares: £ 1.50 on an Oyster card, £ 21.20 for a weekly pass.

Trains in London

An extensive rail network covers the whole of London and connects it with the suburbs. Most of the railway lines connect to metro lines, so it is very convenient to change from train to subway. You can pay for a train ride with Oyster, Travelcard, contactless card or by purchasing a single paper ticket. The cost of the trip depends on the distance and travel time, as well as the specific railway line. Various discount cards can be used to save up to a third of the price of trips - for example, an annual discount card for young people between 16 and 25 can be purchased for £ 30.

Photo: railway train in London

Major railway operatorsconnecting central London to its suburbs include:

SouthEastern Railway,

Southern Railway,

London Overground,

Greater Anglia,

South West Trains,

Chiltern Railways and

London Midland.

Rail trains also allow you to reach London airports Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted (however, standard payment cards do not work with them). Well, surely everyone has heard about trains " Eurostar»Connecting London with Paris and Brussels.

River trams London River Bus

Pictured: London River Bus on the River Thames in London

A unique feature of London is the availability regular river service... This is a great way to escape London's traffic jams and enjoy a stroll down the Thames while taking in the sights of London.

This is a fast and convenient, though not cheap, form of transport. Most trams also sell drinks and snacks.

In total, London operates 5 regular river routes terminating at Putney and Royal Woolwich Arsenal.

Popular stops among tourists river trams include:

Millbank Pier near Tate Britain;

London Eye Pier next to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, The London Dungeon and the London Eye;

London Bridge City pier next to the cruiser HMS Belfast, Borough Market and The Shard skyscraper;

Tower Millennium Pier near the Tower and Tower Bridge;

North Greenwich Pier next to The O2 and Emirates Air Line;

Greenwich Pier next to Greenwich Observatory and the prime meridian.

You can save money on river trips by using your Oyster or Travelcard (however, the maximum daily limit does not apply). Payment by contactless bank cards is being prepared for introduction in the summer of 2016.

If you are planning several trips in one day, then it makes sense to purchase a one-day ticket River roamer.

The cost of the trip is highly dependent on the distance and discounts you can count on. Children under 5 years old travel for free. For an adult, the maximum fare is £ 17.35 if paid in cash.

Emirates Air Line cable car

Photo: Emirates Air Line cable car in London

Another type of transport that is of great interest to tourists is cable car Emirates Airlines, running over the waters of the Thames. Funiculars start from the Greenwich Peninsula and land at the Royal Docks. All the pleasure lasts only 6 minutes. Funiculars can accommodate up to 10 people each and run every 30 seconds.

At 7 pm, a special night program starts and the journey extends to 12 minutes. Cockpit music and videos enhance the thrilling flight over London at night.

Ticket prices range from £ 3.50 for adults and £ 1.70 for children. If desired, you can purchase a round-trip ticket at a price of 6.80 for an adult and from 3.40 for a child. You can pay for the trip with the same Oyster card or contactless card, while saving a quarter of the ticket cost.

Station address: Emirates Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich, London, SE10 0FJ.

Bicycle rent

In the photo: Boris Johnson and Arnold Schwarzenegger ride bicycles in London

Lovers of physical activity at any time of the day or night can rent bicyclescourtesy of the London authorities.

Despite the semblance of convenience, I personally would not recommend moving around London this way, because a trip in heavy London traffic can hardly be called relaxing. Be that as it may, especially for fans to spin the pedals, the city authorities built whole 750 bike stations all over the city with 11 thousand bicycles, who received the affectionate nickname "Boris bikes" among the people (named after the mayor of London, Boris Johnson).

You can pay rent in an electronic terminal using a bank card or through special application for smartphones. Renting a bike for a day will cost you only 2 pounds, and trips up to half an hour are absolutely are free! However, if you do not meet the 30 minutes, then every next half hour will cost you £ 2.

You can change bicycles an unlimited number of times during the paid period. A bike that is not returned on time or is damaged will be fined £ 300.

Taxi

Photo: Taxi black cab in London

And, of course, London cannot be imagined without iconic black cabs, which every tourist is obliged to ride at least once. To hail a London taxi, you just have to vote at the side of the road with your hand up. The free black cab on the roof will burn yellow Taxi icon.

The price of a London taxi ride is calculated based on counter, and the minimum cost is 2.40 lb... Rates increase when ordering a taxi at the airport, as well as in the case of a phone call or on holidays.

Thrifty locals rarely use the services of black cabs - mainly, this is the prerogative of guests of the capital. Londoners themselves usually have several apps on their smartphones that allow private cab drivers to be called, such as Uber or Gett. This circumstance could not but arouse the anger of black cab drivers, who do not receive their share of the profits, in connection with which there has recently been tangible pressure on Uber.

When arriving in the UK capital, it is best to plan your itineraries in advance using Google Maps. The same Google Maps will tell you the best route to your destination and the names of stops where you should get off. Remember that the bus is the cheapest form of transport in London, and if you want to save money and are not limited in time, I would recommend taking a ride on it.

However, if you need to get to your destination as quickly as possible, it is better to use the metro or rail. In case of difficulty, contact any transport employee in your field of vision, and you will certainly be helped and advised the correct route. Welcome to London!

It is planned to introduce a new doubledecker model, which is planned to be launched in 2011.

London's bus service from 1855 to 1933 was operated by the London General Omnibus Company ( english), this company purchased buses for the entire capital. Since 1911, buses have been specially designed for the needs of the city: in 1911, the LGOC B-type ( english) own production in a wooden body on a wooden chassis, the second floor is open. In 1922, it was replaced by the NS-Type bus, it originally also had an open second floor, but in 1925 the city authorities banned the operation of open-top buses and almost 1,700 copies were modified. In the early 1930s, a three-axle single-deck LT class bus was produced, which was distinguished by its increased passenger capacity. He was replaced by a bus produced after the war.

1956-2005

On the other hand, this bus became part of English culture and the completion of these buses was perceived by society as cultural vandalism... In addition, the role of conductors in the passenger compartment of the bus helped to improve the safety of passengers and reduce the number of cases of vandalism in the passenger compartment. In addition, people with disabilities did not get big advantages from the production of other types of buses, since the advertised ramps for disabled people did not work on all cars.

After 2006

In December 2007, ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics, a project was launched to develop a new city bus for London. The project was called "New London Bus" (originally - New bus 4 London), the official result of the competition was presented in 2010. The project was started by the Mayor of London Ken Livingston, the final version was presented by Boris Johnson.

Basically, the bus is a hybrid scheme, front-wheel drive - a 4.5 liter diesel engine. The rear wheels are powered by electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries. The batteries are charged from solar panels on the roof of the bus, at night the battery powers the electric generator. The balance system between energy sources is controlled by on-board computerThis computer also controls the acceleration of the bus. Control systems are created jointly by TfL ( english) and Wrightbus.

Structurally, it resembles a rootmaster, the aluminum body is mounted on the frame. The bus has additional doors and a second staircase to the second floor. The classic back platform remains, but it is closed by a light door.

Individual machines

Individual double-deckers are widely known:

Notes (edit)

Links

Categories:

• Cars introduced in 2011
• 2010s cars
• Cars alphabetically
• Expected events
• Expected cars
• London Transport
• Double-decker buses

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

All tourists know about London's famous red double-decker buses. After all, this is a symbol of the capital of Britain. Of course, today in many countries of the world there are such vehicles, but for London, doubledeckers are of particular importance. In our review, we will tell you in more detail about the history of this transport, as well as how you can save on cellular communications when you come to Britain.

The first prototypes of buses in London appeared back in 1820! True, those of that time were very different from modern vehicles. They were called omnibuses (horse-drawn multi-seat vans).

The first double-decker bus appeared in 1847. Thanks for this to the shipping company Adams & Co. After all, the then omnibuses are the prototype of the famous London doubledeckers, which today are not just transport, but one of the most recognizable symbols of London.

The then omnibus was not very comfortable - horse carriages with an open second floor, which could only be climbed by steep, uncomfortable stairs. For this reason, the demand was minimal; local residents did not use this type of transport very often for movement. But in 1852, after improving the model and increasing the number of seats (up to 40 passengers), the double-decker bus no longer aroused mistrust.

Of course, over time, the need for omnibuses disappeared, because trams and trolleybuses appeared, which were more convenient and maneuverable. Along with this, omnibuses with motors were created, which after some time received the well-known name "buses".

The most popular red 2-floor bus Routemaster came later. And immediately became popular with passengers. By the way, the name of the bus is translated from English as the owner of the roads. This bus appeared on London roads in 1956 to replace the city's trolleybuses, but the transport had been created two years earlier. This double-decker bus is loved not only by locals, but also by tourists. And all thanks to the unique design and convenient technical solution. The fact is that Rutmaster was created without doors. People entered and exited through the back platform, which was open. The idea significantly simplified the life of passengers, because it was possible to get off at any time, and not only at bus stops. Excellent escape during traffic jams.

Since then, the red Rutmaster buses have continued to delight both locals and tourists. Of course, we are not talking about the first vehicles, because they are outdated. And they were replaced by new models, more modern and ecological. So, in 2012 London saw a modern version of the world famous double-decker bus. If you are in London, be sure to ride the Routemaster. An interesting topic of bus travel - follow the link to our blog.

We save on communications in London - we connect inexpensive Internet

Cellular services in London can cost a penny. But there is good options tariffs to save your budget. For example, the Orange operator offers its subscribers inexpensive Internet in Europe (price per 1 GB per month - 7 euros - the minimum order volume). If necessary, you can order 2 GB and 3 GB as well for 30 days.

If the traffic packages are not of interest, the tourist can pay a fixed fee for each megabyte. By activating the annual option from Globalsim New (cost 10 euros for the entire period). After that, the tourist will be able to pay only for the used Internet abroad at a price of 1 cent per megabyte, and at the same time have no restrictions on the volume. More information at.

London's legendary red double-decker buses will once again serve Londoners and visitors alike from 20 February 2012. It was this date that sounded during a speech by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who presented the first of the new London doubledeckers at Trafalgar Square in the British capital. The last of the legendary Routemasters double-decker buses were discontinued in December 2005, although some still serve tourist excursions.

1. The Mayor of London promised during his speech that the new doubledeckers will be "ecological".

2. The first of the new double-decker buses belongs to transport company Arriva. It will begin serving passengers on 20 February 2012 on route eighth (which runs from Victoria Station to Hackney in East London). Boris Johnson noted in his speech: “These will be the most modern, most stylish buses, a wonderful achievement of engineering and design. I am sure that they will be loved in the same way as the former ones, the very ones that have long become one of the symbols of our city. "

3. The History of the London Bus by John Christopher, published by History Press, details the history of one of the most recognizable symbols of the British capital. The first bus company began serving customers in 1829. It was headed by bus designer George Schilbert, who took as a basis a similar bus service that already existed in Paris. George Schilber's service had several horse-drawn carriages to serve clients. The enterprise quickly became popular and attracted many imitations. By the end of the nineteenth century, the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) had become a monopoly in the industry. Shown here is a traditional London Omnibus Company (LGOC) bus, circa 1910, Piccadilly.

4. Traveling on a horse-drawn omnibus was not a pleasant pastime, says John Christopher, author of The History of the London Bus. The omnibus was traveling at a very low speed, its wooden seats were hard and uncomfortable. One of the possible solutions to the problem with the speed of movement was an innovation - the horses dragged the carriage of the omnibus along special smooth metal rails. Such omnibuses began to be called "horse trams", they were, in fact, the forerunners of conventional trams, which appeared at the end of the 19th century. Shown here is an electric tram running from Clapham to Westminster.

5. The first motor buses appeared in 1899. The first bus with an engine launched in mass production, is the so-called "B-type bus", which appeared in 1910. By 1913, approximately two and a half thousand of these buses served passengers, developing maximum speed up to 16 miles per hour. Over the next few years, they competed with omnibuses on London streets, and the omnibuses, of course, were forced to give up, because the horses were losing compared to the engine. ”

6. When the war broke out in August 1914, hundreds of buses were withdrawn for the needs of the army. Some were turned into mobile hospitals, while others were responsible for delivering food and ammunition to soldiers. Some even turned into mobile dovecotes - pigeon mail was still actively used at the front. The photograph shows British troops on the second floor of a B-type bus, Arras.

7. After the end of the war, the rapid expansion of London's territory, coupled with the high cost of tram service, led to an increasing number of bus routes... By 1930, there were about two billion bus trips in a year, twice the number of bus trips a decade ago. Many of the bus companies of that period even rented their buses for special events. Pictured is a poster advertising a bus rental, 1924, Derby.

8. In 1933, London buses were taken over by the newly formed London Transport Company. Many new buses have appeared, including the STL-type buses (pictured). “These buses had a separate driver's cab and a covered second floor, they already resembled modern buses,” says John Christopher in his book.

9. One of the top priorities during the Second World War was to keep the London transport system intact to ensure the smooth transportation of workers, doctors and service personnel. The windows of the buses were closed with special nets to prevent possible injuries to passengers if glass was shattered by a nearby bomb. The headlights of buses were dimmed to prevent them from becoming targets for enemy bombing. However, many of the London buses were destroyed during the London Blitz.

10. Guy Arab II G35 bus model, designed and built in 1945 from cheap and poor quality materials. This bus had hard wood seats made from untreated wood.

11.By 1946, a World War II wounded London transport system began to recover. More people were using buses at this time than ever before. The last tram was removed from the route on June 5, 1952 as a form of transport that has completely lost its popularity. The number of buses increased, new jobs appeared - after all, new drivers and conductors were constantly required. Women very willingly went to this work.

12. After the war, buses of new models appeared in London. The photo shows a single-decker bus model Leyland Tiger PS1, built in 1949. By the end of 1953, the London transport company London Transport had more than 7,000 double-decker buses and 893 single-deck buses at its disposal.

13. In 1956, the most famous London bus appeared for the first time - the "Routemaster". The epitome of London in the sixties of the last century, it is innovative in design. The bus has gained immense popularity among Londoners and visitors to the British capital. The reason for this was main feature the design of the bus - the presence of an open platform at the back, through which entry and exit was carried out. The bus had no doors. The open platform made it possible to quickly get off and on the bus, not only at stops, but also when standing at an intersection or in a traffic jam. In total, about 3000 of these buses were built.

14. In 1968, production of these buses was discontinued, and more modern and efficient models were introduced that did not require a two-person team to service. Many Routemaster buses were still in use, but in 2004, Ken Livingstone, then mayor of the British capital, announced that the bus would be discontinued. This decision caused a wave of public outcry. As a result, buses of this model continue to serve two sightseeing tourist routes: from Trafalgar Square to Tower Bridge, and from Albert Hall along the Strand to Aldwich. Pictured is a Routemaster bus in Trafalgar Square.

15. Some of the buses currently operating in the capital. were designed specifically for the streets of London. The photo shows a 1970 Daimler DMS1 bus (left) next to the Routemaster bus that it is about to replace. Alas, the Daimler DMS1 bus was not popular with Londoners.

16. Another bus that Londoners did not like is the so-called "accordion bus", which was introduced by Ken Livingstone in 2002. These buses were easier to maneuver through the streets and had other advantages, but they were criticized for the danger they presented to pedestrians and cyclists. One of the readers of The Daily Telegraph wrote a letter to the editor, where she argued that such buses are evil in their purest form. To date, all of them have been removed from the route.

17. The purple London bus, which changed color in honor of the premiere of the third Harry Potter film. London buses are usually red, but many have changed colors since the company they operate in 1980. 25 buses were repainted in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth, 25 were repainted gold for the monarch's jubilee of the same name in 2002.

London bus is the second most popular public appearance transport in the British capital. It is inferior to the metro first place, since the subway does not know the word "traffic jams". For a hundred years of its existence, the doubledecker, in addition to a means of transportation, has become one of London's irreplaceable business cards.

London Buses

This division of the public law corporation Transport for London is responsible for providing public transport services to Londoners and residents of the surrounding counties. London Buses manages existing routes and the creation of new ones, bus stations, stops, and also monitors the quality of service. About two billion people use buses, subways and other modes of transport in London every year.

Production history

Surely many people know the name of the London bus. The modern English term "doubledecker" in translation means "two-story". In 1911, the first LGOC B-type bus was built. Its body and chassis were wooden, and the second floor was open. After 10 years, it was replaced by the NS-Type. The second floor of the new bus was also open, like the previous model.

In 1925, a ban was introduced on public transport without roofs, in connection with which almost two thousand previously released copies were subject to modification. Before World War II, single-decker LT class buses plyed around London, which carried the same number of passengers as double-decker buses.

Routemaster, worked on the lines from 1956 to 2005 inclusive. The external and internal appearance of the bus changed over time, it was constantly improved for the needs of passengers. The low-floor routemaster was created for the elderly and disabled. Later, London double-decker buses were converted to be operated by one person - the driver.

In 2005, the work of routemasters on routes was terminated. Society perceived this event as an act of vandalism, since this type of transport has become an integral part of the culture of England.

Routemaster today

At the time of the termination of the work of this model of buses of these machines, there were more than 500 pieces. The decommissioned routemasters are still being sold to everyone. The bus costs about 10 thousand British pounds. Five cars are in the London Public Transport Museum. Many routemasters take guests of the capital during excursions.

There is a Routemaster Association club, which includes the owners of this brand of buses. The purpose of the organization is to educate people about this technique, as well as to liaise with suppliers of spare parts.

The symbol of the British capital - doubledecker

Today, 8 thousand red buses run around London. Doubledecker has hybrid scheme and diesel engine 4.5 liters. The two rear wheels are powered by an electric motor with lithium-ion batteries. An interesting fact is that outwardly, the doubledecker is practically no different from its predecessor. However, a modern bus has an additional door and stairs to the second floor.

To travel on a double-decker, you need to purchase a ticket in advance or use an Oyster card, since there are no conductor services in the salon. Between the floors of the bus there is a board on which the direction of movement and the bus number are written in yellow. There are specially equipped stops in the capital (road markings with the words "Bus stop"). In addition, the driver, upon request of passengers, can drop them off at a convenient place for them.

Travel reviews

Both residents of London and visitors to the city speak well of this type of transport. Most people note the prevailing comfort of travel on the second floor of the bus. According to passengers, there are many daylight and fresh air. On the first floor of the doubledecker, the ceiling is lower than on the second. This creates a feeling of being cramped. The chairs are very comfortable. They are covered with fabric and resemble office chairs. Each passenger seat has a handrail with a button to exit at a stop on demand. The distance between the seats is quite wide. Doubledecker drivers are polite, well-dressed people. Many salons are equipped with video surveillance cameras.

The speed of double-decker buses is low. This is due to the impressive size of the car and the abundance of other vehicles on the roads. Therefore, if you are in a hurry - use the underground, otherwise the London red bus - perfect option, since travel on it will still be faster than walking.

Big Bus Company Double Decker Tours

The trip organized by this company is an excellent solution for exploring the British capital in 48 hours. By buying a ticket online, you save The cost of the trip itself is about 30 British pounds. The day and night tour includes a boat trip on the Thames and hiking. A friendly character will meet you on the bus. The two-story double-decker on the blue route has an audio guide for Russian-speaking guests. During the trip, you will learn many exciting stories with historical details. The bus windows offer a beautiful view of the majestic London.

Discovery routes of London buses

Flight 15 from Trafalgar Square, going through the Strand and Oldwich to and route 9 from Albert Hall, are operated by the beloved routemaster of all Londoners. The fare is the same as travel on a modern doubledecker, so townspeople often use it as their daily commute.

Route 74 departs from Putney Bridge MRT Station at Fulham Palace. The bus passes by Kensington's museums and mansions, the Dorchester Hotel and Harrods Department Store. Then it goes through Hyde Park to the final stop next to the museum and the apartment of Sherlock Holmes on Baker Street.

Trail 24 begins in an extraordinarily vibrant area of \u200b\u200bLondon called Camden Town, home to restaurants, bars and an ethnic market. The London bus ride travels through Trafalgar Square, West End, Royal Guard, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. The terminus of Route 24 is at Scotland Yard.

During the history of the London bus, during the Second World War, he managed to be an indispensable vehicle for transporting carrier pigeons. To become a driver of the symbol of the capital, those who wish to take a 55-hour special training course. Passengers have the ability to track the location of the bus of interest using Internet maps, since doubledeckers are equipped with a GPS navigator.

Some people wonder what color London buses were in the past? The answer here directly depends on the time frame. At the beginning of the last century, public transport was colorful, but among all colors, blue still predominated. Later, this shade was considered inappropriate, since it was very difficult to see it in the fog. By the way, for the same reason, the black color of the telephone booths was changed to red. A tragic incident occurred on July 7, 2005 with the Dennis Trident 2 bus. It was blown up during a series of terrorist attacks. Route 30 became fatal for 13 people.

It's no secret that England has always been a mystical country. Therefore, it is not surprising that such a fate did not pass by the London buses. According to one of the legends, at the intersection of Cambridge Gardens and St. Marks Road, many see a red double-decker bus with number 7. “Eyewitnesses” claim that it suddenly appears and seems to dissolve into thin air. Probably, this mystical story would not have caught on among other legends in London, if not for the fact that it was at this intersection, under inexplicable circumstances, that many car accidents occurred.