The London Bus Museum has announced details of its three 2024 Heritage Days which will bring classic vehicles to TfL routes, one of which takes place at the same time as the 100th anniversary celebrations of Barking bus garage.
Proving highly popular with both enthusiasts and the general public on previous occasions, these events are part of the museum’s policy of bringing its buses to as many people as possible. There are no fares charged, and vehicles use normal TfL bus stops. Spokesperson for the events Peter Osborn said: “The opportunity to surprise ordinary passengers with the treat of riding on a bus between 40 and 80 years old allows the museum to engage with people from all walks of life who might never visit the museum itself. And they love it – the smiles on their faces in otherwise tough times makes it all worthwhile.
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As usual, the events are spread across different parts of the capital, starting on Saturday 23 March with routes 145, from Redbridge to Dagenham, and 62, from Chadwell Heath to Barking, in north east London. Both routes pass Barking bus garage, which celebrates its centenary in 2024 with an open day being hosted by current operator Stagecoach London between midday and 4pm in partnership with the museum. Barking has operated route 145 since the day it opened in 1924, apart from for a five year period in the early days of London bus route tendering when the contract was won by EnsignBus.
Later in the year, attention moves south of the river, to route 406 (Kingston to Epsom) on Sunday 9 June – which will also include operation over the old London Country area route south from Epsom – and route 61 (Bromley to Chislehurst via Orpington) on Saturday 18 September. Like the 2023 operation on route 38, the September event will be held in conjunction with Heritage Open Days, the national heritage celebration of free activities organised by the National Trust.
London Bus Museum Chairman Leon Daniels said: “Back in the terrible days of the pandemic and when the museum was closed we took our collection out to the people. This has morphed into three heritage bus operation days a year. These remain hugely popular and are supported by TfL. Our operations meet our objective of giving the public the experience of transport as it used to be, as well as raising awareness of the London Bus Museum.
“We are really grateful to all the owners and operators who work with us providing vehicles and crews.”
London Bus Museum’s Spring Gathering takes place on 14 April, the Summer Festival June 24 and TransportFest on 20 October.
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