London Banter - View Single Post

Basil Jet[_2_] · June 8th 12, 12:44 PM posted to uk.transport.london

On 2012\06\08 13:28, d wrote:

Why do some london bus routes have a letter in them? Its not like numbers are
in short supply. Do the letters signify something special?

The original ones such as the W8 were flat fare routes, before all bus
routes were flat fare. Many of them replaced existing numbered bus
routes, for instance the W3 was called the 233 before it went flat fare
in 1968. Some or all of them had a coin box with a slot and gave no
change, and some or all took multi-ride clipper strips in a turnstile
lane opposite the driver. Other routes such as the W5 were introduced
after all buses went flat fare, so there is no good reason for them to
have the letter.