Bus numbers

krappyrubsnif · January 2017

Very nerdy this, but what is the origin of the local bus numbers?

210 is partly explained by the old system of London single-deckers being allocated numbers from 200 up to 599 in some previous era. The 210 was single decker until quite recently.

But what is the W in W7 and W3 for? Apparently most prefixes refer to places, eg P is for Peckham and RV for 'river'. But I can't think of anywhere with a W along those routes.

Some interesting background here

http://londonist.com/2016/09/london-bus-numbers?utm_content=buffer56c8d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Cone on, there must be a bus geek on this forum!

Sutent · January 2017

@Krappy this is a very exciting topic thanks for posting. The "W" represents a region the bus serves as you have correctly said. For North London W stands for Wood Green And Walthamstow. These bus numbering system started in the late 1960s and changed from 2 members of staff to 1. Initially I think buses from Wood Green where W1- W5. The W7 used to be the 212 bus route (http://www.red-rf.com/red_rf_routes/crew_routes_1953/212.aspx)

Arkady · January 2017

Top knowledge Sutent.

tosscat · January 2017

We had a walk over the God's Own Junk Yard and clocked the W12, W15 and W16 in Walthamstow: very exciting.

krappyrubsnif · January 2017

@Sutent I'm humbled. But why Walthamstow - we're miles from that bosky neighbourhood which is the far side of the River Lea isn't it? Was it something to do with bus garages?

Sutent · January 2017

@krappyrubsnif - all your questions can be answered by this thread on HOL. Some beautiful photos as well to admire of old route master buses. http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/what-does-w-stand-for-on-the-w3-w5-bus-routes?commentId=844301:Comment:711306

gardener-joe · January 2017

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Mr_Arif · January 2017

I can remember that their was also a 212 express which ran during the morning and evening rush hours , The front and back route signs were in bright blue with white writing, They only stopped twice after leaving Muswell Hill , Crouch end Broadway, and the other stop was outside the now second hand furniture Rileys Emporium which is between Budgets and the Stapleton, then Finsbury park, during the return journey rush hour Finsbury park then the stop opposite Budgets, Crouch end Broadway ,Muswell hill, as far as I can remember the other 212 buses stopped at all the other present stops , also the old 236 which was a single decker and was routed from I think hackney terminated outside the Stapleton, and then went up Mount pleasant crescent into Victoria road and parked up till his dept time where he woul'd drive around to the present stop in Stroud green for the return journey back,

Sutent · January 2017

I didn't realise this at the time but looks as though they run the old RF486 in 2013 for the 60th anniversary. Beautiful photographs https://robcartwrightphotoblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/on-the-buses/

Sutent · January 2017

@krappyrubsnif - an extensive history of the 212 (W7) with some great photos... http://www.red-rf.com/red_rf_routes/crew_routes_1953/212.aspx

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