Three London Bus Routes Are Free Until May 2026 Here’s How to Use Them
London’s transport system is constantly evolving, and right now there’s a small but useful detail that many people travelling around east London might not realise.
Transport for London (TfL) has made three bus routes completely free to ride, allowing passengers to travel without paying a fare.
The temporary offer runs until 26 May 2026, giving commuters and visitors a chance to use some cross-river routes at no cost.
Here’s what you need to know.
Which London Bus Routes Are Free?
The following routes are currently free to ride:
108 — Lewisham ↔ Stratford International
129 — Lewisham ↔ Gallions Reach
SL4 — Grove Park ↔ Canary Wharf
These routes connect parts of south-east and east London, helping passengers travel across the River Thames more easily.
The buses operate as part of the London Buses network.
Why These Bus Routes Are Free
The free travel scheme was introduced alongside the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel, a major new Thames crossing that opened in April 2025.
The goal was to encourage people to:
use public transport rather than drive
explore the new cross-river bus connections
improve travel between east and south-east London
Because of this initiative, journeys on the three bus routes remain free for passengers until late May 2026.
You Still Need to Tap In
Even though the journeys are free, passengers must still tap in using Oyster or contactless payment when boarding.
This allows TfL to record journeys and track how many people are using the routes.
When you check your journey history, the fare will appear as £0.00.
Why These Routes Matter
These bus routes provide important connections between areas that previously had limited direct transport links.
For example:
Route SL4 links south-east London to Canary Wharf
Route 129 connects Lewisham with London City Airport and east London
Route 108 runs through the Blackwall Tunnel, another key Thames crossing
Together they create faster connections between communities on both sides of the river.
A Small Perk for London Travellers
Free travel on London buses is extremely rare, which makes this temporary scheme quite unusual.
If your journey happens to include one of these routes, it’s a useful way to save a little money while travelling around east London.
And with the offer running until 26 May 2026, there’s still time to take advantage of it.
Final Thought
London’s transport network changes regularly as new infrastructure opens and routes evolve.
The temporary free bus scheme linked to the Silvertown Tunnel is a small but interesting example of how the city encourages people to use public transport.
And if you happen to be travelling through east London, those free rides are definitely worth knowing about.
London’s transport system introduces new routes, updates, and seasonal changes throughout the year.
For more London travel tips, local discoveries, and useful city guides, keep checking back with Londonyaar.com
👉 And if you’re planning a journey across east London, this might be one of the easiest ways to save a bus fare.