Why London Buses Are Red — And What They Used to Be
London’s red buses are as iconic as Big Ben, the black cab, or a rainy afternoon. But have you ever stopped to ask: why are they red?
And more surprisingly — what colour were they before?
The history of London buses is a surprisingly colourful journey (literally and figuratively). Let’s take a ride through it.
First Things First: The Red You See Today Has a Backstory
The famous red double-decker wasn’t always red.
In fact, when buses first appeared in London in the 19th century, they came in all kinds of colours — green, yellow, blue, brown, and more.
Why? Because different bus companies operated in the city, and they each chose their own colours to stand out from the competition. It was like a mobile branding war.
The Colour War of the 1800s
Back in the early 1900s, London’s streets were chaotic — not just with horses and carriages, but with multiple private bus companies jostling for passengers.
The biggest and most powerful? The London General Omnibus Company (LGOC).
They wanted to dominate the roads, and they knew branding was key.
So in 1907, LGOC made a bold move:
They painted all their buses red — a colour chosen because it was bold, bright, and easy to spot in the chaos of London’s smoggy streets.
The red bus soon became a symbol of efficiency and reliability.
And when LGOC eventually absorbed smaller companies, their red branding became the norm — setting the stage for what we now know as London’s transport identity.
What Colours Came Before Red?
Before red became king, London buses were:
Green in suburban or rural routes (especially outside London in counties like Surrey and Kent)
Brown, yellow, or blue depending on the company
Grey or navy for special services like night buses or airport shuttles
Some even had two-tone paint jobs — picture a cream top and blue bottom!
Fun fact: During World War II, buses were often painted in camouflage colours to avoid being targets during air raids.
The Rise of the Red Double-Decker
In 1954, London introduced the Routemaster, the now-legendary red double-decker with an open rear platform and iconic curves.
This model sealed the deal.
The Routemaster wasn’t just a bus — it was a moving symbol of post-war London: efficient, stylish, and distinctly red.
Tourists started associating the red double-decker with London itself.
It became a global icon — featured in films, postcards, souvenirs, and guidebooks.
Even though newer bus models have come in, the tradition of red has stuck.
But Wait… Not All London Buses Are Red
While most of the fleet is red, you’ll sometimes spot:
Blue buses on private shuttle routes
Green buses in some heritage or countryside services
Branded buses wrapped in ads or event themes (think: Pride-themed, movie promos, or Christmas specials)
But these are the exception — red is still very much the rule.
Why Red Still Works Today
Red buses are:
Highly visible — great for safety in London traffic
Instantly recognisable — even across the globe
A symbol of unity across the city’s boroughs and transport zones
Even with digital travel, Uber, and the Tube, the humble red bus still plays a huge part in everyday London life.
Final Thoughts
So the next time you hop on a red double-decker, remember:
It wasn’t always red
It wasn’t always one company
And it wasn’t always such a global icon
But thanks to some smart branding and a dash of London flair, the red bus became a part of the city’s DNA.
It’s bold. It’s brilliant. It’s quintessentially London.
Love learning quirky London history?
Follow @Londonyaar for more stories from the streets — and don’t forget to share this with someone who’s always wondered:
“Why red?”