In celebration of Catford Bus Garage’s 111th birthday, vintage 1950s buses will be running through south-east London for one day next month.
Taking place on September 13 from 10 am to 5 pm, the 54 bus route — running between Elmers End and Blackheath (Royal Standard) — will be operated by iconic Routemaster buses.
This marks 111 years since Catford Bus Garage first opened and forms part of the Heritage Open Days events taking place throughout September.
Operated by the London Bus Museum, the route will mainly be served by the iconic RT-type buses, which preceded the Routemaster and served the capital from the mid-20th century until the late 1970s.
However, the route will also feature other vintage buses from the 20th century.
Passengers riding the RT-type—free to the public—will receive an old-style bus ticket from the conductor as a nostalgic keepsake.
The buses will stop at various points along the 54 route, passing through Blackheath, Beckenham, Lewisham and Catford.
If you want to ride one of these buses, simply flag it down at any stop along the route, just as you would a regular bus.
Alongside the heritage services, Catford Bus Garage will also host an Open Day to mark its 111th year.
What you need to know
- Travelling on the vintage buses will be free, with no booking required.
- Services will run between 10 am and 5 pm on Saturday, September 13.
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Due to their age, most heritage buses are not wheelchair- or buggy-accessible. However, the London Bus Museum advises that staff will endeavour to assist passengers with children or access needs.
Where it will stop:
- Blackheath / Royal Standard
- Vanbrugh Park / Stratheden Road
- Vanbrugh Park / Beaconsfield Road
- Maze Hill
- The Clarendon Hotel
- Blackheath Station
- Blackheath Hospital
- St Margaret's Church / Brandram Road
- The Squirrels
- Lockmead Road
- Lewisham Centre
- Morley Road
- Lewisham Fire Station
- Lewisham Park
- Lewisham Hospital
- Mount Pleasant Road
- Rosenthal Road
- The Catford Centre
- Bromley Road / Lewisham Town Hall
- Inchmery Road
- Newquay Road
- Catford Bus Garage
- Bellingham Road
- Catford Police Station
- Southend Lane
- Green Man Community Hub
- Primrose Close
- Beckenham Hill Station
- Highland Croft
- Stumps Hill Lane
- Brackley Road
- Copers Cope Road
- Beckenham Junction Station
- Manor Road
- Beckenham High Street / Kelsey Square
- Beckenham High Street / War Memorial
- Croydon Road / War Memorial
- Beckenham Hospital
- Cromwell Road
- Eden Park Avenue
- Elmers End Green
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