How Bus Stops are Marked
The letters on bus stops serve as map references for the public and emergency services, particularly in busy parts of London. Some prefixes have straightforward meanings: C stands for Central; X stands for Express routes; N denotes a Night Bus. The W Code (e.g. W2 – W10) refers to Wood Green.
Bus Terminology
A bus terminal is where a route starts or ends, where vehicles stop, turn or reverse, and wait before departing on return journeys. It’s also where passengers board and alight from vehicles.
Route Identification
Giving bus stops unique IDs makes it easier to identify the correct stop among several within a short distance.
The Meaning of Bus Route Letters
Letters were added to show a variation in certain routes, according to an in-depth analysis of bus route numbering systems.
TfL’s Bus Network
TfL operates one of the largest bus networks in the world with over 19,000 bus stops and approximately 700 routes served by 8000 buses daily. Route X26 is the longest bus route wholly in London but not the longest bus route to serve London.
London Bus Routes
Bus route 18 is the most popular route used by people traveling on the Hopper fares, according to figures from TfL. The route runs from Sudbury & Harrow Road station to Euston Station.
Bus Stop Location Codes
Our local stops have recently received letters. Those around the Bricklayer’s Arms roundabout have two-letter codes beginning "B"; further down the Old Kent Road, the prefix is "E" for stops towards New Cross and "W" for those heading into town.
First Bus Services in Leeds
First Bus operates 60 bus services running regularly in Leeds and the surrounding area, each with a different number and some with letters.
Bus Route History
Once buses did not have numbers; the front indicator showed the route’s final destination and stops in between.