Why are London buses red?

A dominant operator chose red in the early 1900s

London Bus Quiz: The Routemaster and Red Double-Deckers

Red double-deckers are as much a symbol of London as Big Ben, and this London bus quiz explores their history. Play 10 interactive questions on the Routemaster, its 1956 debut, conductors, the open rear platform, withdrawal from regular service in 2005, heritage routes, the New Routemaster by Heatherwick Studio, why buses are red, cashless fares and Summer Holiday.

Start London Bus Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Classic
What is the most famous classic London bus model?
Door
What was special about the original Routemaster's entrance?
Crew
Who traveled on Routemasters collecting fares?
Retire
When did Routemasters leave regular service?
New
Which design studio styled the New Routemaster?
Nickname
What nickname did the New Routemaster get?
Red
Why are London buses red?
Fares
How do passengers pay on London buses today?
Agency
Which body runs London's transport network?
Film
Which 1963 film starred Cliff Richard and a London bus?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What is the most famous classic London bus model?
Answer: The Routemaster
It entered service in 1956.
Q2: What was special about the original Routemaster's entrance?
Answer: An open rear platform
Passengers hopped on and off.
Q3: Who traveled on Routemasters collecting fares?
Answer: Conductors
They also rang the bell.
Q4: When did Routemasters leave regular service?
Answer: 2005
Heritage routes kept some running.
Q5: Which design studio styled the New Routemaster?
Answer: Heatherwick Studio
It entered service in 2012.
Q6: What nickname did the New Routemaster get?
Answer: Borismaster
It was linked to Mayor Boris Johnson.
Q7: Why are London buses red?
Answer: A dominant operator chose red in the early 1900s
It became a city tradition.
Q8: How do passengers pay on London buses today?
Answer: Contactless card or Oyster
Buses went cashless in 2014.
Q9: Which body runs London's transport network?
Answer: Transport for London
It is known as TfL.
Q10: Which 1963 film starred Cliff Richard and a London bus?
Answer: Summer Holiday
The bus traveled across Europe.

London Bus Quiz – The Routemaster and Red Double-Deckers

London's red double-decker buses are a city icon. The classic Routemaster entered service in 1956, with an open rear platform for hopping on and off and conductors who collected fares and rang the bell.

Routemasters left regular service in 2005, though heritage routes kept some running. In 2012 the New Routemaster, styled by Heatherwick Studio and nicknamed the Borismaster, brought back a rear platform design.

Buses are red because a dominant early 1900s operator chose the color, and it became tradition. Transport for London runs the network, and buses went cashless in 2014. The 1963 film Summer Holiday took a London bus across Europe.

What This Quiz Teaches

Travel and history fans will enjoy these questions.

What the Routemaster was
How it worked
When it retired
What replaced it
Why buses are red

Did You Know?

Night buses run through the early hours.
London has thousands of buses in service.
Bus stops show route numbers on red signs.
Electric and hydrogen buses are growing.
Tourists love the top front seats.