Next month, vintage buses will take over the 213 bus route in parts of south London and Surrey – and it will be free to travel on.
As part of Heritage Open Days, the London Bus Museum will be putting on a special event for south Londoners as the 213 bus route is taken over by heritage vehicles.
Running for one day only on June 13 from 10am to 5pm, people will have the chance to ride aboard vintage buses, including the iconic Routemasters, with some vehicles dating back as far as the 1950s.
These buses will be completely free to travel on, with no pre-booking required, and the route will run between Kingston and Sutton, with additional heritage services running on part of route 293.
Where it will stop
- Kingston (Eden Street)
- Norbiton Station
- Coombe Lane
- Traps Lane
- New Malden
- Worcester Park
- North Cheam
- Cheam
- Sutton Bus Garage
The day is being held to mark the history of the 213 bus route, recreating bygone eras of bus travel in London and showcasing how buses have evolved over the decades.
Route 213 has been serving south London for more than a century, first launching in 1921 as Route 113 before being renumbered in 1934.
The route has seen major changes over the years, from early single-deck buses to the introduction of double-deck RT-type vehicles in the 1960s, before moving to one-person operation in the 1970s.
Today, it reflects the capital’s push for greener transport, having switched to fully electric buses in 2023, making the return of vintage Routemasters and RT-types a rare glimpse into London’s transport past.
What you need to know
The buses will run in both directions on the day between Kingston and Sutton Bus Garage from 10am until 5pm.
Passengers are welcome to bring dogs on board, and the London Bus Museum has advised that the vehicles are not step-free accessible due to their historic design, although conductors will be on hand to assist where possible.
Some journeys may also include traditional paper tickets as souvenirs.
The regular 213 service will continue to operate alongside the heritage buses, but passengers travelling on those services will still need to pay and tap in as usual.
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