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{{Short description|London bus route}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox bus line
{{Infobox bus line
|number = 38
|number = 38
|image = Arriva London bus LT6 (LT12 FHT), route 38, 5 May 2013.jpg
|image = LTZ1318-38-20241108-103911.jpg
|image_width = 300
|image_width = 300
|caption = [[New Routemaster]] in May 2013
|caption = [[Arriva London]] [[New Routemaster]] at [[Shaftesbury Avenue]] in November 2024
|bgcolor = red
|bgcolor = red
|titlecolor = white
|titlecolor = white
|operator = [[Arriva London]]
|operator = [[Arriva London]]
|garage = [[Arriva London#Clapton (CT)|Clapton (CT)]]
|garage = [[Clapton bus garage|Clapton]]
|vehicle = Volvo B5LH 11.5m / Wright Eclipse Gemini 3<br>Enviro 400H EV Cities
|vehicle = [[New Routemaster]]
|pvr = 52
|pvr = 36
|predecessors =
|predecessors =
|night = Night Bus [[London Buses route N38|N38]]
|night = Night Bus [[London Buses route N38|N38]]
|start = [[Clapton Pond]]
|start = [[Clapton Pond]]
|via = [[Essex Road]]<br>[[Angel, London|Angel]]<br>[[Holborn]]<br>[[Piccadilly]]
|via = [[Hackney Central]]<br/>[[Essex Road]]<br />[[Angel, London|Angel]]<br />[[Holborn]]<br />[[Piccadilly]]
|end = [[Victoria bus station]]
|end = [[Victoria bus station]]
|length = {{convert|7|mi}}
|length = {{convert|7|mi}}
|level = Daily
|level = Daily
|frequency =
|frequency = About every 3-6 minutes
|day =
|day = 05:30 until 01:30
|time =
|time = 45-68 minutes
|fare =
|map = }}
|map = }}


'''London Buses route 38''' is a [[Transport for London]] contracted bus route in [[London]], England. Running between [[Clapton Pond]] and [[Victoria bus station]], it is operated by [[Arriva London]]. The route is the most frequent in London with a bus every minute during the morning peak.
'''London Buses route 38''' is a [[Transport for London]] contracted bus route in [[London]], England. Running between [[Clapton Pond]] and [[Victoria bus station]], it is operated by [[Arriva London]].


==History==
==History==
Line 30: Line 30:
[[File:Arriva_London_MA90.JPG|thumb|[[Arriva London]] [[Mercedes-Benz Citaro|Mercedes-Benz O530G]] on the corner of [[Tottenham Court Road]] & [[Shaftesbury Avenue]] in July 2008]]
[[File:Arriva_London_MA90.JPG|thumb|[[Arriva London]] [[Mercedes-Benz Citaro|Mercedes-Benz O530G]] on the corner of [[Tottenham Court Road]] & [[Shaftesbury Avenue]] in July 2008]]
[[File:Arriva_LJ11_ACY,_38_Route,_Clapton_Pond..jpg|thumb|[[Arriva London]] [[Wright Gemini 2]] bodied [[VDL DB300]] at [[Clapton Pond]] in June 2011]]
[[File:Arriva_LJ11_ACY,_38_Route,_Clapton_Pond..jpg|thumb|[[Arriva London]] [[Wright Gemini 2]] bodied [[VDL DB300]] at [[Clapton Pond]] in June 2011]]
Route 38 was introduced on 16 June 1912 as a Monday to Saturday route between [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] and [[Leyton|Leyton Green]] via [[Angel, London|Angel]], [[Dalston]], [[Lower Clapton|Clapton]] and [[Lea Bridge Road]] and between Victoria and [[Epping Forest]] on Sundays. It was operated from [[East London (bus company)#Leyton (T)|Leyton garage]], which opened on the same day. In 1913 a 38A was introduced, taking over the Sunday service and operating between Victoria and Epping Forest.<ref name=Motorbus>{{cite book|last=Warren|first=Kenneth|title=The Motorbus in Central London|date=1986|publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]]|location=Shepperton|isbn=0 7110 1568 6|pages=82-84}}</ref>
Route 38 was introduced on 16 June 1912 as a Monday to Saturday route between [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] and [[Leyton|Leyton Green]] via [[Angel, London|Angel]], [[Dalston]], [[Lower Clapton|Clapton]] and [[Lea Bridge Road]] and between Victoria and [[Epping Forest]] on Sundays. It was operated from [[East London (bus company)#Leyton (T)|Leyton garage]], which opened on the same day. In 1913 a 38A was introduced, taking over the Sunday service and operating between Victoria and Epping Forest.<ref name=Motorbus>{{cite book|last=Warren|first=Kenneth|title=The Motorbus in Central London|date=1986|publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]]|location=Shepperton|isbn=0-7110-1568-6|pages=82–84}}</ref>


[[World War I]] restrictions saw many changes to routes 38 and 38A including withdrawals over certain sections for short periods. The most important of these occurred on 15 May 1916 when the 38 and 38A exchanged their eastern branches permanently. Route 38 was withdrawn between the Bakers Arms and [[Woodford, London|Woodford]] and re-routed to [[Walthamstow Central station|Walthamstow (Hoe street station)]]. In 1919 a 38B was added, running through to [[Loughton]], with the 38A only running as far as Woodford. The 38A disappeared in 1921.<ref name=Motorbus/>
[[World War I]] restrictions saw many changes to routes 38 and 38A including withdrawals over certain sections for short periods. The most important of these occurred on 15 May 1916 when the 38 and 38A exchanged their eastern branches permanently. Route 38 was withdrawn between the Bakers Arms and [[Woodford, London|Woodford]] and re-routed to [[Walthamstow Central station|Walthamstow (Hoe street station)]]. In 1919 a 38B was added, running through to [[Loughton]], with the 38A only running as far as Woodford. The 38A disappeared in 1921.<ref name=Motorbus/>


On 1 December 1924, a new system of route numbering on London Buses came into force under The London Traffic Act of 1924. Route 38 was unchanged; route 38B was renumbered to 138. Both routes had short working suffixed journeys numbered 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 138A, 138B as well as 38E, which was the main daily route Victoria Station to [[Chingford]]. This situation remained until 3 October 1934, when the newly constituted [[London Passenger Transport Board]] instituted its own numbering system. The 38, 38A and 38E became plain 38. The 138 became 38A.<ref name=Motorbus/>
On 1 December 1924, a new system of route numbering on London Buses came into force under the [[London Traffic Act 1924]]. Route 38 was unchanged; route 38B was renumbered to 138. Both routes had short working suffixed journeys numbered 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 138A, 138B as well as 38E, which was the main daily route Victoria Station to [[Chingford]]. This situation remained until 3 October 1934, when the newly constituted [[London Passenger Transport Board]] instituted its own numbering system. The 38, 38A and 38E became plain 38. The 138 became 38A.<ref name=Motorbus/>


From 5 January 1938, on Mondays to Fridays only, route 38 was reduced between Leyton and Chingford and route 38A withdrawn completely. In replacement a route 38B was introduced between Loughton, Woodford, Leyton, [[Walthamstow]] and Chingford. From 3 August 1938 route 38B was withdrawn, and routes 38 and 38A returned to normal.<ref name=Motorbus/>
From 5 January 1938, on Mondays to Fridays only, route 38 was reduced between Leyton and Chingford and route 38A withdrawn completely. In replacement a route 38B was introduced between Loughton, Woodford, Leyton, [[Walthamstow]] and Chingford. From 3 August 1938 route 38B was withdrawn, and routes 38 and 38A returned to normal.<ref name=Motorbus/>
Line 40: Line 40:
As a [[World War I|wartime economy]] routes 38 and 38A were re-routed between Clapton and [[Dalston]] on the direct route via Cricketfield Road (avoiding Hackney) on 5 May 1943. On 15 April 1959 route 38A was re-routed via [[Hackney Central railway station|Hackney Central station]] to replace withdrawn trolleybus route 581. From 1946 until 1965, route 38 also had a summer Sunday extension from [[Chingford railway station|Chingford station]] to Epping Forest via Rangers Road and Epping New Road.<ref name=Motorbus/>
As a [[World War I|wartime economy]] routes 38 and 38A were re-routed between Clapton and [[Dalston]] on the direct route via Cricketfield Road (avoiding Hackney) on 5 May 1943. On 15 April 1959 route 38A was re-routed via [[Hackney Central railway station|Hackney Central station]] to replace withdrawn trolleybus route 581. From 1946 until 1965, route 38 also had a summer Sunday extension from [[Chingford railway station|Chingford station]] to Epping Forest via Rangers Road and Epping New Road.<ref name=Motorbus/>


Following the opening of the first section of the [[Victoria line]] between [[Walthamstow Central station|Walthamstow Central]] and [[Highbury & Islington station|Highbury & Islington]]; on 7 September 1968 a large scale re-organisation of London Buses took place. Route 38A was withdrawn, being replaced by three new routes; [[Red Arrow (bus)|Red Arrow]] route 505 between Victoria and [[Piccadilly Circus]], [[London Buses route 48|route 48]] between Dalston and [[Whipps Cross]] and [[London Buses route 20|route 20]] between Leyton and Loughton. Between Dalston and Hackney route 38A was also replaced by a re-routed 38, which was cut back from Chingford to Walthamstow Garage, being replaced by [[London Buses route 69|route 69]] over this section.<ref name=Motorbus/>
Following the opening of the first section of the [[Victoria line]] between [[Walthamstow Central station|Walthamstow Central]] and [[Highbury & Islington station|Highbury & Islington]]; on 7 September 1968 a large scale re-organisation of London Buses took place. Route 38A was withdrawn, being replaced by three new routes; [[Red Arrow (London Buses)|Red Arrow]] route 505 between Victoria and [[Piccadilly Circus]], [[London Buses route 48|route 48]] between Dalston and [[Whipps Cross]] and [[London Buses route 20|route 20]] between Leyton and Loughton. Between Dalston and Hackney route 38A was also replaced by a re-routed 38, which was cut back from [[Chingford]] to Walthamstow Garage, being replaced by [[London Buses route 69|route 69]] over this section.<ref name=Motorbus/>


On 25 October 1969 route 38 was further cut back to terminate at Leyton Green, being replaced on the Walthamstow section by the newly introduced [[London Buses route 55|route 55]].<ref name=Motorbus/> The Sunday service was converted to one-person operation on 6 June 1987. When London Buses was divided into 11 subsidiaries operation of route 38 was taken over by [[London Forest]]. London Forest was wound up in 1991; the route then became a joint operation between [[Arriva London|Leaside Buses]] and [[East London (bus company)|East London]], before being transferred to Leaside Buses.<ref>{{cite book|last=McLachlan|first=Tom|title=London Buses 1985-1995: Managing The Change|year=1995|publisher=Venture Publications|page=61|isbn=1-898432-74-0}}</ref>
On 25 October 1969 route 38 was further cut back to terminate at Leyton Green, being replaced on the Walthamstow section by the newly introduced [[London Buses route 55|route 55]].<ref name=Motorbus/> The Sunday service was converted to one-person operation on 6 June 1987. When London Buses was divided into 11 subsidiaries operation of route 38 was taken over by [[London Forest]]. London Forest was wound up in 1991; the route then became a joint operation between [[Arriva London|Leaside Buses]] and [[East London (bus company)|East London]], before being transferred to Leaside Buses.<ref>{{cite book|last=McLachlan|first=Tom|title=London Buses 1985-1995: Managing The Change|year=1995|publisher=Venture Publications|page=61|isbn=1-898432-74-0}}</ref>


On 29 Oct 2005, route 38 was converted to one man operation with the [[AEC Routemaster]]s replaced by 46 [[Mercedes-Benz Citaro|Mercedes-Benz O530G]] [[articulated buses]].<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article584096.ece A trip down memory lane for last No.38 Routemaster] ''[[The Times]]''</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Wharmby|first=Matthew|title=The London Bendy Bus|date=2016|publisher=[[Pen & Sword Books]]|location=Barnsley|isbn= 978 1 78383 172 2 |page=51}}</ref> Double deck buses were introduced on 14 November 2009 as part of the [[Mayor of London]]'s policy to withdraw articulated buses from London. The frequency of the route was increased to every 2-3 minutes.<ref>[https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2009/november/next-set-of-bendy-buses-to-leave-london Next set of bendy buses to leave London] Transport for London November 2009</ref>
On 29 Oct 2005, route 38 was converted to one man operation with the [[AEC Routemaster]]s replaced by 46 [[Mercedes-Benz Citaro|Mercedes-Benz O530G]] [[articulated buses]].<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article584096.ece A trip down memory lane for last No.38 Routemaster]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''[[The Times]]''</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Wharmby|first=Matthew|title=The London Bendy Bus|date=2016|publisher=[[Pen & Sword Books]]|location=Barnsley|isbn= 978-1-78383-172-2 |page=51}}</ref> Double deck buses were introduced on 14 November 2009 as part of the [[Mayor of London]]'s policy to withdraw articulated buses from London. The frequency of the route was increased to every 2–3 minutes.<ref>[https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2009/november/next-set-of-bendy-buses-to-leave-london Next set of bendy buses to leave London] Transport for London November 2009</ref>


Eight prototype [[New Routemaster]]s were introduced in February 2012<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16213505 New Routemaster bus unveiled in London] ''[[BBC News]]'' 16 December 2011</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22998867 | title=New route for Ballymena's new 'Boris bus' | work=BBC News | date=21 June 2013 | accessdate=23 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2013-06-21/cleanest-greenest-bus-runs-from-hampstead-heath-to-pimlico/ | title='Cleanest, greenest' bus runs from Hampstead Heath to Pimlico | publisher=ITV | date=21 June 2013 | accessdate=23 June 2013}}</ref> Full conversion to New Routemasters occurred on 10 May 2014.<ref>[https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/july/route-8-and-38-now-served-by-new-routemaster-buses Routes 8 and 38 now served by New Routemaster buses] Transport For London July 2014</ref> On 12 November 2016, Arriva London commenced a further contract.<ref>"Arriva big winner in latest tender round" ''[[Coach & Bus Week]]'' issue 1241 17 May 2016 page 10</ref><ref>"Tender News" ''[[Bus Talk]]'' issue 40 June 2016 page 11</ref><ref>"Arriva does well in route awards" ''[[Buses Magazine]]'' issue 736 July 2016 page 24</ref>
Eight prototype [[New Routemaster]]s were introduced in February 2012<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16213505 New Routemaster bus unveiled in London] ''[[BBC News]]'' 16 December 2011</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22998867 | title=New route for Ballymena's new 'Boris bus' | work=BBC News | date=21 June 2013 | access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2013-06-21/cleanest-greenest-bus-runs-from-hampstead-heath-to-pimlico/ | title='Cleanest, greenest' bus runs from Hampstead Heath to Pimlico | publisher=ITV | date=21 June 2013 | access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref> Full conversion to New Routemasters occurred on 10 May 2014.<ref>[https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/july/route-8-and-38-now-served-by-new-routemaster-buses Routes 8 and 38 now served by New Routemaster buses] Transport For London July 2014</ref> On 12 November 2016, Arriva London commenced a further contract.<ref>"Arriva big winner in latest tender round" ''[[Coach & Bus Week]]'' issue 1241 17 May 2016 page 10</ref><ref>"Tender News" ''[[Bus Talk]]'' issue 40 June 2016 page 11</ref><ref>"Arriva does well in route awards" ''[[Buses Magazine]]'' issue 736 July 2016 page 24</ref>


In 2015/16 it was the seventh busiest TfL bus service, with 12.3 million passengers.<ref>https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/enwiki/static/cms/documents/bus-service-usage.xlsx</ref>
In 2015/16 it was the seventh busiest TfL bus service, with 12.3 million passengers.<ref>https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/enwiki/static/cms/documents/bus-service-usage.xlsx {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>


In 2021, the maximum frequency of the route was reduced from 15 buses per hour to 12.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mortimer|first=Josiah|date=2021-12-21|title=The 41 London bus routes that have quietly been cut in 2021|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/41-london-bus-routes-quietly-22524597|access-date=2022-01-27|website=MyLondon|language=en}}</ref>
on 10 January 2017, the 38 and N38's [[New Routemaster]]s were replaced with [[Wright Eclipse Gemini 3]] bodied [[Volvo B5LH]]s

on 14 January 2019, new electric Enviro 400 EV bodied Cities were introduced on the routes 38 and N38


==Current route==
==Current route==
Route 38 operates via these primary locations:<ref>[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/38 Route 38 Map] Transport for London</ref>
Route 38 operates via these primary locations:<ref>[https://www.tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/38 Route 38 Map] Transport for London</ref>
*[[Clapton Pond]]
*[[Clapton Pond]] ''Lea Bridge Roundabout''
*[[Clapton Girls' Academy]]
*[[Hackney Central railway station|Hackney Central station]] {{rail-interchange|london|overground}}
*[[Hackney Central railway station|Hackney Central station]] {{rail-interchange|london|overground}}
*[[Dalston Junction railway station|Dalston Junction station]] {{rail-interchange|london|overground}}
*[[Dalston Junction railway station|Dalston Junction station]] {{rail-interchange|london|overground}}
*[[Essex Road railway station|Essex Road station]] {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
*[[Essex Road railway station|Essex Road station]] {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
*[[Islington Green]]
*[[Angel tube station|Angel station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Angel tube station|Angel station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Sadler's Wells Theatre]]
*[[Holborn tube station|Holborn station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Holborn tube station|Holborn station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Bloomsbury Square]]
*[[Tottenham Court Road station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Tottenham Court Road station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|crossrail}}
*[[Piccadilly Circus tube station|Piccadilly Circus station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Piccadilly Circus tube station|Piccadilly Circus station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Green Park tube station|Green Park station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Green Park tube station|Green Park station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Hyde Park Corner tube station|Hyde Park Corner station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Hyde Park Corner tube station|Hyde Park Corner station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}}
*[[Victoria bus station]] {{rail-interchange|london|bus}} for [[London Victoria station|Victoria station]] {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
*[[Victoria bus station]] {{rail-interchange|london|bus}} {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
[[Grime music|Grime MC]] and [[Bow, London|Bow]] resident [[Wiley (rapper)|Wiley]] mentioned the route 38 in his lyrics. An example of which is ''"I'm like the 38 bus cos I never turn up!".''<ref>[http://www.factmag.com/2009/07/24/the-essential-wiley/ The Essential...Wiley] ''[[FACT (United Kingdom magazine)|FACT]]'', {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311195952/http://www.factmag.com/2009/07/24/the-essential-wiley/ |date=11 March 2011 }}</ref>
[[Grime music|Grime MC]] and [[Bow, London|Bow]] resident [[Wiley (rapper)|Wiley]] mentioned the route 38 in his lyrics. An example of which is ''"I'm like the 38 bus cos I never turn up!".''<ref>[http://www.factmag.com/2009/07/24/the-essential-wiley/ The Essential...Wiley] ''[[FACT (United Kingdom magazine)|FACT]]'', {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311195952/http://www.factmag.com/2009/07/24/the-essential-wiley/ |date=11 March 2011 }}</ref>

Connan Mockasin expressed similar sentiments in his song "Forever Dolphin Love" with the lyrics "The 38 that took too long to Dalston".


An AEC Routemaster bus with route 38 blinds is displayed in the [[Falkland Islands]] capital of [[Port Stanley]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3663823/Dont-mention-the-war.html Don't mention the war] ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' 17 March 2007</ref>
An AEC Routemaster bus with route 38 blinds is displayed in the [[Falkland Islands]] capital of [[Port Stanley]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3663823/Dont-mention-the-war.html Don't mention the war] ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' 17 March 2007</ref>

The bus and its route is central to the children's book Gaspard's Foxtrot by [[Zeb Soanes]] and [[James Mayhew]], listing many of its stops and landmarks along the way.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gaspard the Fox — ABOUT|url=https://www.gaspardthefox.com/about|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Gaspard the Fox|language=en-GB}}</ref> It has been adapted as a concert work by the composer [[Jonathan Dove]].

==Trivia==
Several buses start or terminate from [[Hackney Central]] during weekday daytimes, instead of [[Clapton Pond]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=38 bus timetable - Hackney Central Station|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/timetable/38?fromId=490001127E&direction=outbound|website=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=38 bus timetable - Graham Road / Hackney Central|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/timetable/38?fromId=490009644E&direction=outbound|website=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 17:20, 26 November 2024

38
Arriva London New Routemaster at Shaftesbury Avenue in November 2024
Overview
OperatorArriva London
GarageClapton
VehicleNew Routemaster
Peak vehicle requirement36
Night-timeNight Bus N38
Route
StartClapton Pond
ViaHackney Central
Essex Road
Angel
Holborn
Piccadilly
EndVictoria bus station
Length7 miles (11 km)
Service
LevelDaily
FrequencyAbout every 3-6 minutes
Journey time45-68 minutes
Operates05:30 until 01:30

London Buses route 38 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Clapton Pond and Victoria bus station, it is operated by Arriva London.

History

[edit]
AEC Routemaster at Victoria bus station in August 1998
Arriva London Mercedes-Benz O530G on the corner of Tottenham Court Road & Shaftesbury Avenue in July 2008
Arriva London Wright Gemini 2 bodied VDL DB300 at Clapton Pond in June 2011

Route 38 was introduced on 16 June 1912 as a Monday to Saturday route between Victoria and Leyton Green via Angel, Dalston, Clapton and Lea Bridge Road and between Victoria and Epping Forest on Sundays. It was operated from Leyton garage, which opened on the same day. In 1913 a 38A was introduced, taking over the Sunday service and operating between Victoria and Epping Forest.[1]

World War I restrictions saw many changes to routes 38 and 38A including withdrawals over certain sections for short periods. The most important of these occurred on 15 May 1916 when the 38 and 38A exchanged their eastern branches permanently. Route 38 was withdrawn between the Bakers Arms and Woodford and re-routed to Walthamstow (Hoe street station). In 1919 a 38B was added, running through to Loughton, with the 38A only running as far as Woodford. The 38A disappeared in 1921.[1]

On 1 December 1924, a new system of route numbering on London Buses came into force under the London Traffic Act 1924. Route 38 was unchanged; route 38B was renumbered to 138. Both routes had short working suffixed journeys numbered 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 138A, 138B as well as 38E, which was the main daily route Victoria Station to Chingford. This situation remained until 3 October 1934, when the newly constituted London Passenger Transport Board instituted its own numbering system. The 38, 38A and 38E became plain 38. The 138 became 38A.[1]

From 5 January 1938, on Mondays to Fridays only, route 38 was reduced between Leyton and Chingford and route 38A withdrawn completely. In replacement a route 38B was introduced between Loughton, Woodford, Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford. From 3 August 1938 route 38B was withdrawn, and routes 38 and 38A returned to normal.[1]

As a wartime economy routes 38 and 38A were re-routed between Clapton and Dalston on the direct route via Cricketfield Road (avoiding Hackney) on 5 May 1943. On 15 April 1959 route 38A was re-routed via Hackney Central station to replace withdrawn trolleybus route 581. From 1946 until 1965, route 38 also had a summer Sunday extension from Chingford station to Epping Forest via Rangers Road and Epping New Road.[1]

Following the opening of the first section of the Victoria line between Walthamstow Central and Highbury & Islington; on 7 September 1968 a large scale re-organisation of London Buses took place. Route 38A was withdrawn, being replaced by three new routes; Red Arrow route 505 between Victoria and Piccadilly Circus, route 48 between Dalston and Whipps Cross and route 20 between Leyton and Loughton. Between Dalston and Hackney route 38A was also replaced by a re-routed 38, which was cut back from Chingford to Walthamstow Garage, being replaced by route 69 over this section.[1]

On 25 October 1969 route 38 was further cut back to terminate at Leyton Green, being replaced on the Walthamstow section by the newly introduced route 55.[1] The Sunday service was converted to one-person operation on 6 June 1987. When London Buses was divided into 11 subsidiaries operation of route 38 was taken over by London Forest. London Forest was wound up in 1991; the route then became a joint operation between Leaside Buses and East London, before being transferred to Leaside Buses.[2]

On 29 Oct 2005, route 38 was converted to one man operation with the AEC Routemasters replaced by 46 Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses.[3][4] Double deck buses were introduced on 14 November 2009 as part of the Mayor of London's policy to withdraw articulated buses from London. The frequency of the route was increased to every 2–3 minutes.[5]

Eight prototype New Routemasters were introduced in February 2012[6][7][8] Full conversion to New Routemasters occurred on 10 May 2014.[9] On 12 November 2016, Arriva London commenced a further contract.[10][11][12]

In 2015/16 it was the seventh busiest TfL bus service, with 12.3 million passengers.[13]

In 2021, the maximum frequency of the route was reduced from 15 buses per hour to 12.[14]

Current route

[edit]

Route 38 operates via these primary locations:[15]

[edit]

Grime MC and Bow resident Wiley mentioned the route 38 in his lyrics. An example of which is "I'm like the 38 bus cos I never turn up!".[16]

Connan Mockasin expressed similar sentiments in his song "Forever Dolphin Love" with the lyrics "The 38 that took too long to Dalston".

An AEC Routemaster bus with route 38 blinds is displayed in the Falkland Islands capital of Port Stanley.[17]

The bus and its route is central to the children's book Gaspard's Foxtrot by Zeb Soanes and James Mayhew, listing many of its stops and landmarks along the way.[18] It has been adapted as a concert work by the composer Jonathan Dove.

Trivia

[edit]

Several buses start or terminate from Hackney Central during weekday daytimes, instead of Clapton Pond.[19][20]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Warren, Kenneth (1986). The Motorbus in Central London. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 82–84. ISBN 0-7110-1568-6.
  2. ^ McLachlan, Tom (1995). London Buses 1985-1995: Managing The Change. Venture Publications. p. 61. ISBN 1-898432-74-0.
  3. ^ A trip down memory lane for last No.38 Routemaster[dead link‍] The Times
  4. ^ Wharmby, Matthew (2016). The London Bendy Bus. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-78383-172-2.
  5. ^ Next set of bendy buses to leave London Transport for London November 2009
  6. ^ New Routemaster bus unveiled in London BBC News 16 December 2011
  7. ^ "New route for Ballymena's new 'Boris bus'". BBC News. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  8. ^ "'Cleanest, greenest' bus runs from Hampstead Heath to Pimlico". ITV. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  9. ^ Routes 8 and 38 now served by New Routemaster buses Transport For London July 2014
  10. ^ "Arriva big winner in latest tender round" Coach & Bus Week issue 1241 17 May 2016 page 10
  11. ^ "Tender News" Bus Talk issue 40 June 2016 page 11
  12. ^ "Arriva does well in route awards" Buses Magazine issue 736 July 2016 page 24
  13. ^ https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/enwiki/static/cms/documents/bus-service-usage.xlsx [dead link‍]
  14. ^ Mortimer, Josiah (21 December 2021). "The 41 London bus routes that have quietly been cut in 2021". MyLondon. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  15. ^ Route 38 Map Transport for London
  16. ^ The Essential...Wiley FACT, Archived 11 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Don't mention the war The Daily Telegraph 17 March 2007
  18. ^ "Gaspard the Fox — ABOUT". Gaspard the Fox. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  19. ^ "38 bus timetable - Hackney Central Station". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  20. ^ "38 bus timetable - Graham Road / Hackney Central". Transport for London. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
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