London Bus, The

Synopsis: Four films which together tell the story of the history of the red bus which has been a familiar sight in London for over a century.
Series: Yesterday’s Britain, Series
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Year of release: 2003
Year of production: 1957-1984
Notes: Also available on a DVD entitled THE CAPITAL TRANSPORT COLLECTION, combined with CAPITAL TRANSPORT and BUILDING LONDON’S VICTORIA LINE.
Subjects: Technology
Keywords: bus services; history of technology; London

Title: Omnibus 150
Synopsis: This film was made in 1979 to celebrate 150 years since George Shillibeer ran the first regular bus service in the capital. It traces the development of the bus from horse buses, to motor buses and on to the purpose built buses designed by London Transport, the RT followed by the Routemaster. Produced by British Transport Films on behalf of London Transport
Duration: 16 mins
Title: Overhaul
Synopsis: A film made in 1957 showing the rationalised dismantling and re-integration of 44 buses each week at London Transport’s Aldenham Works. This was one of the most up-to-date plants of its kind in the world and maintained by flow-process techniques the world’s largest fleet of 7,500 buses.
Duration: 17 mins
Title: Nine road, The
Synopsis: The Nine Road is the busman’s name for one of London’s oldest and most used bus routes, running between Mortlake and Liverpool Street. The film follows route 9 on a summer’s day, and shows the operation and control of a Routmaster bus from early morning until past midnight.
Duration: 21 mins
Title: Getting to grips
Synopsis: A short film made in 1984 featuring a driver learning the technique of controlling his Routemaster bus on the greasy wet surface of the famous Chiswick skid patch, which closed down about six months after the film was made.
Duration: 2 mins

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British Universities Film & Video Council