If your question is not answered below, contact us here.
Q. Can visitors board the buses on display and/or sit inside them?
A. Normally Yes, within reason.
With over 100,000 visitors a year, we have to protect our old buses from excessive wear and also ensure the safety of visitors. However, we usually have at least one bus which visitors can board, subject to the agreement of a steward. For safety reasons visitors cannot enter the driver's cab.
Children under 16 must be closely supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Our stewards are instructed not to allow children to board buses on their own.
Q. Can authors, researchers, historians etc. obtain help with enquiries about the history of the London bus?
A. YES – we have an extensive Library and collection of artefacts and other historical records, and knowledgeable LBM volunteers can assist with academic and personal research, provide historical context and advice to film-makers, etc. Researchers etc. can visit the LBM Library and Curatorial Department by prior arrangement (contact us here).
Q. Can we ride on your buses on the road?
A. YES – bus rides are offered (subject to crews and buses being available) at weekends and during Surrey school holidays, and at our regular annual events at Brooklands. Our heritage days give the opportunity away from the Museum for longer rides on historic buses over present-day London routes.
Q. Can we hire a bus for a wedding, prom, private party or similar?
A. Unfortunately as an Accredited Museum/Charitable Trust we are not able to hire buses to the public but the following specialists in heritage bus hire may be able to help:
Q. Can we hire a bus for a film, TV production etc.?
A. Yes, this may be possible. Contact us here with details.
Q. Can you provide a speaker for our function?
A. Yes, this may be possible. Read more here.
Q. Can you provide advice to owners of preserved buses about restoration, maintenance, spare parts etc.?
A. No, we regret that we do not have the resources for this. We recommend joining a recognised bus preservation group or society. That said, many of our Members are themselves active preservationists and mutual help is available amongst regular volunteers. By becoming a member and getting actively involved as a volunteer, you might well benefit from this.