How are bus route numbers given?

Question

I've often wondered this whilst waiting for ages as other buses go past!

Answer 1

It depends on the bus company and I would expect it differs between each one. For example we have 2 different companies here (Bournemouth, Dorset). One seems to go by it's destination, with letters defining the different ways to get there (ie. 6a, 6b, 6c) and the other seems a little more random and is just numbers.

Answer 2

They would have had some theory to them in the past 1, 2, 3 in a certain direction around a town...but with so many service changes being removed and added over many years they do not make sense at all. To review all bus service numbers in an area and change them all to make sense would cause anxiety to passengers as they are used to travelling on a certain number. Humans don't like changes to their routine including the number of their bus. More to the point it also causes too much hassle for bus opertors and they don't seem to see there is anything wrong to the travelling public. honest.

Answer 3

In London most lower numbers (ie single and double figures) were originally allocated by London General Omnibus Co in early 20thC and many have stuck (often shortened / re routed). Higher numbers are often in the suburbs which came later or were incorporated into London Transport (who took obver LGOC and many other cos) in 1933.

Answer 4

You need to ask the bus company.

Answer 5

great carry on counting.