First Bus London

First Bus London is a bus company that runs buses in Greater London and some parts of Surrey. It is part of a larger company called FirstGroup. First Bus London runs its buses with permission from Transport for London.

The company started in 2025 when it bought another bus company called RATP Dev Transit London from the RATP Group. Since then, it has helped people travel around the city and nearby areas by bus.

History

Main articles: RATP Dev Transit London, London Sovereign, and London United Busways

FirstGroup used to run bus services in London under contract to Transport for London. In 2013, it sold these services to other bus companies such as Metroline, Go-Ahead London, and Tower Transit.

In December 2024, FirstGroup bought RATP Dev Transit London from the RATP Group for £90 million. This purchase included companies like London Sovereign and London United. FirstGroup now has a share of London’s bus services, ten garages, and many buses and workers. The purchase was finished on 28 February 2025, and FirstGroup created a new company called First Bus London.

Garages

First Bus London operates from 9 garages: Edgware, Fulwell, Harrow, Hounslow, Hounslow Heath, Shepherd's Bush, Stamford Brook, Tolworth, and Westbourne Park.

London Sovereign

Edgware (BT)

Edgware garage operates many routes. It opened in 1925. A new building was added in 1939, and a large new garage was built in 1984. Plans for a new garage were approved in 2025.

Harrow (SO)

Harrow garage operates several routes. It opened in 1994 and is the smallest garage, holding only 42 buses.

London United

Fulwell (FW)

Main article: Fulwell bus garage

Fulwell garage operates many routes. It opened as a main depot in 1931 and has two sections.

Hounslow (AV)

Hounslow garage operates many routes. It opened in 1913 and was rebuilt in the 1950s.

Hounslow Heath (WK)

Hounslow Heath garage operates several routes.

Shepherd's Bush (S)

Shepherd's Bush garage operates many routes. It opened in 1906.

Stamford Brook (V)

Stamford Brook garage operates several routes. It opened as a bus garage in 1980.

Tolworth (TV)

Tolworth garage operates many routes. It was built on the site of a former coal yard.

London Transit

Westbourne Park (X)

Westbourne Park garage operates many routes. It opened in 1981 and was built beneath a major road.

Fleet

First Bus London started with 982 buses. These buses came from RATP Dev Transit London. By March 2025, they had grown to 1,007 buses.