'London buses - Info sheet' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

London's iconic buses have a rich history, with the first omnibus service introduced by George Shillibeer on 4 July 1829, inspired by the system in Paris. Initially, a trio of horses pulled these vehicles, accommodating up to 22 passengers. The fares for these early journeys were set at one shilling for the full route from Paddington to Bank, and sixpence for half the distance, amounts that equate to approximately £4 and £2 in current currency. Fast forward to 2023, and London's bus fleet has become a beacon of sustainability with over 950 zero-emission buses in service. The network boasts 8,700 buses traversing more than 700 routes and connecting passengers via 19,000 bus stops. Each day, these buses facilitate the movement of 6.5 million people around the city. The distinctive red colour of London buses dates back to 1907, chosen by the General Omnibus Company to make the vehicles easily distinguishable amidst the hustle and bustle of city traffic.

Among the many routes that London's buses serve, Route 24 is notable for its longevity and minimal changes since its inception in 1911, running between Pimlico and Hampstead Heath. In contrast, Route 25, stretching from Oxford Circus to Ilford, claims the title of the busiest, having served nearly 20 million passengers in the previous year. Route 26 holds the record for the longest, spanning 38 km from Heathrow Airport to Croydon, a journey that can take up to 2 hours. Route 29 has the most stops, with passengers able to alight at 73 different points. Between 2001 and 2011, London experimented with the bendy bus, but due to the challenges of navigating the city's narrow streets, the model was ultimately deemed unsuitable. A common observation about London buses is their tendency to arrive in groups after a lengthy wait, a phenomenon known as 'bunching', often caused by minor delays that disrupt the smooth flow of service.

'How important is the transport system that serves London? - Presentation' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

How important is the transport system that serves London? - Presentation

'How important is the transport system that serves London? - Teacher notes' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

How important is the transport system that serves London? - Teacher notes

'10 interesting facts about the London Underground' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

10 interesting facts about the London Underground

'London Underground game' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

London Underground game

'Travelling around London on the Underground' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

Travelling around London on the Underground

'London buses - 10 interesting facts - Worksheet' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

London buses - 10 interesting facts - Worksheet

'London's airports - Worksheet' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

London's airports - Worksheet

'London taxis - Info sheet' is a resource from 'What does it mean to be a capital city?', a Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'What does it mean to be a capital city?'

London taxis - Info sheet

This resource will help teachers create an engaging and educational lesson on the topic of the advantages and disadvantages of London's various modes of transport. This lesson provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of transport – from Rail Transport and Air Transport to Road Transport and Private Owned Vehicles – and examines factors such as Own Motor Vehicles and Own Road Services to Long Distances, Motor Transport, and Initial Capital Investment. Additionally, this lesson will provide insight into the pros and cons of each type of transport, from examining the advantages of Air Transportation to the disadvantages of Water Transport. The lesson will also cover topics such as Carrying Capacity, Packing Costs, International Airports, Actual Cost, Transporting Goods, and Unloading Expenses, as well as offer a comparison of Other Modes.Features of this Resource:<ul><li>Enquiry-based approach to answer the question ‘What does it mean to be a capital city?’</li><li>Covers a wide range of transport, from Rail Transport and Air Transport to Road Transport and Private Owned Vehicles</li><li>Examines factors such as Own Motor Vehicles and Own Road Services to Long Distances, Motor Transport, and Initial Capital Investment</li><li>Examines the advantages and disadvantages of different types of transport</li><li>Covers topics such as Carrying Capacity, Packing Costs, International Airports, Actual Cost, Transporting Goods, and Unloading Expenses</li><li>Compares Other Modes</li></ul>Using this lesson can make lesson planning easier for teachers by providing a comprehensive resource that covers all of the different aspects of London's various modes of transport. It will help teachers introduce the concept of transport in London through an interesting, engaging, and educational manner which will help students understand the advantages and disadvantages of various modes of transport, from Rail Transport and Air Transport to Road Transport and Private Owned Vehicles. Additionally, this lesson can help teachers save time and money by providing detailed information about topics such as Carrying Capacity, Packing Costs, International Airports, and Actual Cost. The lesson also serves as a great way to get students thinking critically and creatively about the various aspects of transport in London.

Advantages and disadvantages of London modes of transport

Year 3 Geography lesson from the unit London. This lesson uses an enquiry-approach method, and will facilitate students answering the question 'How important is the transport system that serves London?'

How important is the transport system that serves London?

Year 3

Geography

London

London buses - Info sheet

Awarded an OBE for Services to Education, Clive Davies has designed and built these schemes around progression and enquiry. Focus Education resources are of the highest educational quality.