London Buses - Accessibility

London Bus Fare Discounts

Wheelchair users are entitled to free travel on buses, as are Freedom Pass holders. Children and young people under the age of 18 in full-time education are also entitled to free travel on buses.

Low-Floor Buses in London

All buses are low-floor vehicles (excluding Heritage buses on routes 9 and 15), which means that they are lowered to street level when the bus stops and the doors open. This enables all customers, including people using wheelchairs, people with buggies, people with assistance dogs, and people with other mobility impairments to get on and off buses easily.

Every bus also has a retractable ramp, which connects the floor of the bus directly with the pavement, making access possible for wheelchair users. If you're unable to board a bus because of a broken ramp, please wait for the next one, and tell the customer services team as soon as possible, telephone +44 (0)845 300 7000.

Passengers Using Wheelchairs on London Buses

On all buses, there is room for one person using a wheelchair. Wheelchairs can be accommodated up to a size of 70cm wide by 120cm long.

London Bus Passengers Using Wheelchairs - Boarding

On most buses you’ll be boarding at the centre doors, where the ramp is located, so you might find it easier to position yourself a little way along the pavement, before the stop, to allow the driver to see you sooner.

When boarding the bus, the front doors will stay closed so passengers getting on don't obstruct you as you board. The centre doors will open so passengers can get off. The centre doors will then be closed and the wheelchair ramp extended. Once the centre doors are opened, it’s safe for you to board the bus. It’s best to board forward as it makes it easier to position yourself once on board.

Once on board, position yourself in the wheelchair space, with your back against the backrest and your brake on, to make sure your chair doesn't move when the bus does.

London Bus Passengers Using Wheelchairs - Disembarking

To leave the bus, press the button with the wheelchair symbol on it, next to the wheelchair space, shortly before your stop.

This button has a distinct sound and a light will appear on the driver’s dashboard to let him know yours is the next stop. The bus will pull in close to the kerb. The front doors will stay closed to give you time to get off. The centre doors will open so other passengers can get off. The centre doors will close and the driver will extend the ramp. The centre doors will reopen so you can leave the bus. If, however, the ramp goes out of service after you have boarded, it is the responsibility of the bus operator to ensure that you can leave the bus safely.

London Bus Passengers with Buggies

Low-floor buses are designed to allow buggies to remain unfolded in the wheelchair space. Please make sure that buggies are safely positioned within the designated area. For everyone’s comfort and safety, unfolded buggies cannot travel in the gangway.

Wheelchair users have priority over everyone else for use of the wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely. If someone in a wheelchair wishes to board, and the wheelchair space is occupied by buggies, buggy users will be asked to fold them and put them in the luggage space or keep them by their side.

If you use a buggy, you should be able to board any low-floor bus unless (in the driver’s opinion) it is so crowded that there is no room for you to travel safely. You will only be refused admittance when it is absolutely necessary. No-one already travelling will be asked to get off the bus.

Buggies that are too wide to be wheeled into the bus via the front door must be folded. Buggy users are not allowed to board through the centre doors of dual-door buses.

London Bus Passengers with Assistance Dogs

There is no limit on the number of assistance dogs the bus driver can allow on the bus, as long as there is space. London Buses welcome all assistance dogs, including guide dogs, hearing dogs, fetch and carry dogs, mental health companion dogs, and dogs that can sense when their owner is about to have an epileptic fit. All we ask is that your dog doesn't block the gangway.