London Bus Cafe
About us

Meet RML2291.

A 1960s London Routemaster with a long working life behind her, and a new one as London Bus Cafe.

Her working life

From Oxford Street to your event.

The Routemaster was designed for London and carried its passengers from 1956 until the last ones left regular service in December 2005. Of the 2,876 built, around 1,200 survive.

RML2291 is one of the lengthened RMLs, and she still carries her original registration, CUV 291C.

  1. Mid-1960s

    New to London

    Built as an RML, the longer Routemaster with 72 seats, and registered CUV 291C.

  2. On the road

    Central London routes

    Routes including the 24 through Pimlico, the 28, the 7 to East Acton and the 23 along Oxford Street to Paddington and Ladbroke Grove, latterly in First London colours.

  3. 2005

    End of an era

    Routemasters were withdrawn from regular London service in December 2005.

  4. After London

    A second life

    Private ownership, then events, including time as a mobile bar at festivals and parties.

  5. Today

    London Bus Cafe

    Refitted with serving hatches, a coffee counter downstairs and a lounge upstairs, and back among people.

From the archive

RML2291 at work.

RML2291 on route 28
Route 28Leaving a stop with the rear platform open, as Routemasters were built to do.
RML2291 on route 23
Route 23Paddington, Oxford Street and Ladbroke Grove, in First London colours.
RML2291 on after london
After LondonParked up in private ownership, still showing Oxford Street on her side blinds.
On board

Designed from the inside out.

A working coffee bar below, a lounge above, and the character of a Routemaster throughout.

The lower deck
Lower deck
The upper deck lounge
Upper deck
Seating with the London Bus Cafe crest
Seating
The Premium Coffee crest on the side of the bus
How it works

Private hire only.

RML2291 no longer runs a route and she does not trade on the street. London Bus Cafe is booked for events: she arrives, set up and staffed, looks after your guests, and leaves when you are done.

Every booking is arranged directly with us, from a single afternoon to a residency lasting a season.

Make an enquiry

Bring her to your occasion.

A family celebration or something much bigger, we would like to hear what you are planning.

Start a conversation