Bromley is set to have a rare treat as vintage buses join routes between Bromley and Chislehurst.

If you’re planning a trip to Bromley, Orpington or Chislehurst by bus next Saturday, you could be in for a rare treat with a ride on a vintage bus dating back as early as the 50s.

As part of Heritage Open Days, on Saturday (September 14) the London Bus Museum will be running the series of heritage buses, dating back between the 1950s and the 1970s, alongside the normal buses between Bromley and Chislehurst via Orpington.

On Saturday (September 14) the London Bus Museum will be running the series of heritage buses, dating back between the 1950s and the 1970s.The London Bus Museum will be running the series of heritage buses, dating back between the 1950s and the 1970s. (Image: London Bus Museum)

Which bus routes will this serve?

The vintage buses will serve the 261 and 61 bus routes running from Lewisham to Chislehurst.

Here’s the full list of stops:

  • Lewisham Station, Rennell Street stop D (261)
  • Lee Green, Burnt Ash Road stop F (261)
  • Grove Park Station, stop B (261)
  • Bromley North Station stop E (61 & 261)
  • Bromley South Station stop Z (61 & 261)
  • Bromley Common, Crown stop BB (61 & 261)
  • Bromley Common, Bus Garage stop BN (61 & 261)
  • Locksbottom, Princess Royal Hospital (261)
  • Locksbottom, St Michael's Church stop HJ (61)
  • Orpington Station stop B (61)
  • Orpington High Street War Memorial stop R (61)
  • Orpington, Goodmead Road stop D (61)
  • Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood Rd stop D (61)
  • Chislehurst, War Memorial stop N (61)
  • Chislehurst, Gordon Arms stop X (61)

The vintage buses will serve the 261 and 61 bus routes running from Lewisham to Chislehurst. (Image: London Bus Museum)

When will they run?

The buses will run on Saturday (September 14) between 10am and 5pm.

People wanting to ride one of these buses can simply “put out their hand at any 61 or 261 bus stop” to be picked up by a heritage bus.

The main buses that will be used on the day will be the well-known RT-type, which was the largest standardised bus fleet in the world during the 1950s alongside its successor the Routemaster.

People can simply “put out their hand at any 61 or 261 bus stop” to be picked up by a heritage bus.People can simply “put out their hand at any 61 or 261 bus stop” to be picked up by a heritage bus. (Image: London Bus Museum)

Alongside these buses there will also be a range of more modern buses over the years going up to the 1970s.

The day will also have a charitable cause, with Stagecoach London holding an Open Day at Bromley Garage, where for a small entry fee you can see a range of vintage vehicles on display between 11am and 4pm on the day.