Transport for LondonHistory
In 1555 an Act of Parliament set up the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. This was to control the Watermen on the River Thames who were responsible for the transportation of goods and passengers.
Today Watermen and Lightermen are still licensed by the Company, with Freemen of the Company eligible to participate in the Doggett's Coat and Badge race. Winners of the race have the honour of wearing the Scarlet coat, breeches and silver arm badge based on the original costume of 18th Century Watermen.
The River Thames
In Roman times the Thames was known as "Tamesis" below Dorchester.
It is thought that "Thamesis" derived from "Thame" (a tributary which joins the main river at Dorchester) and "Isis" (the part running into the source) in their celtic forms - "Taom" and "Uis". From "Taom-Uis" meaning 'The pouring out of water' came "Thamesis" which eventually became Thames.
Formation of LRS
Necessary legislation would be incorporated in a government bill for creating the Greater London Authority (GLA), and it was decided that the Thames Piers Agency should, in due course, be absorbed into the GLA's transport agency, Transport for London (TfL). This took place on 3 July 2000.
In the interim period, it was agreed that the new body should be established as a subsidiary of London Transport (LT). So on 18 December 1997, London River Services was formally incorporated as a limited company, to assume the role envisaged for the Thames Piers Agency.
